Alcohol, smoking, and caffeine during pregnancy 10/22/2008
Pregnant women are strongly urged not to drink alcohol or smoke during pregnancy. These substances have been shown to have damaging effects on developing fetuses and may contribute to other medical problems as the child grows. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, the drug travels through her bloodstream and into the placenta. The placenta provides nutrients to the fetus during pregnancy, and it will also transfer harmful substances taken by the mother.
Amniocentesis 10/22/2008
Amniocentesis is a procedure used to draw a sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds and cushions the baby in the womb. This fluid contains cells that have been sloughed off of the developing fetus. Amniocentesis is most often used to detect genetic abnormalities, though the results can also reveal the baby's sex, gauge lung maturity (if done close to term), detect amniotic fluid infections, or spot other pregnancy complications.
Amniocentesis - Series 10/22/2008
Amniocentesis - Series Procedure - Amniocentesis: When you are about 15 weeks pregnant, your doctor may offer amniocentesis. Amniocentesis is a test that detects or rules out certain inherited disorders in a fetus. It also assesses lung maturity to see if the fetus can endure an early delivery. You can also find out the baby's gender. Doctors generally offer amniocentesis to women with an increased risk of having a baby with particular disorders, including those who: Will be 35 or older when they deliver.
Apgar Score 10/22/2008
The Apgar score is a test used to measure the vital signs of a baby at birth. Virginia Apgar, M.D. (1909-1974) introduced the Apgar score in 1952. This test is a screening tool for health care providers to determine what assistance is immediately necessary to help a newborn stabilize. The Apgar score is now used worldwide to quickly assess the health of an infant one minute and five minutes after birth. The 1-minute Apgar score measures how well the newborn tolerated the birthing process.
