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Pelvimetry
The evaluation and measurement of the birth canal or pelvis, occasionally performed by x-ray. This is done when there is doubt that the baby’s head can pass safely through the pelvis during delivery.
Perineum
The area between the vaginal and anal opening in women. The perineum is cut when an episiotomy is performed during delivery of a baby.
Pethidine
A pain-relief medication usually given by injection in the thigh or buttocks and is widely used for relief of pain during childbirth. It is similar to morphine and causes dizziness, drowsiness and an altered level of perception. Pethidine inhibit’s the pain signals that are sent to the brain and can actually increase the amount of pain a woman can tolerate.
Pica
An uncommon craving during pregnancy to eat none-food items such as laundry starch, dirt and clay. It is sometimes caused by an iron deficiency.
Placenta
Also known as afterbirth, the placenta is a circular, flat organ that resembles a pancake, which connects the unborn baby to the uterus for oxygen, nutrients and elimination of waste products.
Placenta Previa
An abnormal location of the placenta in which it lies low in the uterus and partially or completely covers the cervix. Painless vaginal bleeding may be a warning sign. Placenta previa can cause excessive bleeding that can harm the mother and the baby.
Post-Mature Pregnancy
A pregnancy that lasts more than 42 weeks, which can lead to complications, such as a larger baby that is less able to pass through the birth canal.
Posterior presentation
A baby’s presentation in the womb, in which the back of the baby’s head lies toward the back of a woman’s pelvis and may cause back labor.
Postpartum
The period after delivery, until the uterus returns to normal size, which is usually about 6 weeks.
Preeclampsia
Also known as Toxemia, preeclampsia is a serious condition occurring during pregnancy, characterized by hypertension, protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy and swelling.
Premature/pre-term birth
When a baby is delivered before 37 weeks of gestation. Babies born this early often have low birth weight, less than 5 ½ pounds. Their low weight, along with various other problems related to early birth, puts these babies at risk for numerous health problems.
Primigravida
A woman that is pregnant for the first time.
Primipara
A woman who has given birth to one healthy infant, shown by the term “para 1” on the woman’s medical files.
Prolapsed Cord
When the umbilical cord slips through the cervix beside or before the first part of the baby. It can be a serious complication because blood flow to the baby can be cut off when the uterus contracts.
Quickening
Feeling the baby move inside the womb, which usually is first noticed as early as 16 weeks of pregnancy. The movements can vary in intensity, ranging from a faint flutter or gas bubble in early pregnancy, to brisk motions or even painful kicks as the baby grows bigger.
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)
RDS or Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a condition that most commonly occurs in premature newborns, babies with diabetic mothers and babies born by cesarean. This happens when a baby has difficulty breathing and can’t take in enough air, because his or her lungs aren’t fully developed.
Retained Placenta
Failure of the placenta to be expelled on it’s own within about 30 minutes after birth is retained placenta. This can result in excessive bleeding and the doctor may have to reach into the uterus to remove the placenta from the uterine wall, in which case the woman would be given an anesthetic for pain.
Rh Factor
Rh Factor is a protein found in the blood serum. If the woman has this substance, she is Rh-positive, if she does not have this, she is Rh-negative. An Rh-negative woman carrying an Rh-positive baby may produce antibodies against the baby. When a baby’s blood type is incompatible with the mother’s, the pregnancy needs to be carefully monitored, because the result can be mild or severe damage or death to the baby from Rh disease.
Rh Titre
Rh Titre is a test done by drawing blood from a vein in the arm to determine a woman’s Rh status, usually early in pregnancy.
Resus Anti-D Gamma Globulin Injection
This injection, Resus Anti-d Gamma Globulin, is given to prevent a woman’s immune system from making Rh antibodies. The substance in the injection causes the Rh-positive cells in the blood to be destroyed. With no Rh factor to fight, antibodies do not form and the baby is protected. The injection won’t work, though, in rare cases which the mother’s body is already producing Rh antibodies. When this occurs, the baby needs to be carefully monitored.
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