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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Staphylococcus - A type of bacteria that may cause various types of infections of the skin or in any organ of the body.
Startle Reflex - One of the reflexes an infant is born with that usually occurs when a baby is startled by a loud noise or unexpected movement. In response, the baby will extend their legs and arms, arch the back, pull the head back and then draw the arms back with the fists clenched into the chest. Normally, the reflex disappears by six months of age.
Station - A term that is used to describe the location of the baby on its descent down the birth canal during labor and childbirth. The measurement ranges from -4 to +4, with 0 being directly at the pelvis.
STD - A disease that is spread through intimate sexual contact., which includes vaginal sex, oral sex and anal sex. An STD can also be spread from one infected person to another individual by the use of IV drugs, childbirth, a blood transfusion and breastfeeding. Using a condom during any type of sexual contact is the best way to protect against the spread of STD's.
Stein-Leventhal 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.
Step Reflex - A reflex in which an infant will take steps or dance when held upright with the feet touching a solid surface. This reflex is evident at birth and will dissapear around the time the baby is three months old.
Step-Down Unit - A special unit of the hospital that is designed to provide care for patients who need less monitoring than necessary while in Intensive Care Units, but require more monitoring than typical patients on the main unit. This can pertain to both mother or baby before or after delivery. Specially trained nurses will monitor the patients needs.
Sterile Water Injection - Intradermal injections of sterile water that are inected just under the skin, on four locations in the lower back, that may be used to decrease back pain during labor. Sterile-water injection causes a burning sensation that is believed to relieve labor pain by counterirritation.
Sterility - Infertility in the female. Reasons for sterility can include the certain diseases of the reproductive system, sexually transmitted diseases, depression, chronic anemia, removal of reproductuve organs and obesity.
Stickler Syndrome - A hereditary birth defect that will cause distinct facial features, eye abnormalities, hearing loss and joint complications. Most babies with Stickler syndrome have a flattened face because the bones in the middle of the face are not properly developed. Other common features include a cleft palate, large tongue and a small lower jaw. The combined abnormalities can cause feeding and breathing difficulties. Eye complications include nearsightedness, glaucoma, retinal detachment, impaired vision and even blindness. Hearing loss is a common symptom of the disorder and it may get worse with time. This condition is seen in approximately 1 out of 8,000 live births.
Stillbirth - A stillbirth occurs when the baby has died after the 20th week of gestation. Statistics show that 1 out of every 200 pregnancies will end in a stillbirth and approximately 85% of stillbirths happen before labor actually begins. There are some stillbirths that do happen during labor and delivery. 10-20% of stillbirths are caused by a problem with the placenta. Placental abruption is a leading cause of stillbirth as it will cause the placenta to pull away from the uterine wall and the baby can lack necessary oxygen. Another 20% of stillborn babies often have poor growth and have been growing improperly, making them susceptible to an increased risk of oxygen loss. Infections that involve the baby or mother are found in 10-25% of stillborn babies. Approximately 10% of stillbirths are caused by a chronic health problem that the mother experiences. High blood pressure, diabetes and kidney disease are often the leading causes. Umbilical cord problems cause 15% of stillbirths.
Stillbirth Rate - The number of stillbirths occurring in one year per 1,000 infants born (including live births and stillbirths) in the same year.
Stork Bite - A form of a birthmark that many babies will have at birth. Every baby will have them during fetal development. However, only one third of all babies will have a noticeable stork bite after birth. Stork bites occur when the blood vessels strech during fetal development and remain as collections of blood vessels after birth. Some stork bites are not seen at birth and will develop during the first few months of the baby's life. Most stork bites are temporary and will go away within a couple of years. Stork bites that are found on the back of the neck may be the most likely to be permanent. A stork bite will be pink or red in color and can usually be seen on the eyelids, nose, forehead, neck, nose or lips. Stork bites are not painful and do not pose a threat to your baby. Because they are not contagious, stork bites also do not pose a threat to anyone else. You may notice that when your baby cries or becomes overheated, the stork bite will become more pronounced.
Straight Umbilical Cord - An abnormality that occurs in approximately 5% of all pregnancies, in which a fetus's umbilical cord appears to be straight rather than coiled. Research shows that there is an increased risk of fetal abnormalities and/or stillbirth when a straight umbilical cord is present. Women with gestational diabetes are at an increased risk for developing a straight umbilical cord.
Strawberry Hemangioma - A well-demarcated capillary hemangioma present at birth or within a few weeks of birth that grows rapidy into a red, rough and elevated lesion. The hemangioma usually peaks by 1 to 3 years of age and gradually disappears with no treatment by 5 to 7 years of age.
Stress Amenorrhea - Absence of menstruation resulting from excessive physical activity and loss of body weight, usually about 22% below average. The condition is seen mainly in women that participate in competition sports or other activities such as dance, ballet or strenuous recreational activities. Stress amenorrhea can be a factor in female infertility.
Stress Test - A non-invasive test that is provided to determine how well the baby will handle the stress of contractions that accompany labor. During the test, the heart rate of the fetus will be measured and monitored to determie if the baby can get adequate amounts of oxygen from the placenta during contractions. Contractions are stimulated with oxytocin and are measured until there have been three contractions within a ten minute time period. If the baby's heart beat remains consistent throughout the contractions, the baby is likely healthy and able to handle the contractions throughout labor. If the baby's heart beat decreases with the majority of the contractions, it may signal fetal distress. Depending on the severity, labor may be induced or an emergency cesarean may be necessary.
Stretch Mark - Areas of the skin that have red marks where the skin has been over stretched to the point of leaving a scar. 75-90% of pregnant women will experience stretch marks because the skin on the abdomen has to stretch to accomodate the growing fetus.
Striae - Areas of the skin that have red marks where the skin has been over stretched to the point of leaving a scar. 75-90% of pregnant women will experience stretch marks because the skin on the abdomen has to stretch to accomodate the growing fetus.
Stripping The Membranes - A procedure in which the amniotic mebranes are pulled away from the cervix to possibly bring on labor. Stripping the membranes is performed during a pelvic examination and can be uncomfortable for most women.
Sturge Weber Syndrome - A congenital disorder that is seen at birth and affects the neurological system.
Common characteristics of Sturge-Weber syndrome include a large port wine stain on the forehead and eyelid, affecting one side of the face. A port wine stain is a birthmark and it will range in color from light pink to dark purple. Other symptoms of the disorder include the loss of nerve cells, calcification of tissue in the brain, seizures, muscle weakness, mental retardation, glaucoma and possible bulging eyes.
Subclinical Spontaneous Abortion - A pregnancy that is aborted or reabsorbed into the body before it is recognized.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage - A type of birth injury in which small blood vessels in the eyes of a newborn are broken during labor and delivery. A bright red band forms around the iris of the affected eye(s). It is a fairly common birth injury and will not cause any type of permanent damage to the eyes. No medical intervention is necessary and the redness will dissapear within one to two weeks.
Subcutaneous Injection - Injection into the loose tissue just beneath the skin.
Subcutaneous Mastectomy - Removal of the breast with preservation of the overlying skin, areola, and nipple. This procedure is used to facilitate reconstruction of the breast form.