Ch. 9 - Obstetrics and Neonatology

Obstetrics

the branch of medicine that deals with childbirth and the care of the mother before, during, and after birth

Neonatology

the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the newborn

gamete

mature germ cell, either sperm (male) or ovum (female)

conception

beginning of pregnancy, when the sperm enters the ovum. Conception normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. (also called fertilization)

zygote

cell formed by the union of the sperm and the ovum

embryo

unborn offspring in the stage of development from implantation of the zygote to the end of the eighth week of pregnancy. This period is characterized by rapid growth of the embryo

fetus

unborn offspring from the beginning of the ninth week of pregnancy until birth

gestation

development of a new individual from conception to birth (also called pregnancy)

gestation period

duration of pregnancy; normally 38 to 42 weeks, which can be divided into three equal periods, called trimesters

implantation

embedding of the zygote in the uterine lining. The process normally begins about 7 days after fertilization and continues for several days

placenta

structure that grows on the wall of the uterus during pregnancy and allows for nourishment of the fetus (commonly referred to as afterbirth)

amniotic sac

membranous bag that surrounds the fetus before delivery (also called amnionic sac and commonly referred to as bag of waters)

chorion

outermost layer of the fetal membrane

amnion

innermost layer of the fetal membrane

amniotic fluid

fluid within the amniotic sac, which surrounds the fetus (also called amnionic fluid)

umbilicus

navel (belly button); marks the site of attachment of the umbilical cord to the fetus

amni/o

amnion, amniotic fluid (1)

amnion/o

amnion, amniotic fluid (2)

chori/o

chorion

fet/i, fet/o

fetus, unborn offspring (Note: both i and o may be used as combining vowels with fet/.)

gravid/o

pregnancy

lact/o

milk

nat/o

birth

omphal/o

umbilicus, navel

par/o

bear, give birth to, labor, childbirth (1)

part/o

bear, give birth to, labor, childbirth (2)

puerper/o

childbirth

carcin/o

cancer

cephal/o

head

episi/o

vulva

esophag/o

esophagus (tube leading from the throat to the stomach)

hydr/o

water

hyster/o

uterus

olig/o

scanty, few

pelv/i

pelvis, pelvic cavity

prim/i

first

pseud/o

false

pylor/o

pylorus, pyloric sphincter

son/o

sound

terat/o

malformations

trache/o

trachea

ante-

before

dys-

painful, abnormal, difficult, labored

intra-

within

micro-

small

multi-

many

neo-

new

nulli-

none

poly-

many, much

post-

after

pre-

before

-a

noun suffix, no meaning (1)

-al

pertaining to

-amnios

amnion, amniotic fluid

-cele

hernia, protrusion

-centesis

surgical puncture to aspirate fluid (with a sterile needle)

-cyesis

-pregnancy

-e

noun suffix, no meaning

-gen

substance or agent that produces or causes

-genic

producing, originating, causing

-graphy

process of recording, radiographic imaging

-ic

pertaining to

-is

noun suffix, no meaning

-itis

inflammation

-logist

one who studies and treats (specialist, physician)

-logy

study of

-oma

tumor, swelling

-rrhea

flow, discharge

-rrhexis

rupture

-stenosis

constriction or narrowing

-tocia

birth, labor

-tomy

cut into, incision

-um

noun suffix, no meaning

-us

noun suffix, no meaning

amnionitis

inflammation of the amnion

chorioamnionitis

inflammation of the chorion and amnion

choriocarcinoma

cancerous tumor of the chorion

dystocia

difficult labor (obstructed or prolonged; causes may be from maternal factors, such as ineffective uterine contractions and abnormal pelvic shape, or from fetal causes, such as large size and abnormal birth presentation)

hysterorrhexis

rupture of the uterus

oligohydramnios

scanty amnion water (less than the normal amount of amniotic fluid; 500mL or less)

polyhydramnios

much amnion water (more than the normal amount of amniotic fluid; 2000mL or more) (also called hydramnios)

pseudocyesis

false pregnancy (a woman who believes she is pregnant—this may be a psychological condition or related to underlying pathology, such as a uterine tumor)

abortion (AB)

termination of pregnancy by the expulsion from the uterus of an embryo or fetus before viability, usually before 20 weeks of gestation. Spontaneous abortion is the termination of pregnancy that occurs naturally and is commonly referred to as miscarriage. Induced abortion is the intentional termination of pregnancy by surgical or medical intervention.

abruptio placentae

premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall

eclampsia

severe complication and progression of preeclampsia characterized by convulsion (see preeclampsia later). Eclampsia is a potentially life-threatening disorder

ectopic pregnancy

pregnancy occurring outside the uterus, commonly in the fallopian tubes

placenta previa

abnormally low implantation of the placenta on the uterine wall completely or partially covering the cervix. Dilation of the cervix can cause separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, resulting in bleeding. With severe hemorrhage, a cesarean section is necessary to save the mother and baby’s life

preeclampsia

abnormal condition encountered during pregnancy or shortly after delivery characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria, but with no convulsions. The cause is unknown; if not successfully treated, the condition can progress to eclampsia

microcephalus

(fetus with a very) small head

omphalitis

inflammation of the umbilicus

omphalocele

hernia at the umbilicus (a part of the intestine protrudes through the abdominal wall at birth)

pyloric stenosis

narrowing pertaining to the pyloric sphincter (Congenital pyloric stenosis occurs in 1 of every 200 newborns.)

tracheoesophageal fistula

abnormal passageway pertaining to the trachea and esophagus (between the trachea and esophagus)

cleft lip or palate

congenital split of the lip or roof of the mouth, one or both deformities may be present (cleft indicates a fissure)

coarctation of the aorta

congenital stenosis (narrowing) that occurs in the arch of the aorta

congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection

herpes-type virus that crosses the placenta. Symptoms in newborns may include jaundice, microcephaly, developmental delay and hearing loss; some infants may have no symptoms.

congenital heart disease

heart abnormality present at birth

Down syndrome

genetic condition caused by a chromosomal abnormality characterized by varying degrees of intellectual, developmental, and physical disorders or defects (there is an extra 21st chromosome; hence, it is also called trisomy 21)

erythroblastosis fetalis

condition of the newborn characterized by hemolysis of the erythrocytes. The condition is usually caused by incompatibility of the infant’s and mother’s blood, occurring when the mother’s blood is Rh negative and the infant’s blood is Rh positive.

esophageal atresia

congenital absence of part of the esophagus. Food cannot pass from the baby’s mouth to the stomach.