| Fallopian Tubes |
The pair of narrow ducts in a woman's abdomen that transport ova from the ovary to the uterus. When a mature egg is released by the ovary, the Fallopian tubes open and draw it in. |
| Family & Medical Leave Act |
Unpaid leave--up to 12 weeks in duration--for individuals to care for a newborn, an ill child, parent, or spouse. |
| Failure To Thrive |
Abnormally slow growth and development of a child, as compared to the usual pattern for children of their weight at birth. |
| Family Practitioner (FP) |
A health care provider, usually a physician (medical doctor [MD], naturopath [ND], osteopath [DO], chiropractor [DC]), who provides care for the entire family. |
| Fertility Specialist |
An obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) who specializes in fertility problems. |
| Fertilization |
The union of egg and sperm. |
| Fetal Alcohol Syndrome |
Physical and mental birth defects due to a mother consuming excessive amounts of alcohol during pregnancy. Signs are mental retardation, small head, upturned nose, and wide-spaced eyes. |
| Fetal Distress |
When a fetus has problems regarding oxygen levels or heartbeat. |
| Fetal Monitoring |
Fetal monitoring is a procedure of regular fetal checks involving listening to fetal heart tones, with or without contractions, for normal or abnormal heart beat regularity and intensity. Fetal monitoring may be done using a stethoscope, fetoscope, or an electronic device. See electronic fetal monitoring. |
| Fetal Presentation |
The orientation of the fetus in a mother's pelvic region. |
| Fetal-Maternal Exchange |
Exchange of oxygen and nutrients from the mother's blood through waste and from the baby's blood through the placenta. |
| Fetoscopy |
A prenatal diagnostic procedure in which a laparoscope is inserted through a small incision in a pregnant woman's abdomen and uterus wall to look for any abnormalities in the fetus. |
| Fetus |
An embryo after 8 weeks in the womb until birth. |
Fever
(Pyrexia) |
When body temperature rises a couple of degrees above normal -- 98.6°F -- usually indicating an infection. |
| Fine Motor Skills |
The type of small movements that use the small muscles of the fingers, toes, wrists, lips, and tongue. |
Floppy Infant Syndrome
(Hypotonia) |
Limp, slack muscles in an infant. |
| Folic Acid |
A vitamin of the vitamin B complex, used to treat anemia and believed to lower the incidence of spina bifida. Rich sources include, liver, beans, and green leafy vegetables. |
| Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) |
Produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. Produce estrogen and progesterone, too. |
| Follicles |
The portion of the ovaries that produces eggs. |
| Fontanel |
The 2 soft spots on a baby's skull that help him pass through the birth canal more easily. Covered by skin, they fuse as the baby grows but should be treated gently. |
| Forceps Delivery |
A hinged, tong-like device placed on a baby's head to ease him out during birth if the delivery becomes difficult. |
| Foreskin (Prepuce) |
The fold of skin over the head of the penis. |
| Formula |
A substitute for breast milk. Can be cow's milk or soy based. |
| Fraternal Twins |
Two offspring born at the same time who may or may not look alike. Occurs when two separate eggs are fertilized, each having its own placenta. |
| Full-Term |
A baby born between 38-42 weeks gestation. |
| Fundal Height |
The distance from the top of a pregnant woman's uterus to her pubic bone. Measured to determine fetal age. |
| Fundus |
The upper, rounded part of the uterus. |
MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information Index
