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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Castor Oil - A vegetable oil that is derived from the castor bean and used by some women in hopes of stimulating labor contractions. Castor oil is a laxative and works to stimulate the bowels. Cramping and tightening of the muscles in the intestines can occur may spread to the uterus, thus stimulating contractions. Most physicians do not recommend the use of castor oil by their patients.
Castration - The removal of the testicles or ovaries. The procedure is usually done if the testicles or ovaries have been infected with a disease. A patient undergoing cancer treatment may be castrated.
Cat Eye Syndrome - A birth disorder that affects approximately 1 in 74,000 people and is a genetic birth defect in which chromosome #22 is affected.
A baby is born with the condition and genetic testing will confirm the diagnosis. Symptoms of the disorder include absence of tissue in the iris, small skin tags or depressions on the ears, anal atresia, urinary defects, kidney defects, congenital heart defects, cleft palate and a short body stature.
Treatment for children with cat eye syndrome will vary. If the child has a deformed anus, heart defects, kidney defects or urinary tract defects, surgery made me required.
Cat's Cry Syndrome - A birth defect that affects affects approximately 1 out of every 20,000-50,000 babies. The birth defect happens when there is missing information on chromosome # 5.
Babies that are born with this condition have a high-pitched cry that sounds like a cat. Common symptoms of Cri du Chat syndrome are low birth weight, poor growth, webbing of the fingers and toes, wide-set eyes, a small head with a small jaw, abnormal motor skill development, mental retardation, skin tags in front of the ear and a single line in the palm of the hand, known as a Simian crease.
There is no cure available. However, treatment options include various kinds of therapy to help with motor skill development and mental retardation.
Catheter - A slender, hollow tube that is inserted into a body cavity (bladder, blood vessel, etc) to insert diagnostic substances, drain fluids or perform a medical procedure. During pregnancy, catheters are generally inserted to collect a sterile urine sample for testing or to drain the bladder during childbirth or surgery.
Catopril - A member of a group of drugs known as ACE inhibitors. The drug acts to lower blood pressure and has been associated with fetal malformation and uterine growth retardation when taken during pregnancy.
Caul - The portion of fetal membranes that sometimes surrounds the head of a newborn at the time of birth. This is only seen in births in which the membranes remain intact until completion of delivery.
Cauterize - To destroy body tissue with heat or acid. Cauterization is used in surgical procedures to remove unwanted tissue such as adhesions and endometrial implants and is also used to control bleeding.
CBC - A combination of laboratory tests including red blood cell count, white blood cell count, differential white cell count, hemoglobin concentration, platelet count and hematocrit. During pregnancy, a complete blood count is useful to determine if a woman is anemic or has an infection.
CC - A metric unit of measurement, also known as cubic centimeters, that is commonly used to measure volume. 30 cc’s = 1 fluid ounce.
Celiac Disease - A digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. The main cause of celiac disease involves the sensitivity of gluten, which is present in many grains, including rye, oats and barley. Women should consume gluten-free foods to avoid complications during pregnancy.
Centimeter - A unit of length in the metric system that is often used to determine cervical dilation. The cervix will begin at a tightly closed 0 cm and will open to a fully dilated, 10 cm, in which pushing can begin.
Central Venous Line - A narrow tube that is inserted into a large blood vessel in the neck, chest, arm, leg, head or groin. The IV line is used to administer medications and fluids, obtain blood tests and obtain measurements within the heart. The IV can be helpful in evaluating cardiac conditions in a premature infant.
Cephalohematoma - A collection of blood that is found under the scalp of a newborn. During vaginal delivery, the baby's head is forced through the cervix and vagina, which can cause tearing of the vessles under the scalp. The condition is more common with forceps delivery or vacuum extraction. The baby will be left with swelling under the scalp with distinct borders that may feel as if there were a tiny water-filled balloon under the scalp. No treatment is necessary and the swelling will diminish on its own.
Cephalopagus - An uncommon type of conjoined twin in whch the twins are joined from the top of the head down to the navel, with separate pelvises and lower abdomens. Because of the severe brain malformations, it is not common for these twins to survive.
Cephalopelvic Disproportion - A condition in which normal delivery through the birth canal cannot be achieved because the baby's head is too large for the mother's pelvix. Pelvimetry is used to determine if a vaginal delivery is safe to attempt if there is any question regarding the size of the baby or size of the maternal pelvix. This condition accounts for approximately 5% of all cesarean sections.
Cephalothoracopagus - An uncommon type of conjoined twin in which the two bodies are fused in the head and thorax. There are two faces facing in opposite directions or sometimes a single face and an enlarged skull.
Cerclage - A procedure that is performed to stitch the cervical opening in a pregnant woman that experiences an incompetent cervix, which could lead to miscarriage or stillbirth.
Cerebral Palsy - A disorder that affects approximately 500,000 people in the US alone. Some babies are born with cerebral palsy while others will develop it after they are born.
A child that is diagnosed with cerebral palsy will have a hard time moving, maintaining balance and posture. Walking will be difficult and is generally delayed. In some cases of cerebral palsy, the fine motor skills are affected so writing, cutting, and picking up items can be difficult.
Seizures and mental retardation do occur in some people with the disorder. Other symptoms of the disease are vision, hearing and speech impairment, dental problems, breathing complications, feeding trouble and poor bladder/bowel control.
Parents and caregivers will notice slow development in a baby. They will likely smile, roll over, sit, crawl and walk at a later age than other babies their age. Researchers have found some risks for the disease. A baby that presents in the breech position at birth or a complicated labor/delivery will increase the chances of a child with cerebral palsy because of the possibility of brain damage.
Low apgar scores, low birth weight, stroke, lack of oxygen to the fetus during pregnancy or delivery or seizures in the newborn can all lead to the cerebral palsy. While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, medication, braces and various therapies are used as treatment methods.
Cerebrospinal Fluid - The watery substance that provides a cushion to protect the brain and spinal cord. The fluid is made up of mostly water, glucose, salt and proteins. If the fluids flow is obstructed, or the brain is not absorbing properly, it can cause hydrocephalus.
Cervical Amputation - Surgical removal of the uterine cervix. In an individual with cervical cancer, the cervix may be removed to keep the cancer from spreading to other structures.
Cervical Atresia - An extremely rare condition in which the cervical canal is missing at birth. Surgical reconstruction is possible.
Cervical Canal - A flattened, normally closed, canal within the uterine cervix that connects the vagina to the cavity within the body of the uterus.
Cervical Cap - A rubber cup that has a round rim and is positioned around the cervix. Cervical caps are smaller than diaphragms and they have to be fitted by a doctor before using initially. The cervical cap does not allow sperm to enter the uterus and can be placed into the vagina at any time before sexual intercourse has begun. Spermicide is necessary when using the cervical cap and the failure rate is fairly high. Approximately ten out of every one hundred women will become pregnant while using the cervical cap.