Dictionary

preemie See premature baby.

pregnancy The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Pregnancy can be indicated by positive results on an over-thecounter urine test and confirmed through a blood test, an ultrasound, or detection of a fetal heartbeat. Pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks, measured from the date of the woman’s last menstrual…

pregnancy, drugs during See teratogen.

pregnancy, extrauterine See ectopic pregnancy.

pregnancy, molar See hydatidiform mole.

pregnancy, pernicious vomiting of See hyperemesis gravidarum.

pregnancy, tubal An ectopic pregnancy that takes place in a fallopian tube. Tubal pregnancies are due to the inability of the fertilized egg to make its way through the fallopian tube into the uterus. Tubal pregnancies account for 95 percent of all ectopic pregnancies. See also ectopic pregnancy.

pregnancy planning Planning that addresses issues that may affect a woman’s ability to carry a child to term, such as nutrition, vitamins, body weight, exercise, potentially harmful medications and illnesses, immunizations, and genetic counseling. See also birth control; family planning.

postpartum The period just after delivery, as with postpartum depression. Postpartum refers to the mother, and postnatal to the baby.

postpartum depression A form of severe depression after delivery that interferes with daily functioning and requires treatment. It can occur a few days, weeks, or even months after childbirth. A woman with postpartum depression may have feelings of sadness, despair, anxiety, and irritability to a severe degree. Treatment involves counseling and/or medications.

postpolio muscular atrophy Muscle wasting that occurs years after the acute polio episode has resolved as part of postpolio syndrome. Abbreviated PPMA. See also postpolio syndrome.

postpolio syndrome A constellation of symptoms and signs that appear years after an initial polio infection. Abbreviated PPS. PPS is characterized by new muscle weakening in muscles that were previously affected by polio or in muscles that were not previously affected. Other symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, and slowly progressive muscle weakness. PPS symptoms can…