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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Rhythm Method - Abstaining from sexual intercouse for a few days before, during, and after the expected day of ovulation for birth control purposes.
Rickets - A disease of young children that is caused by a deficiency in Vitamin D and/or inadequate amounts of calcium. The deficiency results in defective bone growth, a large head, bowed legs, knock-knees, crooked spine and limbs and swollen, protruding abdomen.
Ring Pessary - A ring that is placed around the cervix to elevate the cervix and distend the vaginal wall to reduce a cystocele or rectocele.
Ringworm - A contagious fungal infection of the skin that can be spread through both direct and indirect contact. Clothes, brushes, towels, linens, telephones, doorknobs, shopping carts and other items all can carry the infection. Occasionally, ringworm is spread through contact with soil. Ringworm usually appears 4 to 14 days after exposure to the infection. The duration of the condition depends on treatment. Ringworm can be recognized by its pattern of development. The lesions will begin as small, round, red spots that get progressively larger. When they are amall, the center begins to clean and when they get the size of a dime, they have the appearance of a ring. The border is red, elevated and scaly. If ringworm is present, a fungus-killing medication will be prescribed to clear up the infection. The medicine comes in tablet, liqid or topical cream forms. If ringworm is left untreated, it can cause an infection that is hard to cure.
Risk Factor - A characteristic or variable that is associated with an increased chance of developing a complication. During pregnancy, risk factors include age, weight, tobacco use, drug abuse, alcohol usage and other factors. Other factors include maternal health, environemental exposure and stress.
Ritodrine Hydrochloride - A tocolytic drug that is used to stop or slow the contractions that accompany premature labor. The medication can be adminsitered in the form of an injection or pill.
Robert's Sign - Presence of gas in the fetal bones observed in radiologic pictures. The condition indicates that intrauterine fetal death has occured.
Roberts Syndrome - A genetic birth disorder that causes abnormalities in the bones of the skull, face, arms and legs. The deformities in children are closely related to deformities that children will have if the mother took thalidomide during pregnancy. One major symptom of Roberts syndrome includes abnormal development of the arm and leg bones that can vary in severity. Some patients with the disorder will have short arms and legs, while other patients will only have flipper-like arms and legs. Other common symptoms of the disorder include a small head, cleft lip, cleft palate, low set ears, mental retardation and other bone deformities.
Robinow Syndrome - A rare birth defect that causes dwarfism and abnormalities in the head, face and genitalia. In more severe cases, skeletal abnormalities may be present. Robinow syndrome has also been caleed fetal face syndrome because the facial anomalies often resemble those of a developing fetus at approximately 8 weeks gestation. The baby will be born with wide spaced eyes, a small face, short nose, prominent forehead, flat nasal bridge and abnormalities in the lower eyelid. Other common symptoms include short lower arms, small feet and hands, short fingers and toes and possible misplacement of the thumb. A major characterisitic of the disorder that all patients suffer to some degree is verterbral segmentation abnormalities. Genital abnormalities include a very small penis, undescended testicles, hypospadias, small clitoris and underdeveloped labia.
Rod Monochromatism - A rare disorder in which the affected individual is not able to see color, or is color blind. Other symptoms of the disorder include visual acuity loss and extreme sensitivity to light. The disorder is aparent at birth and affects 1 out of every 33000 births.
Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome - A condition in which the individual's vagina is absent and the uterus is improperly developed. The fallopian tubes, ovaries, physical growth and secondary sexual characterisitcs are all nromal.
Rooming In - A term that is used when parents give total care to their newborn baby while in the hospital. Because parents provide most of the care to their baby, they gain confidence in the daily care and maintenance of the newborn, with professional help available if needed. Rooming-in can make the change from hospital to home
much smoother for you and baby.
Rooting Reflex - A reflex of the infant that is present at birth and assists the baby in feeding. When the corner of the baby's mouth is stroked or touched, the baby will turn their head and open the mouth to suck on the stimulus. This helps the baby find the breast or bottle to begin feeding.
Roseola - A childhood illness that is caused by a viral infection. The incubation period for roseola is five to fifteen days after exposure and a child is most contagious during the period of high fever, before the rash occurs. Symptoms of roseola include a high fever that comes on quickly, fever lasting for three to four days, irritability, swelling of the eyelids and a rash. Some children may experience a slight runny nose, throat redness or swollen glands at the back of the head or behind their neck. As the fever comes down, a pink rash with flat or raised lesions will appear on the trunk. The rash will lighten as you apply pressure to them. The rash then spreads to the face, arms and legs. The rash usually lasts for less than 24 hours. Occasionally, a susceptible child may experience a seizure due to the extreme temperatures caused by the illness.
Rotavirus - The most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children. Every year rotavirus claims the lives of approximately 50 children in the US alone. About 70,000 children are hospitalized each year from complications due to rotavirus. The virus affects the bowels and most children have been infected with rotavirus by their fifth year of life. Children between the ages of 6 and 24 months are most likely to develop severe cases of rotavirus.
Rotavirus infections are most common during the winter months, but infection can occur at any time of the year. The incubation period for rotavirus is about 2 days. If your child has become infected with rotavirus, you may notice fever, vomiting and watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include abdominal pain and dehydration. If your child has the symptoms of rotavirus, it is important for them to see their doctor to confirm the diagnosis. Symptoms of diarrhea are lethargy, dry and cool skin, no tears when crying, dry mouth, sunken eyes and sunken soft spots in infants.
Rotavirus is extremely contagious and most likely to be spread from fecal matter to mouth.
Rothmund Thomson Syndrome - A very rare inherited disorder that affects different parts of the body. The disorder has only been reported approximately 300 times worldwide. As a baby, the cheeks generally become red and the rash will continue to spread onto the arms and legs. This skin abnormality is called poikiloderma and will affect the child for the duration of their life. Other common symptoms of the disorder include sparse hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, decreased growth, dental complications, cataracts, skeletal abnormalities and gastrointestinal complications. A child with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome is at an increased risk of developing osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer and skin cancer.
Round Ligament - Two cord-like muscles located at the top of the uterus that extend through the abdominal wall and end in the vulva. Round ligaments support the uterus during pregnancy. The ligaments stretch as the uterus grows and may cause pain or a cramping sensation.
Round Ligament Pain - Pain that occurs in one or both groin regions from stretching or spasm of the round ligaments. As the round ligaments stretch during pregnancy, some women will feel sharp, stabbing pains in the groin and lower abdomen. Typically, round ligament pain is noticed in the second trimester-but it can occur in early and late stages of the pregnancy as well. Round ligament pain is usually worse when you walk or suddenly change positions. Rather than making abrupt and sudden position changes, try getting up slowly to prevent the stretching pains.
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.
Rubella - A contagious viral infection that can cause serious birth defects if a pregnant woman is affected. It is important to become immunized before pregnancy if you have never had the infection. Common symptoms include a rash on the face that spreads to the trunk and limbs, a low grade fever, swollen glands, joint pains, headaches and conjunctivitis. If the infection is contracted during pregnancy, the baby may experience deafness, blindness, heart defects, mental retardation, growth deficits and other abnormalities. Miscarriage, preterm birth and stillbirth are common when if the infection is contracted in the early weeks of pregnancy.
Rubin Test - The transvaginal introduction of a gas, most commonly carbon dioxide, into the uterus to determine whether the fallopian tubes are free of obstruction.
Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome - A birth defect that affects approximately 1 out of every 100,000 births and many of the cases are linked to a genetic abnormality on chromosome #16. Common symptoms include a small upper jaw, narrow palate, excessive amounts of hair, slow growth, varying degrees of mental retardation, cataracts, beaked nose, downward slanted eyes, low set ears, tear duct obstruction, speech complications, undescended testicles, heart defects and dental complications.
Ruptured Hymen - A hymen that has been broken as a result of sexual intercourse, tampon insertion, injury or as a result of an active sport. As a female becomes more sexually experienced, the hymen will become irregularly shaped and jagged.
Russell Silver Syndrome - A disorder that affects the way a child grows. Although the exact cause of the disorder is not known, research suggests that there may be an abnormality on chromosome #7 in some cases. Common symptoms of the disorder include low birth weight, normal sized head for a small body (which often makes the head look large), high forehead, slanted mouth and a large nasal bridge. One side of the body is generally larger than the other. Treatment involves getting the child to gain adequate amounts of weight and helping them grow properly. High calorie formulas are often recommended and sometimes growth hormone therapy is prescribed. In severe cases, a feeding tube is necessary.