Pregnancy care centers glossary

Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a pregnancy care center provider in Kuala Lumpur.

What is 4D ultrasound?: 4D ultrasound is a real-time, moving three-dimensional image that captures fetal movement and anatomical detail during pregnancy, adding the dimension of time to 3D imaging.
What is a confinement lady (pantang)?: A confinement lady (pantang) is a traditional caregiver who supports new mothers during the postpartum recovery period by preparing warming foods, managing household duties, and assisting with baby care according to Malay and Chinese cultural practices.
What is a doula?: A doula is a trained, non-medical birth support person who provides emotional, physical, and informational assistance to pregnant people and their partners during labor and delivery.
What is a lactation consultant?: A lactation consultant is a trained healthcare professional who provides expert guidance on breastfeeding technique, positioning, and solutions for common feeding challenges.
What is a non-stress test?: A non-stress test is a simple fetal monitoring procedure that tracks the baby's heart rate and movement in response to activity, used to assess fetal wellbeing during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.
What is a nuchal translucency scan?: A first-trimester ultrasound performed between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy that measures the thickness of fluid (translucency) at the back of the fetal neck to screen for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome.
What is a postpartum confinement period?: A traditional 30-44 day postpartum recovery period observed in Malaysian Chinese and Malay cultures, during which new mothers follow specific dietary, rest, and warmth practices to restore health after childbirth.
What is amniocentesis?: Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic procedure in which a thin needle is inserted through the abdomen into the amniotic sac to extract fluid for genetic and chromosomal testing.
What is an antenatal class?: Antenatal classes are structured educational sessions led by nurses, midwives, or doctors that prepare pregnant women and their partners for labor, delivery, and caring for a newborn.
What is an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)?: An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is a blood test performed during pregnancy, usually between 24-28 weeks, to screen for gestational diabetes by measuring how your body processes glucose after consuming a sugar drink.
What is chorionic villus sampling?: Chorionic villus sampling is a prenatal diagnostic procedure that retrieves placental tissue to detect genetic disorders and chromosomal abnormalities in the developing fetus, typically performed between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy.
What is confinement center vs home confinement?: Confinement center is a dedicated facility providing postnatal care during the traditional recovery period, while home confinement involves hiring caregivers to provide similar services at the mother's residence.
What is confinement food (postpartum diet)?: Confinement food is a traditional postpartum diet consisting of warming herbs, ginger, red dates, and herbal soups consumed during the confinement period to aid recovery and restore balance after childbirth.
What is Doppler ultrasound (obstetric)?: Doppler ultrasound is a prenatal imaging technique that uses sound waves to measure blood flow velocity in fetal and placental blood vessels, helping detect circulation problems in high-risk pregnancies.
What is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)?: Gestational diabetes mellitus is a type of diabetes that first appears during pregnancy due to hormonal changes affecting insulin production and use.
What is hypnobirthing?: Hypnobirthing is a childbirth preparation technique that uses guided relaxation, self-hypnosis, and breathing exercises to help manage pain and anxiety during labor.
What is jamu (postpartum herbal treatment)?: Jamu is a traditional Malay herbal treatment using plants, roots, and spices applied as baths, compresses, and massage to support postpartum recovery and strengthen the mother's body.
What is non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)?: Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a maternal blood test that detects fetal DNA fragments to screen for chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), without invasive procedures.
What is perineal tear grading?: Perineal tear grading is a medical classification system that ranks the severity of tears to the tissue between the vagina and anus during vaginal delivery, from first degree (minor) to fourth degree (most severe).
What is placenta previa?: Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta partially or completely covers the cervical opening, which can prevent vaginal delivery and requires careful monitoring.
What is postnatal massage (urut)?: Postnatal massage (urut) is a traditional Malay massage technique performed during the postpartum confinement period to help the uterus contract, restore circulation, and support physical recovery after childbirth.
What is preeclampsia?: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy disorder characterized by elevated blood pressure and protein in the urine or other signs of organ damage, typically occurring after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
What is the Lamaze method?: The Lamaze method is a childbirth preparation technique that uses controlled breathing, relaxation techniques, and continuous support to help manage labor pain and promote active participation during delivery.
What is TORCH screening?: TORCH screening is a blood test panel performed during pregnancy to detect maternal infections (toxoplasmosis, other infections, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex) that can affect fetal development.