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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Urethrovaginal Fistula - A fistula between the urethra and the vagina. The condition may be the result of obstetrical injury or it can be a congenital defect.
Urge To Push - A sensation that is felt during vaginal delivery in which the mother feels an uncontrollable and strong desire to push as the baby is coming down the birth canal.
Urinalysis - An examination of the urine. A urinalysis will be performed routinely at each prenatal appointment to test for protein and/or sugar in the urine, which could be a sign of preeclampsia or diabetes, as well as infections of the urinary tract, bladder and kidneys.
Urinary Frequency - The condition of urinating more frequently than usual. During pregnancy, it is a natural condition to urinate more often because of blood vessel engorgement, hormonal changes that alter the bladder's normal function and decreased bladder capacity due to the pressure of the growing uterus.
Urinary Tract Infection - A common occurence during pregnancy. A UTI occurs when the urinary tract becomes inflammed. When bacteria enters the urinary tract, it can become infected. This can happen during sexual intercourse, improper wiping techniques, the placement of a catheter or simply because of the changes in the urinary tract during pregnancy. As your uterus grows, it sits on the bladder and does not the bladder to completely empty, which can lead to an infection. If the UTI is not caught in time, it can lead to a kidney infection. While a urinary tract infection itself will not harm your developing baby, a kidney infection can. A kidney infection can lead to preterm labor.
Usher Syndrome - Abirth defect that affects a child's hearing and vision. Because this is an inherited birth defect, a fetus will get the disorder from altered chromosomes. A child can be diagnosed with Usher Syndrome 1, 2 or 3. Hearing loss and vision problems can range from completely deaf and blind to normal hearing and sight at birth. However, even a child with normal hearing and vision will get worse with time. Most people that have this condition are completely deaf and blind in their adult years. There is no cure for Usher Syndrome and it affects approximately 4 out of every 100,000 babies.
Uterine Artery - An artery that is found in females that supplies blood to the uterus and upper part of the vagina.
Uterine Atony - Lack of muscle tone in the uterus after birth. Because of the decreased muscle tone, profuse bleeding from the uterus is possible and a hysterectomy may be necessary.
Uterine Bleeding - Any type of bleeding from the uterus or vagina during pregnancy. Bleeding can be caused by a variety of factors, including infection, tears, miscarriage, implantation bleeding or normal spotting.
Uterine Compression - A procedure that is used to control excessive uterine bleeding (hemorrhage) immediately following the delivery of the placenta. The uterus is compressed and massaged for 20 minutes or longer with one hand while the other hand is inserted into the vagina.
Uterine Dehiscence - An uncommon complication that occurs after a cesarean section has been performed that is associated with adhesions between the abdominal wall and uterus. Symptoms of the condition include a very sudden, spiking temperature, pain and intestinal obstruction.
Uterine Exploration - A diagnostic search of the uterus to detect defects and abnormalities in the uterine walls after a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). The expoloration could be done digitally or with instruments or surgery, if necessary.
Uterine Fibroid - A non-cancerous tumor that consists of tissue cells from the uterus. Fibroids are generally found in or near the uterus. Because these tumors usually grow in clsuters, there is a great chance that if you have one uterine fibroid, you have several. Uterine fibroids vary in size and can distort the size and shape of the uterus. A typical uterine fibroid will be approximately 2 cm to 15 cm in size.
Uterine Inertia - The absence of effective uterine contractions during labor. Medication may be necessary to trigger stronger and longer contractions of the uterus.
Uterine Inversion - A rare, but serious abnormality in which the uterus turns inside out after the baby has been delivered. The condition is usually due to a placenta that remains attached. Other common causes include a long labor, the use of magnesium sulfate, weak uterus, short umbilical cord or puling on the cord to remove the placenta. The uterus may protrude through the cervix or vagina. The placenta will be manually detached and the uterus will be pushed back into place. If this is not possible, a hysterectomy may be necessary.
Uterine Leiomyoma - A non-cancerous tumor that consists of tissue cells from the uterus. Uterine leiomyoma's are commonly referred to as fibroids. Fibroids are generally found in or near the uterus. Because these tumors usually grow in clusters, there is a great chance that if you have one uterine fibroid, you have several. Uterine fibroids vary in size and can distort the size and shape of the uterus. A typical uterine fibroid will be approximately 2 cm to 15 cm in size.
Uterine Lining - The inner lining of the uterus, made up of tissue and blood that are shed during menstruation every month in a woman of child-bearing age. Once conception has occurred, the embryo implants itself into the uterine lining.
Uterine Massage - Gentle massaging of the uterus through the abdominal wall. The procedure is generally performed during the last stage of labor as the placenta is being delivered. To encourage the uterus to shrink back to its pre=pregnant state, uterine massage is necessary during the first few days after childbirth. To perform uterine massage, use the heel of your hand and push inward firmly on your abdomen while rubbing in a downward motion, from your navel to your pubic hair line.
Uterine Milk - A secretion that is produced by the uterine gland that nourishes the implanted, fertilized egg.
Uterine Myoma - A non-cancerous tumor that consists of tissue cells from the uterus. Fibroids are generally found in or near the uterus. Because these tumors usually grow in clsuters, there is a great chance that if you have one uterine fibroid, you have several. Uterine fibroids vary in size and can distort the size and shape of the uterus. A typical uterine fibroid will be approximately 2 cm to 15 cm in size.
Uterine Perforation - A hole or tear that is made in the wall of the uterus. The perforation can occur accidentally during procedures such as dilation and curretage or during the insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device.
Uterine Prolapse - A complication in which the uterus falls into the vagina due to stretching and laxity of its supporting structures. There are four degrees of the condition, ranging from a mild case of prolapse into the cervix to a severe case in which the uterus is actually outside of the vagina.
Uterine Receptivity - The ability of the uterus to allow an embryo to implant after fertilization has taken place.
Uterine Rupture - Tearing of the wall of the uterus. The majority of uterine ruptures occur at the site of a previous c-section scar. Because of the pressure from contractions, women that undergo a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) are at an increased risk for uterine rupture. Other causes include trauma to the uterus, having five or more previous pregnancies, external cephalic version, forceps delivery, extreme contractions caused by pitocin or nipple stimulation and a long labor.