ABCs of pregnancy: C is for…
July 15, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Women's Health
Was I mean putting coffee here? Some women really miss their coffee while they’re pregnant, while with others, it doesn’t bother them.
C is also for:
Cervical incompetence: Sounds like we’ve done something naughty! But cervical incompetence is not something that women can do anything about. It’s the cervix that is unable to remain closed during pregnancy, keeping the woman at risk from miscarrying or delivering prematurely. In some cases, obstetricians can stitch the cervix closed until it’s almost time to go into labor or mothers with this problem could be put on bedrest.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): This test is done for many of the same reasons as amniocentesis – to check chromosomes for genetic abnormalities., but can be done earlier (as early as 8 weeks of pregnancy). There is a slightly higher risk of miscarrying after CVS than after amniocentesis but many women choose to have the CVS if there are genetic diseases in their family because if they choose to end the pregnancy, they can do so earlier than if they wait for amniocentesis.
Contractions: Contractions are the intense feeling that is felt when you go into labor. Many women say they are like very strong menstrual cramps.
Caesarian section: Women can have their babies vaginally or by Caesarian section (C-section). Although most C-sections seem to be done with an epidural now instead of a general anesthetic, it is still major abdominal surgery.
Image: iStock
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