Posterior asynclitism is a term used in obstetrics to describe the tilting of a baby's head in the mother's birth canal. The word is spelled using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as /pɒsˈtɪə.riər əˈsɪŋklɪtɪzəm/. The "p" in posterior has a "short o" sound, while the "i" in asynclitism is pronounced as "eye". The "k" and "l" in asynclitism are silent, and the stress is on the second syllable. Knowing how to spell posterior asynclitism in IPA helps medical professionals communicate effectively and accurately about this condition.
Posterior asynclitism refers to a condition during childbirth where the fetal head is positioned in a way that it is tilted or inclined towards the mother's back (posterior), rather than being in the optimal position for birth. This abnormal presentation occurs when the back of the baby's head is parallel to the mother's pelvis, causing the widest part of the head to be presented first during the delivery process.
During a normal childbirth, the baby's head typically engages with the cervix and descends through the birth canal in an anterior position, with the back of the head facing towards the front of the mother's pelvis. However, in cases of posterior asynclitism, the baby's head is misaligned and faces towards the mother's back.
The posterior asynclitic position can lead to a more challenging and prolonged labor process. It may cause back labor, where the mother feels intense pain in her lower back instead of the front of her abdomen during contractions. Additionally, the baby's descent through the birth canal may be slower and require more forceful contractions, potentially increasing the likelihood of medical interventions like vacuum extraction or forceps delivery.
Healthcare providers are vigilant in monitoring the progress of labor and assessing the position of the baby's head. Techniques such as changing the mother's position or manually rotating the baby's head may be used to encourage the baby to rotate into the optimal anterior position. In some cases, a cesarean section may be recommended if the posterior asynclitism persists and poses risks to the mother or baby.
Litzmann obliquity.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "posterior asynclitism" is a medical term used in obstetrics to describe the positioning of the baby's head during childbirth. The etymology of this term can be broken down as follows:
1. Posterior: The word "posterior" comes from the Latin word "posterus", which means "coming after" or "next". In this context, it refers to the location at the back or rear.
2. Asynclitism: The term "asynclitism" comes from the Greek words "a-" meaning "without" or "not", and "synklinein" which means "to incline or bend". Therefore, "asynclitism" signifies the absence of inclination or bending.