What are the essential dietary restrictions, hormonal markers, and physical recovery strategies for a healthy pregnancy and postpartum transition?
According to Sutter Health, some women have Braxton-Hicks contractions during their pregnancy; a Braxton-Hicks contraction is an irregular, non-painful tightening of the uterine layers.
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Diastasis recti occurs when the left and right side of the abdominal muscles separate, leaving a gap in the center of the stomach, according to the website Pregnancy-Info.net. This condition is common in pregnant women and premature newborns.
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The 28th week marks the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy. Physical and emotional aches and pains are normal and common. As weight gain approaches its peak, women may find it difficult to get comfortable, even while lying down.
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Painting during pregnancy is not recommended, because the exact effects of the paint fumes are not well-understood by doctors and scientists. Different types of paint pose different risks to pregnant women.
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During pregnancy, the health of the mother can directly affect the health of the unborn baby. Having a fever during pregnancy can have a catastrophic effect on the baby depending on the intensity of the fever and the trimester it occurs in.
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From the time a woman learns she is pregnant, with both anxiety and exhilaration, she wonders how her baby is growing and developing and what to expect next. A pregnancy time line helps her keep track of the many changes taking place within her womb and in her own body.
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Detection of a normal heartbeat in an unborn baby is one measure of the overall health of the pregnancy. An unborn baby has a heartbeat very early in the pregnancy, when the fetus is still in the embryonic stage.
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The sixth month of a pregnancy marks the earliest period in which premature babies have a decent chance at survival.
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The American College of Nurse Midwives reports that 25 percent of pregnant women experience some nausea during pregnancy (without vomiting), and 50 percent will have both nausea and vomiting during the first 16 weeks. Nausea and vomiting are the cardinal symptoms of what is commonly referred to as "morning sickness."
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Sagging breasts are a common concern for a pregnant woman. Unfortunately, sagging breasts are in a large part genetic. It is also normal for breast tissue to sag with age, regardless of whether a woman ever gives birth. This doesn't mean that preventing or slowing down the process of breast sagging is impossible.
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Many patients with chronic pain and other illnesses find relief with Lyrica, but the drug can also cause weight gain. According to the website RxList.com, weight gain is a possible side effect of Lyrica, or pregabalin, which increases in likelihood when the dosage is increased.
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According to "Yoga Journal," expectant mothers should participate in a gentle yoga practice, or none at all, during the first trimester. This trimester is when the fetus is still implanting itself into the uterus, and, therefore, strenuous yoga poses should be avoided to prevent miscarriage.
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From conception to birth the development of a baby follows a predictable path. As cells divide and differentiate, the developing baby begins as a zygote, forms into a blastocyst, becomes an embryo and then transforms into a fetus, all in the first trimester of pregnancy.
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Understand the different types of ultrasounds used during pregnancy, including standard, transvaginal, fetal echocardiography and 3-D ultrasounds. Learn about their purposes and when they are typically performed.
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A Neti pot is a tool used for sinus irrigation. This technique is one of the oldest and most researched forms of treating sinus issues such as infections, allergies and headaches, according to Jalanetipot.com.
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One common early sign of pregnancy is a metallic taste in the mouth. Some women feel as though they're chewing on aluminum foil, while to others, it seems that they have a penny tucked in their cheek.
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Before babies are born, they sleep, practice breathing, swallow and even suck their thumbs--in other words, act like babies. During their time in the womb, babies receive many types of stimuli from the outside world, including tastes, sounds and they can even perceive light.
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As an expectant mom, one of your early concerns during the first trimester will be, 'When can I hear my baby's heartbeat?' In previous decades, a stethoscope-like device was the only available tool, and only the doctor could actually hear the heartbeat.
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Boy or girl? It's perhaps the most common question asked of pregnant women, and many a pregnant woman looks forward to learning the sex of her baby with almost as much anticipation as her due date.
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Manufacturers rely on chlorine bleach to whiten paper pulp and other materials during the production process. Chlorine bleach also plays an important role in wastewater treatment, and is used in many household cleaning products.
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