The Challenge During the second trimester (14–28 weeks) the fetus continues to grow and develop, organ function becomes more normal, and the growing uterus is more apparent. Prenatal care during this period is directed toward monitoring the progress of pregnancy…
The Challenge Despite the dramatic and vulnerable changes that the conceptus undergoes in the first 14 weeks of gestation, many patients are unaware of their pregnancy or delay seeking prenatal care. Evidence suggests that it is during this period the…
The Challenge In many ways, prenatal care is the prototypical example of preventive medicine. Preconceptional care is directed toward ensuring the optimal health of the prospective mother and doing those things that will remove preventable impediments to a healthy outcome…
Introduction Description: Virilization refers to the loss of female sexual characteristics such as body contour and the acquisition of masculine qualities such as increased muscle mass, temporal balding, deepening of the voice, and clitoromegaly. Prevalence: Uncommon. Predominant Age: Reproductive age.…
Introduction Description: Vaginal agenesis is the congenital absence of the vagina, most often associated with an absence of the uterus (Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser [MRKH] syndrome). Of these women, 7%–10% have functional endometrium within a uterus that is obstructed, a rudimentary uterine horn,…
Introduction Description: Uterine agenesis is the failure of the Müllerian system to fuse in the midline to form the uterus. Incomplete variations of this failure result in a didelphic, bicornuate, septate, or arcuate uterus. It is also known as Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser…
Introduction Description: Caused as a result of the absence of one X chromosome, Turner syndrome (described in 1938 by Oklahoma physician Henry H. Turner) is a collection of stigmata that includes edema of the hands and feet, webbing of the…
Introduction Description: Sheehan syndrome (named for Harold Leeming Sheehan, who characterized the syndrome ) is characterized by the loss of pituitary function, resulting from damage or necrosis that occurs through anoxia, thrombosis, or hemorrhage. When associated with pregnancy, it is…
Introduction Description: Structural abnormalities present at birth may make the assigning of an appropriate sex of rearing (gender) difficult or impossible (sexual ambiguity). The evaluation of these infants represents both a social and medical emergency because causative life-threatening conditions may…
Introduction Description: When a woman has had two consecutive or three total first-trimester spontaneous pregnancy losses, it is considered recurrent abortion. Prevalence: 0.4%–1% of women meet the criteria for recurrence, although 15% of clinically recognized pregnancies have sporadic loss (20%–60%…