Zidovudine, also known as AZT, is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) used as an antiretroviral drug in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, especially in preventing mother-to-child transmission in utero, during labor or birth, and after delivery due to breastfeeding. Zidovudine was the first antiretroviral drug to be approved for use in the United States, and was approved by the FDA in 1987. It is still widely used today, both alone and in combination with other antiretroviral drugs. Zidovudine is a […]

The term areola (or aréole) comes from Latin, meaning “small open space.” An areola is a small circular area on the body with a different histology from the surrounding tissue. The term is most often used to refer to the pigmented area on the human breast around the nipple (areola mammae), but can also refer to  other parts. In anatomy, an areola is a small circular area on any surface including the scalp around hair follicles, the base of fingers […]

Demerol is a brand name for the synthetic opioid pain medication meperidine. It is classified as a narcotic analgesic, and is typically used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It is also used during labor and delivery to help with pain relief. Demerol works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This reduces the amount of pain signals that are sent to the brain.  Side Effects The most common side effects of Demerol include drowsiness, dizziness, […]

Reassessment is a routine and essential part of pregnancy care. It allows the care team to monitor the progress of the pregnancy and the health of the mother and baby, identify any complications that may have arisen since the last assessment, and make necessary adjustments to the care plan. Reassessment may also be used to determine the best course of action for the remainder of the pregnancy and delivery. This may include making changes to the mother’s diet or activity […]

Malpresentation is a term used in the pregnancy and birthing industry to describe a fetus that is not in the correct position for delivery. The most common type of malpresentation is breech presentation, where the fetus is positioned bottom-first instead of head-first. Malpresentation can also refer to a fetus that is positioned sideways (transverse presentation) or with the head pointing backwards (posterior presentation). While malpresentation can sometimes be resolved without intervention, it often requires medical intervention in the form of […]

Discordant twins are two twins that significantly differ in size, and in weight, or sex. They may also differ in the type of twins they are, with one being fraternal (dizygotic) and the other being identical (monozygotic). Discordant twins are more common than most people think, occurring in about 20-30% of all twin pregnancies. There are several reasons why discordant twins may occur. One reason is simply because the twins are not the same gestational age. If one twin is […]

The fundus of the uterus is the uppermost portion of the organ. It’s generally defined as the area above the level of the uterine tubes, the part of the uterus that is closest to the stomach. The fundus plays an important role in pregnancy and during childbirth. The fundus produces hormones that are essential for pregnancy, such as progesterone and estrogen. During pregnancy, the fundus helps to support the growing fetus. It also helps keep the blood vessels in the […]

A sonogram, also called an ultrasound scan or sonography, is a type of diagnostic imaging that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures inside the body. It is usually performed by trained technicians called sonographers. A sonogram is most often used to visualize fetal development during pregnancy, as well as to assess heart function, and look for abnormalities in the abdomen and pelvis. It can also be used to detect problems with the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and […]

Pelvimetry is the process of measuring the pelvis, typically during pregnancy. It is used to determine the size and shape of the pelvis, and to assess whether the pelvis is large enough to allow for a vaginal delivery. Pelvimetry may also be used to diagnose pelvic disorders, such as prolapse, dysplasia, and cephalo-pelvic disproportion. There are several methods of pelvimetry, including external palpation, internal examination, X-ray pelvimetry, and MRI pelvimetry. External palpation is the most common method of pelvimetry and […]

Diamniotic twins are two fetuses that develop independently in their own amniotic sacs. They are also known as dichorionic twins. This is the most common type of multiple pregnancy, occurring in about 70% of cases. Diamniotic twins are usually diagnosed during an ultrasound scan at around 12 weeks of pregnancy. The presence of two separate amniotic sacs and two yolk sacs is diagnostic of diamniotic twins. However, it may not be possible to confirm the diagnosis until later in the […]