Menopause & Living Well See All  Perimenopause in Menopause & Living Well Perimenopause is the time around menopause when your body begins to change. You become less fertile and hormone levels fluctuate. ...more  Estrogen's Effects on the Female Body in Menopause & Living Well In addition to regulating the menstrual cycle, estrogen affects the reproductive tract, the urinary tract, the heart and blood vessels, bones, breasts, skin, hair, mucous membranes, pelvic muscles, and the brain.

Your Changing Body See All  Headaches in Early Pregnancy in Your Changing Body Managing headaches is especially tricky in the first trimester when you should avoid many medicines. ...more  Hormones During Pregnancy in Your Changing Body Many hormone levels are affected in the body during pregnancy, with several hormones playing major roles. ...more  Weight Gain During Pregnancy in Your Changing Body Average weight gain for women is between 25 and 35 pounds, although slight deviations from this may also be considered normal.

Your Growing Baby See All  Anatomy: Fetus in Utero in Your Growing Baby Definitions of terms related to the anatomy of a fetus in utero....more  First Trimester in Your Growing Baby 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....more  Second Trimester in Your Growing Baby During this trimester, the weight of your growing baby will multiply more than 7 times — and you will start showing more.

Preparing for Pregnancy See All  Nutrition Before Pregnancy in Preparing for Pregnancy Pre-conception nutrition is a vital part of preparing for pregnancy. Read on to learn more about your nutritional needs before getting pregnant. ...more  Folic Acid for a Healthy Baby in Preparing for Pregnancy 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.

Pregnancy Tests and Procedures  See All  Amniocentesis in Pregnancy Tests and Procedures Amniocentesis is a procedure used to take out a small sample of the amniotic fluid for testing. ...more  Cesarean Section in Pregnancy Tests and Procedures Cesarean section or C-section is the surgical delivery of a baby through a cut (incision) made in the mother's abdomen and uterus.

Now That You're Pregnant See All  Signs of Pregnancy/The Pregnancy Test in Now That You're Pregnant The signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman, but the most obvious sign usually is a missed period. ...more  Calculating a Due Date in Now That You're Pregnant 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.

Pregnancy See All Preparing for Pregnancy See All Now That You're Pregnant See All Your Growing Baby See All Your Changing Body See All Pregnancy Tests and Procedures  See All  Nutrition Before Pregnancy in Preparing for Pregnancy Pre-conception nutrition is a vital part of preparing for pregnancy. Read on to learn more about your nutritional needs before getting pregnant.

A Woman's Journey See All Adolescence See All Childbearing Years See All Pregnancy See All Menopause & Living Well See All  Anatomy of the Breasts in Growth and Development, Menstrual Health and Conditions A closer look at the structure of the breast....more  Anatomy of Female Pelvic Area in Growth and Development, Menstrual Health and Conditions The female pelvic area contains a number of organs and structures: the endometrium, uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and vulva.