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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
timing of contractions - A network of muscles, ligaments, and other tissues that hold up the pelvic organs. The pelvic floor extends from the pubic bone to the tailbone. It's important to excercies this muscle not only during pregnancy, but througout a womans life.
Tipped 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 tipped uterus. Symptoms of a tipped 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.
Tobacco - The dried, prepared leaves of the tobacco plant that contain nicotine. Tobacco smoke is a hazard for smokers and exposed nonsmokers, including the fetus. Tobacco related complications during pregnancy can include low birth weight of the fetus, reduced placental blood flow, fetal breathing complications, stillbirth and SIDS in a newborn infant.
Tocolysis - The process of stopping or delaying contractions during premature labor. Generally, tocolysis is only effective for a few days.
Tocolytics - Medications that are used to delay or stop labor contractions that will result in the premature birth of an infant. Delaying or stopping contractions allows time for steroids to be given to enhance lung maturity. Terbutaline is a common tocolytic that is used to stop contractions.
Tokodynamometer - A medical instrument that is used to monitor the progression of contractions during labor or preterm labor. It measures the duration, frequency and pressure of uterine contractions and displays them on a screen. A transducer is gently strapped to the laboring woman's abdomen with fabric straps.
Tokophobia - An extreme fear, or phobia, of vaginal childbirth and the pain associated with it. Tokophobia comes in two forms, primary and secondary. Both forms are psychological disorders that can be accompanied by depression, nightmares, anxiety attacks and panic attacks.
Tonic Neck Reflex - A reflex of the infant that is present at birth and disspears at approximately six to seven months of age. When a baby's head is turned to one side, the arm on that side stretches out and the opposite arm bends up at the elbow, taking on a "fencing" appearance.
Tooth And Nail Syndrome - An automsomal dominant inherited disorder in which an individual has abnormalities of the nails and is missing several primary and/or permanent teeth at birth. Characteristics of the syndrome include thin, brittle and slow-growing nails and the toenails are generally worse than the fingernail. In extreme cases, the nails may separate from the nail bed or are completely absent at birth. It is estimated that the syndrome will affect approximately 1 out of every 1,000 births.
TORCH Screen - A blood test that checks for several infections in a newborn infant. The test screens for toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, HIV and occasionally, syphilis. The baby's finger is cleaned and pricked with a sharp needle. Blood is collected from the site and sent to the lab for evaluation.
TORCH Syndrome - An infection in the fetus or baby that can be caused by any of the following: (T)oxoplasmosis, (O)ther Agents, (R)ubella, (C)ytomegalovirus, and (H)erpes Simplex. Common complications of the diseases include fever; difficulties feeding, areas of bleeding under the skin, an enlarged liver and spleen; jaundice; hearing impairment and abnormalities of the eyes.
Total Effective Sperm Count - An estimate of the number of sperm present in an ejaculate that are capable of fertilizing an ovum.
Total Hysterectomy - Surgery to remove the entire uterus, including the cervix. The fallopian tubes and ovaries are generally left and will not be removed during the operation.
Total Mastectomy - Removal of the entire breast only.
Townes Brocks Syndrome - A rare genetic disorder that affects various parts of the body. Common symptoms include an imperforate anus, abnormalities in the hand and thumb, abnormally shaped ears, kidney complications, hearing loss, heart complications, genital abnormalities and occasionally, mental retardation and learning disabilities.
Toxemia - A complication occuring in pregnant women, usually after the 20th week, that is characterized by pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and swelling (edema) due to fluid retention. If left untreated, toxemia can lead to a more serious condition, known as eclampsia. The condition is fairly common and affects up to one in seven pregnant women around the world.
Toxic Shock Syndrome - Sudden onset of high fever, muscle ache, vomiting, diarrhea, and a rash on the palms and soles, followed by low body temperature, low blood pressure, and shock. Multiple organ dysfunction is common and may involve the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. The condition is caused by infection with toxin-producing strains of Staphylococcus, such as prolonged tampon use, the use of a contraceptive cap or diaphragm and in surgical wounds.
Toxoplasmosis - A disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite is most commonly found in cat feces, dirt and raw or undercooked meat. The infection can cause birth defects or death in the fetus if contact occurs during pregnancy. Approximately 1 in 1,000 women will contract the infection during pregnancy. It is advised that pregnant women do not change litter boxes during pregnancy, wear gloves while gardening and eat fully cooked meats.
Tracheoesophageal Fistula - A disorder of the digestive system in which the esophagus does not develop properly during fetal development. The upper esophagus ends and does not connect with the lower esophagus and stomach. The top end of the lower esophagus connects to the windpipe. Prenatal signs of the disorder include excessive amounts of amniotic fluid. Common symptoms include poor feeding, coughing, gagging, bluish discoloring of the skin while feeding, heart complications and drooling. Surgery to repair the esophagus should be done promptly after the baby is stabilized so that the lungs are not damaged.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation - A method of pain relief that is accomplished by applying very small electrical impulses to nerve endings beneath the skin. The method can be used for laboring women to relieve pain associated with contractions, back labor and other discomforts. The intensity of the stimulation can easily be controlled by the woman or her labor partner.
Transducer - An instrument that is used to transmit and receive sound waves during an ultrasound examination. The transducer is usually pressed against the abdomen, but it may also be inserted into the vagina if necessary.
Transition - The last part of the first phase of labor that takes place prior to the pushing stage. This stage is often the shortest phase of labor, but one of the hardest. During the transition stage, contractions become extremely strong and the duration and frequency is less predictable, often giving the laboring woman very little rest in between. It is common to feel shaky and nauseas during this phase and some women will vomit. By the end of this stage, the cervix is completely dilated and pushing can begin.
Transitional Period - The first 6 hours after birth during which the newborn infant is observed, monitored and evaluated for signs of distress or abnormality.
Translocation - An error occurring during replication of chromosomes in which a chromosome, or part of it, becomes attached to another chromosome.
Transplacental Carcinogenesis - The passage of cancer-producing substances from the pregnant woman to her unborn child through the placental circulation. DES, which was taken by many pregnant women in earlier decades, has been known to cause cancer of the cervix and vagina in the woman's offspring.