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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Fern Test - A test that is used to determine if the amniotic sac has ruptured. The test enables a health care provider to detect premature leakage of amniotic fluid from fetal membranes in a minimal amount of time. A vaginal liquid pool specimen is obtained with a swab, allowed to dry completely in room air and examined microscopically. A
positive result can be confirmed by the presence of fern-like patterns characteristic
of amniotic fluid crystals.
Ferrous Gluconate - A supplement of iron. Although the potential affects of this medication have not been established, some women require additional amounts of iron during pregnancy.
Fertile Eunuch - An uncommon disorder that is characterized by a leutenizing hormone deficiency. The condition causes low testosterone levels, poor sperm production, incompletecsecondary sex characteristics and low sex drive.
Fertile Period - The time during a woman's mesntrual period when ovulation takes place and conception is most likely to occur. Generally this time frame occurs 10 to 18 days after the first day of the last menstrual period.
Fertility Clinic - A medical facility that assists couples or individuals in achieving conception and pregnancy when natural means have not been successful. Staff at a fertility clinic includes reproductive endocrinologists, embryologists and nurses. Medical professionals at the clinic will collect a semen sample to test the quality of the sperm. Fertility treatments that can be performed at the clinic include fertility drugs, artificial insemination, egg donation and surgery to correct any abnormalities that were found during examination.
Fertility Specialist - A physician that specializes in the practice of fertility. Many obstetricans and gynecologists are also fertility specialists.
Fertility Treatment - Medical treatments, provided by a licensed physician, that assist a couple or indiviudal in conceiving a child when natural mehtods have not been successful. There are different options available to meet the needs and desires of the person seeking treatment. Fertility treatments are not guaranteed to work and can be expensive and stressful.
Fertilization - The process that occurs when a male's sperm penetrates a female's egg, which causes an embryo to develop. If fertilization is not able to be acheived spontaneously, in vitro fertilization may be necessary for conception to occur.
Fetal - Sound and vibration technique used to check fetus' size and health while in the uterus.
Fetal Acoustical Stimulation - Sound and vibration technique used to check fetus' size and health while in the uterus.
Fetal Akinesia Sequence - A condition that is characterized by decreased intrauterine fetal movement and its consequent manifestations of multiple joint contractures, pulmonary hypoplasia, and abnormal face present at birth. The incidence is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 12,000 births.
Fetal Alcohol Effect - A preventable syndrome in which moderate intake of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy cause developmental and behavioral problems in the child. The syndrome is not as severe as fetal alcohol syndrome, but the symptoms are most noticeable when the child is older and has trouble with school and socialization. The effects of the syndrome can prevent a child from leading a productive and healthy life.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - Refers to the many permanent birth defects caused by the mother's consumption of alcohol during pregnancy, including Fetal Alchohol Syndrome (FAS).
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - A defect that affects approximately 1 out of every 1,000 births. When a pregnant woman drinks during her pregnancy, she is exposing her fetus to alcohol. Alcohol is very dangerous to a developing baby and can result in fetal alcohol syndrome. Unlike most birth defects and disorders, fetal alcohol syndrome is 100% preventable if the woman does not drink alcohol while pregnant. A child born with fetal alcohol syndrome will experience physical, mental, behavioral and learning disabilities. Some babies will die as a result of fetal alcohol syndrome. It is common for people born with this condition to experience poor coordination, hyperactive behavior, and problems with daily living, sleep disturbances, sucking disturbances which could lead to poor feeding, speech and language delays and poor judgment skills.
Physical, a child with fetal alcohol syndrome will have distinct facial abnormalities and will generally be small in size.
Fetal Anoxia - A complete depletion of oxygen and rise in carbon dioxide in the fetal blood. Common causes of fetal anoxia may include poor oxygenation of the mother, low maternal blood pressure, or abnormalities in the uterus, placenta, or umbilical cord. After birth, Fetal anoxia can occur after birth as a result of blood loss, shock or decreased respiration levels. Congenital nerve deafness may be a result of fetal anoxia.
Fetal Attitude - The characteristic posture of the fetus within the uterus during the later months of pregnancy. Typically, the fetus will be lying with its head flexed and the chin almost touching the chest. The thighs are usually flexed towards the abdomen and the legs are bent at the knees.
Fetal Blood Sampling - A prenatal test that screens blood from the umbilical cord for abnormalities while the fetus is in the uterus. The test is generally done between week 18 and 36 of a pregnancy. This test gathers fetal blood by guiding a needle into the umbilical vein. It is primarily used in addition to an ultrasound and amniocentesis if your health care provider needs to quickly check your baby's chromosomes for defects or disorders or if he or she is concerned that your baby may be anemic. This is a very fast test. If a developing baby is showing signs of distress, it is helpful to know whether the baby has a fatal chromosomal defect. If the baby is suspected to be anemic or to have a blood platelet disorder, this is the only test that can confirm suspicions. If the fetus needs a blood transfusion or fluids, the test allows them to be done while the needle is in place.
Fetal Brachycardia - A baseiline fetal heart rate under 120 beats per minute that lasts 15 minutes or longer. If the rate is between 80 and 100 beats per minute, it is considered moderate. However, if the heart rate falls below 80 beats per minute, it is classified as severe.
Fetal Breathing Movement - Respiratory movement executed periodically by the fetus in the uterus which, by creating pressure changes, induce flowing of amniotic fluid in and out of the fetal lungs. Maternal tobacco use reduces fetal breathing movements while high glucose levels increase fetal breathing movements. Determining the presence of fetal breathing movements is often used to measure fetal well-being.
Fetal Circulation - The blood flow through the blood vessels of the developing fetus. Blood is carried to the placenta by two arteries in the umbilical cord and is returned to the fetus by a vein in the umbilical cord.
Fetal Cocaine Syndrome - A condition that is caused by maternal cocaine use during pregnancy. Babies are born with small size, hyperirritability, prune belly, small head, and genitourinary anomalies.
Fetal Death - Death that occurs to the fetus while still in the womb. In the early months of pregnancy, the uterus fails to grow if the fetus has died in utero. In the later months of pregnancy, the mother will notice an absence in fetal movements when the fetus has died.
Fetal Death Rate - The number of stillbirths occurring in one year per 1,000 infants born (including live births and stillbirths) in the same year.
Fetal Demise - The death of a fetus in the uterus. Fetal demise is generally suspected by lack of movement, discontinued growth and an absent heartbeat. An ultrasound can be used to confirm that the fetus has died in utero.