Pregnancy Health Article

BOOKS

Brott, Armin, and Jennifer Ash. The Expectant Father. New York: Abbeville Press, 1995.

Carlson, Karen J., Stephanie A. Eisenstat, and Terra Ziporyn. The Harvard Guide to Women's Health. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1996.

Cunningham, F. Gary, et al. Williams Obstetrics, 20th ed. Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange, 1997.

Eisenberg, Arlene, Heidi E. Murkoff, and Sandee E. Hathaway. What to Expect When You're Expecting. New York: Workman Publishing Co., 1995.

Johnson, Robert V. Mayo Clinic Complete Book of Pregnancy and Baby's First Year. New York: William Morrow and Co., Inc., 1994.

Ryan, Kenneth J., Ross S. Berkowitz, and Robert L. Barbieri. Kistner's Gynecology, 6th ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 1997.

Spencer, Paula. The Parenting Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth. New York: Ballantine, 1998.

ORGANIZATION

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 9000 Rockville Pike, Bldg. 31, Rm. 2A32, Bethesda, MD20892. (301) 496-5133.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies National Coalition. 409 12th St., Washington, DC 20024. (202) 638-5577.

Positive Pregnancy and Parenting Fitness. 51 Saltrock Rd., Baltic, CT 06330. (203) 822-8573.

OTHER

Doulas of North America. <http://www.dona.com/>.

Planned Parenthood. <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/>.

Pregnancy Information. <http://www.childbirth.org/>.

Debra L. Gordon

KEY TERMS

Alpha-fetoprotein—A substance produced by a fetus's liver that can be found in the amniotic fluid and in the mother's blood. Abnormally high levels of this substance suggests there may be defects in the fetal neural tube, a structure that will include the brain and spinal cord when completely developed. Abnormally low levels suggest the possibility of Down syndrome.

Braxton Hicks contractions—Short, fairly painless uterine contractions during pregnancy that may be mistaken for labor pains. They allow the uterus to grow and help circulate blood through the uterine blood vessels.

Chloasma—A skin discoloration common during pregnancy, also known as the "mask of pregnancy" or melasma, in which blotches of pale brown skin appear on the face. It is usually caused by hormonal changes. The blotches may appear in the forehead, cheeks, and nose, and may merge into one dark mask. It usually fades gradually after pregnancy, but it may become permanent or recur with subsequent pregnancies. Some women may also find that the line running from the top to the bottom of their abdomen darkens. This is called the linea nigra.

Embryo—An unborn child during the first eight weeks of development following conception (fertilization with sperm). For the rest of pregnancy, the embryo is known as a fetus.

Fetus—An unborn child from the end of the eighth week after fertilization until birth.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)—A hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy.

Placenta—The organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy that links the blood supplies of the mother and baby.

Rhythm method—The oldest method of contraception with a very high failure rate, in which partners periodically refrain from having sex during ovulation. Ovulation is predicted on the basis of a woman's previous menstrual cycle.

Spina bifida—A congenital defect in which part of the vertebrae fail to develop completely, leaving a portion of the spinal cord exposed.