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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Phenmetrazine - An appetite suppressant drug that has been associated with skeletal defects in the fetus if taken during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Phenylketonuria - A genetic birth disorder in which the liver is missing an enzyme that is necessary for breaking down and digesting phenylalanine. Because phenylalanine is found in cow's milk, infant formulas and breast milk, the baby is unable to digest it properly.
Common symptoms of the disorder include epilepsy, a musty odor, small head, short stature, eczema and flat feet. While the condition can affect anyone, most of the babies affected have blond hair and blue eyes. Treatment of PKU is essential so that brain damage and retardation do not develop. Treatment includes removing phenylalanine from the child's diet.
Phimosis - A condition in which the foreskin of the penis becomes constricted and difficult to retract.
Phlebotomist - A healthcare professional that is trained to draw blood for laboratory testing and evaluation. During pregnancy, there are a variety of routine tests and procedures that involve the use of drawn blood.
Phlegmonous Mastitis - Widely spread breast inflammation that is sometimes accompanied by abscess formation.
Phototherapy - Fluorescent lights that are placed over a newborn's bed to help breakdown bilirubin and treat jaundice, a yellowish skin color due to excessive amounts of bilirubin in the blood. This treatment is used for a few days until the liver is mature enough to breakdown the bilirubin without assistance.
Physical Abuse - Causing physical injury to an individual as a result of punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting or burning. Any physical injury that is intentionally inflicted on an inidviudal is considered physical abuse. Physical abuse during pregnancy is very dangerous and can lead to severe complications and death.
Physiologic Menopause - Permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the normal cessation of ovarian function that usually occurs in healthy females between the ages of forty-five and fifty-five years of age.
Pica - An eating disorder that is characterized by strong cravings of things that are not food. Common foods include coal, chalk, cigarette butts, paper, soil and feces. The symptoms of pica usually persist for more than one month at an age where eating such objects is considered developmentally inappropriate. Researchers believe that pica cravings are the body's attempt to obtain vitamins or minerals that are missing from an individual's typical diet.
PICC Line - A special IV line that is inserted into the arm and extends into a major blood vessel in the heart. The IV line usually lasts longer than a regular IV line and is used for administering medications, antibiotics and blood products.
PID - An infection of the female reproductive system, including the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. The inflammation is usually caused by a sexually transmitted disease, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. The damage may result in infertility, a future tubal pregnancy or chronic pelvic pain.
Pierre Robin Sequence - A type of condition that occurs when there are multiple birth defects occurring together. A child with Pierre Robin sequence will have a small lower jaw, respiratory complications, a tongue that balls up at the back of the mouth and seems to hang downwards into the throat and a possible cleft palate. A child with Pierre Robin sequence may experience chronic ear infections, hearing loss, feeding complications and other syndromes such as Stickler syndrome or Velocardiofacial syndrome. Treatment options for the condition include surgery to fix the cleft palate, feeding and breathing devices and possible surgery to aid in breathing. It is also important to take special care that the infant's tongue does not fall into the airway.
Pigeon Breast - A birth defect that occurs when there is a protrusion over the sternum in the chest. A baby that is born with pectus carinatum will have a bird-like appearance because it will be bowed outwards. During a physical examination, the lungs and heart will appear normal, but they may not function properly. The condition will usually become worse with age and during growth spurts. Breathing may be difficult and exercise may be harder for an individual with pectus carinatum. Pectus carinatum can occur by itself or with other birth disorders, such as Trisomy 18 or 21, Marfan's syndrome and a variety of other defects. Treatment usually involves wearing a brace to stabilize and support the affected bones. In more severe cases, surgery is necessary.
Pilosis - Excesive growth of androgen-dependant hair especially on the face and chest of women. The condition may be due to hormonal imbalance that originates from the ovaries or adrenal glands. Quite frequently, mild hirsutism develops during pregnancy because of hormonal shifts.
Ping Pong Fracture - A circular fracture of the skull that can occur on the head of a newborn during a cesarean section as the head is being lifted out of the pelvis. The fracture is called a ping pong fracture because it resembles a ping pong ball that has been pushed in with a finger.
Pitocin - A synthetic form of oxytocin that is given to women to induce or enhance labor. The medication is administered through an IV and can be adjusted based on the needs of the laboring woman. The drug can also be given after delivery to help contract the uterus to decrease vaginal bleeding.
Pituitary Gland - A small endocrine gland that is located at the base of the brain. The gland stimulates egg maturation and ovulation in a female's menstrual cycle. The g;land is repsonsible for triggering milk production in a lactating female.
PKU - A genetic birth disorder in which the liver is missing an enzyme that is necessary for breaking down and digesting phenylalanine. Because phenylalanine is found in cow's milk, infant formulas and breast milk, the baby is unable to digest it properly.
Common symptoms of the disorder include epilepsy, a musty odor, small head, short stature, eczema and flat feet. While the condition can affect anyone, most of the babies affected have blond hair and blue eyes. Treatment of PKU is essential so that brain damage and retardation do not develop. Treatment includes removing phenylalanine from the child's diet.
Placenta - The placenta is the valuable, yet disposable, organ that joins the mother and fetus throughout the pregnancy. The placenta is joined to the mother by an umbilical cord that has two arteries and one vein. On average, it weighs approximately 500 grams and is a dark reddish/blue or maroon color. The placenta is usually disc-shaped and provides oxygen and nutrients for the developing fetus. Because the placenta is responsible for producing progesterone, a pregnancy would not survive without the placenta. After the birth of the baby, the placenta and amniotic sac will be expelled, which is known as the afterbirth.
Placenta Accreta - A severe complication of pregnancy in which the placenta attaches itself too deep into the wall of the uterus, but does not involve the uterine muscle. Possible causes of the condition include a previous cesarean section or placenta previa. Complications arising from the condition include preterm labor, uterine damage and maternal hemorrhage. A hysterectomy is often needed once the condition has been diagnosed.
Placenta Bipartita - A placental abnormality that occurs in a single fetus. In this condition, the placenta is divided into two lobes, which are connected by major fetal blood vessels before they untie to enter the umbilical cord.
Placenta Increta - A severe complication of pregnancy in which the placenta attaches itself too deep into the wall of the uterus and also involves the uterine muscles. Possible causes of the condition include a previous cesarean section or placenta previa. Complications arising from the condition include preterm labor, uterine damage and maternal hemorrhage. A hysterectomy is often needed once the condition has been diagnosed.
Placenta Percreta - A severe complication of pregnancy in which the placenta attaches itself too deep into the wall of the uterus, involves the uterine muscles and other surrounding organs, such as the bladder. Possible causes of the condition include a previous cesarean section or placenta previa. Complications arising from the condition include preterm labor, uterine damage and maternal hemorrhage. A hysterectomy is often needed once the condition has been diagnosed.
Placenta Previa - A complication found in some pregnancies in which the placenta implants fully or partially over the cervix. In most pregnancies, the placenta implants itself in the upper portion of the uterus. However, placenta previa occurs when the placenta implants itself over all or some of the cervix. This usually occurs during the second or third trimester. There are different variations of placenta previa. *Total placenta previa occurs when the placenta completely covers the cervix. *Partial placenta previa occurs when some of the cervix is covered by the placenta. *Low-lying placenta previa happens when the placenta implants itself in in the lower area of the uterus, but does not cover the cervix.
Placental Abruption - Placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the wall of uterus after the 20th week of pregnancy, but before the baby is born. Normally, the placenta seprates from the uterus and is expelled after the baby is delivered. Placental abruption is the most common cause of bleeding in the third trimester. Luckily, placental abruption is rare and only occurs in about 1% of all pregnancies. However, there is a fetal mortality rate of 20-40% percent when the condition occurs. The most common symptoms of placental abruption are continuous contractions, uterine pain, abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding.