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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Placental Barrier - The semipermeable epitheleal layer of the placenta that separates maternal and fetal blood.
Placental Calcification - A condition in which excessive calcium in the placenta interferes with its functions. The calcium deposits indicate that the placenta is aging, which can be dangerous for a developing fetus because the calcium can cause small parts of the placenta to die.
Placental Circulation - The flow of blood through the intervillous space of the placenta, which transfers oxygen and nutritive materials from mother to fetus and carbon dioxide and waste products from fetus to mother.
Placental Deterioration - A placenta towards the ends of pregnancy. As the placenta ages, it is less capable of supplying oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. After 42 weeks of pregnancy, the placenta is not able to handle the demands of pregnancy and it is crucial that the baby be delivered.
Placental Dystocia - The retention or difficult passage of the placenta following delivery. To prevent infection or other serious complications, surgery may be necessary to deliver the placenta after the baby has been delivered.
Placental Hamartoma - A benign tumor of the placenta that is made up of blood vessels. Approximately 100 out of every 100,000 pregnancies will be affected by the condition. Chorangiomas vary in size and can be a single mass or several multiple masses. Complications may include preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, maternal hemorrhage, growth retardation and skin hemangiomas.
Placental Hemangioma - A benign tumor of the placenta that is made up of blood vessels. Approximately 100 out of every 100,000 pregnancies will be affected by the condition. Chorangiomas vary in size and can be a single mass or several multiple masses. Complications may include preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, maternal hemorrhage, growth retardation and skin hemangiomas.
Placental Lakes - Enlarged spaces in the placenta filled with maternal blood. Placental lakes are a common finding and do not seem to affect the baby in any way during fetal development.
Placental Villi - Finger-like projections within the placenta that contain fetal blood vessels.
Placentamegaly - A condition in which the placenta grows at an abnormal rate and size during pregnancy. This condition is associated with fetal abnormalities such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.
Placiocephaly - A type of craniosynostosis that occurs when the suture that runs from ear to ear over the top of the head closes early. Their foreheads will often look flattened or pushed backwards.
Planned Cesarean - A cesarean section that has been scheduled before labor begins. Common reasons for an elective cesarean may include multiple gestation, a breech baby, a previous delivery by cesarean section, birth defects or other personal or medical choices.
Planned Pregnancy - A pregnancy that is consciously planned and attempted by a couple wishing to become pregnant.
Plasma Cell Mastitis - A chronic non-cancerous condition that is usually seen in women before menopause. The inflammation is generally characterized by excessive stretching and obstruction of lactiferous ducts with masses containing dried secretions and plasma cells. A common symptom is nipple retraction resembling breast cancer.
Plateua Phase - During sexual arousal, this is the preorgasmic stage that can be seen in both males and females. In females, common effects include ballooning of the upper parts of the vagina and a tightening in the lower part, clitoral retraction, and a deepening in the color of the labia.
Platyspondylic Lethal Skeletal Dysplasia - A disorder that affects bone growth. It is a very severe disorder and to date, a rare disorder with only a few case documented worldwide. A patient that has platyspondylic lethal skeletal dysplasia will have abnormally short arms and legs with short fingers and toes. Other common symptoms include a underdeveloped pelvic bone and small chest with little ribs. Because of the small chest and small ribs, breathing is difficult and can lead to respiratory distress. Unfortunately, this disorder is usually fatal and most infants will be born too early or stillborn. If a child is born alive, it is common for death to occur because of respiratory failure.
PMS - A group of symptoms that are linked to the menstrual cycle and typically occur 1 or 2 weeks before menstruation begins. Common symptoms include breast swelling and tenderness, acne, fatigue, muscle pain, bloating, food cravings, cramps and mood swings.
Podalic Version - A type of internal version that is only used during extreme situations. The procedure may be performed if a second twin is experiencing fetal distress or when a deceased baby is ln the transverse position. The healthcare provider will stick their hand into the uterus through a fully dilated cervix to pull both feet through the cervix.
Poland Syndrome - Poland syndrome affects approximately 1 out of every 30,000 births and seems to occur more often on males than females. The disorder affects the fat and muscles on one side of the body and is more common on the right side than the left. Common symptoms of the birth defect include abnormalities in the chest muscles and missing or abnormal breasts/nipples on the affected side of the body. Other symptoms include absence of underarm hair, missing ribs and a small shoulder bone. Some patients may also have an underdeveloped arm, hand and fingers or webbed fingers.
Poland syndrome can be diagnosed at birth or shortly after, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Treatment options include surgery to restore a typical appearance to the chest area and affected arm, hand or fingers. Physical therapy may be needed to develop proper use of the affected arm, hand or fingers.
Polio - A highly contagions viral disease that damages the spinal cord and can cause muscle paralysis. Although there are usually no symptoms present, symptoms of the infection may include headache, fever, sore throat and muscle stiffness. With no cure, polio was one of the most feared childhood diseases of the 20th century. Because of the increased use of polio vaccinations, polio is a rare disease. The vaccination consists of four treaments at various ages.
Polycystic Ovarian Disease - A hormonal condition that causes in which women experience acne, obesity, irregular or absent periods, excessive hair growth and absent ovulation. The ovaries also have several small cysts on them. Women with this condition are at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and uterine cancer. Although the exact cause of the disease is not known, there are treatments available to help with the symptoms of the condition.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - A hormonal condition of the female reproductive system in which multiple cysts appear in the ovary. Common symptoms of the condition include irregular or no periods, acne, obesity, excess hair growth and sometimes, the absence of ovulation, which can cause infertility. Other symptoms include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, skin tags, pelvic pain, sleep apnea and diabetes. Treatment options include birth control pills, lifestyle changes, surgery and medications.
Polycystic Ovary - A diseased, usually enlarged ovary containing multiple cysts filled with thin serous fluid and covered with a thick, pearly white capsule. The condition is associated with female infertility.
Polydactyly - A congenital defect in which a baby is born with extra digits on the hands. A baby may have an additional bump on the side of the hand, a finger that separates at the top to form two fingertips, an additional finger that hangs from the hand or other variations other than the typical four fingers and a thumb. Most of the time, the extra digit will be smaller and will fall to the side. Polydactyly develops during early fetal development when the hand is forming. Treatment for polydactyly includes surgery in order to remove the extra digit and therapy to use the hand properly.
Polyhydramnios - An excessive amount of amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is produced first by the mother's body and later by the baby's urine to provide a warm and safe environment for the developing baby. This condition can occur at any point during the pregnancy and is seen in approximately 2% of all pregnancies. The causes of polyhydramnios are not fully understood. Researchers believe that babies who suffer from a birth defect that prevents them from swallowing can be a cause of the condition. This is because babies will begin to ingest and swallow the amniotic fluid, which will decrease the amount some. Fetal heart defects have also been linked to polyhydramnios. Mothers that have diabetes are more likely to develop polyhydramnios as well.