A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I   J K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z 

G

General Practioner (GP)
These are doctors who provide family health services to a local community. They are usually based in a surgery or GP practice and are often the first port of call for most patients with a concern about their health. GPs refer patients who need more help to specialists, such as hospital consultants.

Gestation
Pregnancy, the time that a fetus spends in the mother's stomach foetal development.

Gestational diabetes
A condition that develops during pregnancy when the expectant mother's body does not supply enough insulin for the demands of pregnancy. This leaves excessive amounts of glucose in the blood, potentially causing problems for mother and baby. Usually this increased level of 'sugar' is noted in the urine, but certainly in the blood.

Genetic inheritance
The DNA that is passed from parent to child.

Gestational age
The period of time a baby is carried in the uterus; full-term gestation is between 38 and 42 weeks (counted from the first day of the last menstrual period).

Gestational diabetes mellitus
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes (when blood sugar levels become too high) which develops during pregnancy. It can be treated, and usually disappears after pregnancy.

Grasping reflex
This reflex is seen when a newborn baby grabs at an object, such as a finger, when it touches her hand. Her hold may be strong enough for you to pull her to a sitting position. The reflex lasts until a baby is three or four months old.

Gross motor skills
The ability to make movements which use the large muscles in the arms, legs, and torso - such as running and jumping.

Gynaencologist
A specalised doctor who deals with the reproductive health of women.