Maternal & Baby Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the pregnancy, birth, baby-care and Singapore parenthood terms you will come across. Search or filter by topic.

• 6-Week Postnatal ReviewConfinement & Recovery

  A routine check-up with your doctor or at a polyclinic, usually around four to six weeks after birth, covering your physical recovery, any stitches, mood and emotional wellbeing, breastfeeding, and contraception. It is a good chance to raise any concerns and to discuss returning to exercise. Your hospital or doctor will usually advise how and when to arrange this review.

• AfterpainsConfinement & Recovery

  The cramping tummy pains felt in the days after birth as the womb contracts back towards its normal size. They are often stronger during breastfeeding and in mothers who have had more than one baby. They are usually normal, but speak to your doctor if the pain is severe or does not ease.

• AnaemiaCommon Conditions

  A condition where there are too few healthy red blood cells or too little haemoglobin to carry oxygen around the body, often due to low iron in pregnancy. It can cause tiredness, breathlessness, or paleness; your doctor may check your blood and advise on iron-rich foods or supplements. See our guide on <a href="/blogs/eating-well-in-pregnancy-singapore">eating well in pregnancy</a>.

• Antenatal (also Prenatal)Pregnancy

  Antenatal means the period before birth and refers to the care and check-ups you receive while pregnant. In Singapore this includes regular reviews, blood tests, and scans at a polyclinic, KKH, NUH, or a private clinic. You can read more in our guide to <a href="/blogs/prenatal-checkups-and-scans-singapore">prenatal check-ups and scans</a>.

• Apgar ScoreLabour & Birth

  A quick check of a newborn's condition done at about 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth, scored out of 10. It looks at heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes, and skin colour. A lower score simply tells the care team a baby may need a little extra help settling, and it is not a measure of long-term health or intelligence.

• Baby BluesConfinement & Recovery

  A short-lived period of feeling tearful, irritable, anxious, or low in the first days to about two weeks after birth, linked to hormonal changes, tiredness, and adjusting to a new baby. It is very common and usually passes on its own with rest and support. If low mood is severe, lasts beyond two weeks, or affects daily life, it may be postnatal depression and you should seek help.

• Baby Bonus Cash GiftSG Support & Schemes

  A cash payout from the Government, given in instalments, to help with your child's early years. As at the latest enhancements it is $11,000 for the 1st and 2nd child, and $13,000 for the 3rd and subsequent child. Amounts and payout timing can change, so confirm the current figures on the official <a href="/blogs/baby-bonus-and-support-singapore">Baby Bonus resources</a> before you plan.

• Baby Bonus SchemeSG Support & Schemes

  A Singapore Government scheme that helps parents with the cost of raising children. It has two main parts: the Baby Bonus Cash Gift and the Child Development Account (CDA). You apply through LifeSG. See <a href="/blogs/baby-bonus-and-support-singapore">our Baby Bonus and support guide</a> for the full picture, and confirm the current benefits on the official <a href="/blogs/baby-bonus-and-support-singapore">Baby Bonus resources</a>.

• BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin)Health & Vaccinations

  A vaccine that protects against serious forms of tuberculosis (TB). In Singapore it is usually given to newborns at birth before they leave the hospital, often as one of the very first vaccinations a baby receives.

• BoosterHealth & Vaccinations

  An additional dose of a vaccine given some time after the first course to top up and prolong protection as the initial immunity gradually wanes. Several NCIS vaccines, such as DTaP, include scheduled boosters at set ages. Your doctor or nurse will advise on the recommended timing.

• Braxton Hicks ContractionsPregnancy

  Braxton Hicks are occasional, usually painless tightenings of the womb that many women feel in the later part of pregnancy, sometimes called practice contractions. They are normal and do not mean labour has started. Contact your doctor if contractions become regular, painful, more frequent, or come with bleeding or fluid leaking.

• BreechCommon Conditions

  When the baby is positioned bottom-first or feet-first in the womb instead of head-first near the due date. Many babies turn head-down on their own before labour, and if the baby stays breech, your doctor will discuss options such as turning the baby or a planned caesarean section.

• C-section (Caesarean Section)Labour & Birth

  An operation to deliver the baby through a cut in the mother's abdomen and womb, instead of through the vagina. It may be planned (elective) for medical reasons or done as an emergency during labour if needed. Recovery usually takes longer than a vaginal birth; your obstetrician will explain why one might be recommended for you.

• CDA (Child Development Account)SG Support & Schemes

  A special savings account for your child where the Government matches your savings and also gives a starting grant. Money in the CDA can be used at Baby Bonus Approved Institutions for things like childcare, preschool, and approved healthcare. Unused funds roll into the child's Post-Secondary Education Account when the CDA closes. Confirm the current rules on the official Baby Bonus site.

• CDA First Step GrantSG Support & Schemes

  An upfront grant the Government deposits into your child's Child Development Account without you needing to save first, giving families a head start on the child's education and healthcare costs. The grant is $5,000 for many children, with a larger amount for third and subsequent children under more recent enhancements. Confirm the current amount that applies to your child on the official Baby Bonus site.

• CDA Government Co-MatchingSG Support & Schemes

  On top of the First Step Grant, the Government matches the savings you deposit into your child's CDA, dollar for dollar, up to a cap that rises with birth order. As at the latest enhancements the cap is $4,000 for the 1st child, $7,000 for the 2nd, $9,000 for the 3rd and 4th, and $15,000 for the 5th and subsequent child. To receive the full match, you need to save up to the cap yourself. Confirm the current caps for your child on the official Baby Bonus site.

• Cluster FeedingFeeding

  When a baby wants to feed very frequently over a short period, often in the evening or during growth spurts. It is usually normal newborn behaviour and not a sign that you have too little milk. Feeding on demand during these stretches helps build and maintain your milk supply.

• ColicNewborn & Baby

  Frequent, intense crying in an otherwise healthy, well-fed baby, often in the late afternoon or evening, typically starting in the first few weeks and easing by around three to four months. It is distressing but not dangerous; if you are worried, or if there is fever, poor feeding, or vomiting, have your baby checked by a doctor.

• ColostrumFeeding

  The thick, yellowish first milk your breasts produce from around the middle of pregnancy, becoming more noticeable in the final weeks, and in the first few days after birth. It is rich in antibodies and easy for a newborn to digest, so even small amounts are valuable. The volume is small because a newborn's stomach is tiny, which is normal and not a sign of low supply.

• Confinement (Zuo Yue Zi)Confinement & Recovery

  A traditional postpartum rest period of about 28 to 40 days, during which a new mother recovers, bonds with her baby, and is supported with rest, special foods, and help from family or a hired helper. In Singapore this takes different forms across communities, such as the Chinese practice of zuo yue zi, the Malay pantang, and similar Indian postpartum traditions, so the length and customs vary by culture and family. While rest and support are widely beneficial, you do not have to follow every custom, and you should always seek medical advice for any health concern rather than relying on tradition alone. Learn more in our <a href="/blogs/confinement-guide-singapore">confinement guide</a>.

• Confinement NannyConfinement & Recovery

  A trained helper hired to support a new mother during the confinement period, typically with newborn care, cooking confinement meals, and light household tasks so the mother can rest. In Singapore they are often engaged for around a month, with availability and rates varying by agency and demand, so book early. See our guide on <a href="/blogs/hiring-a-confinement-nanny-singapore">hiring a confinement nanny</a>.

• ContractionsLabour & Birth

  The tightening and relaxing of the muscles of the womb (uterus) that help to open the cervix and push the baby out. In labour they become longer, stronger, and closer together over time. Practice (Braxton Hicks) contractions can happen earlier in pregnancy and are usually irregular and not painful.

• Cradle Cap (Infantile Seborrhoeic Dermatitis)Newborn & Baby

  Harmless yellowish, greasy or flaky patches on a baby's scalp that are common in the first months and are not caused by poor hygiene. It usually clears on its own; gentle washing and a soft brush can help, and you can ask your doctor or polyclinic before using any oils or creams.

• Diastasis RectiConfinement & Recovery

  A partial separation of the two bands of the tummy (abdominal) muscles along the midline, which is very common during and after pregnancy as the belly stretches. It often improves on its own in the months after birth, and gentle, guided core exercises can help. Ask your doctor or a physiotherapist before starting intensive abdominal workouts.

• DilationLabour & Birth

  The gradual opening of the cervix (the neck of the womb), measured in centimetres from 0 to about 10. Full dilation, around 10 cm, means the cervix is wide enough for the baby to move through. Your doctor or midwife checks this during labour.

• DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and acellular Pertussis)Health & Vaccinations

  A combination vaccine that protects against three diseases: diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and pertussis (whooping cough). It is given as a series of doses in infancy under the NCIS, with later booster doses to maintain protection. Vaccination against diphtheria is legally required for children in Singapore.

• EDD (Estimated Due Date)Pregnancy

  Your EDD is the predicted date your baby is likely to arrive, usually calculated as about 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period. It is an estimate, not a deadline, and most babies are born in the weeks around it. You can work out a rough date using our <a href="/tools/due-date-calculator">due date calculator</a>, then confirm it with your doctor.

• EffacementLabour & Birth

  The thinning and shortening of the cervix as it prepares for birth, often described as a percentage from 0 to 100 percent. It usually happens alongside dilation. A first-time mother's cervix may efface before it dilates, while in later births the two often happen together.

• EngorgementFeeding

  When the breasts become overly full, hard, swollen, and tender, commonly in the first week as your milk comes in. Frequent feeding or gentle expressing usually eases it. If it does not settle, or you develop fever or a hot, painful area, see a doctor as it may signal a blocked duct or mastitis.

• EpiduralLabour & Birth

  A form of pain relief during labour in which medicine is given through a fine tube in the lower back to numb the lower part of the body. It is widely available at Singapore hospitals and is one of several pain-relief choices you can discuss with your care team. An anaesthetist places and manages the epidural.

• EpisiotomyLabour & Birth

  A small surgical cut made to the perineum (the area between the vagina and the anus) during birth to widen the opening, sometimes done if the baby needs to be delivered quickly or to help avoid a more serious tear. It is repaired with stitches afterwards and is no longer done routinely. See our article on <a href="/blogs/postnatal-recovery-after-birth">postnatal recovery after birth</a> for healing tips.

• Expressing (Pumping)Feeding

  Removing breast milk by hand or with a manual or electric pump, to store for later or to maintain supply when you are apart from your baby, such as after returning to work. Expressed milk can be safely refrigerated or frozen following recommended storage guidelines. Singapore workplaces are encouraged to support breastfeeding employees with time and space to express.

• Febrile SeizureCommon Conditions

  A convulsion that can happen in young children when their body temperature rises quickly during a fever, most commonly between 6 months and 5 years of age. Although frightening to watch, most febrile seizures are brief and harmless; keep your child safe from injury, do not put anything in their mouth, and seek medical advice. Call 995 or go to the children's emergency department straight away if a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, if the child has difficulty breathing, has repeated seizures, or does not wake up properly afterwards.

• Fever in a NewbornCommon Conditions

  A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or higher in a baby under 3 months old is treated as a medical emergency, even if the baby otherwise seems well. Do not wait or give medicine on your own; bring your baby to a doctor or the children's emergency department (such as at KKH) straight away for assessment.

• Fontanelle (Soft Spot)Newborn & Baby

  The soft, slightly springy gaps between the bones of a baby's skull that allow the head to pass through the birth canal and the brain to grow. The larger one at the top usually closes by around 18 months; gentle touching and normal handling are safe. Tell your doctor if it looks markedly sunken (a possible sign of dehydration) or bulging.

• GBS (Group B Streptococcus)Labour & Birth

  A common bacterium that many healthy women carry in the vagina or bowel without any symptoms. It is usually harmless, but it can occasionally pass to the baby during birth and cause infection. Pregnant women in Singapore are usually offered a GBS swab test in late pregnancy (around 35 to 37 weeks), and antibiotics during labour can greatly reduce the risk to the baby if needed.

• Gestational AgePregnancy

  Gestational age is how far along a pregnancy is, usually counted in weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP) rather than from conception. A full-term pregnancy in Singapore is generally counted as around 40 weeks. Your doctor may adjust this estimate after an early dating scan.

• Gestational DiabetesPregnancy

  Gestational diabetes is a form of high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy and usually resolves after birth. In Singapore many pregnant women are offered a screening test, often around the second trimester, and it is commonly managed with changes to diet and activity, with medication if needed. Your care team will advise the right monitoring and follow-up for you.

• Gestational HypertensionCommon Conditions

  High blood pressure that develops during pregnancy, usually after 20 weeks, in a woman who did not have high blood pressure before. It is monitored closely at antenatal checkups because it can sometimes progress to pre-eclampsia, so always attend your scheduled appointments and report symptoms like bad headaches, swelling, or vision changes to your doctor.

• Government-Paid Maternity Leave (GPML)SG Support & Schemes

  Paid leave for eligible working mothers in Singapore around the birth of a child, with the Government funding part of the cost. The full entitlement of up to 16 weeks applies where the child is a Singapore Citizen and you meet the qualifying conditions, such as the required period of employment before the birth; a shorter entitlement may apply where the child is not a Singapore Citizen. See <a href="/blogs/maternity-and-paternity-leave-singapore">our leave guide</a> and confirm the details that apply to you with MOM.

• Government-Paid Paternity Leave (GPPL)SG Support & Schemes

  Paid leave for eligible working fathers around the birth of their child, funded by the Government. It has been progressively enhanced in recent years, with eligible fathers now able to take up to 4 weeks (subject to meeting the qualifying conditions). As the rules continue to change, check the current number of weeks and eligibility criteria with the Ministry of Manpower before you plan your leave.

• Growth PercentileNewborn & Baby

  A way of comparing your baby's weight, length, or head size against other children of the same age and sex on a growth chart used at health visits. A single number matters less than the overall trend over time; your doctor or polyclinic nurse tracks this in the Health Booklet to check your baby is growing steadily.

• Health BookletHealth & Vaccinations

  The personal health record given to parents (commonly a physical booklet, with records also available digitally) used to record a child's birth details, growth measurements and vaccinations. Bring it to each visit so the doctor or nurse can update it, and keep it safe, as your child's immunisation records (also available via HealthHub) are needed for school enrolment.

• HFMD (Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease)Common Conditions

  A common, usually mild viral infection in young children that causes fever, mouth ulcers, and a rash or blisters on the hands and feet. It spreads easily in childcare settings in Singapore, so keep your child home until they recover, encourage handwashing, and see a doctor if your child cannot drink, has a high fever, or seems very unwell.

• Induction of LabourLabour & Birth

  Starting labour with medical help rather than waiting for it to begin on its own. Doctors may recommend this for reasons such as a pregnancy going past the due date or a health concern for mother or baby. Methods can include medication or breaking the waters; your obstetrician will explain the options for your situation.

• Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)Feeding

  A trained professional who helps with breastfeeding challenges such as latching difficulties, low supply, engorgement, or pain. IBCLC stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, the recognised certification. In Singapore you can find lactation support at hospitals like KKH and NUH, polyclinics, and through private practitioners.

• LatchFeeding

  How your baby attaches to the breast to feed. A good latch means the baby takes in a large mouthful of breast tissue, not just the nipple, which allows effective feeding and helps prevent sore or cracked nipples. If feeding is painful or the baby seems unsatisfied, a nurse, midwife, or lactation consultant can help you adjust the latch.

• Let-down ReflexFeeding

  The release of milk from the breast triggered when your baby suckles, or sometimes just by hearing or thinking about your baby. It may feel like tingling, fullness, or nothing at all, and some mothers leak from the other breast at the same time. All of these are normal.

• LMP (Last Menstrual Period)Pregnancy

  The LMP is the first day of your most recent period before pregnancy. Doctors often use it as the starting point to estimate gestational age and your due date. If your cycles are irregular or you are unsure of the date, an early ultrasound scan can give a more accurate estimate.

• LochiaConfinement & Recovery

  The normal vaginal discharge after childbirth, made up of blood, mucus, and tissue from the womb as it heals. It usually starts bright red and lessens to pink, brown, then yellowish-white over a few weeks. Tell your doctor if you pass large clots, bleed very heavily (soaking a pad in an hour), or notice a foul smell, as these may need checking.

• Low Birth WeightCommon Conditions

  When a baby is born weighing less than about 2.5 kilograms, which can happen with premature or small-for-dates babies. These babies are watched closely for feeding, temperature, and growth, and most catch up well with good care and regular follow-up.

• MastitisFeeding

  Inflammation of breast tissue that can become an infection, causing a red, hot, painful area along with fever and flu-like symptoms. Continuing to breastfeed on the affected side is usually recommended and safe for the baby; avoid over-expressing. See a doctor promptly, as antibiotics may be needed; in Singapore you can consult your GP, a polyclinic, or your hospital's lactation service.

• MeconiumNewborn & Baby

  A baby's first stools, which are sticky, dark green to black and odourless. It usually passes within the first day or two after birth; if it has not passed by then, the hospital or your paediatrician will want to check on your baby.

• MediSave Grant for NewbornsSG Support & Schemes

  A grant credited to a newborn's MediSave account, which is opened automatically for Singaporean babies. It helps pay for the child's healthcare needs such as MediShield Life premiums, recommended childhood vaccinations, and approved outpatient treatments. The grant amount depends on the child's date of birth (for example, it was increased for children born from 1 April 2025), so confirm the current amount that applies to your child on the official MOH or CPF website.

• MediShield LifeSG Support & Schemes

  A basic, compulsory national health insurance scheme that helps Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents pay large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments. It covers everyone for life, including newborns and those with pre-existing conditions, and premiums can be paid using MediSave.

• MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)Health & Vaccinations

  A combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella (German measles). Under the NCIS it is given in two doses, the first at 12 months and the second at 15 to 18 months of age. Vaccination against measles is legally required for children in Singapore.

• Morning SicknessPregnancy

  Morning sickness is the nausea, and sometimes vomiting, that many women feel in early pregnancy. Despite the name it can happen at any time of day and usually eases after the first trimester. If you cannot keep food or fluids down, or are losing weight, see your doctor as this may be a more severe condition that needs treatment.

• NCIS (National Childhood Immunisation Schedule)Health & Vaccinations

  The official Singapore schedule that sets out which vaccines a child should receive and at what ages, from birth through the school years. The recommended NCIS vaccines are fully subsidised (effectively free) for Singaporean children at polyclinics. You can view the schedule on HealthHub and track your child's progress with our <a href="/tools/vaccination-schedule">vaccination schedule tool</a>.

• Neonatal JaundiceNewborn & Baby

  A common yellowing of a newborn's skin and the whites of the eyes caused by a build-up of bilirubin, and it often appears in the first few days of life. Most cases are mild and settle on their own, but in Singapore hospitals will measure bilirubin levels and may advise phototherapy; always have a paediatrician review jaundice that is deepening, spreading to the legs, or appearing in the first 24 hours.

• Neonate (Newborn)Newborn & Baby

  A baby in the first 28 days of life. This period is called the neonatal stage, when your newborn is adjusting to life outside the womb and needs the most careful monitoring of feeding, breathing, and weight.

• NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing)Pregnancy

  NIPT is a blood test taken from the mother, usually from around 10 weeks, that screens for the chance of certain chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome. It is a screening test, not a diagnosis, so a higher-chance result is usually followed by further discussion and tests. Speak to your doctor about whether it is suitable for you and the cost, as it is not the same as the standard subsidised screening.

• PantangConfinement & Recovery

  The Malay term for confinement, referring to the traditional postpartum period of rest and dietary or behavioural restrictions observed by many Malay families in Singapore. Like other confinement customs, the helpful core is rest and support; any practice that worries you can be discussed with your doctor or midwife.

• PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)Health & Vaccinations

  A vaccine that protects against pneumococcal bacteria, which can cause serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis and bloodstream infections in young children. It is part of the NCIS and given as a series of doses in infancy with a booster, with timing set out in the schedule on HealthHub.

• Pelvic FloorConfinement & Recovery

  The hammock of muscles that supports the bladder, womb, and bowel and helps control urine and wind. Pregnancy and birth can weaken these muscles, sometimes causing leaks when you cough, laugh, or sneeze. Regular pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises help, and you can ask your doctor or a women's health physiotherapist for guidance if symptoms persist.

• PerineumConfinement & Recovery

  The area of skin and muscle between the vaginal opening and the anus. It can stretch, tear, or be cut (an episiotomy) during a vaginal birth, and any stitches there usually heal within a few weeks. Keeping the area clean and dry helps recovery; see your doctor if it becomes very painful, swollen, or shows signs of infection.

• Placenta Praevia (Low-Lying Placenta)Common Conditions

  A condition where the placenta sits low in the womb and partly or fully covers the cervix, which is the opening through which the baby is born. It is often picked up on an ultrasound scan and many low-lying placentas move upward as the womb grows; your obstetrician will advise on monitoring and whether a caesarean section may be needed.

• PolyclinicHealth & Vaccinations

  A government primary-care clinic that provides subsidised health services, including childhood vaccinations, health screening and outpatient care. For Singaporean children, the recommended NCIS vaccines are fully subsidised (effectively free) at polyclinics. You can use our <a href="/tools/paediatrician-map">clinic and paediatrician map</a> to find one near you.

• Postnatal DepressionConfinement & Recovery

  A more serious and longer-lasting low mood, anxiety, or loss of interest that can develop in the weeks or months after birth and affects how you cope day to day. It is a common and treatable medical condition, not a sign of being a bad mother. In Singapore you can speak to your GP, polyclinic, or the hospital where you delivered (such as KKH or NUH), or reach national support via mindline.sg. You can also explore our <a href="/mental-wellness">mental wellness</a> resources.

• Pre-eclampsiaPregnancy

  Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy condition involving raised blood pressure, often together with signs such as protein in the urine. This is why your blood pressure is checked at every antenatal visit. Tell your doctor promptly about severe headaches, vision changes, sudden swelling, or upper tummy pain, as these may need urgent review.

• Preterm (Premature) BirthCommon Conditions

  A birth that happens before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Preterm babies may need extra care, sometimes in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at hospitals such as KKH or NUH, and the care team will support the baby's breathing, feeding, and growth as needed.

• Rooting and Moro ReflexesNewborn & Baby

  Normal automatic newborn reflexes. Rooting is when a baby turns toward a cheek that is stroked and opens the mouth, which helps with latching to feed. The Moro (startle) reflex is when a baby flings out the arms and then draws them back in response to a sudden sound or movement; both are reassuring signs and usually fade within the first few months.

• Rupture of Membranes (Water Breaking)Labour & Birth

  The breaking of the amniotic sac, releasing the fluid that surrounds the baby. It can feel like a sudden gush or a slow trickle of fluid. If you think your waters have broken, note the time, colour, and smell, and contact your hospital or delivery suite for advice, as this is sometimes a sign labour is starting.

• SwaddlingNewborn & Baby

  Wrapping a baby snugly in a thin cloth to help them feel secure and settle, which can ease startling. Keep the wrap firm around the chest but loose around the hips and legs so they can move freely, never cover the face, and always place a swaddled baby on the back to sleep. Stop swaddling once your baby starts trying to roll over.

• TrimesterPregnancy

  Pregnancy is divided into three roughly three-month stages called trimesters. The first trimester runs to about week 13, the second to about week 27, and the third from week 28 until birth. Each trimester brings different changes for you and your baby.

• Tummy TimeNewborn & Baby

  Supervised time spent on the stomach while your baby is awake, which builds neck, shoulder, and back strength and helps prevent a flat spot on the head. Start with a few minutes a few times a day from early on, and only ever do it when your baby is awake and you are watching, never for sleep.

• Umbilical Cord StumpNewborn & Baby

  The short remnant of the umbilical cord left after birth, which dries up and usually falls off on its own within about one to three weeks. Keep it clean and dry, and see your doctor if you notice redness spreading around the base, pus, a foul smell, or bleeding.

• VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean)Labour & Birth

  A vaginal delivery in a woman who has had a caesarean section in a previous pregnancy. It is not suitable for everyone, and whether it is a safe option depends on factors such as the type of previous scar and your current pregnancy. Discuss the benefits and risks with your obstetrician.

• Vernix (Vernix Caseosa)Newborn & Baby

  The white, creamy, waxy coating that protects a baby's skin in the womb. Some babies are born still covered in it; it is harmless and is gently absorbed or wiped away in the first days, so there is no need to scrub it off.