Pregnancy

HELLP, which stands for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet, is a condition that occurs in approximately 10 - 20 % of women who have preeclampsia with severe features. Patients may present with nausea and vomiting, epigastric or right upper quadrant pain, severe headache, visual changes,

Normal blood pressure in pregnancy is less than 120/80 mmHg. Anything above those numbers is considered elevated or hypertension. A severe form of elevated blood pressure can occur where it is accompanied by other changes such as protein in the urine, or symptoms such as headache, changes in vision,

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe form of nausea and vomiting that occurs in pregnancy. It is often diagnosed in the first trimester and can continue throughout the remainder of the pregnancy in some individuals. Patients with hyperemesis are unable to keep down fluids and may require IV hydration or

A low-lying placenta is one with the placental edge ending within 2 cm of the internal cervical os. The diagnosis is often made at the 20 week fetal anatomy ultrasound. Fortunately, the vast majority of low-lying placenta diagnoses resolve as the pregnancy progresses. Disclaimer: The information on

Oligohydramnios is amniotic fluid volume less than would be expected for the gestational age. This condition is characterized by too little amniotic fluid surrounding your baby. The two most common reasons for low fluid are problems with the baby's growth and your water breaking before you go into labor

Placenta accreta is a condition in pregnancy diagnosed when the placenta becomes abnormally adherent to the uterus (myometrium). After delivery, the placenta is expected to easily separate from the uterus in a normal pregnancy. In the case of placenta accreta, the placenta remains adherent and this can

Placenta previa is diagnosed when the placenta is abnormally located and covers the internal os (cervical opening). The placenta may cover the cervical internal os partially or completely. If the placenta previa remains as the pregnancy progresses, complications may arise such as life-threatening maternal

Placental abruption is a condition in which the placenta separates before the birth of the fetus. If occurs in about 1% of pregnancies. Risk factors for placental abruption include maternal hypertension, smoking, cocaine use, trauma, premature rupture of membranes, and short umbilical cord. Patients

Polyhydramnios is the accumulation of excessive amniotic fluid. It can be caused by congenital anomalies, maternal diabetes, twin-twin transfusion syndrome, congenital infections, and fetal hydrops. However, about two-thirds of all cases of polyhydramnios are idiopathic which means that the cause is

Posterm pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy that has reached or extended beyond 42 weeks gestation. Late-term pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy that has reached between 41 weeks 0 days and 41 weeks 6 days gestation. Risk factors for postterm pregnancy include a history of prior postterm pregnancy,