Pregnancy and Newborns

Getting Started Healthy Pregnancy Quizchevron_right Due Date Calculatorchevron_right Drugs and Pregnancy Quizchevron_right Multiple Births Quizchevron_right Today in Health News No Sign That ADHD Meds in Pregnancy Can Raise Odds for ADHD, Autism in Kids Read this Article More Health News Know Your Risks Postpartum Depression Assessment Having a baby is a life-changing event, so it’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed. However, if your spirits are down despite your new bundle of joy, it may be a sign of postpartum depression. Take our online assessment to help determine your risk. Preparing for Pregnancy See All Planning Ahead See All Difficulty Getting Pregnant See All Now that You're Pregnant See All  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. ...more Your Changing Body See All  Anatomy: Fetus in Utero in Your Changing Body Definitions of terms related to the anatomy of a fetus in utero....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. ...more  Common Discomforts During Pregnancy in Your Changing Body Nausea and vomiting are common in the first trimester, as is fatigue. Other common discomforts are hemorrhoids and heartburn. ...more  Pregnancy and Posture in Your Changing Body Much back pain in pregnancy is related to the strain on your back from the weight of your growing baby. Using proper posture can help prevent and even relieve some of the pain. ...more  Hemorrhoids and Varicose Veins in Pregnancy in Your Changing Body 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. ...more  Pregnancy and Heartburn in Your Changing Body Chances are good that you're one of many pregnant women 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. ...more Your First Trimester See All  Folic Acid for a Healthy Baby in Your First Trimester 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. ...more  First Trimester in Your First Trimester 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  First Trimester Screening in Your First Trimester First trimester screening combines fetal ultrasound and blood tests for the mother. It’s done during the first trimester of pregnancy, during weeks 1 to 12 or 13. It can help find out the risk of the fetus having certain birth defects. ...more  Headaches in Early Pregnancy in Your First Trimester Managing headaches is especially tricky in the first trimester when you should avoid many medicines. ...more  First Trimester Fatigue in Your First Trimester For many women, 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. ...more Your Second Trimester See All  Second Trimester in Your Second Trimester During this trimester, the weight of your growing baby will multiply more than 7 times — and you will start showing more. ...more  Second Trimester Prenatal Screening Tests in Your Second Trimester Screening is usually performed by taking a sample of the mother's blood between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy (16th to 18th is ideal). ...more  We're Pregnant—Tips for the Expectant Dad in Your Second Trimester 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. ...more  Tips for Traveling Moms-to-Be in Your Second Trimester 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. ...more  Pregnancy and Skin Changes in Your Second Trimester For many women, 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. ...more Your Third Trimester See All  Third Trimester in Your Third Trimester 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). ...more  Pregnancy and Posture in Your Third Trimester Much back pain in pregnancy is related to the strain on your back from the weight of your growing baby. Using proper posture can help prevent and even relieve some of the pain. ...more  Back Pain in Pregnancy in Your Third Trimester Back pain is common in pregnancy because of your changing body. Here are ideas on what you can do to cope. ...more  Hemorrhoids and Varicose Veins in Pregnancy in Your Third Trimester 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. ...more  Pregnancy and Heartburn in Your Third Trimester Chances are good that you're one of many pregnant women 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. ...more  Biophysical Profile in Your Third Trimester A biophysical profile is a test that is sometimes used during the third trimester of pregnancy. It is often done if there is a question about the baby’s health. This may be because of other test results or certain pregnancy symptoms, or because your pregnancy is high risk. ...more Pregnancy Tests and Procedures See All Detailed Test & Procedure Guides See All  Common Tests During Pregnancy in Pregnancy Tests and Procedures Certain tests and screenings may be scheduled during your pregnancy. Your health care provider will advise you on which tests you'll need. ...more  Maternal and Fetal Testing in Pregnancy Tests and Procedures Women with high-risk pregnancies often need a close watch for potential problems or complications. Many tests and procedures are available to monitor the health of both mother and baby....more Healthy Pregnancy Lifestyles See All Nutrition See All Exercise and Work See All Relationships, Sex, and Intimacy See All Safety for You and Your Baby See All  Tips for Traveling Moms-to-Be in Healthy Pregnancy Lifestyles 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. ...more Pregnancy Complications See All Types of Complications See All Multiple Pregnancy See All  Medical Conditions and Pregnancy in Pregnancy Complications 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. ...more  Warning Signs During Pregnancy in Pregnancy Complications Call your healthcare provider right away if you have bleeding from the vagina, blurry vision, severe headaches, or other specific symptoms. ...more  Complications of Pregnancy in Pregnancy Complications Some of the more common complications of pregnancy are miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and bleeding. ...more Labor, Birth, and Postpartum See All Labor and Delivery See All Problems After Delivery See All Taking Care of Mom See All  Labor in Labor and Delivery Labor usually starts two weeks before or after the estimated date of delivery. No one knows exactly what triggers the onset of labor. ...more  Delivery in Labor and Delivery 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. ...more  Postpartum Hemorrhage in Problems After Delivery Postpartum hemorrhage is more bleeding than normal after the birth of a baby. About 1 in 100 to 5 in 100 women have postpartum hemorrhage. It is more likely with a cesarean birth. It most often happens after the placenta is delivered, but it can also happen later. ...more  Postpartum Thyroiditis in Problems After Delivery Postpartum thyroiditis happens when a woman’s thyroid becomes inflamed after having a baby. It may first cause your thyroid to be overactive. But over time it leads to an underactive thyroid. This affects a small percentage of pregnant women. ...more  The New Mother: Taking Care of Yourself After Birth in Taking Care of Mom You will need plenty of rest, good nutrition, and help during the first few weeks after your baby is born. ...more  Contraception/Birth Control in Taking Care of Mom You have a lot of choices when it comes to birth control. Some methods don't need a healthcare provider's visit. But others, like oral contraceptives, are available only by prescription. ...more Your Newborn Baby See All Preparing for Your Baby See All Baby's Care in the Hospital See All Your Amazing Newborn See All Baby's Care at Home See All Keeping Your Baby Safe See All When to Call the Doctor See All  Choosing Your Child's Healthcare Provider in Preparing for Your Baby A pediatrician, family practice healthcare provider, physician's assistant, family nurse practitioner, or pediatric nurse practitioner can be your baby's primary care provider. The medical specialty dealing with children is called pediatrics. ...more  Newborn Babies: Getting Ready at Home in Preparing for Your Baby Newborns need just some basic items at first. These include a warm and safe place to sleep, food, clothing, and diapers. Here's a helpful guide to the essentials. ...more  Baby's Care After a Vaginal Delivery in Baby's Care in the Hospital Healthy babies born in a vaginal delivery are usually able to stay with the mother. In many cases, immediate newborn assessments are performed right in the mother's room. ...more  Baby's Care After a Cesarean Delivery in Baby's Care in the Hospital Because babies born by cesarean may have difficulty clearing some of the lung fluid and mucus, extra suctioning of the nose, mouth, and throat are often needed. ...more  Assessments for Newborn Babies in Tests and Procedures Each newborn baby is carefully checked at birth for signs of problems or complications....more  Physical Exam of the Newborn in Tests and Procedures A complete physical exam is an important part of newborn care. Each body system is carefully checked for signs of health and normal function. ...more  Infant Play in Your Amazing Newborn Read on for helpful suggestions for activities and toys for your baby, according to their age. ...more  Newborn Reflexes in Your Amazing Newborn Ever wonder why your baby flings his arms out sideways when startled? This reaction-- called the Moro reflex--is one of many natural reflexes your newborn should exhibit. Read on to learn about common newborn reflexes and what they mean. ...more  Circumcision for Children in Tests and Procedures, Baby's Care at Home Circumcision is a surgery to remove the skin covering the end of the penis. This is called the foreskin. This surgery is most often done 1 or 2 days after a baby's birth. Read on to learn more about this procedure. ...more  Bathing and Skin Care for the Newborn in Baby's Care at Home Bath time is a great time to bond with your newborn while keeping his or her skin healthy and cuddly soft. Get the fact - îand proper supplies - to make these moments safe and enjoyable for both you and baby. ...more  Installing and Using Child Safety Seats and Booster Seats in Preparing for Your Baby, Keeping Your Baby Safe As part of your preparation for your new baby, you probably got an infant safety seat for the car. But do you know how to make sure it’s installed properly? And when do you switch to a child safety seat? Learn the ins and outs of safe car travel for your little one. ...more  Childhood Immunizations in Tests and Procedures, Keeping Your Baby Safe Your little one will need several immunization shots to help protect them from several childhood diseases, some of which can be deadly. Read on for helpful advice on which shots they need and when--and what to do if they have a minor reaction. ...more  Behavior Changes in When to Call the Doctor Your baby's activity level, appetite, and cries normally vary from day to day, and even hour to hour. But a distinct change in any of these areas may signal illness. ...more  Skin Color Changes in When to Call the Doctor The color of a baby's skin can often help identify possible problems in another area of the body. Here are some skin color changes to be aware of. ...more When Baby Needs Special Care See All The NICU See All Problems and Conditions See All Birth Defects and Genetic Disorders See All  Newborn Warning Signs in The NICU Most newborns adjust well to the outside world. But it's helpful to know about these warning signs that could indicate a possible problem. ...more  When a Baby Has Difficulty After Birth in The NICU Some babies may have difficulty at birth. These include babies who are born prematurely, have a difficult delivery, or have birth defects. Here's what you need to know. ...more  Prematurity in Weight and Growth Problems A baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature or born too early. The number of premature births in the U.S. is rising. Twins and other multiples are more likely to be premature than single birth babies. ...more  Very Low Birth Weight in Weight and Growth Problems Very low birth weight is a term used to describe babies who are born weighing less than 3 pounds, 4 ounces. It is very rare that babies are born this tiny. Only about 1 in 100 babies born in the U.S. are very low birth weight. ...more  Sex During Pregnancy in Respiratory Disorders In most cases, sex during pregnancy is safe. In fact, with your healthcare provider's approval, sexual relations can continue until delivery. ...more  Chronic Lung Disease in Premature Babies in Respiratory Disorders Chronic lung disease is the general term for long-term breathing problems in premature babies. It’s also called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Here's what you need ot know about this condition. ...more  Blood Types in Pregnancy in Blood Disorders A baby may have the blood type and Rh factor of either parent, or a combination of both parents. ...more  Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN) in Blood Disorders Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) is a blood problem in newborns. It occurs when your baby's red blood cells break down at a fast rate.  It’s also called erythroblastosis fetalis. ...more  Blood Circulation in the Fetus and Newborn in Heart Disorders During pregnancy, the fetal lungs are not used for breathing - the placenta does the work of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide through the mother's circulation. With the first breaths of air the baby takes at birth, the fetal circulation changes. ...more  Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) in Heart Disorders Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart defect found in the days or weeks after birth. Read on to learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. ...more  Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in Newborns in Fever and Infections CMV (cytomegalovirus) is a herpes virus. It is very common. It affects people of all ages and in all parts of the U.S. In most cases CMV causes mild symptoms, or no symptoms at all. But it can cause serious problems in an unborn baby or newborn. ...more  Group B Streptococcus Infection in Babies in Fever and Infections Group B streptococcus (strep) is a type of bacteria. It can be found in the digestive tract, urinary tract, and genital area of adults. About 1 in 4 pregnant women carry GBS in their rectum or vagina. During pregnancy, the mother can pass the infection to the baby. The fetus can get GBS during pregnancy. Newborns can get it from the mother's genital tract during delivery. ...more  Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in Other Conditions Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby younger than 1 year old. SIDS is sometimes called crib death because the death may happen when a baby is sleeping in a crib. It’s one of the leading causes of death in babies from ages 1 month to 1 year. Read on to learn more. ...more  Birth Injuries in Other Conditions Some babies have a more difficult trip through the birth canal than others, resulting in physical injuries. These injuries usually are not serious and clear up or improve within a few days or weeks after the birth. ...more  Hypoglycemia in a Newborn Baby in Blood Disorders, Blood Sugar Disorders Hypoglycemia is when the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood is too low. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the brain and the body. In a newborn baby, low blood sugar can happen for many reasons. It can cause problems such as shakiness, blue color to the skin, and breathing and feeding problems. Read on to learn more. ...more  Diabetes During Pregnancy: Risks to the Baby in Blood Sugar Disorders When a mother has diabetes, her baby is at risk for problems. Read on to learn more....more  Necrotizing Enterocolitis in the Newborn in Digestive Disorders Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious illness in newborns. It happens when tissue in the large intestine (colon) gets inflamed. This inflammation damages and sometimes kills the tissue in your baby’s colon. ...more  Gastroesophageal Reflux in Children in Digestive Disorders Gastroesophageal reflux is a digestive disorder. With this condition, acidic stomach juices, food, and fluids flow back up into your child’s esophagus. Read on to learn about causes, symptoms, and treatment. ...more  Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in Babies, Drugs, and Alcohol Neonatal abstinence syndrome is what happens when babies are exposed to drugs in the uterus before birth. Babies can then go through drug withdrawal after birth. ...more  Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Babies, Drugs, and Alcohol A baby born to a mother who drinks alcohol during pregnancy can have many problems. This is called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). ...more  Retinopathy of Prematurity in Vision and Hearing Disorders Retinopathy of prematurity is an eye problem that happens to premature babies. The retina lines the back of the eye. It receives light as it comes through the pupil. From there, the optic nerve sends signals to the brain. Retinopathy of prematurity is a problem of the blood vessels of the retina. ...more  Hearing Loss in Babies in Vision and Hearing Disorders Hearing loss in babies is rare in this country. But when it does happen, it's important to diagnose it early. Undetected hearing loss can delay speech and language development. ...more  Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Babies in Brain Disorders Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is bleeding inside or around the ventricles in the brain. The ventricles are the spaces in the brain that contain the cerebral spinal fluid. ...more  Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) in Children in Brain Disorders Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a softening of white brain tissue near the ventricles. The ventricles are fluid-filled chambers in the brain. ...more  Anorectal Malformation in Children in Birth Defects and Genetic Disorders Anorectal malformations are birth defects, or problems that happen as an unborn baby is developing during pregnancy. With this defect, the anus and rectum don’t develop properly. They are the lower part of the digestive tract. ...more  Birth Defects in Children in Birth Defects and Genetic Disorders A birth defect is a health problem or abnormal physical change that is present when a baby is born. Birth defects can be very mild, where the baby looks and acts like any other baby. Or birth defects can be more severe. Read on to learn more. ...more Feeding Your Baby See All Breastfeeding Basics See All Breastfeeding Difficulties See All Going Back to Work See All Pumping and Storing Breast Milk See All Breastfeeding Your High-Risk Newborn See All  Infant Nutrition in Feeding Your Baby Choosing how to feed your baby is an important decision that has life-long effects for your baby and for you. ...more  Feeding Guide for the First Year in Feeding Your Baby It's important to feed your baby a variety of healthy foods at the correct time. Learn more with this helpful guide. ...more  Bottle-Feeding in Feeding Your Baby Detailed information on bottle-feeding, including information on the different types of baby formulas. ...more Interactive Tools See All  Ovulation Date Calculator When you are trying to have a baby, fertile times are an important factor. Use this information about your cycles to help to predict your more fertile times and when you will ovulate....more  Due Date Calculator It is important to know your estimated due date in order to help plan for the baby's birth....more  Smoking and Pregnancy Quiz Do you know the health risks of smoking? Avoiding them can help you have a healthy pregnancy and baby....more  Healthy Pregnancy Quiz Test your knowledge of which behaviors are most helpful and harmful to your developing baby....more  Postpartum Depression Assessment Having a baby is a life-changing event, so it’s completely normal to feel a bit overwhelmed. However, if your spirits are down despite your new bundle of joy, it may be a sign of postpartum depression. Take our online assessment to help determine your risk....more Multimedia See All  Exercise During Pregnancy Exercise during pregnancy helps keep your body strong and your baby healthy. But there are some exercises that you shouldn’t do. Learn about the changes your body goes through during pregnancy. Find out what you can do to stay fit and healthy....more