A quad screen is a blood test that measures the levels of four substances in the mother’s blood: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), estriol, and inhibin-A. These substances are produced by the fetus and placenta. The levels of these substances can help to indicate whether or not the fetus has certain conditions. The test is also called a multiple marker screening, triple screen, or quadruple screen.  It is a blood test that is given to pregnant women to help […]

A pediatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatricians can be either generalists or subspecialists. Generalists are pediatricians who provide comprehensive care for all children from birth to adulthood. Subspecialists are pediatricians who limit their practice to a particular area of child health, such as adolescent medicine or pediatric cardiology. The term “pediatrician” comes from the Greek words “ped” (meaning “child”) and “iatros” (meaning “doctor”). Pediatricians provide comprehensive care for their patients, […]

Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) is a medical condition that can occur during pregnancy when the baby’s head is too large to pass through the mother’s pelvis. The pelvis is made up of bones in the hip area. These bones come together at the pubic symphysis, a joint in the front of the pelvis. The pelvic outlet is the space between the bones at this joint. It is also called the birth canal. The size of a baby’s head and the size […]

Anaesthetists, also called anesthesiologists, are doctors who specialize in the administration of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia is a technique used to achieve general or localised pain relief during surgical procedures, childbirth and other medical treatments. The role of the anaesthetist during pregnancy and childbirth is to provide pain relief for the mother. This can be done through a variety of methods, including regional anaesthesia (such as epidurals), general anaesthesia, or a combination of both. Anaesthetists are highly trained medical professionals who specialize […]

Thrombophlebitis is a condition that involves the formation of a blood clot in a vein. This can occur in any vein, but is most common in the veins of the legs. Symptoms of thrombophlebitis include pain, swelling, warmth, and redness over the affected area. The condition is usually treated with anticoagulant medication and compression stockings. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the clot. Thrombophlebitis is a relatively common condition and can happen for many reasons, but pregnancy […]

Pitocin is a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin, which is produced naturally by the pituitary gland. Pitocin is used to induce labor, as well as to control bleeding after childbirth. It is also sometimes used to stimulate contractions during pregnancy in order to help prevent premature labor. Pitocin is typically given intravenously, and the dosage is adjusted based on the response of the patient. Common side effects of Pitocin include nausea, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. More serious side effects […]

Terbutaline is a medication used to stop or slow preterm labor. It is available as a tablet, syrup, or injection. It is a beta-agonist, which means it works by stimulating the beta-receptors in the body, resulting in relaxation of smooth muscle tissue. Terbutaline is a medication typically used to treat asthma. However, it has also been found to be effective in stopping pre-term labor. When given to pregnant women who are at risk for pre-term labor, Terbutaline can help to […]

The Inferior Vena Cava is a large vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart. It is located on the right side of the body, behind the stomach. The inferior vena cava is a major contributor to the circulatory system of pregnant women and their unborn children. It is responsible for approximately one-fifth of the circulating blood volume in pregnant women.  The inferior vena cava is significantly larger in diameter than other veins in the body. […]

Fetal scalp stimulation is a technique used in the pregnancy and birthing industry to elicit fetal response, by stimulating the scalp of the fetus. The technique involves stimulating the scalp of the fetus with the examiner’s fingers, with a forcep, or with a small, or digitally using a hand-held device. The stimulator is usually placed on the back of the head, behind the ears, or on the forehead. The stimulator is then turned on and the frequency and intensity of […]