Pregnancy

In the first trimester hormone changes can cause nausea and vomiting. This is called "morning sickness," although it can occur at any time of day. Morning sickness usually tapers off by the second trimester. What Might Help Eat several small meals i...

In the first trimester hormone changes can cause n...

During pregnancy blood volume increases greatly. This can cause veins to enlarge. Plus, pressure on the large veins behind the uterus causes the blood to slow in its return to the heart. For these reasons, varicose veins in the legs and anus (hemorrh...

During pregnancy blood volume increases greatly. T...

Temporary bladder control problems are common in pregnancy. Your unborn baby pushes down on the bladder, uretha, and pelvic floor muscles. This pressure can lead to more frequent need to urinate, as well as leaking of urine when sneezing, coughing, o...

Temporary bladder control problems are common in p...

Many women develop mild swelling in the face, hands, or ankles at some point in their pregnancies. As the due date approaches, swelling often becomes more noticeable. What Might Help Drink eight to 10 glasses of fluids daily. Don't drink caffeine or...

Many women develop mild swelling in the face, hand...

Stretch marks are red, pink, or brown streaks on the skin. Most often they appear on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and breasts. These scars are caused by the stretching of the skin, and usually appear in the second half of pregnancy. Some women noti...

Stretch marks are red, pink, or brown streaks on t...

Feelings of swelling, tingling, and numbness in fingers and hands, called carpal tunnel syndrome, can occur during pregnancy. These symptoms are due to swelling of tissues in the narrow passages in your wrists, and they should disappear after deliver...

Feelings of swelling, tingling, and numbness in fi...

Nosebleeds and nasal stuffiness are common during pregnancy. They are caused by the increased amount of blood in your body and hormones acting on the tissues of your nose. What Might Help Blow your nose gently. Drink fluids and use a cool mist humid...

Nosebleeds and nasal stuffiness are common during ...

At different times during your pregnancy, you might have sudden muscle spasms in your legs or feet. They usually occur at night. This is due to a change in the way your body processes calcium. What Might Help Gently stretch muscles. Get mild exercis...

At different times during your pregnancy, you migh...

Hemorrhoids (HEM-roidz) are swollen and bulging veins in the rectum. They can cause itching, pain, and bleeding. Up to 50 percent of pregnant women get hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy for many reasons. During pregnancy blood volu...

Hemorrhoids (HEM-roidz) are swollen and bulging ve...

About 20 percent of pregnant women feel itchy during pregnancy. Usually women feel itchy in the abdomen. But red, itchy palms and soles of the feet are also common complaints. Pregnancy hormones and stretching skin are probably to blame for most of y...

About 20 percent of pregnant women feel itchy duri...

Hormones and the pressure of the growing uterus cause indigestion and heartburn. Pregnancy hormones slow down the muscles of the digestive tract. So food tends to move more slowly and digestion is sluggish. This causes many pregnant women to feel blo...

Hormones and the pressure of the growing uterus ca...

During your pregnancy, you might feel tired even after you've had a lot of sleep. Many women find they're exhausted in the first trimester. Don't worry, this is normal! This is your body's way of telling you that you need more rest. In the second tri...

During your pregnancy, you might feel tired even a...

A woman's breasts increase in size and fullness during pregnancy. As the due date approaches, hormone changes will cause your breasts to get even bigger to prepare for breastfeeding. Your breasts may feel full, heavy, or tender. In the third trimeste...

A woman's breasts increase in size and fullness du...

Many pregnant women complain of dizziness and lightheadedness throughout their pregnancies. Fainting is rare but does happen even in some healthy pregnant women. There are many reasons for these symptoms. The growth of more blood vessels in early pre...

Many pregnant women complain of dizziness and ligh...

Many pregnant women complain of constipation. Signs of constipation include having hard, dry stools; fewer than three bowel movements per week; and painful bowel movements. Higher levels of hormones due to pregnancy slow down digestion and relax musc...

Many pregnant women complain of constipation. Sign...

As your uterus expands, you may feel aches and pains in the back, abdomen, groin area, and thighs. Many women also have backaches and aching near the pelvic bone due the pressure of the baby's head, increased weight, and loosening joints. Some pregna...

As your uterus expands, you may feel aches and pai...

If your baby is overduePregnancy normally lasts about 40 weeks (that's around 280 days from the first day of your last period). Most women go into labour within a week either side of this date, but some women go overdue.If your labour doesn't start b...

If your baby is overduePregnancy normally lasts ab...

Your babyIn these last weeks, some time before birth, the baby’s head may move down into your pelvis and is said to be ‘engaged’. Sometimes the baby’s head doesn’t engage until labour has started. The amniotic fluid now turns into waste, called mecon...

Your babyIn these last weeks, some time before bir...

Your babyBy 33 weeks of pregnancy the baby’s brain and nervous system are fully developed. Your baby's bones are also starting to harden, even though the skull bones will stay soft and separated to make the journey through the birth canal (cervix and...

Your babyBy 33 weeks of pregnancy the baby’s brain...

Your babyWhen you're 30 weeks pregnant the baby’s head-to-bottom length is about 33cm. The baby is growing plumper so the skin, which was quite wrinkled before, is now smoother. The white, greasy vernix and the soft, furry lanugo (fine hair) begin to...

Your babyWhen you're 30 weeks pregnant the baby’s ...

Your babyBy the time you are 25 or 26 weeks pregnant the baby is moving about vigorously and responds to touch and sound. A very loud noise may make her or him jump and kick. Your baby is also swallowing small amounts of the amniotic fluid in which i...

Your babyBy the time you are 25 or 26 weeks pregna...