Pregnancy - A Time for Radical Change

Pregnancy presents a time of big changes in every dimension. There's the obvious weight gain and changing shape.

Pregnancy – Body Image and Expectant Moms

Pregnancy involves a range of issues, both physiological and emotional. Though complex, dealing with physical issues well understood. The hormonal changes have been thoroughly studied and medical technology has maximized the odds of a good outcome. Dealing with the psychological issues is less straight forward, but just as important.

Pregnancy – Caesarean Pros and Cons

Caesarean sections - delivery by creating an opening through the abdominal wall - has been used for centuries and vaginal childbirth where the new baby emerges through the uterus and vaginal opening, has been the most common method of childbirth for millennia.

Pregnancy – Choosing a Physician

Choosing a Physician to deliver your baby is one of the most worrisome things for any newly pregnant woman. But you can reduce that anxiety by dividing your questions into two sets. One list will involve objective factors, the other will cover issues that are not so easy to quantify.

Pregnancy – Common Gastrointestinal Complaints

Common gastrointestinal complaints that accompany pregnancy is something most are familiar with. Nausea and other conditions are common but is there anything an expectant mom can do to relieve them?

Pregnancy – Danger Signs in Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be uncomfortable in many ways throughout the nine months. But some aspects are within normal range, others can signal serious issues. Only your physician can provide definitive answers. Knowing the common risk signals can help mothers decide in seeking professional advice. Always err on the side of caution.

Pregnancy – Home Pregnancy Tests

Pregnancy tests in days past would often take weeks to get the results, after a visit to your doctor. Today, you can have the answer in minutes with a home pregnancy test.

Pregnancy – Pain Control Options

Pain control options during child birth are numerous and mothers report that few things are as painful, or as rewarding, as giving birth. How much pain, for how long and when varies enormously among individual women. But expectant women, especially when giving birth the first time, may want less pain in order to better enjoy the reward. For them, there are many choices.

Pregnancy – Post-Natal Depression IS Treatable

Post-Natal Depression IS Treatable even though anywhere from 5-25% of women who give birth get some form of post-natal depression. One reason for range in the numbers is the difficulty of pinning down exactly what it is. But women who have had it know too well what it feels like.

Pregnancy – Proper Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy

Proper nutrition for a healthy pregnancy is a major key for optimal health for any expectant mother. She will want first and foremost to optimize her health and that of her growing baby.

Pregnancy – The First Stage of Labor, What to Expect

Once the first stage of labor begins, you'll need to prepare yourself mentally for the day. For some, especially after a first child, this is an easy task. For others, anxiety builds. The best way to relieve that tension is to find out what to expect on that golden day.

Pregnancy – What Affects Fertility?

What affects fertility? There are dozens of factors that affect the odds of conception. Fewer than two-thirds of couples trying to conceive succeed within six months. Fortunately, 90% of women trying to get pregnant do so within 18 months.

Pregnancy – What is Amniocentesis?

Inside the uterus, surrounding your growing baby, is a liquid called 'amniotic fluid'. A long needle is inserted through the abdomen to extract a small sample of that fluid. Using it, doctors can perform tests that indicate potential problems and provide information about the health of the gestating fetus.

Pregnancy – What is an Ultrasound Test?

Ultrasound was introduced in the 1960s, though early tests had limited value. Modern tests are much clearer, some even in 3-D, many showing motion. There are a variety of tests that an expectant mother can have performed to gain information about the health of her growing fetus.

Pregnancy – What to do when Labor Arrives?

It can be difficult to know exactly when labor begins in earnest. But some signs are unmistakable. One such occurs when your new baby's head exerts pressure on the amniotic sac and it breaks. When your 'water breaks' (the liquid isn't just water, but amniotic fluid), labor is imminent.

Pregnancy – What’s a Midwife?

For centuries giving birth was strictly an affair between the pregnant woman and a midwife. Though not always present, a mid-wife would frequently aid in the birthing process. The role was often performed by an older woman who had previously experienced birth herself. She gave comfort, medical knowledge based on real experience and a second pair of hands at a critical time.

Pregnancy – Your Delivery Options

There are many delivery option and after nine months of hormonal changes, carrying extra weight and reduced movement many will want to just get it over. But the race is won at the final leg and Lamaze, Bradley or other options can help carry you over the finish line in optimal shape.

Pregnancy Massage for Women & Men

Certainly, human males can't get pregnant; But couples often say 'we’re pregnant' when announcing their joyous news. So it's helpful for the man to consider himself as expecting also. His mate will be expecting massages so it's a good idea to know something about the subject.