Pregnancy

(Reuters) - The pregnancy rate among U.S. women fell to its lowest point in 12 years in 2009, continuing its slide from a peak in 1990, according to U.S. government data released on Thursday.

(Reuters) - The pregnancy rate among U.S. women fe...

Pregnant women experience nasal stuffiness due to estrogen-induced hypersecretion of mucus. Epistaxis is also common. The safest treatment of these symptoms is a saline nasal spray. The following is a...

Pregnant women experience nasal stuffiness due to ...

Studies show a variable effect of acne in pregnancy. If treatment regimens that were working prior to pregnancy were abandoned, the patient can have initial flares that are not directly...

Studies show a variable effect of acne in pregnanc...

Appropriate childbirth preparation varies with each birthing woman. Women are recommended to learn a variety of coping techniques because one philosophy may not be what is needed during the work...

Appropriate childbirth preparation varies with eac...

Maintaining an active lifestyle during pregnancy adds to a woman's overall health and may reduce complications. Some research shows that women who exercise have shorter easier labors, better newborn health,...

Maintaining an active lifestyle during pregnancy a...

Research indicates that sexual intercourse is safe in the absence of ruptured membranes, bleeding, or placenta previa, but pregnant women engage in sex less often as their pregnancy progresses. No...

Research indicates that sexual intercourse is safe...

Half of women report having back pain at some point during pregnancy. The pain can be lumbar or sacroiliac. The pain may also be present only at night. Back pain...

Half of women report having back pain at some poin...

Most of the newest guidelines revolve around the patient’s individual risks and the likelihood of acute problems during the travel segment. The second trimester is considered the safest time to...

Most of the newest guidelines revolve around the p...

Nearly 20 years have passed since guidelines for pregnancy weight gain have been reissued from the Institute of Medicine (IOM). In that time, more research has been completed to better...

Nearly 20 years have passed since guidelines for p...

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued a warning regarding eating fish in response to the US FDA's consumer advisory about the dangers of eating fish for nursing...

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecolo...

Food concerns during pregnancy include raw vegetables, unpasteurized juices, liver, and undercooked meat, poultry, or eggs. Be aware of food poisoning. Raw vegetables, unpasteurized juices, and undercooked meat, poultry, or...

Food concerns during pregnancy include raw vegetab...

Hair changes in pregnancy are very common, and body hair changes are common as well. Many women develop mild hirsutism that may be due to levels of male hormone production...

Hair changes in pregnancy are very common, and bod...

A significant number of cardiovascular changes occur during pregnancy, which may be accompanied by dyspnea and a reduced tolerance for endurance exercise. During pregnancy, women expand their blood volume by...

A significant number of cardiovascular changes occ...

Pigmentation changes are directly related to melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) elevations during pregnancy. Some evidence suggests that elevated estrogen and progesterone levels cause hyperpigmentation in women. This is typically evident in...

Pigmentation changes are directly related to melan...

Galactorrhea (milk secretion from the nipple) is the product of the combined effects of prolactin, glucocorticoids, progesterone, and human placental lactogen. Galactorrhea is not uncommon in the first trimester, although...

Galactorrhea (milk secretion from the nipple) is t...

Women experience a progressive increase in the anterior convex shape of the lumbar spine during pregnancy. This change, termed lordosis, helps keep the center of gravity stable and over the...

Women experience a progressive increase in the ant...

Serum beta–human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the hormone produced by the syncytiotrophoblast beginning on the day of implantation, and it rises in both the maternal blood stream and the maternal...

Serum beta–human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG...

Statistics over the last five years have shown that more than 81 percent of new born babies are from mothers who are between 20 to 35 years old, a female official at the National Organization for Civil Registration has said. Fatemeh Ahmadi, in an int...

Statistics over the last five years have shown tha...

Nails: Manis and pedis are fine, but bring your instruments from home (to reduce infection risk), and "apply nail polish in a well-ventilated area so you don't inhale the fumes," suggests Joel Evans, M.D., assistant clinical professor of ob-gyn at Al...

Nails: Manis and pedis are fine, but bring your in...

We know: A worry-free pregnancy isn't likely. But when you're feeling harried, it's essential for you and your baby-to-be to unwind."Chronic stress can cause harmful hormones like cortisol to cross the placenta," says Diana Dell, M.D., assistant prof...

We know: A worry-free pregnancy isn't likely. But ...

When you're pregnant, all the "Congrats!" come hand in hand with a stream of cautionary tales and bizarre factoids. What's true and what's not:True or false? If you're stressed out during pregnancy, it'll hurt your baby.False. There's no medical conn...

When you're pregnant, all the "Congrats!" come han...