Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics
in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net.
|
Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Anesthesia - The partial or complete loss of sensation ,with or without loss of consciousness, that is induced by injection or inhalation. Anesthesia is most often tused o prevent pain and discomfort during a procedure, surgery or childbirth.
Anesthesiologist - A licensed physician who has specialized in the administration of anesthesia. Anesthesia is the medicine that is given to releive pain during childbirth, surgery and other procedures. Responsible for the care of patients before, during and after the anaesthesia has been given. Anesthesiologists monitor patients' temperature, pulse, heart, and breathing rates. They watch for bad reactions to the drugs that were given to control pain.
Anesthetic - A medication that can be given by injection or as a topical ointment over the skin. The medicine causes a loss of pain sensation in one particular area of the body. Common anesthetics that are used during childbirth include an epidural, which allows the patient to remain alert throughout labor and delivery, or general anesthesia which puts the patient in a state of unconsciousness.
Anesthetist - A doctor, nurse or other healthcare provider that has been specially trained and educated in the administration of anesthesia.
Aneuploidy - An abnormal number of chromosomes. Generally, if there are insufficient chromosomes, a miscarriage will occur early in the pregnancy because the condition is not compatible with life.
Angel Dust - A hallucinogenic drug that can cause an individual to experience extreme psychological disturbances. The drug is generally a combination of heroine and cocaine. Intrauterine exposure to the drug can have harmful effects on the fetus, including abnormal physical features, involuntary movements of the eyes, excess muscle tone, respiratory distress and withdrawal symptoms.
Angelman syndrome - A genetic disorder that is characterized by severe mental deficiency, developmental delays, frequent jerky limb movements, microcephaly, seizures, absence of speech and frequent smiling and uncontrolled laughter. Other associated symptoms include sleep disorders, feeding problems, unusual sensitivity to heat, frequent drooling and hyperactivity.
Angioma - A tumor or swelling composed of lymph and blood vessels. The tumor is usually benign. Some women may develop angiomas on the face, chest, arms or abdomen during pregnancy.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor - An oral drug that is used to lower blood pressure. Pregnant women should not take the medication during any trimester due to the increased risk of fetal birth defects. Fetal effects of the medication include heart abnormalities, central nervous system complications, kidney disorders, growth retardation and other birth defects.
Aniridia - A rare eye defect, present at birth, which affects approximately 1 in 65,000 live births.
The condition is hereditary and usually bilateral. A child born with aniridia does not have an iris. In a fetus, the eye will generally stop developing and when the baby is born the eye appears to be underdeveloped.
People that suffer from this congenital eye defect will likely experience wobbly eyes, cataracts, damage to the optic nerve, cloudy and small cornea, underdeveloped retinas and optic nerves, loss of vision and may appear squinted or cross-eyed.
Annular Hymen - A perfect hymen before any sexual activity or object insertion. The hymen forms a ring around the vaginal opening.
Anomaly - A malformation, deformity or abnormality of part of the body.
Anophthalmia - A rare disorder that affects an unknown exact number of people. It is believed to affect approximately 1 in every 10,000 live births.
A baby can be born with this disorder or it can be diagnosed later in life. Anophthalmia means that the globe and eye tissue of the orbit are missing. It can affect one eye or both, which would result in blindness for the individual.
The disorder can occur from a genetic disorder or mutation, chromosome abnormality or prenatal factor. Because eye sockets are important for proper development of the face, a prosthetic device may be needed if an eye is missing or is too small.
All children that are affected by this condition should see an eye specialist for further treatments and recommendations regarding surgery and prosthetic fittings.
Anorectal Incontinence - The accidental and involuntary loss of bowel control from the anus. While loss of bowel control is a common symptom of aging, it can also occur as a result of childbirth. If the nerves and muscles of the rectum and/or anus are injured during a vaginal birth, it can cause a woman to lose control of bowel movements.
Anorectal Malformation - A defect in which the anus and rectum do not develop the correct way.
In a fetus, the large intestine and the urinary tract begin as one large mass of cells that usually separate during the 7th to 10th week of pregnancy. In anorectal malformation, the anal passage is narrow and the rectum is not connected to the anus. The rectum may be connected to the urinary tract or reproductive system.
Often there is a membrane covering the anal opening. If the anal passage is narrow, it will be hard for the child to have a bowel movement. If there is a membrane covering the anal opening, a bowel movement is generally not possible.
The cause is usually unknown, although some studies have shown that a recessive gene can be the cause. A child that has anorectal malformation may also have abnormalities in their digestive system , urinary tract or spine. Occasionally this can be seen on a prenatal ultrasound, but the majority of cases are diagnosed immediately after birth when a nurse is trying to take a rectal temperature or in the absence of a bowel movement.
Doctors diagnose this when a child is born through physical examinations, abdominal x-rays, ultrasounds and CAT scans. Surgery is usually the only corrective treatment for the defect and long term prognosis is generally good.
Anorectal Wart - A soft, pointed warty growth that is generally found around the anus and external genitals of either sex. The growths can also be found on the uterine cervix of females. When there are numerous growths, they will resemble cauliflower. The condition is caused by the HPV virus and is transmitted through sexual contact.
Anorexia - An eating disorder that is characterized by low body weight, a distorted body image, and an intense fear of gaining weight. The individual usually does not eat and their body goes into starvation mode. Anorexia during pregnancy is very dangerous and can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight and a variety of other complications.
Anovulation - Absence of ovulation as a result of a medical condition, drug or menopause. Anovulation is a prime factor in infertility because without if there is no egg to fertilize, conception can not occur.
Anovulatory Cycle - A menstrual cycle in which ovulation fails to occur. Causes of the disorder include hormonal imbalances, eating disorders, thyroid disorders, polycystic ovarian syndrome, luteal phase defects or tumors of the ovaries. Certain medications, such as the pill, can also cause a woman to have a period without ovulation occurring. Treatments include stress reduction, surgery, medications and lifestyle modifications.
Anovulatory Menstruation - Menstruation without ovulation. Usually this occurs normally during the first 12-18 menstrual cycles and before the menopausal stage.
Anoxia - A complete depletion of oxygen that can lead to serious complications and irreversible damage.
Antacid - A medication that neutralizes excess acid in the stomach. Antacids generally contain aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide and calcium carbonate and are safe for pregnant women to consume as instructed.
Antenatal - The period of time from conception and the onset of labor. It usually used to describe the period when a woman is pregnant.
Antenatal Steroids - Steroids that are given to help the fetal lungs and other organs mature faster than they normally would when preterm delivery is anticipated. The steroids are given, usually by injection into the mother's arm, leg or buttocks, between 24 and 34 weeks gestation with intact membranes, and at 24 to 32 weeks when the membranes have ruptured.