Pregnancy

Why you need protein during pregnancy The amino acids that make up protein are the building blocks of your body's cells – and of your baby's body as well. It's important to get enough protein throughout your pregnancy, but especially during the secon...

Why you need protein during pregnancy The amino ac...

What is a miscarriage? Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks. (In medical articles, you may see the term "spontaneous abortion" used in place of miscarriage.) About 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and ...

What is a miscarriage? Miscarriage is the loss of ...

Why you need vitamin A during pregnancy Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin stored in the liver, is important for your baby's embryonic growth – including the development of the heart, lungs, kidneys, eyes, and bones, and the circulatory, respiratory, a...

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

What is stillbirth? When a baby dies in utero at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later, it's called a stillbirth. (When a pregnancy is lost before 20 weeks, it's called a miscarriage.) About 1 in 160 pregnancies ends in stillbirth in the United States. Most...

What is stillbirth? When a baby dies in utero at 2...

Why you need vitamin D during pregnancy Your body needs vitamin D to maintain proper levels of calcium and phosphorus, which help build your baby's bones and teeth. A vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can cause growth retardation and skeletal def...

Why you need vitamin D during pregnancy Your body ...

Is it okay to have sex during pregnancy? In most cases, yes. Assuming that you don't have certain complications, having sex shouldn't pose a risk to you or your baby. Your baby is surrounded and cushioned by amniotic fluid, and protected by your uter...

Is it okay to have sex during pregnancy? In most c...

You should avoid exposing yourself to lead during pregnancy. If you have lead-based paint in your home, use cookware containing lead, work with lead solder, or come into contact with art or cosmetic products that contain lead, you might be at risk. I...

You should avoid exposing yourself to lead during ...

Yes, if you're having a healthy, normal pregnancy, sex is safe – although as your third trimester progresses and you get bigger, you may have to be creative about your positioning during sex to avoid discomfort. On the other hand, sex may not be safe...

Yes, if you're having a healthy, normal pregnancy,...

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...

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...

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...

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...