Facts you should know about pregnancy week to week* A typical pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks. *Pregnancy facts medical author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks and is grouped into three stages, or trimesters. Symptoms and early signs of pregnancy that begin in the first semester include: The absence of...
Introduction Swollen feet are normal during pregnancy, but swollen feet occasionally serve as a warning sign of more significant pregnancy and health concerns. Women can experience a wide array of uncomfortable symptoms when pregnant, including normal swelling, called edema, that can affect the face, hands, legs, ankles, and feet. Every pregnancy experience is different, but...
How can you tell if you are ovulating? Ovulation is the release of a mature egg or ovum from the ovary. The ovum is released from the ovary and it travels to the tube-like structures called the fallopian tubes. Ovulation generally occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Some of the ways that tell...
Is a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) an option for you? Learn about the possible risks and factors that may affect your decision If you have delivered a baby by C-section and you are pregnant again, you may be able to choose between another C-section or a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). VBAC may be...
The most common complication of childbirth is labor that does not progress During labor, a surge of hormones called oxytocin causes the muscles in the mother’s uterus to contract to allow her cervix to dilate and male room for the baby to pass through. Delivery can occur in two ways: vaginal (through the birth canal)...
An epidural is a form of regional anesthesia that blocks pain in a particular region of the body. Most epidural side effects are rare and may include soreness, nausea, shivering, drop in blood pressure, ear ringing, difficulty urinating, backache and soreness. The immense pain that a woman undergoes during labor is the reason they opt...
What is mastitis? Mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue common in new mothers that are breastfeeding. In addition to significant discomfort or pain, common signs include breast tenderness, lumps in breast tissue, and flu-like symptoms. A common condition among new mothers, mastitis affects approximately 1 in 10 breastfeeding women. It involves the inflammation of breast...
Doula vs. midwife quick comparison of differences Doulas and midwives both assist with childbirth and provide support to a pregnant mother. Doulas and midwives are both professionals who assist with childbirth and women’s reproductive health. A doula provides support to the mother before, during, and shortly after childbirth, but does not deliver the baby. A...
For many women who've experienced morning sickness or food aversions in the first trimester of pregnancy, the second trimester is a welcome relief. You may start to have more energy as the tiredness common in the first trimester starts to fade. This is often when the pregnancy begins to seem more real. Your bump may...
Your chances of conceiving decrease as you age. It's natural for you to worry about becoming pregnant when you are past what is considered the fertile and reproductive age, which is below 35 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that about 30% of women between ages 40 and 44 have infertility...