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Abortion to Autism

Abortion

An abortion is the intentional interruption or termination of pregnancy at any time from conception through birth. "Spontaneous abortion" is what the medical community sometimes calls a miscarriage.

Abortus

An abortus is an aborted baby less than 12 weeks gestation or weighing less than 17 ounces.

Abruptio Placenta

Abruptio Placenta is the premature separation of the placenta from the inner wall of the uterus.

Accidental Hemorrhage

An accidental hemorrhage is an unexpected loss of blood or bleeding.

Afterbirth

The afterbirth is the placenta after being expelled from the mother, after a baby is born.

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)

APF or Alpha-Fetoproteing is a protein made by the baby as it grows inside the womb.

Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is a test used to detect various genetic defects or lung maturity of an unborn baby by using a needle to remove a small amount of fluid from the amniotic sac surrounding the baby.

Amniotic Fluid

Amniotic fluid is the liquid surrounding the baby in the womb or, the "water" that breaks when a woman is ready to give birth.

Amniotic Sac

Amniotic sac is the sac that surrounds the baby inside the womb which contains the baby, the placenta and amniotic fluid.

Amniotomy

Amniotomy is the intentional rupturing of the amniotic sac to induce labor.

Anemia

Anemia is a condition where the blood has too few red blood cells.

Anesthesia

Anethesia is a partial or complete loss of sensation (or consciousness) caused by an anesthetic medication.

Apgar score

The Apgar score or scale is a rating given to a newborn at one & five minutes old, to assess color, heart rate, muscle tone, respiration and reflexes. Scores closest to 10 are the best.

Areola

The areola is the pigmented or dark-colored skin around the nipple.

Asthma

Asthma is a condition often caused by an allergic reaction. Symptoms include: attacks of shortness of breath, coughing or gasping, wheezing and sense of constriction in the chest or throat.

Autism

Autism is a developmental disorder that usually appears by age 3. Some symptoms include: difficulty in forming sentences, difficulty in forming social relationships and impairment in communicating with others.