Mother and Child

Yes — in moderation. Seafood is an excellent source of nutrients, but it can contain contaminants (a fact that's received a lot of alarming attention in the press recently). These chemicals include methyl mercury and, to a lesser extent, dioxins, PCB...

Yes — in moderation. Seafood is an excellent sourc...

We don't have any evidence that bleaching your teeth during pregnancy poses any risks to you or your baby. However, there isn't enough data to tell us for sure whether it's safe or not. Because of this, healthcare providers recommend that you wait un...

We don't have any evidence that bleaching your tee...

Carrying a toddler during pregnancy probably isn't a good idea. As your belly expands, your center of gravity shifts. This puts lot of pressure on your lower back. Also, body changes early in pregnancy can make you more prone to feeling lightheaded w...

Carrying a toddler during pregnancy probably isn't...

Many pregnant women get heartburn, sometimes referred to as acid indigestion or acid reflux. This condition is generally harmless, but it can be very uncomfortable. Fortunately, most cases can be safely treated with over-the-counter remedies, along w...

Many pregnant women get heartburn, sometimes refer...

Extreme stress, yes; a quick "boo!" to scare away the hiccups, no. Studies have not found any link between the ordinary stresses and frustrations of modern life (like those from a hard day at work or a traffic jam) and miscarriage. Likewise, being st...

Extreme stress, yes; a quick "boo!" to scare away ...

Why you need zinc during pregnancy Your body needs zinc for the production, repair, and functioning of DNA – the body's genetic blueprint and a basic building block of cells. So getting enough zinc is particularly important for the rapid cell growth ...

Why you need zinc during pregnancy Your body needs...

There's no consensus on this, but there's good reason to be cautious when it comes to drinking coffee and other sources of caffeine. A study published in the March 2008 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women who c...

There's no consensus on this, but there's good rea...

Several decades ago, most women who were pregnant with multiples didn't find out until they were in labor. But such late-term surprises are rare today. Women typically discover they're having more than one baby during a routine ultrasound, often in t...

Several decades ago, most women who were pregnant ...

Why you need potassium during pregnancy Potassium, a mineral found in many types of food, plays an important role in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in your body's cells. Potassium is also important in sending nerve impulses, helping your m...

Why you need potassium during pregnancy Potassium,...

Why you need magnesium during pregnancy When you're pregnant, magnesium helps build and repair your body's tissues. A severe deficiency during pregnancy may lead to preeclampsia, poor fetal growth, and even infant mortality. Magnesium and calcium wor...

Why you need magnesium during pregnancy When you'r...

It's no fun being sick, especially during pregnancy, when you're likely to worry about your developing baby's health as much as your own. Fortunately, you may already be immune to a number of contagious diseases. And thanks to a successful vaccinatio...

It's no fun being sick, especially during pregnanc...

What are hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids are blood vessels in the rectal area that have become unusually swollen. They typically range from the size of a pea to the size of a grape and can be inside the rectum or protrude through the anus. Hemorrhoids can b...

What are hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids are blood vessel...

Will I have to deliver by c-section if I'm carrying more than one baby? Not necessarily. Whether you're able to try for a vaginal birth depends a lot on how the babies "present" — that is, how they're positioned in the uterus.Most practitioners recom...

Will I have to deliver by c-section if I'm carryin...

I have gestational diabetes. Now what? If your doctor has diagnosed you with gestational diabetes, you've already undergone some tests to check your blood sugar (or glucose) levels. Having gestational diabetes means that your blood sugar levels are t...

I have gestational diabetes. Now what? If your doc...

How to get the pregnancy nutrients you need from a vegetarian diet"Many pregnant women who eat a vegetarian diet worry that they're not getting enough protein," says Elizabeth Somer, a dietitian and the author of Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy: Th...

How to get the pregnancy nutrients you need from a...

What is gestational diabetes? This is a type of diabetes that some women get during pregnancy. Between 2 and 10 percent of expectant mothers develop this condition, making it one of the most common health problems of pregnancy. // Diabetes is complic...

What is gestational diabetes? This is a type of di...

Why you need vitamin C during pregnancy Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is essential for tissue repair, wound healing, bone growth and repair, and healthy skin. Vitamin C also helps your body fight infection, and it acts as an antioxidant, pr...

Why you need vitamin C during pregnancy Vitamin C,...

Why you need vitamin B6 during pregnancy Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, helps your body metabolize protein, fats, and carbohydrates. It also helps form new red blood cells, antibodies, and neurotransmitters, and is vital to your baby's develop...

Why you need vitamin B6 during pregnancy Vitamin B...

The value of fats in your pregnancy diet Fats are an essential part of a healthy diet, but some fats are better for your health than others. Your goal (whether you're pregnant or not) should be to make sure you get adequate "good" fats in your diet w...

The value of fats in your pregnancy diet Fats are ...

Of course, nothing is 100 percent safe for all women, so it's a good idea to check with your doctor or midwife before taking any kind of medicine during pregnancy – even an over-the-counter product. Don't take more than the recommended dose and, if p...

Of course, nothing is 100 percent safe for all wom...

Why you need copper during pregnancy Copper, a trace mineral found in all plant and animal tissues, is essential for forming red blood cells. This is especially important during pregnancy, when your blood supply doubles. Copper also boosts your body'...

Why you need copper during pregnancy Copper, a tra...