Pregnancy And Baby Glossary - S

Show to Surfactant

The bloody show or mucous plug is blood-tinged mucus discharge from the vagina before and during labor, when the cervix begins to thin and relax. It can appear minutes, hours or even days before actual labor begins.

Spina Bifida is a birth defect in the spine that results from the incorrect development of the spinal cord. This can occur in any vertebae, but is most commonly found at the base of the back and lower spine. Folic acid reduces the likelihood of spina bifida.

A spinal block is similar to an epidural block, but the anesthetic is injected into the space below the spinal cord, rather than into the area around it. With this anesthesia, the procedure can be performed more quickly and easily than with an epidural, but only one dose can be given, which lasts about two hours. Spinal blocks are used for about 40 percent of cesarean births.

Squint or strabisus is also called "crossed eyes", occurs when the eyes appear to be misaligned and point in different directions. It can occur at any age, but is most common in infants and young children. Parents may notice their baby's eyes wandering from time to time during the first few months of life, especially when the infant is tired. This happens because the baby is still learning to focus. Most babies outgrow this by three months of age.

There are three stages of labor: First- onset of true labor contractions to complete dilation and effacement of the cervix. Second- complete dilation and effacement of the cervix to the birth of the baby. Third- from the birth of the baby to the delivery of the placenta (afterbirth).

The death of a baby, still birth, after the 20th week of gestation, but before birth. Some causes are genetic or congenital defects, umbilical cord or placenta problems, medical conditions of the mother, but unfortunately many causes are unknown.

Areas of the skin which have pink or reddish-colored streaks are stretch marks. This is skin that has been torn and stretched during pregnancy. They are often found on the abdomen, breasts, legs, hips and buttocks.

Prenatal supplements are multivitamis that are taken during pregnancy, especially early, may help prevent certain birth defects.

Surfactant is a substance covering the inner lining of the air sacs in the lungs, which allow the lungs to expand normally during breathing.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z