"Dystocia" is a medical term used to describe difficult or prolonged labor during childbirth. The word is spelled with six letters, but the pronunciation is a little more complicated. Using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), "Dystocia" is pronounced as /dɪsˈtoʊsiə/. The first syllable "dis" is pronounced with a short "i" sound, while the second syllable "to" is pronounced with a long "o" sound. The last syllable "cia" is pronounced as "sha" with a combination of "s" and "sh" sounds. Knowing the IPA transcription can help understand the pronunciation of difficult medical terms.
Dystocia is a medical term used to describe a difficult or prolonged labor and delivery process in humans or animals. It occurs when there are complications that hinder the natural progression of labor and prevent the successful birth of an infant or offspring. Dystocia may arise due to various factors such as anatomical abnormalities, maternal health problems, fetal size or positioning issues, or inadequate uterine contractions.
In human obstetrics, dystocia can manifest as slow or halted progress in cervical dilation, failure to descend, or difficulties in the baby's passage through the birth canal. In veterinary medicine, dystocia is commonly encountered in animals and can lead to life-threatening situations for both the mother and her offspring.
Symptoms of dystocia include intense and prolonged contractions, maternal exhaustion, distress in the fetus, or signs of fetal distress such as an abnormal heart rate. Prompt medical intervention is necessary to assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action. This may involve providing additional medical support to the mother, using techniques to facilitate the birth process, or in some cases, performing a cesarean section to deliver the baby or offspring safely.
Overall, dystocia represents a challenging and potentially dangerous obstetric complication requiring immediate attention and management to ensure the well-being and survival of both the mother and her child or offspring.
Difficult childbirth. It is called fetal or maternal according as the cause is in some abnormality of the fetus or in uterine inertia or some obstruction in the parturient canal.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "dystocia" originated from the Greek language. Its etymology can be broken down as follows:
- "Dys" (δύς) meaning "difficult" or "abnormal".
- "Tokos" (τόκος) meaning "childbirth" or "delivery".
Combining these elements, "dystocia" literally translates to "difficult childbirth" or "abnormal delivery".