Low Birthweight (LBW) is a term used in the pregnancy and birthing industry to describe babies who are born weighing less than 5.5 pounds (2,500 grams). LBW is often used as a synonym for preterm birth, which describes any baby born before 37 weeks gestation.  There are many possible causes of LBW, including maternal malnutrition, smoking during pregnancy, alcohol consumption during pregnancy, drug use during pregnancy, infections, preeclampsia/eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, stress, multiple gestations, preterm labor, or low socioeconomic status. […]

Rhogam is a medication given to Rh-negative women during pregnancy and after giving birth, to help prevent their bodies from producing antibodies against the Rh factor. The Rh factor is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. If you have the Rh factor, you are Rh-positive. If you don’t have the Rh factor, you are Rh-negative. Most people are Rh-positive.  If an Rh-negative woman becomes pregnant with an Rh-positive baby, her body may produce antibodies against the Rh […]

A teratogen is any agent that can cause physical or functional defects in a developing embryo or fetus. Teratogens typically work by interfering with the normal development of the embryo or fetus. This can happen during any stage of pregnancy, but the risk is greatest during the first trimester when the major organs are being formed. Exposure to a teratogen during this time can lead to serious birth defects, including heart defects, cleft lip or palate, and neural tube defects. […]

Chorioamnionitis is a general term used to describe an infection (bacterial, fungal, or viral) of the chorion and amnion, the two membranes that surround the fetus in the womb. This can happen before or during labor, or after delivery. It is a serious condition that can lead to preterm labor and delivery, as well as other complications such as sepsis (a potentially life-threatening condition caused by infection). The most common cause of chorioamnionitis is bacteria that ascend from the mother’s […]

Naegele’s Rule is a method used to estimate the due date of a baby. It is named after Franz Karl Naegele, the German obstetrician who first described the rule in 1806. The rule is simple: add seven days to the first day of a woman’s last period, and then count back three months. So, if a woman’s last period began on March 1, her due date would be October 8. This rule is based on the assumption that ovulation occurs […]

Rooting or rooting reflex is a term used in the pregnancy and birthing industry, primarily to refer to the act of a baby rooting around in the womb in order to find the nipple for feeding. Rooting is a primitive reflex that is exhibited by newborns and young infants in response to stimulation of the cheek or lips, which enables them to turn their head and open their mouth to latch on to the nipple. Rooting is an important part […]

A zygote is a fertilized egg cell that results from the union of two gametes. The zygote’s genetic makeup is determined by the DNA of the male and female gametes. The zygote’s DNA determines the baby’s sex, hair and eye color, and other physical characteristics. The zygote stage lasts for about two weeks, during which time the zygote divides into a blastocyst. The blastocyst is a ball of cells that implant in the uterus and begin to grow. Pregnancy is […]

A biophysical profile (BPP) is a test used to assess the well-being of a fetus during pregnancy. The test combines an ultrasound examination with a non-stress test (NST). The ultrasound component of a biophysical profile assesses the volume of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus. The NST component assesses the fetal heart rate in response to fetal movement. The BPP can be considered as the intrauterine version of an Apgar score performed during labor; it may be used to assess neonatal […]

The word “viable” is used in the pregnancy and birthing industry to describe a fetus or embryo that has a chance of surviving outside the womb. This term is often used interchangeably with “live birth,” but there is a big difference between the two. A live birth is when a baby is born alive, while a viable pregnancy is one in which the baby has a chance of surviving. There are a few factors that play into whether or not […]

A postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a type of headache that can occur after a spinal or lumbar puncture due to the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF leakage occurs after the dura, a strong membrane that surrounds the spinal cord and brain is punctured. This can happen when a needle is inserted into the spine for a variety of reasons, including during a lumbar puncture (also called a spinal tap) or epidural. As a result of the hole made […]