Fetoscopy is a medical procedure performed during pregnancy (12-20 weeks gestation) to gain access to the fetus in order to obtain diagnostic information or to perform therapeutic interventions. It can be used to diagnose certain conditions such as chromosomal abnormalities, congenital heart defects, and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. It can also be used to treat conditions such as Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion (TRAP) sequence. In this procedure, the fetus is accessed through a small incision in the mother’s abdomen and uterus. This […]

Lanugo is the soft, downy hair that covers the body of a fetus during the last few months of pregnancy. Derived from the word lana which means wool, it is made up of downy unpigmented hair that covers the body of a fetus during the last few months of pregnancy. It is thought to provide insulation and help protect the delicate skin of the fetus from amniotic fluid. Lanugo starts to form around 3 months of gestation and is shed […]

Inverted nipples (also called inverted nipples, nipple inversion, or invaginated nipples) are a condition where the nipple is pulled inwards into the breast instead of pointing outwards. Inverted nipples can be a result of several different things. They may be caused by an infection, a cyst, or even just genetics. In some cases, the inversion is only temporary and will resolve itself after pregnancy or breastfeeding. In other cases, the inversion is permanent and may require surgery to correct. However, […]

The Mucus Plug is a plug of mucus that seals the cervix during pregnancy. The cervix is the opening to the uterus and is located at the top of the vagina. The mucus plug is also known as the cervical plug or simply, “the plug”. It is composed of mucus from the cervical glands, epithelial cells, leukocytes, and debris from vaginal secretions. The mucus plug plays an important role in protecting the fetus from infection. The mucus plug acts as […]

Augmentation of labor is the process of artificially stimulating labor in order to progress a stalled or slow labor. It is also sometimes used to induce labor in cases where the mother or baby has a medical condition that warrants intervention. There are several reasons why a doctor may recommend augmentation of labor. The most common reason is that the mother is not progressing through labor at an adequate pace. This can be due to a variety of factors, including […]

Pruritus gravidarum is a medical condition that is characterized by itching during pregnancy. The itch can occur anywhere on the body but is most commonly felt on the abdomen, breasts, and thighs. It can range from mild to severe and can be accompanied by redness, swelling, and blistering. Pruritus gravidarum is more common in the third trimester of pregnancy but can occur at any time during pregnancy. The exact cause of pruritus gravidarum is unknown, but it is thought to […]

A spinal headache is a type of headache that is caused by a puncture or leak in the dura, the membrane that surrounds the spinal cord and brain. The dura is a tough, fibrous tissue that protects the delicate brain and spinal cord from injury. A small hole or tear in the dura can cause a leak of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which surrounds and cushions the brain and spinal cord. This leakage of CSF can cause a decrease in the […]

The term “quickening” is used in the pregnancy and birthing industry to refer to the moment when a pregnant woman first feels her baby move. This typically happens around the 16th week of pregnancy but can occur earlier or later depending on the individual woman. The baby’s movements are often described as flutters, kicks, light tapping, or the fluttering of a butterfly. It can be quite faint at first. As the pregnancy progresses, the baby’s movements become stronger and more […]