Articles

Placenta accreta is a condition in pregnancy diagnosed when the placenta becomes abnormally adherent to the uterus (myometrium). After delivery, the placenta is expected to easily separate from the uterus in a normal pregnancy. In the case of placenta accreta, the placenta remains adherent and this can

Placenta previa is diagnosed when the placenta is abnormally located and covers the internal os (cervical opening). The placenta may cover the cervical internal os partially or completely. If the placenta previa remains as the pregnancy progresses, complications may arise such as life-threatening maternal

Placental abruption is a condition in which the placenta separates before the birth of the fetus. If occurs in about 1% of pregnancies. Risk factors for placental abruption include maternal hypertension, smoking, cocaine use, trauma, premature rupture of membranes, and short umbilical cord. Patients

Polyhydramnios is the accumulation of excessive amniotic fluid. It can be caused by congenital anomalies, maternal diabetes, twin-twin transfusion syndrome, congenital infections, and fetal hydrops. However, about two-thirds of all cases of polyhydramnios are idiopathic which means that the cause is

Posterm pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy that has reached or extended beyond 42 weeks gestation. Late-term pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy that has reached between 41 weeks 0 days and 41 weeks 6 days gestation. Risk factors for postterm pregnancy include a history of prior postterm pregnancy,

Preeclampsia is a serious condition diagnosed after 20 weeks gestation in patients with new onset of high blood pressure, evidence of protein in the urine, signs and symptoms, and possibly abnormal laboratory findings. It is further classified as either preeclampsia without severe features (also known

When the membranes rupture and there is leakage of amniotic fluid before the start of contractions, this is called premature rupture of membranes (PROM). When this occurs at term, the vast majority of women will deliver within 24 hours of membrane rupture. When this occurs in a preterm pregnancy, depending

Preterm labor occurs when a patient begins labor before 37 weeks gestation. Preterm labor does not always lead to preterm birth. If it does lead to preterm birth, prematurity can increase the newborn's risk for many complications such as respiratory problems, cerebral palsy, and others. Any signs or

Pyelonephritis is an infection in the upper urinary tract (kidneys) and occurs in 1% of pregnant women. A patient with pyelonephritis in pregnancy may present with symptoms of burning with urination, urinary frequency, back pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills or uterine contractions. Pyelonephritis

Urinary tract infections are common in pregnancy and include cystitis (infection of the bladder) and pyelonephritis (infection of the kidney). Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is the finding of bacteria in the urinary tract without signs or symptoms of infection. In pregnancy, urinary tract infections

A VBAC, or vaginal birth after cesarean section, occurs when a patient has a vaginal delivery after having had a C-section in a previous pregnancy. Before this is completed, the attempt for the vaginal delivery is called a TOLAC, or trial of labor after cesarean section. There are both risks and benefits