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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Sperm Donor - A male that donates his healthy sperm to a couple that is unable to naturally conceive a child. The donor is given a collection container, in which his semen is collected, tested, processed and stored.
Sperm Maturation - The process in which a male's sperm grow and gain the ability to swim, which will aid in fertilization. It takes approximately 90 days for each sperm to reach maturity.
Sperm Morphology - The size and shape of individual sperm. Sperm morphology is assessed during a semen analysis as part of routine infertility testing. Good sperm have a long tail and an oval head. Abnormal sperm have head or tail defects, which can alter the way they move through the cervical mucus and fallopian tubes.
Sperm Penetration Test - A test that determines the capability of a man's sperm to progress through the cervical mucus and fallopian tubes to fertilize a released egg. A sample of cervical mucus and semen are necessary for the test. Many couples use this test during infertility counseling.
Sperm Wash - A process that involves separating sperm from seminal fluid to remove nonmotile sperm cells and any other characteristics that could impair fertility. The process is performed at a fertility clinic's laboratory and the sperm is prepared for use in intrauterine insemination.
Spermatogenesis - The process in which a male's sperm develop, mature and become capable of fertilizing an egg. The entire process of sperm production takes approximately 72 days.
Spermicide - A chemical that is usually in the form of a gel or cream and is intended to kill sperm in seminal fluid that enters the vagina during intercourse. Spermicides are placed in the vagina to prevent conception and are often used with other forms of birth control.
Sphenoidal Fontanel - The irregularly shaped fontanel on either side of the infants skull that marks the junction of four other bones. This soft spot generally closes during the first 6 to 8 weeks of a newbron's life.
Spider Angiomas - A dilation of superficial capillaries with a central red dot from which blood vessels radiate . Spider angiomas generally resemeble the legs of a spider and can often be found on the face, chest, arms and abdomen. Changes in hormone levels can cause spider angiomas to occur and they may dissapear after delivery.
Spider Veins - A type of varicose vein that are often shaped like spider webs and appear in clusters, on the chest,neck, arms, feet, ankles, or thighs. The veins are generally red or blue in color and are simply tiny blood vessels that branch out. Spider veins do tend to be hereditary, but during pregnancy, the veins are generally caused by the increased amount of blood circulating through the body.
Spina Bifida - A neural tube defect that occurs when the spinal column does not close during the early months of fetal development. Other common symptoms of spina bifida include learning disabilities, urinary complications and fluid in the brain. Because the nerve damage can be severe, paralysis in the legs is common. Taking folic acid while trying to conceive and pregnant reduced the risk of a child with a neural tube defect.
Spina Bifida Cystica - A birth defect that occurs when the spinal canal and backbone do not close properly during fetal development. Approximately 1 out of 800 infants will develop this condition. Because the bones of the spine are underdeveloped, the child will not have complete spinal canal. The spinal cord and surrounding tissues will protrude from the baby's back, increasing the risk of infection. It is very common for a child with myelomeningocele to also suffer from hydrocephalus, or excess fluid on the brain. Common symptoms of the birth defect include a sac sticking out of the back, lack of sensation on back, dimpling of sacral area, paralysis of legs, decreased or absent bowel/bladder control and weakness in the newborn's extremities and hips. Myelomeningocele can be discovered during a prenatal ultrasound or the triple screen test (AFP), which is offered to most women during the first trimester of pregnancy. If the defect is not discovered before pregnancy, it can be diagnosed after the baby has been delivered. Treatment options include surgery to repair the damaged spinal cord. It is very important that parents and caregivers take every precaution necessary to prevent infection in the exposed spinal cord. Antibiotics are often necessary if meningitis has developed.
Spinal Block - Anesthesia that is injected into the space around a specific portion of the spinal cord with a needle. The affect lasts for approximately 1 to 2 hours and will make the lower half of the body completely numb. Spinal blocks are generally used in a cesarean section.
Spinal Headache - A headache that is developed as a result of leaking leaking spinal fluid through the puncture site surrounding the spinal cord after spinal anesthesia has been given. The headache generally presents within 12 to 24 hours. Common symptoms, in addition to the headache, include nasuea, dizziness, ringing in the ears and dizzness. Approximately 30% of people that have a spinal tap will experience this headache and most often, the headache will resolve on its own without medical treatment. The pain generally gets worse when the individual stands or sits and gets better when the patient lies down.
Spinal Tap - A medical procedure in which spinal fluid is removed from the spinal canal for diagnostic testing purposes. A needle is inserted into the lower part of the spinal column to retrieve a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid. Medication or anesthestic drugs can also be given through this procedure. It is not uncommon to experience a headache after the completion of the procedure.
Spinnbarkeit - The stretchiness of highly fertile cervical mucus in a woman's cervix and vagina.
Split Ejaculate - A common collection method during a semen analysis in which a man is asked to collect the first few spurts of ejaculate in one container and the rest in a separate container. Each container will be examined separately for quantity and quality.
Sponge Bath - A type of bathing in which the newborn baby is washed with a sponge, soap and warm water. A newborn should receive sponge baths only until the umbilical cord has completely fallen off.
Spontaneous Abortion - A spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, occurs when a pregnancy is lost in the first 20 weeks. Out of all pregnancies, approximately 15 to 20% end this way. Most miscarriages happen in the first 12 weeks. There are various causes for a miscarriage to occur. Sometimes, a fertilized egg can not develop properly because of a chromosomal abnormality. Other times, the fertilized egg simply can not attach to the lining of the uterus.
Spontaneous Premature Rupture Of The Membranes - A condition that occurs in some pregnancies, in which the sac that holds the fluid surrounding the fetus ruptures after labor has begun or with the onset of labor.
Spontaneous Version - A version in which no medical intervention is necessary because the contractions of the uterus have turned the fetus into a more favorable position.
Spotting - Light bleeding that occurs at a time during the month other than the time of menstruation. Spotting can occur normally during pregnancy as the embryo implants into the uterus, after sexual intercourse or after a pelvic exam. Any prolonged or excessive amounts of spotting should be reported to a doctor.
SPROM - A condition that occurs in some pregnancies, in which the sac that holds the fluid surrounding the fetus ruptures after labor has begun or with the onset of labor.
Spurious Pregnancy - Development of pregnancy symptoms in a nonpregnant woman, including morning sickness, tender breasts, exhaustion and a missed period. The abdomen is also tender and swollen. Symptoms are clinically present, but no fetus is found during examination. Most often, the condition is psychological and is related to either wanting to be pregnant or an intense fear of becoming pregnant.
Squat Bar - A U-shaped bar that is attached to the hospital bed to help a woman in labor push the baby out of the vagina. To use a squat bar, the mother squats above the bed while grasping the bar for support.