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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Missed Period - Failure of menstruation to occur in any given month. While the most common cause of a missed period is pregnancy, there are other causes which include stress, illegal drug use, weight gain, weight loss, medication usage and birth control methods.
Mittelschmerz - A German word that is commonly used to describe pain that is felt on either side of the abdomen, near the ovaries, around the time of ovulation.
Mixed Method Use - The combined use of two or more forms of birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancy. For example, a woman may have an IUD in place and the couple may also choose to use condoms and the withdrawal method to prevent pregnancy from occurring.
Modified Radical Mastectomy - Removal of the breast, connective tissue covering the pectoralis major muscle and the axillary lymph nodes.
Moebius Syndrome - An extremely rare birth defect that affects cranial nerves. The underdeveloped nerves that are involved are the sixth and seventh cranial nerves. Common symptoms include facial paralysis, crossed eyes, no facial expression, inability to smile and the inability to follow objects with the eyes. Many babies that are born with Moebius syndrome will also have low muscle tone, speech complications, hearing complications, dental complications, and sensitivity to loud sounds and bright lights. Treatment options include surgery to correct crossed eyes and nerve and/or muscle transplants to correct the lack of facial expressions. Speech therapy and physical therapy are recommended to help the child meet their full deveopmental potential.
Moist Papule - The highly infectious lesion of the secondary stage of syphilis. The lesion appears as a multiple, slightly elevated, disk-shaped growth with a moist surface and occurs on the genitals, around the anus and on the inner thighs and buttocks.
Molar Pregnancy - An abnormal pregnancy in which a mass of clear vesicles, similar to that of a bunch of grapes, grows within the uterus from the tissues of the placenta. Symptoms are generally very similar to that of an early pregnancy and a positive pregnancy test is likely. Characteristic symptoms include bleeding and an abnormally large uterus in correspondance with the timeline of gestation.
Molding - The temporary change in the shape of a newborn's head that takes place as it passes through the birth canal.
Mongan Method - A unique method of childbirth, in which the mother is relaxed, eudcated and enhanced by self-hypnosis techniques or by the direction of a hypnotherapist. The technique provides the laboring woman with a sense of relaxation, comfort and relief. Mothers that use this method are not as likely to require the use of medications to relieve pain and remain completely alert and awake during the birthing process.
Mongolian Spot - A brown, blue-black or mulberry-colored spot that is most commonly found on the lower back of some infants at birth. The areas resemble bruises and can vary in size. The birthmark is benign and will generally go away on its own without medical treatment as the child gets older. Mongolian spots are more common in darker-skinned infants, usually of Native American, Asian, Hispanic or African American descent.
Mongolism - Also known as Down syndrome or Trisomy 21, this congenital defect is the most common chromosomal abnormality. This birth defect occurs when the child receives duplicated information from chromosome #21. Mongolism affects approximately 1 out of every 1,000 births and older mothers are more likely to carry a child with the disorder. The symptoms of mongolsim can vary from mild to severe. Common symptoms of mongolism include physical and mental delays, heart complications, dementia, hearing loss, vision abnormalities, thyroid complications and skeletal abnormalities.
Monilial Vulvovaginitis - An infection that is caused by yeast or monilia and is commonly referred to as thrush of the vagina. The condition usually affects the vagina and vulva. An anti-fungal cream can be used in addition to possibly needing antibiotics to clear the infection.
Monitrice - A professional labor assistant, or doula, that has medical knowledge and is capable of performing some medical procedures. The monitrice might be a nurse and educates expectant parents about labor and delivery before birth. During labor, this person can assess the mother's condition, fetal heart rate, fetal positioning, cerical dilation and recommend options for pain relief, if necessary.
Monoamniotic - Sharing one amniotic sac in the uterus; applied to twins
Monogamy - The consistent practice of having sex with only one partner. Being in a monogamous relationship significantly decreases one's chances of being infected with HIV or another sexually transmitted disease. Both partners need to be monogamous in order for this to work.
Monophasic Chart - A temperature chart that does not reveal the typical biphasic pattern of the ovulatory cycle. Temperature recordings do not show any change and therefore, lack of ovulation is noted.
Monosodium Glutamate - A chemical food enhancer that is used to add flavor in some foods. MSG is similar to table salt and may cause water retention during pregnancy. Some studies have linked fetal brain damage to the use of MSG during pregnancy. It is most commonly found in Chinese dishes, meat tenderizers and processed foods. When MSG is ingested, it may cause headache, sweating, numbness in the mouth, heart palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and/or lethargy.
Monosomy - A condition in which only one copy of a chromosome pair is present, instead of the normal 2. The abnormality is generally not compatible with life.
Monozygotic Twin - Not as common as fraternal siblings. Occurs when one fertilized egg divides in two while it is a small collection of cells. The halves then develop into two babies, with the exact same genetic information.
Montevideo Unit - The product of the average intensity of uterine contractions muliplied by the number of contractions in a ten minute timeframe. This calcualtion is used to measure uterine activity.
Montgomery's Tubercles - The small, raised bumps that surround the areola. The bumps resemble small pimples and become enlarged during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Montgomery's Tubercles are oil-producing glands and secrete a lubricating and protective substance to decrease bacterial growth on the nipple.
Moodswing - A sudden change in an individual's mood. During pregnancy, your body goes through a huge change, both physically and mentally. Hormone levels change and the chemicals in your brain can become affected. Mood swings can be caused by hormones, fatigue, stress or the changes that pregnancy brings. Usually, women will experience the most moodwings during the first 6-10 weeks of their pregnancy and towards the end as labor approaches.
Morning After Pill - An oral contraceptive that is taken within 72 hours after sexual intercourse. The pill usually contains higher doses of estrogen and progestin than typical oral contraceptives. Progestin prevents the sperm from reaching the egg and prevents a fertilized egg from implanting to the wall of the uterus. Estrogen stops the ovaries from releasing eggs that can be fertilized by sperm. This type of contraceptive has a success rate of approximately 80%, should rarely be used and only as a last resort after unprotected sex.
Morning Sickness - Nausea and vomiting that affects more than 70 percent of pregnant women, usually during the first trimester and sometimes second. Some women will experience morning sickness at different times throughout the day, or even all day long. Typically, morning sickness will fade away by the 15th week of pregnancy.