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Caesarean section
This is a surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through an incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. It is used when a woman can't give birth vaginally or if the baby is in distress.

Carpal tunnel syndrome
This syndrome reults in burning or numbness in the hands caused by compression of the nerves in the wrist. It is often associated with the swelling and weight gain which accompany pregnancy. It usually goes away after delivery.

Cervical incompetence
This term is used to describe the condition in which the cervix, under pressure from the growing uterus, opens before a pregnancy has reached full term. A weak or incompetent cervix can cause miscarriage in the second trimester or premature labour in the third, but can be treated by surgical reinforcement of the cervical muscle (called a cervical stitch).

Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease, often with no visible symptoms; it can be treated with antibiotics. If untreated, chlamydia can make a woman infertile or be passed to a baby during childbirth, causing pneumonia, eye infections, and, in severe cases, blindness.

Chloasma
Brown markings on the skin of a pregnant woman caused by hormonal changes, often seen on the face, in a pattern called 'butterfly' marking. These fade after pregnancy.



Cholostrum
A precursor to breast milk which is rich in fats, protein, and antibodies, colostrum is sometimes called "early milk". Most women produce it a few days before and after childbirth; some women produce small amounts of it from the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy.

Circumcision
Describes a disease of long duration involving slow changes. The surgical removal of the sheath of skin (called the foreskin) which covers the head of the penis.

Club foot
A club foot is a congenital deformed or distorted foot or ankle. Twice as common in boys, and affecting one in every 400 births, a club foot is treated with exercises, splinting, or, in severe cases, surgery.

Colic
Colic is the name given to long, unexplained bouts of crying in a baby - usually beginning between the second and third weeks of life and disappearing by about three months. It is estimated that about 20% of babies are colicky.

Coeliac disease
This is an inherited allergic disease in which the lining of the intestines is sensitive to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, oats, and barley.



Congenital heart problems
These are heart problems which are present from birth. They may include ventricular septal defect (a hole in the septum) and transposition of the great vessels, where the pulmonary artery and the aorta are reversed. They may be corrected with surgery soon after birth, usually with a high rate of success.

Connective tissue
a body tissue which makes up the main part of bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons, and surrounds other tissues and organs.

Contraction
The strong, rhythmic tightening of the uterus during labour. Any contractions before labour begins are usually irregular and don't increase in intensity or duration.

Convulsion
A convulsion is a violent, involuntary muscular contraction, sometimes caused from high tempurature (febrile convulsion). These are usually more for children under 6 years old.

Cot death
This term is used to describe the abrupt and unexpected death of a baby, often with no apparent and concrete reason. Cot death is the main cause of death among infants over one month of age. You can reduce the risk by putting your baby to sleep on his side or back and making sure that he does not become too hot.

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