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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Reifenstein's Syndrome - An X-linked recessive inheritance that is a form of male pseudohermaphroditism. The condition is associated with hypospadias (urethra on the bottom of the penis rather than the top), small testes and sterility, absence of beard, short stature and often enlarged breasts.
Relaxin - A hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy that increases flexibility in the ligaments and joints of the pelvic area to assist in childbirth.
Renal Agenesis - Renal agenesis occurs when one or both kidneys are missing. If only one kidney is missing, the chances of survival are good because one kidney is capable of functioning without the other. However, a baby that is born with both kidneys missing will either be born stillborn or die within hours of birth. Researchers believe that renal agenesis occurs during the last stage of fetal kidney development. Other common symptoms that are associated with renal agenesis include a missing bladder, underdeveloped lungs and abnormalities with the legs, missing anus and rectum and missing sex organs.
Reportable 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.
Reproductive Endocrinologist - An OB/GYN that has specialized in the diagnosis, treatment and care of male and female reproductive hormones as well as infertility. The physician has received additional training and education to handle all forms of fertility complications and the treatment of them.
Reproductive System - The organs and structures that allow men and women to have sexual intercourse and produce children.
Resistant Ovary Syndrome - The absence or abnormal cessation of menstruation in a woman that is not experiencing menopause. Amenorrhea can be caused a vareityof factors including pregnancy, dietary changes, emotional stress and exercise.
Resolution Phase - The stage of sexual arousal that immediately follows orgasm. In the female typical characteristics include a gradual return of te genital organs to their unstimulated state and a drying of the vagina. This phase may last up to 30 minutes.
Respiratory Distress Syndrome - A respiratory disease of the newborn, that commonly affects premature infants. The illness is caused by a deficiency of surfactant in the lungs, which keeps the air sacs open. When there is not enough surfactant, the air sacs collapse with each breath, casuing the baby to have difficulty breathing. The condition typically worsens over the first 48 to 72 hours, then improves with medical treatment.
Symptoms include progressively worsened breathing, a blue color of the skin, rapid breathing, grunting while breathing and flaring of the nostrils.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus - Also known as RSV. RSV causes an infection in the lungs. It resembles a cold and is very contagious. RSV can be spread by coughing, sneezing and other forms of contact in which one person comes into contact with an infected person's germs. Most babies will be affected by RSV before they are 2 years old. While some babies will only experience a cold from RSV, others will experience a very serious respiratory infection, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. RSV can develop at any time during the year, but doctors see more cases of the infection from October-March every year.
Restless Leg Syndrome - A condition in which an individual experiences unpleasant sensations in the legs, most commonly at periods of rest. The individual generally feels atingling, pulling, twitching, tearing, aching, throbbing or grabbing sensation. Common conditions that cause the syndrome include pregnancy, obesity, tobacco use, anemia, nerve disease, diabetes, and kidney failure. Up to 20% of pregnant women will experience the condition during pregnancy, most often during the third trimester.
Retained Dead Fetus Syndrome - A complex condition that occurs when a dead fetus remains inside of a woman's uterus, normally for longer than 4 weeks. Complications such as disseminated intravascular coagulation and low levels of fibrinogen are common. Excessive bleeding during delivery is common with the condition.
Retained Placenta - During the third stage of labor, the placenta and amniotic membranes will be delivered. This part of labor is known as the afterbirth and can take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour. However, in approximately 2% of all births, some or all of the placenta/membranes remain intact. This is called a retained placenta. A retained placenta is more common in preterm deliveries and in women that have previously experienced a retained placenta in earlier deliveries.
Retarded Ejaculation - A rare condition in which a male experiences a normal erection but ejaculation does not occur. Researchers believe that the majority of men that experience a lack of ejaculation have psychological problems that affect their sexual performance. Some men may be afraid of a possible pregnancy, a dirty vagina or have experienced a very strict upbringing regarding sexual health.
Retinopathy of Prematurity - A condition that affects the retina in premature infants, which can cause visual impairment and blindness. The condition is caused by abnormally dense growth of blood vessels and scar tissue in the eye and typically affects infants that are prematurely born earlier than 27 weeks.
Retroflexed Uterus - Extreme backwards bending of the body of the uterus while the cervix remains in the normal position.
Retrograde Ejaculation - A condition in which orgasm in the male is not accompanied by an external ejaculation; instead, the ejaculate goes into the urinary bladder. Because the semen enters the bladder and is flushed out during urination, the man is infertile.
Retrolental Fibroplasia - A condition affecting premature infants, in which fibrous tissue forms behind the lens of the eye and causes blindness.
Retroplacental Hematoma - Accumulation of blood between the placenta and the uterine wall that occurs during the third stage of labor as the placenta begins to separate from the wall of the uterus.
Retroverted Uterus - A uterus that is tilted, either up toward the bladder or toward the small of the back. Approximately 15%-20% of women have a retroverted uterus. Symptoms of a retroverted uterus include pain during sexual intercoure, painful menstrual cycles, lower back pain, pain while using tampons and sometimes, incontinence due to the pressure. The condition does not generally cause problems with conception or in carrying a baby to full-term.
Retrovir - An antiviral drug that is used in the treatment of AIDS and HIV infection. The medication does not destroy the HIV infection, but does delay the progression of the disease and the replication of virus. The use of the medication during pregnancy is controversial.
Rett Syndrome - A birth disorder tht affects approximately 1 in every 12,000 female births. Rett syndrome is closely related to autism and is an inherited birth defect that will cause developmental and nervous system complications. A typical baby with Rett syndrom will develop properly in the early weeks of life. However, around 3 months-3 years of age children will stop developing and may regress developmentally. The disorder will last throughout adulthood and will progressively get worse. Common symptoms of this condition are the loss of speech, loss of movements, balance issues, breathing problems, behavior and learning problems. Prenatal testing is available to detect the disorder, but most cases are discovered during the first few years of life.
Reverse Ejaculation - A condition in which orgasm in the male is not accompanied by an external ejaculation; instead, the ejaculate goes into the urinary bladder. Because the semen enters the bladder and is flushed out during urination, the man is infertile.
rH Incompatibility - A complication of pregnancy in which the expectant mother’s blood type is rH negative and the father is rH positive. The difference is not a concern during a woman's first pregnancy, but if the mother becomes sensitized to rH-positive blood during pregnancy, future pregnancies could be attacked by her immune system. A shot is given to the rH negative mother at the end of any pregnancy to prevent the production of dangerous antibodies.
RhoGAM - A medication that is given to Rh negative women carrying Rh positive infants to prevent her body from developing an immunity against the babies red blood cells. The medication is given at 28 weeks and within the first 72 hours after delivery.