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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Cribriform Hymen - A hymen with multiple small perforations, or holes. Menstrual discharge and other fluids are allowed out with no problem, but sexual activity and the insertion of tampons can be complicated.
Critical Periods - Timeframes in a baby or child's development in which they are ready to develop, learn or perfect a new skill.
Crossover Hold - A position in which a breastfeeding woman holds the baby's head and neck with the hand that is opposite of the breast that the baby is nursing from. The baby is lying belly to belly with the mother. Many mothers agree that this position allows the baby to have a deeper latch.
Croup - A usually mild and temporary infection in which swelling is present around the vocal cords. Croup can be caused by a virus, bacteria, allergy, inhaled irritant and other conditions such as measles, RSV, acid reflux and influenza. The child usually experiences a barking cough, difficult breathing and other cold symptoms.
Crown - The top of the head. During a vaginal delivery, crowning is the point at which the top of the baby's head can be seen.
Crown To Heel Length - The length of an embryo from the top of the head to the heel. Obtaining crown to heel measurement is a more accurate method of determining approximately how long the fetus is.
Crown To Rump Length - The length of an embryo from the top of the head to the bottom of the buttocks. The crown to rump measurement is the most accurate way to determine a fetus's age early in pregnancy. Because fetal growth varies so much beyond the first trimester, the first trimester is the most accurate time to take the measurement.
Crowning - Occurs during the second stage of labor as the head of the fetus is visible at the vaginal opening. At the point of crowning, many women feel an intense urge to push and a stinging or burning sensation.
Cryobank - A facility in which sperm is preserved in a frozen state and stored for later use. The sperm is collected from the sperm donor, prepared in a lab and stored in small vials. Stored perm may be used as donor sperm for single women, lesbian couples or couples in which the male is infertile. Stored sperm can also be frozen for later personal use in couples that wish to have another child, but not immediately. Sperm banks test all collected sperm for quality and health, which includes disease testing, sperm quality and blood type of the donor.
Cryopreservation - The process of freezing and storing eggs, sperm and embryos in liquid nitrogen for future use. This storage is usually carried out using temperaturesat -196 degrees celsius.
Cryptorchidism - A birth defect that affects approximately 3% of full term infants and 30% of preterm infants are affected by cryptorchidism.
Cryptorchidism occurs when the male's testicles do not descend into the scrotum. A fetus' testicles will generally descend into the scrotum around 28 weeks of gestation.
Although most babies that suffer this condition have an empty scrotum at delivery, some babies will be born with a testicle that can be felt but has not properly descended. Approximately 66% of the cases will resolve by the time the baby is 4 months old.
Surgery is recommended to treat undescended testicles and reduce the chances of fertility trouble and cancers. Medications can be given to stimulate testosterone production in hopes that the testicles will respond and descend.
A baby that is born with cryptorchidism has an increased chance of developing testicular cancer and fertility problems later in life.
Cul-de-sac - A small pouch like structure that can be found between the rectum and uterus in females and between the rectum and bladder in males.
Culdoscope - An instrument that is inserted into the vagina for viewing the female pelvic organs. The instrument is long and slender.
Culdoscopy - Visual examination of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes with a culdoscope. The culdoscope is inserted into the vagina for diagnostic purposes such as infertility and pelvic pain. Culdoscopy can also be used as a less invasive means of surgery, including tubal ligation, ovarian cyst or adhesion removal and biopsy of endometriosis. Local, regional or general anesthesia will be given to the patient for pain relief during the procedure.
Cullen's Sign - A bluish coloration of the skin around the navel that can be seen in individuals with intraperitoneal hemorrhage. During pregnancy, intraperitoneal hemorrhage can occur as a result of the uterine varicose vein rupturing, ectopic pregnancy or other uterine bleeding.
Cumulus Oophorus - The layer of cells that surrounds and protects the eggs.
Cunnilingus - Oral stimulation of the female genitals. During oral sex, it is important to not blow air into the vagina. It can cause an embolus, which could be fatal for both mother and fetus.
Curet - Tubular instrument with a spoon shaped tip for scraping the inner wall of a body cavity . The tip may be sharp or blunt tipped. A curet is used during a dilation and currettage to remove any excessive tissues after a miscarriage or abortion. It can also be used after childbirth or for diagnostic purposes.
Curretage - The removal of tissue from the inner wall of a cavity with a curet, a spoon-shaped instrument that can be sharp or blunt edged. This procedure is used to remove abnormal tissue, obtain specimens for examinations or in miscarriage and abortion procedures.
Cushing's Syndrome - A group of symptoms and disorders that affect individuals with Cushing's disease. Common characteristics include a round face, central obesity, reddish tone to the skin's complexion, high blood pressure and impaired carbohydrate tolerance. If a pregnant woman is affected by the disorder, there is an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and preterm labor.
Cutaneous Syndactyly - An abnormality of the fingers or toes in which the skin is fused together, but the bones remain separated from one another.
Cutis Aplasia Congenita - A defect of the skin that is present at birth.
The baby will be born with a missing patch of skin. The missing skin is usually found on the scalp, but the baby can be missing skin on the trunk, arms or legs. There can be one or more missing patches on the baby. Usually the missing skin is covered with a transparent membrane and does not appear to be swollen or otherwise inflamed.
Often times, there is a skull defect under the missing skin. A doctor can diagnose the condition during a physical examination after the baby is born. Treatment is minimal and involves keeping the area cleaned and applying medications to keep the area from becoming dry. It will generally heal on its own, but there will be a scar. If there is a bone defect, doctors will monitor it closely and it will usually also heal during the first year old life.
Surgery is only necessary when there is a large missing area of skin or when there is more than one area on the scalp.
CVS - A genetic screening test that is offered to women at risk between the 10th and 12th weeks of pregnancy. A procedure in which a small sample of cells are taken from the placenta through a needle placed through the vagina and the cervix. An ultrasound is used to guide the needle. The test is used to diagnose Down syndrome and other birth defects.
Cyanosis - A bluish or purplish coloration of the skin and mucus membranes that occurs when there is not enough oxygen in the blood. Cyanosis in the newborn could be the result of congenital heart disease, pneumonia, meconium aspiration and neonatal sepsis.
Cyst - An abnormal saclike cavity within the body that contains fluid or gas. Many females have cysts on their ovaries, fallopiean tubes and vagina. Some pregnant women will experience cysts within the amniotic cavity.