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Search thousands of pregnancy and birth related topics in the largest free pregnancy encyclopedia on the net. |
Zavanelli's Maneuver - A maneuver for managing shoulder dystocia that is performed when a vaginal delivery is not able to be performed. The procedure involves getting the fetal head into a normal position and back into the vagina. A cesarean section is then performed to safely deliver the fetus.
Zellweger Syndrome - A rare, autosomal recessive congenital syndrome that is characterized by multiple abnormalities. Common characteristics include an enlarged liver; high forehead, underdeveloped eyebrow ridges, deformed ear lobes, mental retardation and seizures. Additional abnormalities may also include the lack of muscle tone, sucking and swallowing complications, glaucoma, retinal degeneration, jaundice and impaired hearing.
Zidovudine - An antiviral drug that is used in the treatment of AIDS and HIV infection. The medication does not destroy the HIV infection, but does delay the progression of the disease and the replication of virus. The use of the medication during pregnancy is controversial.
ZIFT - An ART procedure in which eggs are retrieved from the ovaries of a woman and in vitro fertilization is used to produce fertilization. The eggs are transfered to the fallopian tube by use of laparascopy or ultrasound guidance the day after egg retrieval and IVF is performed before the fertilized egg divides.
Zinc Oxide - A white cream that is used to protect, soothe and heal the skin. Diaper rash ointments are made with zinc oxide because it provides a natural block or barrier to wetness. Zinc oxide will block the ultraviolet rays of the sun and is often used in sunscreens.
Zona Pellucida - A gel like layer that surrounds the developing ovum in the ovarian follicle. The zona pellucida plays a key factor in fertilization as it is penetrated by the sperm. Although it will dissapear just prior to implantation, the zona pellucida remains while the zygote undergoes cell divisions through the blastocyst stage.
Zone Therapy - A form of massage in which certain points, or accupuncture spots, of the hands, feet and ears are massaged. These points correspomd with different body parts and organs. The technique is said to decrease tensions, improve blood circulation and provide a sense of relaxation. Other common reliefs of reflexology include high blood pressure, hemorrhoids, heartburn, backache, swelling, fatigue and the turning of a breech baby. Research shows that reflexology can trigger a miscarriage if performed early on in the pregnancy or contractions when certain areas of the feet are massaged.
Zygote - The cell that is formed when the sperm fertilizes the egg. Once the zygote splits and impants itself, an embryo is formed.
Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer - An ART procedure in which eggs are retrieved from the ovaries of a woman and in vitro fertilization is used to produce fertilization. The eggs are transfered to the fallopian tube by use of laparascopy or ultrasound guidance the day after egg retrieval and IVF is performed before the fertilized egg divides.
Zygotic Lethal Gene - A gene that iis deadly for the zygote, which is the cell that is formed once the sperm fertilized the egg. Instead of developing into an embryo, the zygotic lethal gene kills the developing cell in the earliest stages of development.