lightening (redirected from lighten)

lightening /light·en·ing/ (līt´en-ing) the sensation of decreased abdominal distention produced by the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity, two to three weeks before labor begins.

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light·en·ing (ltn-ng)

n.

The sensation of decreased abdominal distention during the latter weeks of pregnancy following the descent of the fetal head into the pelvic inlet.

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lightening

[lī′təning]

Etymology: AS, leoht, light

a subjective sensation reported by many women late in pregnancy as the fetus settles lower in the true pelvis, leaving more space in the upper abdomen. The diaphragm, no longer restricted by the fundus of the uterus beneath it, can move down more fully during inspiration, allowing deeper breaths. The stomach, too, is less compressed, so the woman can comfortably eat more food at each meal. Urinary frequency occurs as the fetus drops. The profile of the abdomen changes with lightening, because the round, full uterus is visibly lower. The baby is then said to have "dropped."

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Lightening

The descent of the foetus, resulting in decreased fundal height, an event that occurs about 2 weeks before labour, caused by physiologic changes of the uterus; lightening is characterised by an abrupt sensation of ‘lightness’ or relief from the weightiness felt by the mother which corresponds to the drop of the baby’s head into the pelvis

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lightening [līt´en-ing]

the sensation of decreased abdominal distention caused by descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity, 2 or 3 weeks before labor begins.

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lightening

Dropping Obstetrics The descent of the fetus deeper into the pelvis, resulting in a ↓ in the fundal height, an event that occurs from days to wks–usually 2 wks before labor and is caused by physiologic changes of the uterus; lightening is characterized by an abrupt sensation of 'lightness' or relief from the weightiness felt by the mother which corresponds to the drop of the baby's head into the pelvis. Cf Lightning.