Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics
in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net.
|
Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Prodromal Labor - A regular or irregular tightening of the uterus during pregnancy that occurs before true labor begins. Many women think they are actually in labor, but the contractions do not get stronger and the cervix does not progress. False labor contractions may stop or decrease if you walk around, change positions or eat/drink something.
Progeria - A disorder that affects young children and is also known as Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome. Progeria causes fast aging in children and as a result of the disease, the child will have a short lifespan. Common symptoms of progeria include a bald head, dental abnormalities, slow growth, facial anomalies that include a narrow and wrinkled face, large head size, small jaw, stiff joints, dry and thin skin, open soft spot and the loss of eyebrows and eyelashes. The child will look old and fraile. Children that have progeria will also suffer from diabetes and atherosclerosis. Because there is no cure or treatment for progeria, the average child will not live past the teenage years. Most patients will die from a stroke because of atherosclerosis.
Progesterone - A hormone found in females that secreted by the ovaries. The hormone is responsible for regulating a woman's mesntrual cycle. Once an egg has been fertilized by the male sperm, progesterone supports the pregnancy early on. It keeps the uterus from contracting during pregnancy and aids in the growth of the blood vessels in the uterus.
Progestin - A synthetic compound that produces effects similar to the naturally occurring hormone, progesterone. Synthetic progestin is often used as a contraceptive.
Prolactin - A protein hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland and is responsible for breast development and milk production during pregnancy. The hormone plays a role in ovarian function. Excessive amounts of prolactin in the body can cause abnormal menstrual cycles, abnormal breast milk production, excessive development of the male mammary glands and sexual dysfunction.
Prolapsed Cord - An umbilical cord accident in which the umbilical cord falls through the cervix and sometimes into the vagina. A prolapsed cord generally occurs during labor or when the water breaks. Blood flow and oxygen supply to the fetus can be restricted or completely cut off. A prolapsed cord is an emergency situation and immediate delivery is necessary.
Prolapsed Uterus - A complication in which the uterus falls into the vagina due to stretching and laxity of its supporting structures. There are four degrees of the condition, ranging from a mild case of prolapse into the cervix to a severe case in which the uterus is actually outside of the vagina.
Proliferative 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.
Prolonged Labor - Labor that lasts longer than 18 hours. An irregular contraction pattern, weak contractions and an overly large baby can be a cause of this condition. If labor does not progress at ths point, a cearean section may be necessary to safely deliver the infant.
PROM - A condition that occurs in some pregnancies, in which the sac that holds the fluid surrounding the fetus ruptures after the 37th week of pregnancy, but before labor has begun. The condition occurs in approximately 10% of pregnancies, in which women experience leakage of fluid, vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, and pelvic pressure, but no contractions are present.
Prophase - The first stage of cell division in which the chromosomes can be seen, the nucleus begins to lose its identity and the centrioles move to opposite poles of the cell.
Propylthiouracil - A drug that is used for treatment of hyperthyroidism. The medication inhibits the production of thyroid hormones. Intrauterine exposure to the drug may cause hypothyroidism and goiter in the infant.
Prostaglandin Gel - A labor-inducing medication that can be inserted near the cervix to artificially soften the cervix for labor. This medication is normally prescribed by an obstetrician, given in the hospital and left in the cervix for 6 to 12 hours.
Prostaglandins - Hormones that are produced by the uterus to soften the cervix in preparation for a vaginal delivery. If labor needs to be medically induced, synthetic prostaglandins will be used to soften the cervix.
Protective Apron - A shield of lead rubber that protects patients from radiation exposure during exams or procedures that use radiation. Any woman that is pregnant or could be pregnant should wear the apron to protect the developing fetus from dangerous and potentially harmful radiation.
Proteinuria - Protein in the urine. Proteinuria is a common sign of preeclampsia or kidney complications during pregnancy. The condition is detected by the doctor or midwife by using a special stick to dip into a clean sample of urine.
Protracted Labor - Labor that takes longer than expected due to slow cervical dilation, weak or irregular contractions, a small maternal pelvis or large sized baby. To regulate and/or strenghthen contractions, pitocin may be given. If the mother's pelvis is too small to accompany the baby, a cesarean section may be necessary.
Provera - A synthetic form of the hormone progesterone that is often given to a woman that is not pregnant, but has not had a menstural period for atleast seven weeks.
Proximal Tubal Occlusion - A condition in which the connection between the uterus and fallopian tube becomes sblocked. The condition may be caused by infection, endometriosis, leiomyomas and congenital malformations.
Prune Belly Syndrome - A birth disorder that mainly affects males and approximately one out of every 35,000 births. Typical symptoms of the disorder include undescended testicles, wrinkling folds of skin on the abdomen, lack of abdominal muscles and a large, abnormal bladder. Because of the expanded bladder, it is common to see a mass in the abdominal area. Urinary tract abnormalities are also common and can affect the bladder, ureters and/or kidneys. Recurring urinary tract infections can occur. Some babies will also have skeletal, intestinal and heart defects. Many babies with this birth defect will be stillborn or die within months of being born.
Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy - A rash that occurs in some women during thieir first pregnancy. PUPPP will usually show up around week 35 and most women notice it in stretch marks on their stomach. One major difference in PUPPP and other rashes that pregnant women may develop is that the belly button is not affected. The rash will appear as small, red, spongy areas in the stretch marks. They will grow together to form larger areas on the stomach. The rash will spread to the thighs, arms, breasts and butt. The face is never affected by this rash.
Although the rash can be quite itchy and bothersome, there is no reason to worry about the rash harming mother or baby. The average rash will last around six weeks and it will all go away after delivery. The cause of PUPPP is not fully understood, although researchers believe it may have something to do with the fetal DNA of a male baby.
Pruritus Gravidarum - Severe and persistent itching that occurs during pregnancy on otherwise normal skin. The itching is generally worse in the third trimester and may be the result of reduced liver function or fluctuating hormone levels.
Pseudocyesis - Development of pregnancy symptoms in a nonpregnant woman, including morning sickness, tender breasts, exhaustion and a missed period. The abdomen is also tender and swollen. Symptoms are clinically present, but no fetus is found during examination. Most often, the condition is psychological and is related to either wanting to be pregnant or an intense fear of becoming pregnant.
Pseudomenopause - Temporary cessation of the menses due to decreased levels of estrogen and progestrone. This is used in the medical treatment of endometriosis because it will cause ovulation and menstruation to cease as well as cause the endometrium to shrink.
Ptyalism - An abnormally large secretion of saliva. Excessive salivation is often an early symptom of pregnancy.