Pregnancy

For those who are wondering what is fertility, let us make it clear that we are not talking about any agricultural crop here. Instead, by fertility, we are referring to a couple’s chances of conceiving. For a couple to conceive, it is important for b...

For those who are wondering what is fertility, let...

Ushering a baby into the world is a unique experience. This is one such event that makes the new parents experience a variety of emotions like excitement, happiness, nervousness, etc. Every would-be mother has a unique experience during child-birth, ...

Ushering a baby into the world is a unique experie...

You have just celebrated your first wedding anniversary with a bang. Though you are happy to complete a year with your spouse, but something inside is driving you down. You’ve been making love with your partner several times a month with the intentio...

You have just celebrated your first wedding annive...

Advise pregnant women to avoid travel to malaria-endemic areas if possible. Women who choose to go to areas with malaria can reduce their risk of acquiring malaria by taking appropriate malaria chemoprophylaxis and following insect precautions (see C...

Advise pregnant women to avoid travel to malaria-e...

Pregnant women should be advised of the following: Adhere strictly to food and water precautions in developing countries, because the consequences of foodborne and waterborne illness may be more severe than diarrhea and may have serious sequelae (su...

Pregnant women should be advised of the following:...

Commercial air travel poses no special risks to a healthy pregnant woman or her fetus. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states that women with healthy, single pregnancies can fly safely up to 36 weeks’ gestation. The lowered ca...

Commercial air travel poses no special risks to a ...

A pregnant woman should be advised to travel with at least one companion; she should also be advised that, during her pregnancy, her level of comfort may be adversely affected by traveling. Table 8-06 lists the most serious risks that pregnant women ...

A pregnant woman should be advised to travel with ...

During your pregnancy, you'll be offered a range of tests, including blood tests and ultrasound baby scans. These tests are designed to help make your pregnancy safer, to check and assess the development and wellbeing of you and your baby, or to scre...

During your pregnancy, you'll be offered a range o...

Ultrasound scans Most hospitals will offer women at least two ultrasound scans during their pregnancy. The first is usually when you are around 8-14 weeks pregnant and is sometimes called the dating scan, because it can help to determine when the bab...

Ultrasound scans Most hospitals will offer women a...

Get extra help; decide who's in the delivery room Physical Limitations Make some advance preparations for the fact that you are going to have some physical limitations before and after the birth of your new baby. Before the baby's birth, you will be ...

Get extra help; decide who's in the delivery room ...

Labor pain is unique and quite different from everyday chronic and acute pain. Generally, pain is a warning sign that something is wrong, but labor pain acts as an "alert" that the birth process is underway and that you need a safe environment in whi...

Labor pain is unique and quite different from ever...

Types of cesereans A cesarean section is the delivery of your baby by means of a cut in the abdomen. A cesarean rate of around 10-15 percent is thought to be reasonable, although in most Western countries the rate has risen beyond 20 percent and aro...

Types of cesereans A cesarean section is the deli...

Where would you like to deliver your baby? You have several options to choose from, and each one has pros and cons that need to be considered. Talk with your partner and health-care provider about your options. If you're not sure which is best for yo...

Where would you like to deliver your baby? You hav...

The basic postpartum diet is a simple but healthy and wholesome one. It can best be summed up by the following guidelines: Eat foods that supply your body with essential fatty acids, like fresh salmon, nuts, and seeds. Eat whole, preferably organic,...

The basic postpartum diet is a simple but healthy ...

Indications for a C-section Let's start by defining a C-section. A vaginal delivery occurs when the baby is delivered through the vagina by natural means. In a C-section the baby does not go through the birth canal, but rather is pulled out through a...

Indications for a C-section Let's start by definin...

Hours one through six after birth Of course your experiences will depend on your labor and birth and local procedures, but here is what usually occurs in your first 12 hours after birth. 1-2 hours As long as he is well, your baby can be placed in y...

Hours one through six after birth Of course your ...

Houston, We Have a Baby! Shortly after the baby's birth, whether it's a vaginal birth or a c-section, the baby will be evaluated for its ability to adapt and transition normally to life outside the uterus. To aid in this process, the baby is transpor...

Houston, We Have a Baby! Shortly after the baby's ...

As labor approaches, your body starts to prepare itself for the task ahead and you may notice various physical symptoms and signs that labor is about to start. Not every woman experiences labor in the same way, and certain signs can occur either befo...

As labor approaches, your body starts to prepare i...

Breech labors and births are usually more difficult, so if your baby is still in a breech position in late pregnancy, you may be offered a procedure to turn your baby. Turning your baby The procedure to turn your baby, external cephalic version (ECV...

Breech labors and births are usually more difficul...

Male and female fertility issues Although the process of sperm-meets-egg is natural and easy for most couples, some couples who want to conceive a child struggle with infertility. Approximately 6.1 million American women and their partners (which is ...

Male and female fertility issues Although the proc...

The release of an egg Each woman is born with her full quota of follicles that contain immature eggs, some of which will mature and be released in her lifetime. Every month, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), released from the pituitary gland, enco...

The release of an egg Each woman is born with her...