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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Transuterine Fallopian Transfer - A process in which an embryo is placed inside the fallopian tube after in vitro fertilization. For the procedure, a tube is thread through the cervical canal and uterus and the embryo is then placed into the fallopian tube.
Transvaginal Ultrasound - A procedure used to examine the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and bladder. Sound waves are sent out by a probe that is inserted into the vagina. The waves then bounce off of the ovaries and a computer uses the echoes to create a picture of what is being viewed. This procedure may be used to image the reproductive tract, view follicle growth, see a developing fetus and screen for endometrial or ovarian cancer.
Transverse - The position of a baby that is lying horizontal in the uterus of a pregnant woman. In order to attempt a safe vaginal delivery, a baby should be head down in the cervix. IF a baby is found to be lying in a transverse position, doctors will try to manually turn the fetus by performing an external cephalic version. If the baby does not turn head down or cannot be turned manually by an external cephalic version, it will have to be delivered by a cesarean section.
Treacher Collins Syndrome - An inherited birth defect that affects approximately 1 out of every 50,000 people. The disorder affects the bones and tissue growth in the face. Because the severity vary from one case to another, some affected patients will have unnoticeable or slightly noticeable abnormalities and others will have severe malformations. Common characteristics include underdeveloped cheek bones, small jaw and chin, cleft palate, minimal eyelashes, coloboma, vision loss, abnormalities in the ears, hearing loss and respiratory complications from restricted air flow. Because the cheek area lacks proper bone growth, it is common for the eyes to become droopy and slant downwards.
Trendelenburg Position - A position in which an individual is laid flat on the back with their feet higher than the head. This position is used during pregnancy when a woman is at risk for delivering the baby prematurely. The position may also be used in labor when the cervix is swollen and will not dilate to a full 10 centimeters or when the baby is lying in an unfavorable position. When a woman has been diagnosed with a prolapsed umbilical cord, doctors may suggest this position to take pressure off of the cord so that the fetus continues to receive adequate amounts of oxygen.
Trial Of Labor - A birth in which the woman delivers vaginally on a subseqent birth after delivering via a cesarean previously. In the past, women that had one cesarean delivery would be required to have cesarean sections for all subsequent deliveries. Today, women can attempt a vaginal delivery after they have had a previous cesarean section. By having a vaginal delivery, you avoid scarring to your uterus that is caused by a cesarean section. The more scars that your uterus has, the more likely you are to experience complications with future pregnancies. A mother that delivers vaginally will likely experience a shorter recovery time after birth. A cesarean section carries a higher risk of infection than a vaginal birth and a longer stay in the hospital. Although the chances are slim, doctors are most concerned that a previous c-section scar could come open during labor. Most doctors do not attempt a VBAC unless the hospital is equipped with the staff and equipment needed to do a quick emergency cesrean for this reason.
Trichomoniasis - A sexually transmitted infection that is caused by a tiny, one-celled organism called a protozoan, Trichomonas Vaginalis. It is a very common and treatable infection. Symptoms in men include an irritation inside the penis, mild discharge, or slight burning after urination or ejaculation. Symptoms of the infection in females include a frothy, yellow-green vaginal discharge with a strong odor, discomfort during intercourse and urination and itching of the genital area. Pregnant women that are infected may have babies who are born early or with low birth weight.
Tricylic Antidepressant's - Forms of antidepressants that are used to alleviate depression symptoms. The medication generally allows patients to rest easier while elevating the person's mood. The medication also reduces the feelings of self destruction. Pregnant women should avoid the medications because it can cause fetal malformation, withdrawal symptoms and urine retention when taken during pregnancy.
Trigonocephaly - A type of craniosynostosis that occurs when the suture that runs from the top of the head down to the nose closes too early. The head will have a wedged appearance and the eyes will be close to one another.
Trimester - One of three time periods that a pregnancy is broken into. Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, with each trimester being approximately three months. The first trimester is from conception up to 14 weeks (12 weeks of gestation), the second trimester from 14-28 weeks (12 -26 weeks of gestation) and the third trimester from 28 weeks to 40 weeks (26-38 weeks of gestation).
Trimethadione - An anticonvulsant medication, commonly prescribed to treat epilepsy, that has been known to cause growth retardation, mental retardation, impaired hearing, heart defects, urogenital malformations and death if taken during pregnancy.
Triple Screen - A protein produced by a developing fetus that is present in amniotic fluid and in the mother's blood. The early blood test is called the triple screen and should be performed between the 15th and 18th week of pregnancy. Abnormal levels of AFP can indicate abnormalities in the fetus. Elevated levels would be a sign of a neural tube defect and low levels would signal Down's syndrome.
Triple X Syndrome - A birth defect that affects approximately 1 in every 1,000 females. Research shows that approximately 7 girls are born daily with this condition. Each of the baby girl's cells will have an extra X chromosome in it. Generally, the extra chromosome will not cause any major abnormalities for the baby. It is common for the child to be taller than normal and some patients may notice some slight learning disabilities.
Triplet - Three children born at the same time from the same pregnancy. Although identical triplets are rare, it is possible for two babies to be identical and one to be fraternal, all three to be identical or all three to be fraternal.
Triploidy - An abnormality in which an individual has three copies of every chromosome resulting in 69 chromosomes in a cell instead of the usual 46. In pregnancies that this condition occurs, most will spontaneously miscarry. If the pregnancy does survive and the child is born, it is common for the baby to die within the first 24 hours of life.
Trisomy 13 - A birth defect that occurs when the child receives duplicated information from chromosome #13. This disorder affects approximately 1 in every 10,000 babies. Common symptoms of the disorder include cleft palate/cleft lip, close set or fused eyes (becoming a cyclops), low muscle tone, polydactyly, hernia, coloboma, severe mental retardation, undescended testicles in the male, small eyes and head, seizures, missing skin, skeletal malformations and low set ears. Babies will generally have feeding complications, breathing abnormalities, heart complications and will be deaf. Because of the severe malformations of the disorder, most affected babies are either stillborn or die within the first few months of life.
Trisomy 18 - A birth defect that occurs when the child receives duplicated information from chromosome #18. This disorder affects approximately 1 in every 3,000 babies and is more common in girls. Common symptoms of the disorder include mental retardation, kidney complications, low birth weight, coloboma, heart abnormalities, clenched hands, crossed legs, undescended testicles, small head and jaw and a malformed chest.
Trisomy 21 - Also known as Down Syndrome, this congenital defect is the most common chromosomal abnormality. This birth defect occurs when the child receives duplicated information from chromosome #21. Trisomy 21affects approximately 1 out of every 1,000 births and older mothers are more likely to carry a child with the disorder. The symptoms of Trisomy 21 can vary from mild to severe. Common symptoms of Trisomy 21 include physical and mental delays, heart complications, dementia, hearing loss, vision abnormalities, thyroid complications and skeletal abnormalities.
Trophoblast - The outer layer of the cells forming the wall of the blastocyst. Trophoblasts play an important role in attaching the early embryo to the uterine wall and in the eventual formation of the placenta.
Trophoblastoma - An uncommon malignant tumor of the placenta that is usually found in the uterus after pregnancy. Cancer cells grow in the tissues that are formed in the uterus after conception and can spread to the lungs. Sometimes the condition occurs as a result of an abortion and often times the tumor develops after pregnancy.
TTTS - A rare but serious complication occuring in identical twins. This occurs when one baby takes the other's blood supply. One baby somehow gets too much blood and the other too little. Until recently, severe cases meant the death of both babies, but survival rates are increasing thanks to early detection. If you are expecting twins, it is important to get checked out for TTTS. This syndrome sometimes occurs in twins that are sharing a single placenta (known as a monochorionic placenta). In TTTS, abnormal blood vessels form inside of the placenta, disrupting the proper flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients. As a result, one twin can become severely undernourished while the other becomes over-nourished. TTTS is a very dangerous syndrome that requires immediate medical attention. Your health care provider will monitor you for TTTS if you are expecting twins.
Tubal Abortion - The spontaneous termination of a tubal, or ectopic, pregnancy. Commonly, the embryo separates from its implantation site within the fallopian tube and is released.
Tubal Embryo Transfer - A procedure in which am embryo is placed inside the fallopian tube after in vitro fertilization, in order to mimic the natural process of a fertilized embryo traveling down the fallopian tubes before implanting into the womb.
Tubal Insufflation - The transvaginal introduction of a gas, most commonly carbon dioxide, into the uterus to determine whether the fallopian tubes are free of obstruction.
Tubal Ligation - A surgery in which a woman's fallopian tubes are cut, burned or clamped to prevent pregnancy. The procedure can be done through the vagina or abdominal wall. Although a tubal ligation is a form of permanent birth control, some candidates do have the procedure reversed.