If you are pregnant, you will be facing a series of physical, hormonal, and lifestyle changes over the next nine months. Besides going to the doctor and getting the necessary prenatal care, you may find yourself wondering what is and is not safe for you to do. This section will help you understand how to adapt your lifestyle to accommodate and nourish a growing fetus.Pregnancy Symptoms and Tests Missing a period... Read more >
Because pregnancy causes such intense and serious changes to a woman's body, there are a number of possible complications that can occur over this nine-month period. Although some can be treated with medication or surgery if properly diagnosed, others result in either miscarriage or serious health issues for the mother.Common, Minor Pregnancy Complications During pregnancy, the mother will generally experience a... Read more >
A developing fetus progresses through three stages of development known as trimesters. Because each trimester is marked by the development of specific organs, an obstetrician can perform a number of tests on a pregnant mother to ensure normal fetal development. However, these tests can only monitor a fetus as it grows and are, therefore, unable to prevent the damage caused by a pregnant mother's substance abuse.The... Read more >
Regular, frequent contractions and a broken water are the first indications that labor has started and the baby is coming! However, before the process of childbirth starts, the pregnant mother not only has decisions to make but also should be informed about what childbirth entails.Childbirth Methods Before labor begins, the pregnant woman should decide the method of childbirth she wishes to use. Because childbirth... Read more >
Once a child is born, the mother's body adapts so that it can care for the newborn child. Her breasts change and begin to lactate (produce milk) so she can feed the baby. However, not all women choose to breastfeed. As with prenatal care and the childbirth process, newborn care comes with various aspects and considerations for a mother.
Breastfeeding: Benefits, Proper Diet and Technique
One important choice... Read more >
Pregnancy increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (blood clots) and pulmonary embolism. While deep vein thrombosis does not directly endanger the developing fetus, pulmonary embolism can affect fetal health.Pregnancy and Deep Vein Thrombosis Deep vein thrombosis describes the formation of blood clots in blood vessels. Most cases of deep vein thrombosis occur when blood clots form in the large veins of the legs... Read more >
Gestational diabetes is a variety of diabetes that affects pregnant women. Women with gestational diabetes may not have had diabetes prior to pregnancy. In most cases, gestational diabetes resolves itself after the pregnancy.Gestational diabetes affects over 135,000 pregnant women a year, making it a common pregnancy complication. Gestational diabetes usually develops between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy... Read more >
Women often experience feelings of anxiety and depression in the postpartum period. The first weeks after childbirth are often hectic. Women are adjusting to motherhood, learning how to breastfeed and not getting enough sleep.
The postpartum period is also a turbulent time physically. Women are recovering from the physical strain of delivering a baby. Hormone levels change drastically during pregnancy. After... Read more >