Tag: pregnancy complications
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Understanding Cryptic Pregnancy
Read more A cryptic pregnancy, often referred to as a stealth pregnancy, occurs when a woman is unaware of her pregnancy. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as traditional pregnancy tests failing to detect the pregnancy or the woman not recognizing early pregnancy symptoms. Research indicates that approximately 1 in 475 pregnancies…
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Polyhydramnios: Understanding High Amniotic Fluid During Pregnancy
Read more Polyhydramnios, often simply referred to as “Poly,” is a relatively uncommon condition affecting about 1% of pregnancies. This condition arises when there is an unusually high level of amniotic fluid in the uterus during pregnancy. It is the opposite of oligohydramnios, which is characterized by low amniotic fluid levels. While polyhydramnios is often…
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Understanding Preterm Labor
Read more Pregnancy is usually a journey that spans around 40 weeks, but sometimes little ones decide they want to make an earlier entrance. Let’s chat about preterm labor, what it means, why it happens, and how to navigate it if the unexpected occurs. What is Preterm Labor? Preterm labor is defined as labor that…
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Low Amniotic Fluid Levels: Understanding Oligohydramnios
Read more Amniotic fluid plays a crucial role in supporting your baby’s development. It safeguards the baby, enabling the growth of muscles, limbs, lungs, and the digestive system. This fluid begins to form shortly after the amniotic sac develops, around 12 days post-conception. Initially, it consists mostly of water from the mother, but after about…
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Uterine Rupture During Labor and Delivery: Signs, Risks & Treatment
Read more Uterine rupture is a serious but uncommon complication that can occur during labor and delivery. It requires immediate medical attention, typically resulting in an emergency C-section followed by surgical repair of the uterus. What is Uterine Rupture? Uterine rupture happens when a weak area of the uterine wall tears, often at the site…
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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) During Pregnancy: A Friendly Overview
Read more Hey there, future moms! Let’s chat about something that might come up during your pregnancy: cytomegalovirus, often referred to as CMV. This virus is quite common and you might have encountered it without even realizing it. In fact, studies indicate that nearly 1 in 3 kids in the U.S. are infected by the…
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Essential Pregnancy Medical Terms to Understand
Read more Navigating the world of pregnancy comes with its own unique set of vocabulary, making it crucial to familiarize yourself with important medical terms. If anything your healthcare team discusses leaves you puzzled, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. Here’s a rundown of some common pregnancy-related terms that every expectant parent should know. Amniotic…
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Understanding Obstructive Sleep Apnea During Pregnancy
Read more Hey there, mamas! If you’re expecting, you might find yourself tossing and turning a lot more lately. It turns out, over 75% of pregnant women report increased sleep disturbances. While sleepless nights can be pretty normal, there’s a less common issue that some expectant moms face: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition can…
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Understanding Placenta Previa
Read more Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta is positioned low in the uterus, either partially or completely covering the cervix. As labor begins and the cervix starts to dilate, there’s a risk that the placenta may detach from the uterine wall. How Common Is Placenta Previa? This condition affects approximately 1 in…
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Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome: Understanding Risks and Treatments
Read more Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) is a serious condition that affects identical twins or higher-order multiples who share a placenta. This occurs when the blood vessels in the shared placenta become connected, leading to unequal blood flow. One twin, referred to as the “recipient,” receives an excessive amount of blood, while the…