Mothers who require medication for a chronic health condition will be faced with a dilemma: continue therapy and possibly risk harm to their baby or risk under-treating a serious illness, which can be harmful to both.

We have all had days where the idea of staying in bed under the covers seemed extremely appealing. Unfortunately, for many pregnant women, bed rest during pregnancy is not a luxury, but a medical mandate.

by Colette Bouchez

Excerpted from Your Perfectly Pampered Pregnancy

All pregnancy tests look for a special hormone in the urine or blood that is only present when a woman is pregnant. This hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), is also called the pregnancy hormone.

Caffeine is one of the most loved stimulants in America! But now that you are pregnant, you may need to lighten up on the daily intake of your favorite drinks and treats

During pregnancy you may find yourself wrestling in bed trying to get comfortable before falling asleep. Unfortunately, your regular sleep positions may no longer work for you

You may be loosing sleep while you are pregnant for a variety of reasons. Insomnia during pregnancy is normal and affects approximately 78% of pregnant women.

So you don't have to call a maid to do the household cleaning unless you want to. If you are going to stick to doing the dirty work yourself, there are steps that you can take while cleaning during pregnancy to keep you and your baby safe from harm.

Eating well balanced meals is important. Most foods are safe; however there are some foods that you should avoid during pregnancy.

When you discover that you are pregnant, you start asking questions about what is safe to do. Vacation, hobbies, exercise and everyday activities have always just been a part of your life, but now you are wondering if you need to change what you are doing or how you are doing it.

There are few concerns associated with traveling while you are pregnant, however the information below is provided to help make your trip the safest and most comfortable it can be.

You should start taking folic acid prior to getting pregnant, even if you are not trying to conceive. Neural tube defects usually develop very early in pregnancy (18-30 days after conception), often before a women even knows that she is pregnant.

From the very beginning of your pregnancy journey, your breasts are at work. They are evolving and preparing for the arrival of your baby. What changes can you expect?

The term midwife reflects a philosophy of care; one that is more specifically directed at the woman and her individual reproductive needs. A midwife usually offers a variety of options and seeks to eliminate or minimize unnecessary interventions.

If you have other children, deciding how and when to tell them a new family member is on the way can be a challenge. A good rule of thumb is to tailor the news according to the child's age. Here are some "pointers from parents" you may find helpful:

Selecting a doctor who will care for your new baby is an important decision. Schedule interviews before your baby is due with potential pediatricians. In addition to getting specific answers to questions about your baby's care and the office procedures, you'll know if you feel comfortable with him/her.

Due to special situations, your provider may decide to order a non-stress test (NST). An NST monitors a baby's health by showing his/her baseline heart rate and also any increases in the heart rate due to movement.

Have you experienced sharp abdominal pains when in the process of sitting down, standing up, bending over, or rolling over in bed? This is commonly known as Round Ligament Pain.

Although it had long been considered the stuff of old wives tales and legend, using ginger as a remedy to treat morning sickness is rapidly earning a new respect. New studies have confirmed this natural remedy is an extremely effective treatment for the nausea and vomiting that affects up to 90% of all pregnant women.

In cases of Rh incompatibility, a baby's red blood cells have a substance called the Rh D factor, and the mother's blood cells do not. In medical terms, the baby is Rh positive and you are Rh negative.

Expectant mothers of multiples want to know whether twins means twice the gear. The answer, from our Pregnancy.org mothers of multiples, is that it doesn't have to be. You don't really need two of everything, just enough of all the right things.

During a major bout of heartburn accompanied with acid reflux during my second pregnancy, I became pretty crafty about coming up with dinners that wouldn't leave my chest feeling like an open pit of lava.

Becoming a father and a parent can be a transformational process for a man. When a man becomes a father, through loving his child, partner and family, he comes in contact with a deep paternal masculinity. When a child enters a man's life, a new depth of feeling and emotion are awakened within him.

by Julie Snyder

There are many reasons why people get tattoos and piercings. Some common ones are:

• Self expression
  

  "I think as long as they are tactful they are art." ~~Carrie

• To remember a memorable event or person
  

  "To remind me where I have been and that I don't want to return to that point." ~~Bruce

• To feel unique
  

  "I had my tongue pierced way back when and as soon as it became mainstream I took mine out, and now I have my tragus pierced, when it becomes popular, out it will come." ~~Dawn

ICP, otherwise known as Obstetric Cholestasis (OC), refers to a specific liver condition in which the normal flow of bile is impaired in a woman's body resulting severe itching and more rarely, jaundice.

Want to make your birthing experience faster and easier? Would you just love to avoid an arduous and prolonged second stage of labor?

If you're African-American, at least 40 years old or less than 5-foot-1, research suggests that you have a higher chance of delivering by C-section than a woman who's Caucasian, under age 40 or 5-foot-1 or taller -- all other things being equal.

Here are some basic principles for understanding names -- and finding that one perfect name that speaks to your heart.

Anticipating the arrival of a new family member is an amazing time for all family members. There are many new and exciting emotions that will be shared and experienced.

Maybe you've thought of remembering this special time in your life with a tattoo, or maybe you have concerns about tattoos that you already have.

While commercial sonogram services are offering an opportunity for a sneak preview of their growing baby, there are health concerns that need to be considered before undergoing any type of elective procedure during pregnancy.

The following information will help you care for the piercings you already have and make an informed decision about piercing you may be considering in the future.

Controlling weight gain during pregnancy can be a problem. Childbirth education specialist, Bonnie Berk shares tips to help keep your eating healthy and reasonable.

Without strong abdominal and back muscles, you risk injuring your back and developing poor posture throughout the rest of your pregnancy. Exercising on a fitness ball is a fun way to strengthen your torso without putting strain on the pelvis and knees.

A good doula will meet with you at least twice before birth to familiarize yourself with her and allow her to get to know you and your partner, your goals and even to work with you in a birthing rehearsal.

Choosing your birth companions, however, can be one of the main sticking points when planning your birth. Should you choose an intimate birth with just your partner and midwife?

It's never too early think about what you will do when baby gets here. When planning your maternity leave, the more you can plan or arrange ahead of time the less stress you will feel.

Years ago, women were expected to resign from their jobs the moment the pregnancy test came back positive, but today, pregnant working women are as much a part of the modern office as the computer and the fax machine.

So how do men experience pregnancy? What do they think about as the months go by? Is it true that men tend to be in denial about pregnancy during the first several months?

The workplace may pose certain risks, depending upon the occupation. Knowing what these risks are and minimizing them will help increase the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy.

While some risk factors for premature delivery are beyond our control, prenatal care and lifestyles changes can help women lower their risk of having a premature delivery.

Preeclampsia occurs when a woman's blood pressure rises, and it affects seven percent of all pregnancies worldwide. It most frequently strikes first-time mothers and women who are carrying twins, or multiple pregnancies.

The increased sensitivity a woman has to smells is a result of her olfactory and pheromone receptors becoming hyperactive during pregnancy. Her what?

There are major differences in the way doctors and hospitals approach pregnancy and delivery. I'd like to spend the next few minutes making you a savvy consumer.

Constipation is commonly associated with pregnancy and the period directly after the birth. The problems, although part of the miracle of birth, can make you feel less than miraculous.

Strangers suddenly feel the need to give you advice, tell you horror stories, and touch your growing belly. What is it about pregnancy that breaks down social barriers?

All in all I am so glad I have my children, but given the pain and discomfort, I'm really glad I won't have to endure the "joy" of pregnancy again.

Hyperemesis feels like it will go on forever. For most affected women, it begins between weeks 4 and 10 of the pregnancy. Good news: most women, even those with severe hyperemesis, will get better at around 20 weeks.

The 13th chromosome contains blueprints that direct a baby's development in the early weeks following conception. When a child has an extra 13th chromosome, as is the case in Trisomy 13, the genetic messages are confused and contradictory.

In short, the FMLA stipulates that companies which have over 50 employees must offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

One of the best ways to identify great doctors is to ask nurses in that field whom they would recommend. Nurses see both the professional and the human sides of doctors.

Women who take aspirin, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, or naproxen (Alleve) during pregnancy or just before may have an 80 percent increased risk of miscarriage.

Toxoplasma is a one-celled parasite whose primary host is the cat family. Infected cats usually have no symptoms, but may shed as many as 10 million egg-cysts in their feces each day for the three weeks that their acute infection lasts.

Popularized in the early 1950s by French obstetrician Dr. Ferdinand Lamaze, who discovered the psycho prophylaxis technique on a trip to Russia.

The term "Natural Childbirth" is most widely used to describe a birth in which the mother labors without the use of pain medications.

The Alexander Technique is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, flexibility, and coordination. The principles of the Technique can be applied to anyone and can greatly enhance your comfort during pregnancy, delivery, and recovery.

Want to know what positions you can birth in? Read and find out!

Developed this method in the late 1940s by Dr. Robert Bradley. This Bradley method emphasizes an extremely natural approach, with few or no drugs and little medical help during labor and delivery.

Giving birth is one of the most unforgettable and intimate experiences you will ever experience. That is why choosing where you'll give birth is such an important decision.

The third trimester the worries switch from what crib or bedding to such concerns as: What if I don't bond with him/her right away? or What if my midwife doesn't answer the phone?

QUESTION

Dear Experts,

If you're afraid of giving birth, you're not alone. In fact fear seems to permeate the culture of birth today.

"From the journey down the birth canal to afternoons at the park, a child will register every experience in the circuitry of his or her brain. Whenever a mother strokes her baby, whenever a father plays with his daughter or son...

Pregnancy is a time of exciting change. Your body is changing and soon your family life will be joyously altered forever. Getting ready for a new baby can be stress-free if you take the time now to plan ahead.

With over half of all pregnant women falling in the plus-size category, plus-size pregnancy is something that can no longer be ignored. If you're plus-sized, you've probably heard things about how your weight can affect your health.

You've no doubt seen all the scary statistics on the costs of raising children — numbers that may very well have you second-guessing your decision to toss your birth control pills in the trash! Well, despite what some people would have you believe, starting a family doesn't have to lead to financial ruin. While it may be tempting to wear the numbers off your credit card as you merrily shop for the new arrival, there are plenty of practical steps you can take to minimize the impact on your family's budget. Here are a few ideas.

Our first-born is showing extreme jealousy towards the new baby. He's obviously mad at us for disrupting the predictable flow of his life with this new challenger for our attention. How can we smooth things out?

Morning sickness demands a plan -- a strategy -- for outsmarting your body and letting you feel in better control. To do that, you will need some basic tools...

In the second trimester you will have a chance to hear your baby's heartbeat and possibly see your baby through ultra sound. These experiences usually bring a heightened sense of reality...we are really going to have a baby!

Fish is a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids, important to well-being and the developmental health of our babies. Yet, many fish are a source of mercury and other unfortunate contaminates. Fishing also takes a toll on the environment with farm methods that leave a fishy aftertaste in our mouths.

Today's Tweets are generously sponsored by 1-800-SONOGRAM -- find your 3D/4D Ultrasound center today!

Commercial sonogram services offer families a sneak preview of their growing baby. These services offer a novel means for creating special memories and an opportunity for bonding with the baby. Read "Commercial Ultrasound Safety Checklist" to learn more.