pregnancy week by week

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 41 (part 2) - Inducing Labor

There may come a point in your pregnancy that your doctor decides to induce labor, which means labor is started to deliver your baby. It’s a fairly common practice; each year, doctors induce labor for about 450,000 births.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 41 (part 1) - What Happens When You Pass Your Due Date?

A pregnancy is considered overdue (postterm) only when it exceeds 42 weeks or 294 days from the first day of the last menstrual period. (A baby born at 41 weeks, 6 days is not considered overdue, even if it feels like it to you!)

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 40 (part 3) - Your Labor Coach, Vaginal Delivery of Your Baby

Your labor coach may be one of your most valuable assets during labor and delivery. He (or she) can help you prepare. He can be there to support you as you go through the experience of labor together. He can share with you the joy of the birth of your baby.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 40 (part 2) - Pain Relief without Medication, Massage for Relief, Laboring Positions

Massage is a wonderful, gentle way to help you feel better during labor. The touching and caressing of massage helps you relax and helps reduce pain. One study showed women who were massaged for 20 minutes every hour during active labor felt less anxiety and less pain.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 40 (part 1) - Going to the Hospital

If you preregistered at the hospital before your due date, it’ll save time checking in and may help reduce your stress. If you didn’t preregister, fill out forms early. If you wait until you’re in labor, you may be concerned with other things.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 39 (part 3) - Anesthesia Problems and Complications, Cord-Blood Banking

You may have heard about storing blood from your baby’s umbilical cord after birth. Cord blood is blood in the umbilical cord and placenta, which in the past were usually thrown away after delivery. Stem cells have proved useful in treating some diseases. Treatment corrects and/or replaces diseased or damaged cells.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 39 (part 2) - What Is an Epidural Block?

An epidural block provides excellent relief by blocking painful sensations between the uterus and cervix, and your brain. Medication in the epidural prevents pain messages from traveling up your spinal cord to your brain.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 39 (part 1) - Can Your Baby Get Tangled in the Cord

You may have been told by friends not to raise your arms over your head or to reach high to get things because it may cause the cord to wrap around the baby’s neck. There doesn’t seem to be much truth to this old wives’ tale.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 38 (part 2)

You may not feel much like eating now, but it’s important to eat healthfully. Snacks might be the answer—eat small snacks throughout the day to keep your energy levels up and to help avoid heartburn. You may also be tired of the foods you’ve been eating.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 38 (part 1) - Tests You May Have during Labor, Breech and Other Abnormal Presentations

If you think you may be in labor and go to the hospital, you will have a labor check. Vital signs will be taken, a monitor will be placed on your abdomen and a pelvic exam will be done.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 37 (part 2) - Vaginal Birth after Cesarean

Should you attempt a vaginal delivery after having had a Cesarean delivery? Medically speaking, the method of delivery isn’t as important as the well-being of you and your baby.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 37 (part 1) - How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development

Most women plan on a vaginal birth, but a Cesarean delivery is always a possibility. With a Cesarean, the baby is delivered through an incision made in the mother’s abdominal wall and uterus. An

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 36 (part 3) - Packing for the Hospital

Packing for the hospital can be unnerving. You don’t want to pack too early and have your suitcase staring at you. But you don’t want to wait till the last minute, throw your things together and take the chance of forgetting something important.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 36 (part 2) - How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development

It’s time to choose a doctor for your baby. You might choose a pediatrician—a doctor who specializes in treating children. Or you might choose a family practitioner.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 36 (part 1) - Restless-Leg Syndrome

You have only 4 to 5 weeks until your due date. You may have gained 25 to 30 pounds (11.25 to 13.5kg), and you still have a month to go. It isn’t unusual for your weight to stay the same or change very little at your weekly visits after this point.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 35 (part 3) - What Is Placenta Previa?

With placenta previa, the placenta attaches to the lower part of the uterus instead of the upper wall; it lies close to the cervix or covers it. The problem occurs about once in every 170 pregnancies.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 35 (part 2) - How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development - Preparing for Baby’s Birth, Preregistering at the Hospital

You may be feeling a little nervous about knowing when it’s time to call your healthcare provider or go to the hospital. Ask about signs to watch for at one of your prenatal visits. In prenatal classes, you should also learn how to recognize the signs of labor and when you should call your healthcare provider or go to the hospital.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 35 (part 1) - Umbilical-Cord Prolapse, Emotional Changes in Late Pregnancy

With umbilical-cord prolapse, the umbilical cord is pushed out of the uterus too soon. It’s rare and is a life-threatening emergency for the baby. It happens when the cord passes alongside or past part of baby, which compresses the umbilical vessels and shuts off the supply of blood and oxygen to the baby.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 32 (part 3) - Cancer and Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a happy time for most women. Occasionally, however, serious problems can occur. Cancer in pregnancy is one serious complication that occurs rarely.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 32 (part 2)

If you’re expecting more than one baby, your nutrition and weight gain are very important during pregnancy. Food is your best source for nutrients, but keep taking your prenatal vitamin every day. The vitamins and iron in prenatal vitamins are still essential to your well-being and the well-being of your baby or babies.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 32 (part 1) - How Your Baby Is Growing and Developing

The rate of multiple births is going up—since 1980, the rate of twin births has increased 70%. Statistics show that close to 4% of all births in the United States are multiple births. If you’re expecting more than one baby, you’re not alone!

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 31 (part 3) - What Is Pre-eclampsia?

Pre-eclampsia describes a group of symptoms that occur only during pregnancy or shortly after delivery. Pre-eclampsia seems to be on the rise; the condition affects 1 in 20 pregnancies and accounts for over 15% of all maternal deaths during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 31 (part 2) - How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development

Some women experience an increase in saliva during pregnancy. Hormones are the culprit. Too much saliva is called ptyalism; it occurs when estrogen levels increase. The condition often runs in families. Morning sickness may also contribute to the problem.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 31 (part 1) - How Your Baby Is Growing and Developing

Intrauterine-growth restriction (IUGR) indicates a fetus is small for its gestational age. Weight is below the 10th percentile (in the lowest 10%) for the baby’s gestational age. This means 9 out of 10 babies of normal growth are larger.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 30 (part 3)

During your third trimester, you may discover your nesting instinct—the overwhelming urge to clean and get organized. Experts believe this may be caused by an increase in oxytocin.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 30 (part 2)

Many women wonder if taking a bath during pregnancy is OK. Most healthcare providers believe it’s safe to bathe throughout pregnancy. They may caution you to be careful as you get in or out of the bathtub. Be sure bath water is not too hot. If you think your water has broken, don’t take a bath.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 30 (part 1)

A baby is usually quite active during pregnancy. We believe these knots occur as the baby moves around in early pregnancy. A loop forms in the umbilical cord; the baby moves through the loop, and a knot results. Your actions do not cause or prevent this kind of complication. A knot in the umbilical cord doesn’t occur often.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 29 (part 3) - Medications to Help Stop Premature Labor, Epstein-Barr Virus

Potassium-rich foods, such as raisins and bananas, may help reduce your risk of premature labor. Potassium helps the body get rid of sodium faster.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 29 (part 2) - Bed Rest to Treat Premature Labor

The treatment used most often for premature labor is bed rest. A woman is advised to stay in bed and lie on her side. (Either side is OK.) The term bed rest can cover anything from cutting back on activities to being confined to bed for 24 hours a day, getting up only to go to the bathroom and to shower.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 29 (part 1) - Premature Labor and Premature Birth

Many babies born in the United States are born before their due date. Statistics show nearly 13% of all babies are premature—that’s over half a million babies each year! The rate of premature births has increased by over 30% since 1980.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 28 (part 4)

You may be wondering how your baby is lying inside the uterus. Is the baby head first? Is it bottom first (breech)? Is the baby lying sideways? It’s difficult—usually impossible—at this point in pregnancy to tell just by feeling your abdomen. The baby changes position throughout pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 28 (part 3) - ABO Incompatibility

Blood groups are designated as types A, B, AB and O. They are sometimes called the major blood groups. Blood tests are performed at the beginning of pregnancy to determine ABO type and screen for the presence of antibodies (antibody screen).

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 28 (part 2) - How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development

The problem affects about 2% of the population in the United States and Canada. It is equally common in other countries. Asthma may occur at any age, but about 50% of all asthma cases occur before age 10. Another 33% of the cases occur by age 40. About 70% of people with asthma also suffer from allergies.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 28 (part 1) - The Placenta and Umbilical Cord

Your baby’s eyebrows and eyelashes may be present. Hair on baby’s head is growing longer. The baby’s body is becoming plumper and rounder because of increased fat underneath the skin. Before this time, baby had a thin appearance.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 27 (part 3) - Babymoons, Lupus

Many parents-to-be are now scheduling a babymoon before the end of pregnancy. A babymoon is a prebaby vacation—a trip for expectant parents to reconnect and to enjoy each other’s company before baby’s birth. It usually focuses on relaxing and pampering.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 27 (part 2) - Childbirth-Education Classes

It may be time to sign up for childbirth-education classes. Even though it’s just the beginning of the third trimester, it’s a good idea to sign up now so you can finish classes before you get to the end of pregnancy. And it will give you time to practice what you learn.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 27 (part 1) - Feeling Baby Move

This week marks the beginning of the third trimester. Now we’ll be adding total length of baby’s body from head to toe. This will give you a better idea of how big your baby is during this last part of your pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 26 (part 4) - Seizures and Epilepsy

A history of seizures—before pregnancy, during a previous pregnancy or during this pregnancy—is important information you must share with your healthcare provider. (Another term for seizure is convulsion.) It’s estimated that about 500,000 women in the United States with a seizure disorder are of childbearing age.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 26 (part 3) - Dreams

Researchers once believed dreams were random thought patterns that occurred while you slept. Today, they consider dreams to be your body’s effort to play back ideas and thoughts about what has happened in the past.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 26 (part 2) - Fish Can Be Healthy during Pregnancy

Eating fish is healthy; it is especially good during pregnancy. Women who eat fish during pregnancy often have longer pregnancies and give birth to babies with higher birth weights. Studies show the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish may help protect you from premature labor and other problems.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 26 (part 1) - Previous Weight-Loss Surgery

Before pregnancy, some women have weight-loss surgery to help them lose weight. Bariatric surgery is defined as surgery related to the prevention and control of obesity and related diseases.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 25 (part 3) - Thyroid Disease, Velocardiofacial Syndrome, Familial Mediterranean Fever

At-home teeth whitening products are very popular, and many people use them. Are they safe for pregnant women? We advise you to wait until after pregnancy to whiten your teeth.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 25 (part 2) - Stress during Pregnancy, Falling and Injuries from Falls

Feeling stress is common during any woman’s life. Stress is what you feel in situations that are dangerous, difficult or menacing. Chronic stress is stress caused by ongoing situations or problems, such as unemployment, deployment of your partner, financial problems. Anxiety is magnified worry and is greater than justified.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 25 (part 1) - Itching

Your baby now weighs about 1½ pounds (700g), and crown-to-rump length is about 8¾ inches (22cm). These are average lengths and weights, and can vary from one baby to another and from one pregnancy to another.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 24 (part 3)

Pregnancy enhances the sex drive for some women. A woman may experience orgasms or multiple orgasms for the first time during pregnancy. This is due to heightened hormonal activity and increased blood flow to the pelvic area.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 24 (part 2)

Many pregnant women are concerned about eating out. Some want to know if they can eat certain types of food, such as Mexican, Vietnamese, Thai or Greek food. They’re concerned spicy or rich foods could be harmful to the baby. It’s OK to eat out, but you might find certain foods don’t agree with you.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 24 (part 1) - Depression

Depression can occur at any time during a person’s life. Many things can contribute to depression, including chemical imbalances in the body, stressful life events and situations that cause anxiety and tension. If you have a history of major depression, you’re at increased risk of depression occurring during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 23 (part 4)

Sugar in the urine is called glucosuria. It’s common during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters. It occurs because of changes in sugar levels and how sugar is handled in the kidneys, which control the amount of sugar in your system. If extra sugar is present, you will lose it in your urine.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 23 (part 3)

Some women develop diabetes only during pregnancy; it is called gestational diabetes. It occurs when pregnancy hormones affect the way your body makes or uses insulin, a hormone that converts sugar in food into energy the body uses.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 23 (part 2) - Diabetes and Pregnancy

Diabetes is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy. It occurs in 7 to 8% of all pregnancies. It was once a very serious problem during pregnancy, but today many diabetic women go through pregnancy safely.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 23 (part 1)

Baby’s body is getting plumper but skin is still wrinkled. Lanugo hair on the body occasionally turns darker at this time. The baby’s face and body begin to assume more of the appearance of an infant at birth.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 22 (part 3)

Pregnancy can make diagnosis difficult because some symptoms can be typical in a normal pregnancy, such as nausea and vomiting. Pain in the lower abdomen on the right side may be credited to round-ligament pain or a urinary-tract infection.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 22 (part 2)

When you don’t drink water, you can become dehydrated. If you’re dehydrated, you can tire more easily. Once you’re dehydrated, it may reduce the amount of nutrients baby receives from you. Your blood thickens, making it harder to pass nutrients to baby. Dehydration may also increase your risk of problems.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 22 (part 1) - What Is Anemia?

There is a fine balance in your body between the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to the rest of your body and the destruction of these cells. Anemia is the condition in which the number of red blood cells is low. If you’re anemic, you don’t have enough red blood cells.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 21 (part 4)

Vaginitis covers a lot of conditions that cause annoying vaginal symptoms, such as itching, burning, irritation and abnormal discharge. The most common causes of vaginitis are bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis and trichomoniasis. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common of the conditions and is discussed below.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 21 (part 3)

Some women experience food cravings during pregnancy. Food cravings have long been considered a nonspecific sign of pregnancy. We don’t understand all the reasons you might crave a food while you’re pregnant, but we believe hormonal and emotional changes add to the situation.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 21 (part 2)

Many women wonder about the safety of ultrasound exams. Medical researchers agree ultrasound exams don’t pose any risk to you or your baby. Researchers have looked for potential problems for many years without finding evidence of any.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 21 (part 1)

During pregnancy, you may hear the term meconium and wonder what it means. It refers to undigested stuff in baby’s digestive system. Meconium is made mostly of cells from the lining of baby’s gastrointestinal tract and swallowed amniotic fluid.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 20 (part 4)

Caloric sweeteners include processed and unprocessed sugars, such as granulated sugar, brown sugar and corn syrup. Unprocessed sugars include honey, agave nectar and raw sugar. Caloric content ranges from 16 to 22 calories per teaspoon. If you use caloric sweeteners, you’re adding empty calories to your meal plan.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 20 (part 3) - How Your Actions Affect Your Baby's Development

Pregnancy can be an important time of growing closer to your partner. As you get larger, sexual intercourse may become difficult because of discomfort for you. With some imagination and different positions (ones in which you aren’t on your back and your partner isn’t directly on top of you), you can continue to enjoy sexual relations.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 20 (part 2)

Your abdominal muscles are being stretched and pushed apart as your baby grows. Muscles attached to the lower portion of your ribs run vertically down to your pelvis. They may separate in the midline. These muscles are called the rectus muscles; when they separate, it is a hernia called a diastasis recti.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 20 (part 1)

The skin covering your baby began growing from two layers, the epidermis, which is on the surface, and the dermis, which is the deeper layer. By this point, there are four layers. One of these layers contains ridges, which are responsible for patterns on fingertips, palms and soles. They are genetically determined.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 19 (part 4) - Will You Be a Single Mother?

In the past years, we have seen an increase in the number of single moms. Today, over 40% of all babies in the United States are born to unmarried women. The largest number of single moms is women in their 20s—the average age is 26½.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 19 (part 3)

If you normally use herbs and botanicals—in the forms of teas, tinctures, pills or powders—to treat various medical and health problems, stop! We advise you not to treat yourself with any herbal remedy during pregnancy without checking first with your healthcare provider!

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 19 (part 2) - How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development

Feeling dizzy during pregnancy is a fairly common symptom, often caused by low blood pressure (hypotension). It usually doesn’t appear until the second trimester but may occur earlier.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 19 (part 1)

Crown-to-rump length of the growing fetus is 5¼ to 6 inches (13 to 15cm) by this week. Your baby weighs about 7 ounces (200g). It’s incredible to think your baby will increase its weight more than 15 times between now and delivery!

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 18 (part 3)

You need about 30mg of iron a day to meet the increased needs of pregnancy. Baby draws on your iron stores to create its own stores for its first few months of life. This helps protect baby from iron deficiency if you breastfeed.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 18 (part 2) - How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development

Everyone has heard stories of women who continued with strenuous exercise or arduous activities until the day of delivery without problems. Stories are told of Olympic athletes who were pregnant at the time they won medals. This kind of training and physical stress isn’t a good idea for most pregnant women.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 18 (part 1)

Between 50 and 80% of all pregnant women have back and hip pain at some time. Pain usually occurs during the third trimester as your tummy grows larger. However, pain may begin early in pregnancy and last until well after delivery (up to 5 or 6 months).

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 17 (part 3)

You may be wondering if you want a doula to help you during baby’s birth. A doula is a woman who is trained to provide support and assistance during labor and delivery. The doula remains with you from the onset of labor until baby is born.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 17 (part 2) - How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development

Ultrasound is performed at different times for different reasons. During the second trimester, it can be used with amniocentesis, with bleeding related to placenta previa or abruption, when there is concern about intrauterine-growth restriction (IUGR), to evaluate fetal well-being and to diagnose multiple fetuses.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 17 (part 1)

As pregnancy advances, the uterus becomes more oval than round as it fills the pelvis and starts to grow into the abdomen. Your intestines are pushed upward and to the sides. Your uterus eventually reaches almost to your liver.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 16 (part 4) - Rh Disease and Sensitivity

Everyone has either Rh-positive blood or Rh-negative blood. If you have the Rh factor in your blood, you are Rh-positive—most people are Rh-positive. If you do not have the Rh-factor, you are Rh-negative. Rh-negativity affects about 15% of the white population and 8% of the Black/African-American population in the United States.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 16 (part 3)

Week 16 is the turning point—no more lying flat on your back while resting or sleeping, or lying flat on the floor while exercising or relaxing. Reclining in a chair or propped against pillows is OK.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 16 (part 2) - How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development

If necessary, amniocentesis is often performed around 16 to 18 weeks of pregnancy. By this point, your uterus is large enough and there is enough fluid surrounding the baby to make the test possible.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 16 (part 1)

Fine hair covers your baby’s head. The umbilical cord is attached to the abdomen; this attachment has moved lower on the body of the fetus. Fingernails are well formed.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 15 (part 4) - Exercise for Week 15

Tay-Sachs disease is an inherited disease of the central nervous system. The most common form of the disease affects babies, who appear healthy at birth and seem to develop normally for the first few months of life.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 15 (part 3)

Research shows if a woman experiences sleep disruption during pregnancy, she may be at higher risk of some pregnancy problems. Less sleep may also increase your risk of postpartum depression. And if you’re exhausted when you begin labor, you may be at a higher risk for a Cesarean delivery.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 15 (part 2)

Ultrasound can be used during the second trimester for several reasons. These include diagnosis of multiple fetuses, with amniocentesis, with bleeding related to placenta previa or placental abruption, intrauterine-growth restriction (IUGR) and evaluation of baby’s well-being. Ultrasound at around 20 weeks may be done to determine if the placenta has attached normally and is healthy.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 15 (part 1) - Alpha-Fetoprotein Testing

As baby grows, it produces alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in its liver and passes some of it into your bloodstream. It’s possible to measure AFP by drawing your blood; too much or not enough of the protein in your blood can be a sign of problems.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 14 (part 3) - Overweight/Obesity Bring Special Precautions

If you are overweight when you get pregnant, you’re not alone. Statistics show up to 38% of all pregnant women are overweight. About 20% of women are obese when they get pregnant.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 14 (part 2) - X-Rays, CT Scans and MRIs during Pregnancy

Some women are concerned about tests that use radiation during pregnancy. Can these tests hurt the baby? Can you have them at any time in pregnancy? Unfortunately, we do not know of any “safe” amount for a developing baby.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 14 (part 1)

Pregnancy can make skin tags and moles change and grow. Skin tags are small tags of skin that may appear for the first time or may grow larger during pregnancy. Moles may appear for the first time during pregnancy, or existing moles may grow larger and darken. If you notice any changes in a mole, show it to your healthcare provider!

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 13 (part 3)

Caffeine is a stimulant found in many beverages and foods, including coffee, tea, various soft drinks and chocolate. It may also be found in some medicine, such as headache remedies.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 13 (part 2) - Working during Pregnancy

In the United States, millions of babies are born to women who have been employed at some time during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 13 (part 1) - Stretch Marks, Changes in Your Breasts

Many women have stretch marks, called striae distensae, during pregnancy. They occur when the elastic fibers and collagen in deeper layers of your skin are pulled apart to make room for baby. When skin tears, collagen breaks down and shows through the top layer of your skin as a pink, red or purple indented streak.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 12 (part 3) - Fats and Sweets, Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that causes digestive and breathing problems. It causes the body to produce sticky mucus that builds up in the lungs, pancreas and other organs, which can lead to respiratory and digestive problems. Those with the disorder are usually diagnosed early in life.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 12 (part 2) - Entering Pregnancy with High Blood Pressure, Physical Injury during Pregnancy

Blood pressure is the amount of force exerted by blood against arterial walls. If you’ve had high blood pressure before pregnancy, you have chronic hypertension. Your condition will not go away during pregnancy and must be controlled to avoid problems.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 12 (part 1) - Changes in Your Skin

During pregnancy, many things can cause changes in your skin, such as hormones and stretching skin. Below we discuss some of the changes you may experience.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 11 (part 3) - Ultrasound in Pregnancy, Fetal MRI

Ultrasound is the standard test used to diagnose birth defects and other problems. It is often the first test used. However, there are some limitations to ultrasound. If a woman is obese, if there is less amniotic fluid or baby is in an abnormal position, ultrasound may not reveal problems.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 11 (part 2) - Traveling during Pregnancy, Auto Safety during Pregnancy, Medication Classification for Pregnancy

Pregnant women frequently ask whether travel can hurt their baby. If your pregnancy is uncomplicated and you aren’t at high risk, travel is usually OK. Ask your healthcare provider about any travel you’re considering before making firm plans or buying tickets.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 11 (part 1) - Pregnancy May Reveal Future Problems

Your body goes through many changes during pregnancy, which begin almost at the time of conception. They allow your body to accept and to tolerate the genetically “different” fetus. Changes also help your body adapt to nourish and to support the fetus and to prepare you for delivery.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 10 (part 4)

Nearly every pregnant woman receives information on Down syndrome. Older women have traditionally been offered various tests to determine whether their fetus is affected by the condition.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 10 (part 3) - Chicken Pox during Pregnancy, Brain Builders

Did you have chicken pox when you were a child? Ninety percent of women today are immune to chicken pox. If you didn’t have chicken pox, you may be one of the 1 in 2000 women who will develop it during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 10 (part 2) - Vaccinations and Immunizations

Immunizations and vaccinations protect you from diseases. A vaccine is usually given by injection or taken orally. Each vaccine dose contains a very small amount of a weakened form of the disease.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 10 (part 1) - How Your Baby Is Growing and Developing

When pregnancy is confirmed, it can affect you in many ways. Some women see pregnancy as a sign of womanhood. Some consider it a blessing. Still others feel it’s a problem. If you aren’t excited about pregnancy, don’t feel alone. It’s common.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 9 (part 3)

We have had pregnant women ask us the most bizarre questions or present us with information that is totally incorrect or only partially correct. When we ask them where they found these facts, they often tell us “the Internet.”

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 9 (part 2) - Some General Lifestyle Precautions

We recommend you don’t take a chance with a sauna, hot tub or spa. Your baby relies on you to maintain correct body temperature. If your body temperature gets high enough, and stays there for a while, it may hurt the baby.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 9 (part 1) - How Your Baby Is Growing and Developing

Baby’s arms and legs are longer. Fingers are longer, and the tips are slightly enlarged where touch pads are developing. The feet are approaching the midline of the body and may meet in front of the torso.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 8 (part 3) - Braces during Pregnancy?

It seems people of all ages are getting braces these days. We’ve been asked by women about braces for their teeth during pregnancy. They want to know if it’s OK to continue wearing braces during pregnancy, and they want to know if they can have braces put on when they’re pregnant.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 8 (part 2) - Miscarriage and Stillbirth

Nearly every pregnant woman thinks about miscarriage during pregnancy, but it occurs in only about 20% of all pregnancies. Miscarriage occurs when a pregnancy ends before the embryo or fetus can survive on its own outside the uterus, usually within the first 3 months.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 8 (part 1)

Your uterus is getting bigger, so you should be noticing a change in your waistline and the fit of your clothes. Your healthcare provider will see that your uterus is enlarged, if you have a pelvic exam.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 7 (part 3) - Sexual Intimacy During Pregnancy

Many couples want to know if it’s all right to have sexual intercourse during pregnancy. Many men wonder if sex can harm a growing baby. Sexual relations are usually OK for a healthy pregnant woman and her partner.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 7 (part 2) - Using Over-the-Counter Medicines

Nearly 65% of all pregnant women use some sort of medicine during pregnancy, including nonprescription medicine, also called over-the-counter medication. Often, it is used to treat pain and discomfort.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 7 (part 1) - How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development

A group of medical conditions considered genetic disorders occur more commonly among Ashkenazi Jews, who are of eastern European descent. About 95% of the Jewish population in North America is of Ashkenazi heritage.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 6 (part 4)

During your pregnancy, you need to be selective in the foods you choose. Eating the right foods, in the correct amounts, takes planning. Eat foods high in vitamins and minerals, especially iron, calcium, magnesium, folate and zinc. You also need fiber.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 6 (part 3)

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a severe infection of the upper genital organs involving the uterus, the Fallopian tubes and even the ovaries. There may be pelvic pain, or there may be no symptoms at all.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 6 (part 2)

Your bowel habits will probably change during pregnancy. Most women notice some constipation. Two things add to the problem in pregnancy—increased hormones and blood-volume increase. You may not be drinking enough fluid, which can cause dehydration (and constipation) in you.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 6 (part 1) - Changes in You

Heartburn discomfort (pyrosis) is one of the most common discomforts of pregnancy. Heartburn is defined as a burning sensation in the middle of your chest; it often occurs soon after eating. You may also experience an acid or bitter taste in your mouth and increased pain when you bend over or lie down.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 5 (part 3) - Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy when the egg implants outside the uterine cavity, usually in the tube. Ninety-five percent of all ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tube (hence the term tubal pregnancy).

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 5 (part 2) - Fatigue in Pregnancy

You may feel exhausted early in pregnancy. It may be hard to get out of bed in the morning, or you may find yourself falling asleep in the middle of the afternoon. Don’t worry—this is normal, especially in early pregnancy. Your body uses a lot of energy as your baby grows.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 5 (part 1) - Nausea and Vomiting

As early as this week, a plate that will become the heart has developed. Two tubes join to form the heart, and it begins to contract by day 22 of development. A beating heart is visible as early as 5 to 6 weeks of pregnancy during an ultrasound examination.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 4 (part 2) - Your Nutrition, Environmental Pollutants and Pregnancy

You probably won’t be able to eat all you want during pregnancy, unless you are one of the lucky women who doesn’t have a problem with calories. Even then, you must pay strict attention to the types of foods you choose.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 4 (part 1) - How Your Actions Affect Your Baby’s Development

During pregnancy, nearly every parent worries about whether their baby will be perfect. Most parents worry unnecessarily. Major birth defects occur in few births. Most birth defects occur during the first trimester.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 3 (part 3) - Folic-Acid Use

Folic acid, also referred to as folate, folacin or vitamin B9, is very important during pregnancy. Folate is the form of folic acid found in food. Folic acid is the synthetic version of this B vitamin. It’s important to take folic acid before trying to get pregnant and during early pregnancy because this is when it is most helpful.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 3 (part 2) - Exercise during Pregnancy?

Exercise is important to many pregnant women. In fact, studies show more than 60% of all pregnant women exercise. However, statistics also show that only 15% of pregnant women engage in 30 minutes of moderate exercise five or more times a week.

Pregnancy Week by Week : Week 3 (part 1)

Some women can tell when they ovulate. They may feel mild cramping or pain, or they may have an increased vaginal discharge. Occasionally when the fertilized egg implants in the uterine cavity, a woman may notice a small amount of bleeding.