Pregnancy and Childbirth

Drinking alcohol while pregnant is a leading cause of birth defects in a baby. In addition, the risk for miscarriage and stillbirth increases with alcohol consumption. Read on to learn more.

Definitions of terms related to the anatomy of a fetus in utero.

Some of the more common complications of pregnancy are miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and bleeding.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have bleeding from the vagina, blurry vision, severe headaches, or other specific symptoms.

With the correct care, most women can enjoy a healthy pregnancy--even with health challenges, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infectious diseases, or sextually transmitted infections. Read on to learn more.

To get ready for delivery, you may be moved into a birthing room or delivery room. Or you may stay in the same room for both labor and delivery.

Nausea and vomiting are common in the first trimester, as is fatigue. Other common discomforts are hemorrhoids and heartburn.

Almost every drug passes from the mother's bloodstream through the placenta to the fetus. Drugs that cause dependence and addiction in the mother also cause the fetus to become addicted.

First, determine the first day of your last menstrual period. Next, count back 3 calendar months and add 1 year and 7 days to that date.

If you exercised before pregnancy, you can safely continue exercising. If you were inactive or you have medical complications, talk with your healthcare provider before beginning to exercise.

Detailed information on breastfeeding and mastitis.

A healthy first trimester is crucial to the normal development of your baby. You may not be showing much on the outside, but inside, all the major body organs and systems of the fetus are forming.

Many hormone levels are affected in the body during pregnancy, with several hormones playing major roles.

Labor usually starts two weeks before or after the estimated date of delivery. No one knows exactly what triggers the onset of labor.

Detailed information on labor and delivery

All medicines you take affect the fetus, depending on the stage of development, the type and dosage of the medicine being taken, and your drug tolerance.

Nap when your baby naps. Take warm, shallow baths several times a day if you had stitches after delivery. Wear a supportive bra and use warm compresses to help with milk letdown.

Not only is eating nutritious food good for you and your baby, it also can ease some of the discomforts of pregnancy. A balanced diet can help minimize symptoms, such as nausea and constipation.

Planning ahead and taking care of yourself before becoming pregnant is the best thing you can do for you and your baby.

Detailed information on caring for the mother physically and emotionally following childbirth, including information on postpartum depression

Detailed information on pregnancy and childbirth, including information on birth statistics, pregnancy planning, preconception care, prenatal care, pregnancy discomforts, pregnancy tests, pregnancy risks, pregnancy warning signs, labor and delivery, breas

Regular visits to your healthcare provider are an important part of a healthy pregnancy. You and your growing baby will be carefully watched with tests done to assess any potential risks and develop a treatment plan, if needed.

Detailed information on the most common risks to pregnancy, including information on alcohol and pregnancy, smoking and pregnancy, drugs and pregnancy, medications during pregnancy, and pre-existing conditions and pregnancy

During this trimester, the weight of your growing baby will multiply more than 7 times — and you will start showing more.

In most cases, sex during pregnancy is safe. In fact, with your healthcare provider's approval, sexual relations can continue until delivery.

The signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman, but the most obvious sign usually is a missed period.

Detailed information on pregnancy and childbirth, including information on birth statistics, pregnancy planning, preconception care, prenatal care, pregnancy discomforts, pregnancy tests, pregnancy risks, pregnancy warning signs, labor and delivery, breas

The best sleeping position for you is on your side, especially the left side, because it allows for maximum blood flow to the fetus and improves your kidney function.

Don't smoke during your pregnancy and limit how much time you spend in environments where there is secondhand smoke.

Certain tests and screenings may be scheduled during your pregnancy. Your health care provider will advise you on which tests you'll need.

The third trimester marks the home stretch for your pregnancy. You may feel more uncomfortable now as you continue to gain weight. You also may have false labor contractions (called Braxton-Hicks contractions).

Average weight gain for women is between 25 and 35 pounds, although slight deviations from this may also be considered normal.

Many women continue working through their pregnancy without any problems. It depends on the type of work they do and their condition. Here's what you need to know.

A pregnancy is divided into 3 phases, called trimesters. Each trimester has its own major milestones.

Detailed information on multiple pregnancies, including care of multiple birth babies

Multiple pregnancy is a pregnancy with 2 or more babies. Read on to learn about different types of multiple pregnancies and why they occur.

Every pregnant woman feels like she’s getting big. But if you’re pregnant with 2 or more babies, you’ll really be growing fast. Be prepared by learning the signs of a multiple birth.

Having more than one baby is especially exciting—and complicated. Find out what to watch for, including a greater chance of anemia and preterm birth.

A woman with a multiple pregnancy needs more calories and nutrients, more frequent prenatal visits, and more rest.

A newborn baby is wet from the amniotic fluid and can easily become cold. Drying the baby and using warm blankets and heat lamps can help prevent heat loss. Often a knitted hat is placed on the baby's head.

Detailed information on bottle-feeding, including information on the different types of baby formulas.

Your milk contains just the right balance of nutrients in a form most easily used by your baby's immature body systems.

Detailed information on breastfeeding difficulties of the baby, including ineffective latch-on, ineffective sucking, slow infant weight gain, poor infant weight gain, mismanaged breastfeeding, over-active breast milk let down

Detailed information on breastfeeding difficulties of the mother, including sore nipples, low breast milk production, flat nipples, plugged milk ducts, and mastitis

Think there's only one way to breastfeed? You can position your baby in several ways during feeding time that can be comfortable for both of you.

It's important for your baby's health to be able to effectively remove milk from your breast during nursing. To do this, your baby must learn the correct way to suck. But how do you know if your baby is actually getting the nutrition they need? Here's a guide to help you.

Detailed information on breastfeeding and flat or inverted nipples.

The first weeks of breastfeeding should be considered a learning period for both you and your baby. Here's what you need to know.

Detailed information on how breastmilk is made for breastfeeding.

Detailed information on problems with latching-on or sucking during breastfeeding, and how to handle them.

If your milk is delayed coming in, or you're not making enough milk, don't give up. Read on for some helpful tips.

Sometimes a breastfed baby will gain weight more slowly than they should. Read on to learn some helpful tips on how to deal with this.

Many nursing mothers worry that their babies aren't getting enough milk. But what if the opposite is true? Here's what you can do to make sure you aren't overwhelming your baby during feeding time.

Because many multiples are small and born early, they may be initially cared for in a special care nursery called the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Some breastfeeding moms may be more likely to get plugged milk ducts than others. Read on for some quick tips on preventing and managing this condition.

Detailed information on breastfeeding and low breastmilk production.

Are you concerned that your little one has slow or poor weight gain? Unsure? This article will help you sort out your questions and concerns.

Read on to learn about possible causes and treatment for sore nipples when breastfeeding.

Chances are good that you're one of many pregnant people who experience the churning and burning of heartburn or acid indigestion. It typically hits somewhere in the second or third trimester, and it can be miserable.

Getting enough folic acid can reduce the risk for neural tube defects (NTDs) and may also reduce the risk for other serious birth defects of the brain and spinal cord.

Managing headaches is especially tricky in the first trimester. This is a time when you should stay away from many medicines.

For many people, the extreme tiredness of the first trimester is quite a surprise. And it's an especially hard transition for those who are normally go-getters with lots of energy. Learn more about what causes this fatigue--and what to do to feel better.

More than ever, men are actively involved throughout the pregnancy experience. The term expectant father really fits, as men support, worry, and plan right along with their pregnant partners. Some of the more common experiences for expectant dads are included here.

Back pain is common in pregnancy because of your changing body. Here are ideas on what you can do to cope.

Today's society is increasingly mobile, and the demands of career and family often require travel during a woman's pregnancy. Here are some tips and guidance for safe travels while you're pregnant.

For many people, pregnancy brings glowing skin, rosy cheeks, and shiny hair. But others can experience skin changes that aren't so attractive, including acne, dark spots, and stretch marks. Read on to learn more.

Much back pain in pregnancy is related to the strain on your back from the weight of your growing baby. Using correct posture can help prevent and even relieve some of the pain.

Regular dental checkups and cleanings, along with brushing and flossing often, are important for a healthy mouth and a healthy pregnancy.

Hemorrhoids and varicose veins might seem to be two different, unrelated problems, but they are actually quite similar. And, many women, especially those in the third trimester of pregnancy, have them.