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. |
Saddle Block - A form of anesthesia in which parts of an individual's body that would touch a saddle if the patient were sitting in one are numbed, which include the buttocks, perineum and inner thighs. A local anesthetic is injected into the spinal canal to perform the procedure.
Safe Period - The time during a woman's menstrual cycle when conception is least likely to occur. For most women this time frame lasts from about 10 days before to 10 days after the first day of menstruation. Because each monthly cycle varies, this should not be used as a reliable form of contraception if pregnancy is unwanted.
Safe Sex - Sex in a monogamous relationship (one partner) in which methods of birth control are used to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
Saline Abortion - An uncommon form of abortion in which a saline solution is injected into the amniotic sac. The fetus swallows the saline solution and becomes poisoned. The woman will usually miscarry the fetus within a couple of days of the procedure.
Saline Slide Test - A test for determining the presence of Trichomonas Vaginalis in the vagina. A sample of vaginal discharge is mixed with normal saline solution and warmed to body temperature. If the bacteria is present, moving organisms can be seen undera microscope.
Salpingectomy - Surgical removal of one or both fallopian tubes. Common causes for the removal include an infection in the fallopian tube, an ectopic pregnancy or for treatment of certain reproductive system cancers that would be used in conjunction with the removal of the ovaries and uterus.
Salpingitis - Inflammation of one or both fallopian tubes. The inflammation may be caused by an infection, such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea.
Salpingitis Ithmica Nodosa - A noninflammatory condition of the smallest portion of the uterine tube in which the epithelial lining of the tubal lumen extends deeper into the tube's muscular layer, causing a small pouch to form. The condtion may be associated with a tubal, or ectopic, pregnancy.
Salpingography - An x-ray examination of a fallopian tube after an injection of a radiopaque substance is placed through the cervix. The procedure is commonly performed to diagnose tubal occlusion.
Savage Syndrome - A condition in which ovarian follicles do not mature in response to FSH (follcile stimulating hormone). The condition is caused by the absence of FSH receptors or by a postreceptor defect.
SBS - A form of child abuse in which a baby is violently shaken, dropped, thrown or otherwise inflicting trauma to the head, causing the brain to bounce against the skull. This is generally the effect of a frustrated parent of caregiver. Because of the extreme damage that can occur, the condition is often fatal or can cause ifelong disability from neurological damage. Symptoms of the condition include retinal hemorrhage, skull fractures, bleeding in the brain, swelling of the brain, lethargy, difficulty breathing, irritability, rigidity and the inability to focus.
Scaphocephaly - A type of craniosynostosis that occurs when the suture that runs from the front to the back of the skull, on top of the head, closes early. This type will leave the child with a long, narrow skull. Infant's with this condition usually have an abnormal head shape, poor head growth, a raised ridge on the sutures and the soft spot seems to be missing. A doctor will diagnose the condition through a physical examination with head measurements, x-ray or CT scan of the head.
Scarlet Fever - An infectious childhood disease that results in a bright red rash, fever and sore throat. Scarlet fever is caused by a streptococcal infection, usually of throat. Often, if strep throat is not treated properly, your child's illness will progress into scarlet fever.
You can recognize the illness by a few unique features. Fever and weakness are often accompanied by a headache, stomach-ache, sore throat and vomiting. After the illness begins, you will notice a rash 12 to 48 later. The rash begins on the face, trunk and arms. It then generally spreads throughout the entire body by the end of the 24 hours. The rash is red, very fine and feels like sandpaper. The area around your child's mouth will probably be pale. Streptococcal infections are extremely contagious and your child should be isolated to minimize the spread of the infection. The infection is spread through person to person contact and respiratory secretions.
Scheduled 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.
Schinzel Syndrome - An inherited birth disorder that causes bone abnormalities in the hand and forearms. Some patients may have underdeveloped bones in the hands and forearms, while other patients experience more severe complications, such as the absence of bone in the forearms or hands. Sweat glands under the breasts are also underdeveloped. This can cause the child to not be able to sweat. Because the mammary glands can be affected, some girls may not be able to produce milk during their childbearing years.
Schizencephaly - An uncommon birth defect that affects the brain. The brain will have clefts in the cerebral hemispheres. Some patients will experience clefts on one side of the brain, while others will have clefts on both sides of the brain. A baby that is born with bilateral clefts will experience delays in their development, speech and language. A baby that is born with unilateral clefts will experience paralysis on one side of the body. Other common symptoms include a small head, varying degrees of mental retardation, poor muscle tone, seizures and occasionally, hydrocephalus.
Schultze Mechanism - Separation of the placenta from the uterine wall beginning at the center. Blood from the implantation site accumulates behind the placenta and membranes. Its weight then pushes the center of the placenta towards the uterine cavity and eventually into the vagina. The placenta presents the fetal surface at the vulva, followed by the accumulated blood.
Sciatic Nerve - The largest nerve in the body that supplies motor and sensory functions to the legs. The nerve runs downwards behind the thigh from the lower end of the spine and divides into two main branches above the knee joint. Irritation of the nerve will lead to sciatica.
Sciatica - A condition that some women may experience during pregnancy. Because the sciatic nerve becomes irritated by the weight of a growing uterus, the woman will feel a tingling or painful sensation running down the inside of the leg. The buttocks and back can also be affected.
Sclerosing Adenosis - A benign condition of the breast that commonly affects young women. The condition is characterized by the formation of hard nodules of glandular tisse. Because of the similarities, it may be difficult to differentiate from breast cancer.
Scrotum - The pouch of skin, located between the penis and anus, that holds the testes. There is a separate compartment for the right and left testicle, with a thin wall in between. It helps to regulate the temperature of the testes. The scrotum regulates the temperature of the testicles, which is critical to maintaining healthy sperm.
Scrotum Agenesis - A rare birth disorder in which the scrotum is missing. Although it is highly unlikely that a child will be born with a congenital abnormality in the scrotum, it does occur. A baby that is born with scrotum agenesis will not have a scrotum and the perineum area will likely be completely flat and smooth. In the cases that have been reported so far, the testicles were both in the tubercle area lateral to the base of the baby's penis.
Sea Bands - A pair of elastic wrist bands with a small button attached that is positioned to stimulate an acupressure point on the wrist to relieve the nausea associated with morning sickness.
Sebaceous Cyst - A closed cyst that is found below the surface of the skin--usually on the neck, face, scalp and genitals. The cysts are usually painless and move freely under the skin. The cyst is filled with fluid, known as keratin, that presents as a greyish-white colored fluid with a foul smell when drained. These cysts generally go away on their own without treatment. However, if the cyst becomes inflammed or infected, it can become large and painful. In the event of infection, the cyst may need to be surgically removed by a physician.
Seborrheic Dermatitis - A form of dermatitis that occurs in infants and is characterized by heavy yellow crusted lesions on the scalp. It is usually not itchy, and does not bother the baby. Seborrheic dermatitis occurs when the oil glands in the skin have been stimulated by adult hormones which leads to oiliness and flaking of the scalp. Infants get this because they are exposed to adult hormones from their mother. Infants may have thick, adherent, oily, yellowish, scaling or crusting patches on their heads with mild redness in involved areas.