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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Bimanual Pelvic Evaluation - Palpitation that is performed with the index and middle fingers of one hand in the vainga and the flat surgace of the other hand on the lower abdominal wall. The evaluation is generally performed to assess the position, size, consistency, shape and mobility of th euterus and nearby structures.
Bimanual Pelvic Examination - Palpitation that is performed with the index and middle fingers of one hand in the vainga and the flat surgace of the other hand on the lower abdominal wall. The evaluation is generally performed to assess the position, size, consistency, shape and mobility of th euterus and nearby structures.
Bimanual Version - A maneuver in which the fetus is manually turned using two hands. The procedure may be performed internally or externally.
Binge & Purge Syndrome - A type of eating disorder in which the individual consumes large amounts of food in short periods of time and self-induces vomiting or diarrhea to control weight gain. This is a common eating disorder among mainly young females. The individual often has feelings of guilt, depression, and self-condemnation.
Biophysical Profile - A simple, painless test used during pregnancy to check your baby's well-being. It is especially useful in seeing whether the baby is getting enough oxygen in the womb. Most docots will order a BPP if you have gone past your due date or if you are having a high-risk pregnancy. The test will consist of a detailed ultrasound to observe the baby's movements, muscle tone and breathing movements. It also will check the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby.
A non-stress test will also be performed for the BPP. This will check to make sure that your baby's heart rate changes when he is moving.
Biopsy - A diagnostic procedure in which living cells or tissues are removed for examination so that a precise diagnosis can be made.
Biparietal Diameter - The diameter across the fetal skull, from one parietal bone to the other. Obtaining an accurate measurement is helfpul when dating the pregnancy and can also be used to estimate fetal weight after the 13th week of pregnancy.
Biphasic Chart - A two-phase temperature chart that shows a pattern of fairly low temperatures in the pre-ovulatory phase of the cycle, an upward shift of about 0.2° confirming ovulation, and a maintained higher level until the next menstruation begins.
Birth Attendant - Any person that is attendance at the birth of a newborn. This could be a midwife, nurse midwife, nurse, obstetrician, doula or other trained health care provider that attends the birth.
Birth Canal - The female organ of sexual intercourse where the sperm are deposited for reproduction. The vagina is a tube-like passage that connects the cervix with the external genitals. During a vaginal delivery, the baby will slowly descend into the vagina until it emerges to the outside of the body.
Birth Control - Methods that are used to prevent an unwanted pregnancy in sexually active individuals. A variety of options are available to appeal to the needs of the person. While most forms of birth control are generally highly effective if used properly, no form of birth control (other than abstinence) provides 100% protection.
Birth Control Pill - The pill is one of the most common types of birth control for women. When the pill is taken correctly, it is more than 99% effective at preventing an unplanned pregnancy. Oral contraceptives have two hormones-estrogen and progestin. These hormones do not allow your body to ovulate. The pill is easy to use and does not interfere at all with your sex drive. The pill is also taken to make menstrual cycles more regular and less painful. If you are breastfeeding, you can not take oral contraceptive pills.
Birth Defect - A structural, functional or developmental abnormality that develops during fetal development- usually in the first three months of pregnancy. Genes can play a role in certain birth defects, making them hereditary. Birth defects can vary from mild to severe and affect different indiviudals in different ways. While some birth defects are treatable, others are not and can be a lifelong condition.
Birth Injury - Any type of injury that happens to the newborn baby during childbirth, whether it be a vaginal birth or cesaren section. A birth injury is more common in a baby that is breech, transverse, premature, abnormally large or one that is showing signs of fetal distress during labor. Birth injuries can include an infection, a broken collar bone, head injury, facial paralysis, forceps marks, bruising or other type of trauma.
Birth Interval - The amount of time that passes between the birth of one child and another in a female. Because the body needs time to properly recover from the demands of one pregnancy before beginning another, birth intevals of less than 18 months are at an increased risk for stillbirth and miscarriage.
Birth Plan - A written form of communication that is used to inform health care professionals of the parent's wishes prior to, during and after the delivery of their baby. A birth plan should be simple, easy to read and easy to understand. Remember that no matter how well you try to plan your delivery, no birth will go exactly as planned and the plan should allow room for flexibility.
Birth Rate - The number of births related to the total population in a given group during a period of time. The measurement is usually expressed as births per 1,000 people in 1 year.
Birth Story - A written explanation of the birth experience. Most women like to include details such as what time labor began, how they felt during labor, what type of pain they felt and if they required any pain medications and other interesting facts that arose from labor and delivery.
Birth Weight - The weight of an infant at the time of birth. The average weight of a newborn at birth is approximately 7.5 pounds.
Birthing Ball - A rubber ball that is approximately 25 inches in diameter and filled with air. The laboring woman can sit on the ball during labor to helpo with the pain of contractions, back labor and other discomforts. The woman is able to rock back and forth on the ball during labor and often the change in position encourages the baby to drop further into the pelvis.
Birthing Center - A facility that offers pregnant women a comfortable and homelike setting in which labor and delivery takes place. The rules of the center are not as restrictive as that of a hospital setting. There are generally no policies regarding how many people can be in the room during labor and/or delivery, the hours of visitation and so forth. Because the facility is geared towards women that are not expected to experience complications during delivery, women that are considered high risk should not use a birthing center. Midwives and nurse midwives generally deliver in birthing centers, although some obstetricians will also deliver.
Birthing Chair - A special chair that is is designed to assist a laboring woman while in a sitting or squatting position. The chair enables the woman to work with gravity, which can decrease the amount of time that the woman is in labor. Most hospitals and birthing centers have birthing chairs for the laboring mother to use.
Birthing Room - A room within a hospital where labor and delivery occur. Birthing rooms are usually decorated with relaxing colors and furnishings to help women feel more comfortable during labor and birth than in a typical hospital room. All of the necessary equipment is tucked away in drawers, cabinets and other units so that the room remains functionable, yet comfortable.
Birthmark - Any area of discolored skin or abnormal growth that is present on a child at birth.
Bishop Score - A pre-labor scoring system that healthcare providers use to determine the favorability of a pregnant woman when induction is being considered. Five characteristics will be examined and include: cervical dilatation, cervical effacement, cervical consistency, cervical position and fetal station. A low score generally indicates that labor is not likely with an induction, while a high score means that the woman is favorable and an induction may work.