SEARCH

  Pregnancy Terms Glossary
       Home >Reference > Glossary > Glossary L

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

 

Labor


Labia

The folds of skin at the opening of the vagina consisting of large outer folds called the labia majora and inner folds called the labia minora.


Laceration ( Tear )

A cut or tear in tissues. Spontaneous lacerations of the perineum (the area between the vagina and anus) may occur as a result of childbirth. Perineal lacerations are classified by degree.

  • First-degree: The laceration  is limited to  the perineal skin and/or vaginal mucosa.
  • Second degree: The laceration involves the perineal skin and/or vaginal mucosa, and extends through the underlying fascia and muscles. It does not involve the rectal sphincter.
  • Third degree: The laceration involves the perineal skin and/or vaginal mucosa, and extends through the underlying fascia and muscles.The laceration involves the anal sphincter.
  • Fourth degree: The laceration involves the perineal skin and/or vaginal mucosa, and extends through the underlying fascia , muscles, and anal sphincter . The laceration extends through the rectal mucosa. 

Lactation

The production and excretion of milk by the breast.


Lamaze (Lamaze method)

 A method of childbirth preparation using behavioral techniques to reduce pain and anxiety in labor developed by the obstetrician Ferdinand Lamaze (1891-1957).


Lanugo

The fine hair that covers the fetus.


Late deceleration

A gradual decrease in the fetal heart rate with onset of deceleration to nadir >30 seconds. The nadir of the deceleration occurs after the peak of the contraction

Late decelerations are believed to be caused by low oxygen blood levels in the fetus which causes constriction of peripheral blood  vessels in order to divert blood to vital organs. Constriction of peripheral blood  vessels leads to hypertension which stimulates a baroreceptor mediated vagal response resulting in a decreased heart rate.

Any decrease in uterine blood flow or placental dysfunction can cause late decelerations.


Lemon Sign

Narrowing of the frontal bones of the skull giving the fetal head the shape of a lemon.  Most commonly seen with Arnold-Chiair II malformation and open spina bifida early in gestation.

The lemon sign is not specific for open spina bifida and may be seen in 1% of normal fetuses.


Leopold's maneuvers

4 specific steps in palpating the uterus through the abdomen in order to determine the lie and presentation of the fetus.


Lie

The longitudinal axis of the fetus in relation to the mother's longitudinal axis (i.e.,  longitudinal would be parallel to the mother).


Listeriosis

An infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, L monocytogenes is a gram-positive, motile, rod-shaped bacterium.

About one-third of listeriosis cases happen during pregnancy. Fetal infection can occur via transplacental transmission. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness with fever or stiff neck .  Infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth, premature delivery, or infection of the newborn.

The bacterium has been found in a variety of raw foods, such as uncooked meats and vegetables, soft cheeses and and ice cream made with unpasteurized cheese, deli meats, refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads.

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/listeriosis_gi.html


L&D (L and D)

Labor and Delivery.


Lightening (dropping, engagement)

The descent of the presenting part of the fetus into the pelvis.


LMP

Last menstrual period. Refers to date of onset of the last menstrual period.


LOA

Left occiput anterior. Describes the position of the fetal occiput as being to the left side of the maternal birth canal (position) and anterior in relation to the mother's pelvis (variety).


Low-lying placenta

Most sources define a low lying placenta as being present when the lower edge of the placenta is within 2 centimeters (cm) of the internal cervical opening but is not bordering it.

However, some investigators have proposed that the term placenta previa be used for all placentas with the lower edge within 2 cm from the cervical opening since such patients have been found to have a low chance of successful vaginal delivery in some studies.

LifeART  © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

It has also been proposed that the term low lying placenta be used if the placental edge is located farther than 2 cm but within 3.5 cm from the internal cervical opening. Patients diagnosed with a low lying placenta using the latter definition have a very good chance of having a successful vaginal delivery.

Patients with a low lying placenta appear to have an increased risk for vasa previa.


Green JR , Placenta previa and Abruptio Placenta In Resnik R, ed., Maternal-Fetal Medicine, 5th ed., pp. 602-608. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Bhide A and Thilaganathan B. Recent advances in the management of placenta previa.Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2004;16(6):447-51.
PMID: 15534438
Dashe JS, eta al. Persistence of placenta previa according to gestational age at ultrasound detection. Obstet Gynecol. 2002;99:692-7.
PMID: 11978274

 
 

Home | About | Disclaimer | Privacy | Contact

Copyright © 2007-2009 by Focus Information Technology. All rights reserved.