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 […]
Corpus luteum is a term used in the pregnancy and birthing industry to refer to a mass of yellowish tissue that forms in the ovary following ovulation. The corpus luteum secretes progesterone, which is essential for maintaining pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum will degenerate and be reabsorbed by the ovary. Corpus luteum cysts are a type of ovarian cyst that can occur during pregnancy. These cysts are usually benign and do not require treatment. However, in […]
Leukorrhea is a medical term used to describe a whitish or yellowish vaginal discharge that can occur during pregnancy. It is caused by an increase in the amount of cervical mucus produced by the body during pregnancy. Leukorrhea is usually harmless and does not require treatment. However, in some cases, it can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a bacterial infection. Risk Factors and Complications Risk factors for leukorrhea include: Being pregnant Having multiple sexual partners […]
A speculum is a medical device that is inserted into the vagina to allow the doctor to see the inside of the vagina and the cervix. It is a metal or plastic instrument that has a handle and a blade. The blade is inserted into the vagina and then opened up so that the doctor can see inside. The handle is used to hold the speculum in place and to control the opening and closing of the blade. There are […]
A pudendal block is a medical procedure used in pregnancy and childbirth whereby an anesthetic is injected into the pudendal nerve, which is responsible for sensation in the perineum (the area between the vagina and anus). The pudendal nerve is a mixed nerve that arises from the sacral plexus. It is composed of both motor and sensory fibers. The motor fibers innervate the muscles of the perineum, while the sensory fibers innervate the skin and mucous membranes of the perineum. […]