Pregnancy & Childbirth

3-D ultrasound can help parents to bond with their unborn baby. The quality of 3-D scans differs, but done professionally it can show parents their baby's face in utero.

Dec 3, 2009 - Lisl Fair

Ultrasound is done to determine the progress of a pregnancy. Scan images can be either 2-D or 3-D. What is the difference between these two ultrasound techniques?

Dec 3, 2009 - Lisl Fair

Learn how to make a birthing plan; birth plans are one of the first steps to preparing for childbirth.

Dec 3, 2009 - Brenna Coleman

Important changes take place during the second trimester of pregnancy. Many pregnant women experience an "energy surge" and less trouble with morning sickness.

Dec 1, 2009 - Lucy Tashman

A pregnant woman should gain an average of 30 pounds during pregnancy. Healthy weight gain is important to ensure normal birth weight and reduce risk of complications.

Dec 1, 2009 - Lucy Tashman

The circuit training concept can make losing excess baby weight fast and enjoyable. Using exercise machines to their best advantage makes working out fun.

Nov 30, 2009 - Lucy Tashman

In about 1/2 to 3 percent of all pregnancies, the umbilical cord of a fetus develops abnormalities such as outpockets or growths called umbilical cord cysts.

Nov 30, 2009 - Bridget Coila

A miscarriage, sometimes referred to as a spontaneous abortion, is the loss of pregnancy in the first 20 weeks.

Nov 28, 2009 - Pamela Hilton

The 37th week of pregnancy is usually the arrival date for a premature baby, or preemie. Preemies need extra special care in the neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU.

Nov 25, 2009 - Amber Stover

There are many reasons for a woman's back to be sore during pregnancy. Special care and awareness can help lessen the burden and ease the pain.

Nov 25, 2009 - Stephanie Haddad

Although listeriosis is rare, pregnant women are more susceptible to contracting it than the general population. Listeria infection must be prevented during pregnancy.

Nov 25, 2009 - Sharon Kirby

Pregnant women should reduce their consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, as large amounts of these beverages may be harmful to an unborn baby's development.

Nov 24, 2009 - Sharon Kirby

Battling allergies can be tough enough without being pregnant. Luckily, there are ways to manage symptoms and discomfort through the toughest allergy season.

Nov 24, 2009 - Stephanie Haddad

Some foods should be avoided during pregnancy because they may contain harmful bacteria which can lead to food poisoning, and damage the health of a developing baby.

Nov 24, 2009 - Sharon Kirby

The first step towards controlling gestational diabetes is following a regular yet flexible diet plan. Carbohydrate counting can be used to keep sugar levels normal.

Nov 24, 2009 - Swapna Antony

Causes vary, and drugs used to treat migraine headaches are not recommended during pregnancy. Some dietary and treatment guidelines may avoid and alleviate pain.

Nov 23, 2009 - Mary Earhart

During pregnancy, many over-the-counter drugs are off limits. With a few natural remedies and stand-ins, pregnant women can find relief from viral symptoms and stay safe.

Nov 23, 2009 - Stephanie Haddad

When the liver and kidneys fail to support the metabolic changes of pregnancy, both the mother and infant are at risk. Dietary factors matter.

Nov 21, 2009 - Mary Earhart

Cord blood collection is an easy process and cord blood storage is reliable should leukemia or other conditions arise. The cost of cord blood banking is small.

Nov 21, 2009 - Diane Ursu

If a baby isn't born the natural way - vaginally - the baby will be born by a caesarean delivery.

Nov 20, 2009 - Tamara Frank

This article lists the symptoms, complications and risk factors associated with gestational diabetes. Treatment involves a carefully controlled diet and regular exercise.

Nov 19, 2009 - Swapna Antony

Nearly every parent's first question after learning they're pregnant is, "When can I have an ultrasound?" Parents want the early reassurance of "seeing" their baby.

Nov 18, 2009 - Sharon Perkins

Epidural analgesia is standard pain management for 66% of mothers giving birth in U.S. hospitals. Women are often not told about all the side effects.

Nov 18, 2009 - Mary Earhart

Newborns are not only smaller than adults but different and need resuscitation for different reasons. A different approach to the resuscitation of babies is necessary.

Nov 17, 2009 - Mary Earhart

Parents of newborns can choose to store the umbilical cord blood of the newborn for possible future medical use for the child.

Nov 17, 2009 - Stacey Abler

Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells that can be used to treat blood related disorders later in the child's life.

Nov 17, 2009 - Stacey Abler

Most parents expect to have their newborn's umbilical cord clamped and cut shortly after birth. But there may be reasons to wait until the placenta delivers.

Nov 17, 2009 - Mary Earhart

Eating vegetables everyday confers many health benefits. A new study shows expectant mothers with high vegetable intake have babies with lower type 1 diabetes risk.

Nov 16, 2009 - Alicia Richardson

Once a routine procedure, current medical practice does not believe it is absolutely necessary for easy birth. This article elucidates the risks, benefits and recovery.

Nov 15, 2009 - Snigdha Taduri

Long before the advent of the pregnancy test, the human body had its own way of signaling pregnancy. Learn how to identify the earliest signs of an imminent arrival.

Nov 15, 2009 - Yvette Sajem

Up to 70% of pregnant women suffer from occasional nausea and vomiting. Morning sickness may indicate a healthy pregnancy, but its absence is also normal.

Nov 15, 2009 - Molly Markey

Research findings have shown that caffeine can have some negative side effects on both mother and baby during pregnancy, so intake should be limited.

Nov 14, 2009 - Stephanie Haddad

Pregnancy brings with it plenty of joy...which often gives way to worry. Truth is, a mother's womb is baby's first environment. And it must be healthy.

Nov 13, 2009 - Leslie Garrett

The convenience of the birth control shot is accompanied by risks and side effects.

Nov 13, 2009 - Pamela Hilton

Parents of a teenage daughter fear the words, "Mom, Dad, I'm pregnant." If that fear turns into a reality, here's a guide to help.

Nov 12, 2009 - Tamara Frank

Here is a list of foods to eat during labor, comfort supplies for natural childbirth, and water birth supplies.

Nov 11, 2009 - Christy Swift

Here is a list of supplies to have on hand for a home birth, including breastfeeding supplies, newborn necessities, and postpartum must-haves.

Nov 11, 2009 - Christy Swift

Various complications arise during labour requiring certain delivery procedures to be implemented to aid faster and safer birth of the baby.

Nov 10, 2009 - Snigdha Taduri

Prenatal (or antenatal) classes educate you on life with your new baby. An array of topics are covered and prepares parents for what lies ahead. Knowledge is power.

Nov 10, 2009 - Jana Engelbrecht

A successful vaginal delivery usually requires a baby to be in a head-down presentation. To avoid a C-section, any of these methods can be employed with great success.

Nov 10, 2009 - Jennifer Saibil

Umbilical cord prolapse and compression are problems involving a cord undergoing pressure that prevents the baby from getting enough oxygen.

Nov 10, 2009 - Bridget Coila

Getting ready for baby's arrival can be fun and exciting, but what about mom's needs? And dad's, for that matter? Find out what to bring to the hospital for labor.

Nov 10, 2009 - Stephanie Haddad

Women who experience ectopic pregnancy are forced to go through both physical and emotional pain. Although terrifying, there is hope to achieving a healthy pregnancy.

Nov 8, 2009 - Becca Spjute

Men with fertility issues can often improve their sperm quality, low sperm count and increase sperm motility just by modifying behaviors that can affect male fertility.

Nov 8, 2009 - Sharon Perkins

Women trying to get pregnant often rely on ovulation predictor kits to pinpoint the exact time of ovulation. Timing sex to ovulation increases the odds of conception.

Nov 8, 2009 - Sharon Perkins

Many women are deficient in good fats that prevent preterm labor and are the basis for healthy nerves and immune systems in newborns. Choose from these sources.

Nov 7, 2009 - Mary Earhart

For some, holiday travel is a necessity. Fortunately, pregnancy is no reason to skip out on the family, friends, or festivities with these handy tips.

Nov 7, 2009 - Stephanie Haddad

Neural tube defects affect about 2.6 in 1000 births worldwide, with spina bifida and anencephaly accounting up to for 95% of all neural tube defects.

Nov 6, 2009 - Snigdha Taduri

In normal development, the umbilical cord has two arteries and one vein. In cases of single umbilical artery, one of these fetal blood vessels is missing.

Nov 6, 2009 - Bridget Coila

Armed with tips for eating smart, skipping alcohol, and staying comfortable, pregnant women will enjoy this season's holiday party scene!

Nov 5, 2009 - Stephanie Haddad