Barbiturates such as phenobarbital are used to treat epilepsy. These medications are a type of depressant and act on the brain to inhibit the misfiring of the brain in epilepsy. Barbiturates are also a common drug of abuse. Women who abuse barbiturates can experience memory loss, irritability and changes in alertness.

Many women are surprised to learn that even very early in pregnancy, it’s possible to feel -- and look -- several months pregnant. This is due to abdominal bloating, which begins as early as the first few days after conception and can last well into the first trimester.

A cozy, warm electric blanket appeals to many people during the winter months. Electric blankets typically save money compared to turning up the heat when the temperatures drop, but they also present some dangers.

Normally, pregnant women stop having menstrual periods, but vaginal bleeding may still occur during pregnancy. Although the bleeding can be worrisome, it is most common for women during the first trimester, the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnant women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy need extra calories each day to fuel their new baby’s growth, but many women consume far more calories than they need. Excessive eating leads to unnecessary weight gain that can be hard to lose after delivery.

Teenage pregnancy is defined as an unintended pregnancy during adolescence. Approximately 750,000 of 15- to 19-year-olds become pregnant each year, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, though many teenagers do not believe that they will get pregnant if they engage in sexual activity.

Approximately 1 million teenage women become pregnant each year, according to the American Medical Network. Any time a teenage girl engages in unprotected sexual activities, she is at risk for becoming pregnant. Pregnant teens usually experience the same signs as adult pregnant women.

Most women know that the use of alcohol during pregnancy can damage the baby, causing low birth weight, diminished ability to thrive, and a set of symptoms collectively called fetal alcohol syndrome. The government recommends that women who are pregnant avoid all alcohol.

Whether a couple is trying to conceive or hoping to avoid pregnancy, the two-week wait between ovulation and a positive or negative pregnancy test can be emotionally stressful.

Taking care of your body through routine exercise is one of the most important goals you can set during a pregnancy. "While some might think pregnancy is the time to take it easy on the couch, in reality it is the opposite," says Leslie McNabb, a restorative exercise specialist and Pilates instructor in New York City.