Articles

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

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disorder characterized by infrequent or lack of menstrual cycles, hyperandrogenism, hirsutism (excessive body and facial hair), obesity, insulin resistance, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. Patients with PCOS may have all or some of these symptoms. Other conditions

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

Postcoital bleeding is bleeding that occurs during or after sexual intercourse. Causes of postcoital bleeding include vaginal dryness, vaginal tears, cervical ectropion (condition in which the canal of the cervix is turned inside out and the fragile cells are exposed), cervical polyps (growths that extend

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,

Postmenopausal bleeding is any vaginal bleeding that occurs after a patient has entered menopause, which is the point in time 12 months after a woman's last period. Because one of the primary signs of endometrial cancer is postmenopausal bleeding, it is important that this symptom be evaluated. It is

A spinal headache is one that occurs after accidental puncture of the dura (tough membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord) with an epidural needle. This can occur after placement of an epidural or spinal for anesthesia. The headache symptom is believed to be caused by leakage of cerebrospinal fluid

Preeclampsia is a serious condition diagnosed after 20 weeks gestation in patients with new onset of high blood pressure, evidence of protein in the urine, signs and symptoms, and possibly abnormal laboratory findings. It is further classified as either preeclampsia without severe features (also known