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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Alochia - Absence of the normal vaginal discharge, lochia, after childbirth.
Alopecia Areata - An autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks hair follicles that leads to a sudden loss of smooth, circular patches of hair. The condition has been noted during late stage pregnancy. Puberty and menopause have also been associated with potential Alopecia Areata onset or remission.
Alpha Thalassemias - An inherited disorder that affects the production of normal hemoglobin, causing anemia. Treatment options include daily folic acid supplements, surgical removal of the spleen and blood transfusions.
Alpha-fetoprotein - A protein produced by a developing fetus that is present in amniotic fluid and in the mother's blood. The early blood test is called the triple screen and should be performed between the 15th and 18th week of pregnancy. . Abnormal levels of AFP can indicate abnormalities in the fetus. Elevated levels would be a sign of a neural tube defect and low levels would signal Down's syndrome.
Alphaprodine - A medication that is used during labor and delivery to reduce the amount of pain that a laboring woman feels. Because the medication crosses the placenta, the baby may experience respiratory distress.
Alstrom Syndrome - A rare genetic disorder with only 469 confirmed cases worldwide. The disorder is progressive and will get worse over time.
Most parents and caregivers first notice that their infant is very sensitive to light. Some children's eyes will appear to wobble as well. Another early sign of Alstrom Syndrome in infants under one year old is congenitive heart failure.
As the disease progresses, other organs in the body can become affected and it is not uncommon for a person with the disorder to experience blindness, pulmonary fibrosis, hearing impairment, kidney failure, diabetes, heart failure and liver disease.
The majority of children with the disorder will gain weight quickly during their first year of life, making them obese.
Alveoli - Small milk-producing sacson the breast. Both breasts have hundreds of alveoli, rearranged in clusters, resembling a bunch of grapes. Progesterone increases the size of the alveoli during pregnancy.
Amastia - A rare condition in which the breast tissue, areola and nipple are absent at the time of birth. Mammary surgery can be performed to surgically repair the condition.
Ambiguous Genitalia - A condition in which an infant's gender is not clear because the genitals do not appear to be male or female.
During pregnancy, the fetus has tissue that will become ovaries or testicles. The 23rd pair of chromosomes determines which gender the baby will be. A normal female is written as 46,XX and a normal male is written as 46, XY because normal developing humans have 46 total chromosomes. Females have two X chromosomes and males have one X and one Y chromosome.
If your child is born with this condition, the doctor will thoroughly examine their genitalia and will likely order additional testing. Hormone studies, chromosomal analysis, pelvic ultrasounds and biopsies of the reproductive organs are common.
Treatment generally consists of surgery and hormone replacement therapy.
Amenorrhea - The absence or abnormal cessation of menstruation in a woman that is not experiencing menopause. Amenorrhea can be caused a vareityof factors including pregnancy, dietary changes, emotional stress and exercise.
American Academy Of Pediatrics - A professional organization of pediatricians that are specially trained to deal with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. Their motto is, "Dedicated to the Health of All Children." The majority of American pediatricians are members of this organization
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - A private, voluntary, nonprofit professional organization designed for obstetricians and gynecologists that was founded in 1951 in Chicago, Illinois. The organization develops standards of care for patients during pregnancy, which includes serving as a strong advocate for quality health care for women, maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education for its members, promoting patient education and stimulating patient understanding of and involvement in medical care and increasing awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing women's health care.
Ametria - Congenital absence of the uterus. In females with no uterus, pregnancy can not be achieved.
Amino Acids - Substances or compounds that act as building blocks in the developing embryo and fetus during prenatal development.
Aminoglycoside - A family of antibiotics that are effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Common types include streptomycin, amikacin and gentamicin. Pregnant women should be warned against the medication because of the deleterious effects on a developing fetus.
Aminonitis - An infection of the amniotic membranes, uterus and occasionally the fetus, due to fungal or bacterial infections. Prolonged rupture of the membranes and multiple cervical examinations are common causes of the infection. Symptoms include fever, contractions, cervical dilation, uterine tenderness, increased white blood cell count, foul-smelling amniotic fluid and a general feeling of malaise. If not treated, the fetus can become very sick and fetal death is possible.
Aminophylline - A prescription medication that is commonly used to treat and/or prevent the symptoms of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema in pregnant women. To date, no complications or abnormalities in the fetus have been reported when the medication is taken during pregnancy.
Aminopterin - A folic acid antagonist that is used as a cancer chemotherapeutic agent or to induce abortion. When taken during the first trimester of pregnancy or unsuccesfully to inudce abortion, the drug will cause fetal malformations.
Amitriptyline Hydrochloride - An antidepressant drug with sedative properties that is prescribed for migraine headaches, depression, bulimia and pain. If taken by a pregnant woman, it may cause developmental malformations, withdrawal symptoms in the newborn or neonatal urinary retention.
Amniocentesis - A prenatal test that is used to detect birth defects, fetal infections or obtain the definite sex of the developing fetus. The test is performed after the 15th week of pregnancy and is done by inserting a needle through the abdomen to retrieve a small amoutn of amniotic fluid that contains placental cells. An ultrasound may be used to properly guide the needle. Although the risk are low, possible complications can include infection in the amniotic sac from the needle and early rupture of the membranes, which could lead to a miscarriage. Preterm labor and fetal trauma are also possible.
Amniochorion - The amnion and chorion together. After the 3rd month of gestation, the two remain in close contact and form the sac that contains the fetus and amniotic fluid. This is also commonly referred to as the bag of waters.
Amniocytes - Cells that are shed by the fetus during fetal development. The cells can be found in the surrounding amniotic fluid. During an amniocentesis, amniocytes are obtained for genetic testing and examination.
Amniography - Radiography of the pregnant uterus after injection of a radiopaque solution into the amniotic fluid. This procedure is useful in the detection of certain fetal conditions, such as fetal gastrointestinal obstruction, neural tube defects, myelomeningoceles and fetal death. The technician is able to see the exact location of the placenta and umbilical cord in addition to any visible scar tissue.
Amnioinfusion - Fluid that is injected into the amniotic cavity to prevent certain complications during pregnancy. The procedure is performed to increase the volume of amniotic fluid around the fetus when fluid levels become too low or when fetal distress is indicated by meconium staining. A needle is guided by ultrasound directly to the uterine cavity, where a sterile saline solution is infused until the amniotic fluid levels are normal.
Amnion - The sac that surrounds the developing baby inside of a pregnant woman's uterus. The sac contains the baby, the placenta and the amniotic fluid.