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. |
Bowel 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.
BPM - The number of times the heart beats within one minute. It is recommended that pregnant women keep their heart rate lower than 140 beats per minute while exercising to ensure that the baby is receiving enough oxygenated blood.
BPP - 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.
Brachial Palsy - A type of birth injury in which the nerves that supply the arms and hands are injured. This injury is most common in babies with shoulder dystocia, a common factor in abnormally large babies. The newborn will not be able to flex or rotate the arm. If only bruising and/or swelling is present, the condition will usually resolve on its own with little to no medical intervention. If the nerve was torn, permanent damage could result.
Therapy may be necessary to help with the healing process.
Bracht's Maneuver - A maneuver that is used in breech delivery in which the fetus is allowed to deliver spontaneously up to the navel. The body is then held against the mother's pubic symphysis and moderate pressure is applied by an assistant.
Brachycephaly - A type of craniosynostosis that occurs when the right and left coronal sutures close too early, leaving the child with a high forehead and very broad head.
Brachydactyly - A congenital defect in which the fingers and toes are abnormally short.
Bradley Method - An approach to childbirth that stresses the importance of the father-to-be, labor coach or other support person during labor and delivery. The class focuses on avoiding medications throughout labor and delivery unless absolutely necessary. Because this method of natural childbirth states that women should be able to have medication-free births with the right preparation, teachers stress the importance of a healthy diet, regular exercise, controlled breathing and natural pain relief methods.
Bradyarrhythmia - A slow and irregular heartbeat, usually less than 60 beats per minute.
Bradycardia - A type of heart condition in which the heartbeats abnormally slow at less than 60 beats per minute in an adult. Fetal bradycardia is defined as a baseline heart rate less than 120 bpm. Generally, bradycardia of the newborn or preemie is defined as a rate of less than 100 beats per minute.
Branchial Cleft Cyst - A birth defect that causes a lump to form in the neck or just beneath the collarbone.
A branchial cleft cyst will develop in the fetus when tissues in the neck and collarbone do not develop properly.
A branchial cleft cyst can form on one or both sides of the neck and may look like an open space that medical professionals refer to as cleft sinuses. The cyst can become infected.
Babies that are born with this birth defect will have small pits, lumps or skin tags on the neck or beneath the collarbone. You may also notice fluid draining from a pit on the neck. A pediatrician will diagnose the condition with a physical examination after birth.
Most of the time, branchial cleft cysts do not require any treatment. However, if the cyst becomes infected or there are continuous drainage problems from the cyst, the child may need antibiotics and surgery to remove them.
Brandt-Andrews Maneuver - A method of delivering the placenta during the third stage of labor in which pressure is applied with the fingers of one hand to elevate the uterus into the abdomen and at the same time express the placenta into the vagina. Gentle cord traction with the other hand is used to guide the placenta into the birth canal.
Braxton-Hicks - Named after Doctor John Braxton Hicks, these uterine motions are mild contractions that prepare the uterus for childbirth. Also known as false labor contractions, the "practice" contractions do not become longer, closer or stronger. Braxton Hicks contractions do not help the cervix to dilate or efface and many pregnant women can feel them during the later half of pregnancy.
Breakthrough Bleeding - Blood flow that occurs between periods. Some women may experience breakthrough bleeding, or spotting, throughout their pregnancy. Although not all bleeding signals a poor prognosis, any bleeding during pregnancy should be reported to your healthcare provider.
Breast - A glandular organ that is located on the chest. In females, the breasts main purpose is to provide nutrition to her offspring. Each breast consists of approximately 15-20 glandular lobes, ducts, fibrous tissue and fatty tissue. Blood vessles, nerves and lymph vessels are also present in the breasts.
Breast Abscess - Single or multiple abscesses of the breast that usually only affects one breast at a time. The most common cause of a breast abscess is staphylococcus aureus or streptococci, that gain access to the breast through cracks on the nipple. The abscess may be mistaken as a tumor. A surgeon will need to cut and drain the abscess to remove the infection.
Breast Implant - A silicone bag that is filled with silicone gel, saline, air or a combination of these products. The bag is placed either behind the breast or behind the pectoral muscle to increase breast size or to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy. If the nerves around the areola were not damaged during the surgery, it is possible to breastfeed fully or partially.
Breast Lift - A procedure for correcting sagging breasts. The surgical procedure involves repositioning of the areola and nipple in a higher location above the level of the inferior fold of the breast and tightening of the skin for support. This can be performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation or breast reduction
Breast Milk - The liquid nuorishment that is secreted from the breast's of a lactating woman. Breast milk provides a primary source of nutrition for newborns and young babies before they are capable of eating solid foods. To provide the best nutrition possible, breasfeeding is recommended for babies and young children.
Breast Pump - A machine that can be manual or electric and is meant to express milk from a woman’s breasts during lactation. Breast pumps are used to pump and store the breast milk for future feedings of an infant or toddler.
Breast Shield - A rubber cap or dome that is positioned over the breast to protect inflamed or irritated nipples from contact with clothing. These shield may be particularly helpful during early pregnancy when the breasts and nipples become very tender or during breastfeeding.
Breastfeed - To feed an infant or toddler with milk from a woman's breasts. Babies have a sucking reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk. To provide the best nutrition possible, breasfeeding is recommended for babies and young children.
Breech - A baby that is lying in the opposite position from the usual head down. The baby could be feet first or bottom first if he’s breech. Breech births occur in about 1 of 25 full-term births. In order to have a safe vaginal delivery, the baby should be head first. A doctor may try to perform an external cephalic version to manipulate a breech baby.
Breech Delivery - Vaginal delivery of a baby whose pelvis or legs are the presenting part. Generally, if a baby is lying in a breech presentation, vaginal delivery is not attempted.
Brenner's Tumor - A yellowish-brown solid tumor of the ovary. Although the tumor is generally benign, they can occasionally transform to a malignant state. The tumor usually only affects one ovary in women after menopause. It is common for the tumors to vary in size from less than 1 cm to 30 cm. The condition is name after Fritz Brenner, who characterized it in 1907.