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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Antepartum - The period of time from conception and the onset of labor. It usually used to describe the period when a woman is pregnant.
Antepartum Hemorrhage - Excessive bleeding occurring after the 28th week of pregnancy. This condition is frequently seen with premature separation of a placenta previa in pregnant women. Antepartum hemorrhage is a medical emergency and if immediate treatment is not provided, both mother and baby could possibly die from blood loss.
Anterior Labia - The front portion of the uterine cervix. This part is shorter and thicker than the other portions.
Anterior Presentation - The most common of all fetal presentations, in which the back of the baby's head is facing the pubic bone.
Antibiotic - A medication that is produced by bacteria and fungi and has the ability to kill or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections and do not protect against viruses or the common cold.
Antibody - A protein found in the immune system that recognizes and attacks foreign substances in the body. If Rh incompatibility is present, the mother's body may develop antibodies to her unborn child, which could cause serious trouble.
Antidepressant - A medication that is used to treat depression. Approximatley 10% of all women experience depression during pregnancy. While some antidepressants are not safe to consume during pregnancy and should be avoided, the are various types that are safe for both mother and baby during pregnancy.
Antihistamine - A commonly used medication that releives symptoms of sneezing, itching, runny nose and ongestion by blocking histamine receptors. Although most antihistamines are considered safe during pregnancy, you should always contact your healthcare provider before taking any medication.
Antiphospholipid Syndrome - An autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system reacts against certain normal substances present in blood, which increases the risk for blood clots to develop. The condition is associated with greater chance of miscarriage and many women that suffer from habitual miscarriages, are diagnosed with the syndrome.
Antisperm Antibody - Antibodies that immobilize sperm of interfere with sperm activity. The antibodies can be present in the serum of of both males and females and can lead to infertility.
Antley Bixler Syndrome - A very rare genetic disorder that is usually inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.
There have been less than 30 cases to date. Children that suffer from this disorder have distinct abnormalities of the head, face and skeleton. Many infants will have a distinct forehead, protruding eyes, a pear shaped nose, low set ears, restricted movement, long, bowing of the legs, thin fingers and toes and fused bones.
This disorder can be diagnosed during pregnancy via ultrasound examination.
Anus - The external opening of the rectum, where solid waste exits the body. The anus is the final 4 cm of the large bowel and is the part of the body that is penetrated during anal sex.
Anxiety - An effect that is characterized by a state of uneasiness, apprehension and dread of impending internal or external danger. Physical symptoms include hyperactivity, dizziness, profuse sweating, trembling and rapid heart beat. With varying hormone levels, some anxiety can be normal during pregnancy. More serious forms of anxiety can lead to an increased risk of preterm labor and increased blood pressure.
Aorta - The largest artery in the heart that carries oxygen-enriched blood to the body. Pregnant women should avoid lying on their back because the aorta and vena cava become compressed, which can cause low blood pressure and decreased oxygen levels to the fetus.
Apert Syndrome - A fetal arrhythmia occurs in about 1-2% of all pregnancies. A fetal arrhythmia is simply an abnormal heartbeat and can be classified as one of three types.
Tachycardia means that the heart is beating too fast. Brachycardia means the heart is beating to slow. An irregular heartbeat means that the heart is experiencing extra or skipped beats. A fetus' heart rate should be between 120 and 160 beats per minute to be considered normal and healthy.
Most arrhythmia's go away on their own and do not create any long-lasting effects for the baby. However, some fetal arrhythmias can reveal true health complications such as structural problems in the heart, heart disease, infections or exposure to alcohol, tobacco or drugs in utero.
Doppler and ultrasound exams can detect a fetal arrhythmia during pregnancy. Fetal arrhythmias can cause fetal distress or fetal death because the baby can not breathe well.
Treatments for this condition consist of medications, radiofrequency ablation and artificial pacemakers.
APGAR score - A routine test, created by Dr. Virginia Apgar in 1952, to determine a newborn's physical health at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. The APGAR test is the first test that all newborns receive. Scores are based on five factors that include heartrate, breathing, muscle tone, reflex irritability and color. Each factor can be given a score ranging from 0 to 2, for a total score ranging from 0 to 10. The test is performed by a nurse or doctor and will be recorded in the baby's medical record.
Aphrodisiac - A substance that stimulates erotic desire and enhances sexual performance. Common foods that are thought to be aphrodisiacs include chocolate, strawberries, onions, oysters, ginseng, asparagus and tomatoes.
Aplasia Cutis - A fetal scalp defect characterized by absence or abnormality of a particular area of the scalp. The abnormality may be caused by the use of the thyroid inhibitor methimazole during pregnancy for the treatment of hyperthyroidism.
Apnea - A pause in breathing that typically lasts for longer than 10 seconds, which decreases the amount of oxygen that is taken in. In infants, the cessation occurs for 20 seconds or longer and can be linked to SIDS.
Appendectomy - The surgical removal of an infected appendix. An appendectomy can be performed laparoscopically or as an open operation, both requiring general anesthesia. Although the majority of surgeries are not recommended during pregnancy, an appendectomy is a life-saving procedure that is unlikely to cause any harm to the fetus.
Appendicitis - Inflammation of the appendix that can cause pain in the right lower abdomen and around the umbilicus. Vomiting and diarrhea are common with the condition. To treat appendicitis, an appendectomy must be performed. Diagnosing appendicitis during pregnancy is more difficult because the organs shift as the uterus grows to accomodate the developing fetus.
Appendix - A small pouch that is attached to the first part of the large intestine. The purpose and function of the appendix is not known. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed.
Appropriate For Gestational Age - An infant whose weight is between the 10th and 90th percentiles when compared with other infants of the same gestational age. The majority of newborn infants fall into this category.
Apt Test - A diagnostic test that is used to determine the presence of fetal hemoglobin. Addition of diluted sodium hydroxide to a fluid specimen will turm maternal blood brown while fetal blood remains red. Applications include testing maternal blood in cases of suspected placental abruption.
Arachidonic Acid - An omega-6 fatty acid that is essential for human nutrition. The acid can be found in found in fatty red meats, egg yolks, peanut oil and organ meats. The acid is present abundantly in the amniotic fluid during fetal development.