OPSITOCIA Meaning and
Definition
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Opsitocia is a term used in obstetrics to describe a rare and abnormal position of the fetus during childbirth. Specifically, it refers to the condition where the baby's buttocks or feet are positioned to emerge first from the birth canal, instead of the head. Opsitocia is the antithesis of normal vertex presentation, where the baby is in a head-down position.
This abnormal presentation occurs in less than 1% of all deliveries and is typically considered a complication, as it poses certain risks to both the mother and the baby. A variety of factors can contribute to the occurrence of opsitocia, such as premature birth, multiple pregnancies, narrow pelvis, abnormal fetal position, or the presence of certain fetal abnormalities.
In cases of opsitocia, the mother may experience a prolonged and difficult labor, as well as an increased risk of complications such as tears in the birth canal or excessive bleeding. To manage this situation, obstetricians may opt for interventions such as external cephalic version (ECV), a procedure aimed at manually repositioning the baby into a head-down position, or a cesarean section if deemed necessary.
In summary, opsitocia is a medical term used in the context of obstetrics to describe the abnormal positioning of the fetus with the buttocks or feet presenting first during childbirth. It is a rare condition that requires careful management to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby.
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Labor following an unusually protracted pregnancy.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for OPSITOCIA
- ipsitocia
- kpsitocia
- lpsitocia
- ppsitocia
- 0psitocia
- 9psitocia
- oositocia
- olsitocia
- o-sitocia
- o0sitocia
- opaitocia
- opzitocia
- opxitocia
- opditocia
- opeitocia
- opwitocia
- opsutocia
- opsjtocia
- opsktocia
- opsotocia
Etymology of OPSITOCIA
The word "opsitocia" is derived from combining two Greek words: "opsios" (ὄψιος) meaning "backward" or "hindmost", and "tokos" (τοκος) meaning "birth" or "childbirth". Thus, "opsitocia" in medical terminology refers to the condition of a fetus being positioned with its buttocks or legs coming first during childbirth, also known as "breech birth".
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