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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Nitrous Oxide - A colorless, sweet-tasting gas that exhibits a pleasing smell when inhaled. The gas is often used as an anesthetic to help individuals remain calm and reduce pain during medical procedures or childbirth.
Nocturia - Consistently waking up to urinate more than once during the night. As pregnancy progresses and more pressure is applied to the bladder, the need to urinate during the night will generally increase. Frequent urination during the night can be a sign of an underlying sleep disorder.
Non Coiled Umbilical Cord - An abnormality that occurs in approximately 5% of all pregnancies, in which a fetus's umbilical cord appears to be straight rather than coiled. Research shows that there is an increased risk of fetal abnormalities and/or stillbirth when a non-coiled umbilical cord is present. Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk for developing a non-coiled umbilical cord.
Non Stress Test - A simple, painless test that is used to evaluate your baby. A non stress test is usually done between weeks 38 and 42, but can but used as early as the beginning of the third trimester. The majority of women who have the test done have gone past their due date. Their caregiver orders the test to ensure the well-being of the developing baby. In some cases it is done as a precaution after problems in a previous pregnancy or because of high risk factors such as diabetes or intrauterine growth retardation. This test is usually done in your doctor's office or hospital. You will sit in a chair or lie on a table with fetal monitoring equipment hooked to your belly. The monitor will record your baby's heart rate in conjunction with any uterine activity. During the test, your healthcare practitioner or a technician monitors your baby's heartbeat, first while the baby is resting and then while he's moving. Just as your heart beats faster when you're active, your baby's heart rate should go up while he's moving or kicking. You are generally asked to press a button when the baby moves so that the heart rate can be seen in relationship to that movement.
Noninvasive - A medical procedure that does not require the healthcare provider to insert an instrument through the skin or into a body opening. Examples of noninvasie procedures include abdominal ultrasounds, non stress tests, urinalysis and a urine-based pregnancy test.
Nonmaternal Death - Death of a pregnant woman that is not related to the pregnancy or any complications resulting from pregnancy. Examples include the flu, car accident, homicide, falls or other forms of trauma.
Nonreassuring Fetal Status - An evident change in fetal activity or heartbeat, which could mean that the fetus is in danger. Signs of fetal distress include a rapid change in the baby's movement or heartbeat and meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Although the condition can occur at any point of pregnancy, it is most common during labor.
Nonviable - An individual that is not capable of living independently or successfully developing. The term usually describes an infant that is premature or one that is born with abnormalities not suitable for life.
Noonan Syndrome - A birth defect that affects approximately 1 out of every 1,000-2,500 children worldwide. disorder is characterized by congenital heart disease, poor growth, mental delays, physical delays and blood clotting complications. Some common facial features of Noonan syndrome are a large triangular shaped head, curly hair, broad forehead, wide set and bulging eyes, droopy eyelids, small nose, low set ears, a deep grooved upper lip line, poor tongue control and dental problems. It is also common for a patient to have blunt ended fingers, elbow deformities, chronic ear infections, jerky eye movements, scoliosis, decreased muscle tone and excessive skin on the back of the neck. Diagnosis will be made clinically based upon the child's features.
Norrie Disease - A very rare birth defect that primarily affects males, although few females have been diagnosed with the condition. It is an inherited birth defect and causes blindness at birth or soon after. During fetal development, the retina does not develop properly which makes the pupils appear white. Generally the iris will shrink and deteriorate and cataracts will develop. Children with Norrie disease may also suffer hearing loss, developmental delays, breathing trouble, digestive complications and mental retardation. If a woman is a known carrier of the disease, prenatal testing can be done. Otherwise, the child will likely be diagnosed shortly after birth. There is no cure for Norrie disease.
Nosocomial Infection - An infection that is acquired as a result of hospitalization or treatment received in a hospital that was not present or incubating prior to being exposed to the hospital environment. Newborn babies can acquire the infection in the nursery or from the nursery workers if strict sanitation measures are not in place. Common infections usually affect the respiratory system, urinary system and the gastrointestinal tract.
Notifiable Disease - A disease, that by law, must be reported to public health officials when a diagnosis is made. Reporting the disease to proper officials helps keep outbreaks from occurring. Diseases that must be reported include AIDS, anthrax, hepatitis, botulism, diptheria, plague, rabies and other conditions.
Nubain - A synthetic narcotic pain reliever that is commonly used during labor and delivery. The medication does not completely block pain, instead it lessens pain perception, making the pain more tolerable. Because Nubain does not cause muscle weakness, the mother is fully capable of pushing the baby out of the vagina. The side effects of Nubain include sleepiness and decreased respiration in the mother and fetus.
Nuchal Arm - A fetal arm that is positioned around the back of the neck and if often seen in breech deliveries.
Nuchal Cord - An umbilical cord that is wrapped around the fetus' neck in utero and oftentimes, at birth. Sometimes a looped cord can cause problems by strangling the baby and cutting off blood flow through the cord.
Nuchal Fold Thickness - Thickening of the skin behind the neck in a developing fetus. A nuchal translucency screening test is performed to measure the thickness of the skin to determine the risk certain abnormalities in the fetus. Measuring the nuchal fold thickness is the best ultrasonographic predictor of fetal trisomy 21.
Nuchal Translucency Screen - A prenatal screening test that is used to determine if birth defects are likely in a developing fetus. The test must be performed between the 11th and 14th week of pregnancy. An ultrasound is used to measure the translucent space in the tissue at the back of the fetus's neck, which will be an indicator of a possible birth defect.
Nullipara - A woman that has not delivered a baby weighing 500 grams or more or of a gestation length of 20 weeks or longer.
Nurse Practitioner - A registered nurse with a master's or doctoral degree who is licensed to diagnose and manage illness and disease. Nurse practitioners provide a broad range of health care services to a variety of types of pateints. The nurse practitioner is usually working closely with a doctor and may prescribe medication to patients.
Nursing - To feed an infant or toddler with milk from a woman's breasts. Babies have a sucking reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk. To provide the best nutrition possible, breasfeeding is recommended for babies and young children.
Nursing Bra - An extra-support bra that has removable flaps on the cups, allowing a breastfeeding mother to nurse her baby without completely removing the bra. Most nursing bras are fabric only and do not have underwire support.
Nutrition - The process by which individuals obtain energy from food and drink for the purpose of body growth and maintenance. Proper nutrition is crucial during pregnancy. The foods that the mother consumes are the main source of nutrients for the baby. Pregnant women need extra iron and folic acid to support a growing fetus and prevent birth defects.
Nutrition Supplement - A multivitamin specially formulated for women that are trying to concerive, are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is advised that all pregnant and breastfeeding women, take prenatal vitamins to make up for any nutritional deficiencies in their daily diet. Research shows that prenatal vitamins greatly reduce the risk of birth defects and neural tube defect in babies. Most prenatal vitamins include folic acid, Vitamin A, C, D & E, calcium, iron, zinc, ribofalvin and other essential minerals.
Nymphomania - A female psychosexual disorder characterized by excessive and insatiable sexual desire. The condition characterized by an abnormally high libido and uncontrollable desire for sexual stimulation.