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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Class A Drug - A category of drugs or medications that have been approved for use during pregnancy. Routine tests have not revealed a link between class A drugs and fetal defects.
Class B Drug - A category of drugs or medications that have been deemed appropriate for use during pregnancy, if necessary. Routine tests on the medications have revealed a low risk of fetal defects with use.
Class C Drug - A category of drugs or medications that should be avoided during pregnancy. Routine tests on the medications have revealed an increased risk of fetal defects with use.
Class D Drug - A category of drugs or medications that should be avoided during pregnancy. Routine tests on the medications have revealed positive evidence of fetal defects when taken during pregnancy.
Class X Drug - A category of drugs or medications that should never be used during pregnancy. Routine tests on the medications have revealed positive evidence of permanent, irreversible fetal damage when taken during pregnancy.
Cleansing Breath - A technique that is learned in Lamaze, in which a laboring woman takes deep breaths in and out at the beginning and end of a contraction. Inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth can allow for relaxation and continued focus on working through the contractions. The breathing method improves oxygen levels to the fetus throughout labor.
Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma - An uncommon type of vaginal cancer that occurs in young females, usually between the ages of 10 and 35. Individuals with this type of cancer are generally daughters of mothers that were given DES during pregnancy for the treatment of a threatened abortion.
Cleft Chin - A Y-shaped fissure that is found on the chin. This characterisitc is an inherited trait and can be seen from bith.
Cleft Lip - A birth defect that occurs in approximately 1 in 800 live births. Cleft lips are more common in babies of Asian, Latino or Native American descent.
During fetal development, the right and left sides of the lip and palate normally grow together. A cleft lip occurs when a baby is born with a separation in the upper lip, which can extend upwards into the child's nose. A child that is born with a cleft lip or palate is at an increased risk of chronic ear infections, hearing loss and abnormal speech. Treatment for a cleft lip/palate will include surgery. Most doctors recommend doing the surgery when the child is around 10 weeks old.
An ultrasound or MRI can diagnose the condition prenatally or a doctor will confirm the diagnosis at birth.
Cleft Palate - A birth defect that occurs when there is a separation in the roof of the mouth, or palate.
A child can have both a cleft lip and a cleft palate. A child that is born with a cleft lip or palate is at an increased risk of chronic ear infections, hearing loss and abnormal speech. Treatment for a cleft lip/palate will include surgery. Most doctors recommend doing the surgery when the child is around 10 weeks old.
An ultrasound or MRI can diagnose the condition prenatally or a doctor will confirm the diagnosis at birth.
Cleft Uvula - An abnormality in which the uvula (the small mass that hangs at the back of the soft palate of the mouth) is split in two parts. Newborns that are born with cleft palates will generally also have a cleft uvula.
Cleidocranial Dysplasia - A rare birth defect that affects about one in one million people worldwide. It is an inherited autosomal dominant genetic disorder that affects the bones and teeth.
The birth defect causes a short stature with underdeveloped or absent collarbones which will cause narrow, sloping shoulders. A person with this disorder will be able to bring their shoulders together in the front of their body.
An infant will suffer premature closing of the soft spot and delayed closing of the space between the bones in the skull. It is common to have a narrow and irregular shaped pelvis and defects in the chest area. A child's teeth will generally come in late and the lower jaw joints do not usually unite. People with this disorder usually have flat feet, knock knees, scoliosis, wide-set eyes, a flat nose and decreased bone density.
A baby will be diagnosed with this condition based on a physical examination, x-ray and/or genetic studies, which would show an abnormal gene on chromosome 6. There is no treatment for this disorder but dental assessment is recommended.
Clidotomy - Surgical division of the clavicles of a dead fetus to facilitate its delivery.
Climacteric - The conclusion of a female's reproductive years marked by the discontinuance of estrogen production in the ovaries and a permanent cessation of menstruation.
Climax - An intense sensation that occurs at the peak of sexual excitement that is accompanied by rhythmic muscle contractions followed by release of sexual tensions. Climax is usually accompanied by ejaculation in men and a gush of vaginal fluid in women.
Clinical Pelvimetry - Estiamtion of the pelvic size by measuring the diagonal conjugate with a physical examination. During the examination, the examiner will use two fingers to measure certain spaces within the pelvis and if the measurement is greater than 12.5 cm, the woman will be given approval for a vaginal delivery.
Clinical Pregnancy - A pregnancy that has been confirmed by increasing levels of hCG, a blood test and an ultrasound examination in which a gesational sac and/or fetal heartbeat is present. Once the heartbeat has been detected, the risk of miscarriage decreases significantly.
Clinodactyly - An abnormality in which the fifth finger (little finger) curves inwards towards the other fingers. The abnormality can occur as a single defect or with other syndromes, such as Down Syndrome. The condition can be seen during a prenatal ultrasound, which would warrant the need for additional chromosomal testing.
Clitorimegaly - An abnormally large clitoris that measures more than 10mm in width.
Clitoris - A small erectile organ, found in females, under a fold of skin at the top of the vulva that is similar to the penis of a male. The cliitoris is approximately 2 to3 inches in length and 2 to 4 mm in width. When stimulated during sexual arousal it will swell with blood and can produce feelings of sexual pleasure.
Clitoromegaly - An abnormally large clitoris that measures more than 10mm in width.
Cloaca - During embryonic development, the ending of the intestinal and genitourinary tract.
Clogged Milk Duct - When the milk ducts in the breasts become blocked or clogged, you may develop a hard lump that become sore. Your breasts may appear red and feel warm also. Some women that have clogged milk ducts will experience flu-like symptoms-especially if the clogged milk duct becomes infected. When a clogged milk duct becomes infected, it is common to have body aches and a fever. This is known as mastitis.