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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Folic Acid - Vitamin B complex that is derived from green vegetables. The majority of prenatal vitamins contain folic acid. Adequate amounts are important for preventing neural tube birth defects in a developing fetus and a certain type of anemia. Folic acid can also be found in many green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, citrus fruits and cereals.
Folic Acid Antagonist - A substance that interferes with the action of folic acid. Some folic acid antagonists are are associated with severe malformations, spontaneous miscarriages, stillbirths and small for gestational age infants.
Folic Acid Deficiency Anemia - Anemia occurring during pregnancy that is caused by folic acid deficiency. The condition is characterized by the presence of large embryonic red blood cells in bone marrow. The condition goes away after delievery, but normally comes back again with future pregnancies.
Follicle - A fluid-filled sac in the ovary that contains an egg that is released at the time of ovulation during the menstrual cycle.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone - A hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland and stimulates the ovary to ripen a follicle and release a mature egg for fertilization. In males, the hromone is responsible for sperm production.
Folliclular Cyst - A common type of ovarian cyst that forms when the LH surge does not occur, so the follicle does open up and release the egg. It continues to grow and turns into a cyst. Not everyone will experience pain with a follicular cyst, but some individuals will experience pelvic pain, pain with sexual intercourse and abnormal uterine bleeding. Follicular cysts usually go away on their own after two or three menstrual cycles.
Follicular Fluid - Fluid that is found inside the follicle that is responsible for cushioning and nourishing the egg. The fluid stimulates the fimbria to grasp the ovary and pull the egg into the fallopian tube at the time of ovulation.
Follicular Phase - The first phase of the menstrual cycle in which the ovarian follicle develops and grows. Hightened levels of estrogen cause the uterine lining to grow.
Fong's Disease - An inherited birth that is characterized by bone, joint, fingernail and kidney abnormalities and affects approximately 1 out of every 50,000 live births. Common symptoms of the condition include abnormal kneecaps and thumbnails. The nails are usually missing or very short and can be discolored and easily split. Bones and joints are affected and the knees are often unstable. A person may experience a limited range of motion in the elbows. Vision complications are another main characteristic of the disease and include loss of peripheral vision, red eyes, sore eyes, blurry vision, blind spots, headaches and difficulty adjusting in a dark room.
Fontanel - Any of the normally six unossified spaces in the fetal and infant skull that are covered by a fibrous membrane. These spaces allow the baby's head to compress slightly as the baby makes its way down the birth canal. The fontanel usually close by 18-24 months of age.
Football Hold - A common breastfeeding position in which the baby's legs rest under the mother's arm as the baby faces the mother and nurses. The football hold is a good nursing position in mothers that have flat or inverted nipples, have had a cesarean section, has large breasts or if the baby is a lazy nurser.
Footling Breech - A type of breech presentation in a fetus. This type of presentation occurs in 10% to 30% of infants that are breech. One or both of the fetus's hips are extended and the feet are presenting.
Forbes Albright Syndrome - A combination of a profuse milky secretion from the breast of a nonlactating woman in addiition to the absence of menstruation. The condition is not associated with recent pregnancy and may be associated with a benign tumor in the pituitary gland.
Forceps Delivery - A delivery in which forceps are used to grasp the head of the fetus and pull it through the birth canal in a woman that is fully dilated. Forceps resemble a large pair of tongs that wrap around either side of the baby's head. Generally, forceps will be used when the baby is already in the lower portion of the birth canal. During a contraction and while the mother is pushing, the doctor will grasp the handles and pull the baby down and out of the birth canal. Forceps may leave small red areas on the baby's cheeks, but they will fade away within a few days. You may also notice blisters on the scalp from where the forceps grasped the head. Mothers that require the use of forceps are more likely to experience cervical tears, vaginal tears, perineal tears and tears within the anus.
Forebag - The portion of fluid-filled amniotic sac that bulges into the cervical canal in front of the fetal head or any other presenting part of the fetus during the second stage of labor. The amniotic sac (bag of water) completely surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. During labor, when the baby's head engages in the brith canal the head fits into the pelvis and separates the bag of waters into two parts.
Foremilk - The popular name for colostrum, which is the first thick yellow milk that is secreted by the breasts in the last few weeks of pregnancy and the first two to three days after childbirth. Foremilk will give way to true breast milk within a few days of delivery. The foremilk provides less fat and sugar, but is rich in white blood cells. This important first milk provides immunity properties and antibodies for the newborn infant.
Foreskin - A retractable double-layered fold of skin that covers the penis. During a circumcision, the foreskin is removed. The foreskin is extremely sensitive and an intact foreskin aids in sexual feelings and lubrication during intercourse.
Forestier's Disease - A form of arthritis in which the tendons and ligaments of the spine, heels, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows and hands become hardened. Common symptoms include stiffness, pain and decreased range of motion. Pregnant women may experience a worsening in their symptoms as the pregnancy progresses.
Forewaters - The portion of fluid-filled amniotic sac that bulges into the cervical canal in front of the fetal head or any other presenting part of the fetus during the second stage of labor. The amniotic sac (bag of water) completely surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. During labor, when the baby's head engages in the brith canal the head fits into the pelvis and separates the bag of waters into two parts.
Fourth Degree Laceration - A more severe laceration of the vaginal mucus membranes, the skin of the vaginal area, underlying superficial fascia, perineal muscle, the anal sphincter muscle and into the rectum . A fourth degree tear is more likely in women that have an assisted delivery, especially if forceps are used, or if the baby is abnormally large, is born face-up or if an episiotomy is performed in addition to a large tear. Layer by layer stitches will be required and urinating or having a bowel movement can be painful. The area will likely remain sore for several weeks and possibly months.
Fox-Fordyce Disease - An uncommon disease that affects mainly women between the ages of 13 and 35 years of age. Common characteristics of the disease include eruptions of dry, itchy papules on the breasts, armpits and pubic area.
Fragile X Syndrome - An inherited birth defect that causes mental abnormalities. Fragile X syndrome occurs when there is a break in a single gene. The severity of the condition varies and a child may have slight learning disabilities, autism or severe mental retardation. Characteristic features include large ears, a long face, high arched palate, flat feet, seizures, heart murmurs, obsessive compulsive disorder, enlarged testicles, hyperactivity, speech complications, motor skill delays, emotional disturbances and behavior difficulties. There is no cure for Fragile X syndrome, but various therapies can help the child developmentally. Because a child will have difficulty with speech and language, speech therapy is recommended as early as possible.
Frambesia - A contagious bacterial skin infection that is characterized by eruptions of papules on the face, hands, feet and external genitalia. Anyone can be affected by the disorder, but it is most commonly seen in children under the age of 15 in warm, tropical areas.
Frank Breech - A type of breech presentation in a fetus. This type of presentation occurs in 50% to 70% of infants that are breech. The fetus's hips are flexed and the knees are extended.
Fraternal - The most common type of multiple pregnancy. Fraternal twins occur when two different eggs are fertilized by different sperm. Because these types of siblings do not share any of the exact genetic material, they will be no more alike than siblings born at separate times. Fraternal siblings can be the same sex or different sexes.