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. How do you know what drugs are safe during pregnancy?

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.

If you're like many women, bleaching, dying, or highlighting your hair may be a regular part of your beauty regime. And if you're like most pregnant women, you probably have some hesitation or even a fear about continuing to color your hair while baby is in tow. Read on for tips to minimize baby's risk and for safe coloring alternatives.

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. What's the difference between a urine and a blood pregnancy test? Is one better than the other? Read on and find out!

There are quite a few things you can do during your pregnancy to help improve your and your baby's health. You can also avoid risks that can complicate or terminate a pregnancy. For example, you probably know that getting enough Folic Acid is important.

Pregnancy is a time of many changes for both partners, including changes in their sexual relationship. You and your partner may experience different emotions and feelings, so communication is as important now as always.

Sciatic nerve pain often comes on suddenly, creating immediate distress. And while it usually resolves in a few weeks, the pain may linger for months or years, disrupting lives.

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. Ack! Why? How much coffee can I safely drink? What other foods contain caffeine?

During pregnancy you may find yourself wrestling in bed trying to get comfortable before falling asleep. SOS! What does SOS have to do with getting comfortable and getting to sleep you might ask. Read on and find out.

You may be losing sleep while you are pregnant for a variety of reasons. Insomnia during pregnancy is normal and affects approximately 78% of pregnant women. While insomnia isn't harmful to your baby, it is hard on your sense of humor and functionality. Read on for trick and tips that will get you snoozing and keep you snoozing!

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.

Now that you're pregnant eating well balanced meals is especially important. What you don't eat is also important for your baby's well being. Most foods are safe; however, there are some foods that you should avoid during pregnancy. Which should you avoid and why?

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. Read on for some common sense guidelines.

Vacation is planned. It is definitely time for some relaxation and fun! Complication: You're pregnant. Can you still fly? What about visiting a foreign country? Read on to learn how to make your trip the safest and most comfortable it can be.

Folic acid minimizes the risk of your baby having a neural tube defect. Since the neural tube develops very early in pregnancy (18-30 days after conception), often before a women even knows that she is pregnant, you should start taking it before getting pregnant. Learn more about folic acid and neura tube defects.

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?

Looking for an overview on the first trimester? Here it is!

Looking for an overview of the second trimester? Read more in this article!

Looking for an overview of the third trimester? Try reading here first!

There are several things that may cause a complication in your pregnancy. However, some are more common than others. Read to find out the most common pregnancy complications.

Looking for a fetal development overview? Check out what's going on with your baby week by week!

If you're looking for more personal, less rushed care during your pregnancy, you may want to consider a midwife. The midwives' model of care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes. She usually offers a variety of options and seeks to eliminate or minimize unnecessary interventions. Read on to learn more about midwifery care.

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 like high blood pressure, premature rupture of membranes, twins or triplets, 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. It's an easy, painless, non-invasive test that allows your providers to monitor baby's well being in the womb.

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. The severity of pain can worry you. Although round ligament pain can be very uncomfortable, it also is very normal. This pain is not harmful to the baby in any way.

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. If some of the baby's red blood cells leak into your system, your body may produce antibodies to the Rh D factor. These antibodies can affect your unborn baby or the next Rh-positive baby you have.

Pretty much everything about being pregnant is intimidating the first time out, but nothing is quite so intimidating, in quite the same way, as the Baby Stuff.

As any mother of multiples will tell you, it's more than twice the work. 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. Read on and learn how you can eat well during pregnancy, without dying from heartburn.

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.

Piercings and tattoos can be a way to express yourself, a way to remember an event or person, even a way to feel unique. Now that you're pregnant you may have questions. Do you need to remove your naval ring? What about tongue or genital piercings? Can you get a tattoo during pregnancy. Read more for answers to these and more questions about pregnancy, tattoos and piercings.

Are you itching all over? Exhausted? No appetite? Weird colored urine and stools? These are symptoms of ICP. 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. Learn how this condition is treated.

Want to make your birthing experience faster and easier? Would you just love to avoid an arduous and prolonged second stage of labor? If so, just spend a few minutes a day doing some simple pelvic exercises beginning in your 20th week of pregnancy. That's the word from a new study featured in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

If you've weighed the pros and cons and decided you'd prefer to deliver vaginally -- and you have no pressing medical reasons not to -- there are steps you can take to minimize your chances of having an unplanned C-section. Rita Rubins looks more closely at these important birthing choices.

From Aaliyah to Zvi, the range of name choices is dazzling. If you're a sleepless parent-to-be, it can look like a vast landscape with no road map. To make sure you keep your bearings, here are some basic principles for understanding names -- and finding that one perfect name that speaks to your heart.

Many families believe it best that they re-home their dog when a baby is joining the family. Concerns range from safety issues to lack of time. Good News! There are many proactive steps that can be taken ahead of time to help things go smoothly. Obedience, leadership as well as management are all essential keys to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all.

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. This information will be helpful for you as you take care of the tattoos you already have and decide on tattoos that you may wish to get during your pregnancy.

Commercial sonogram services are offering an opportunity for a sneak preview of their growing baby -- and a novel means for creating special memories and an opportunity for bonding with the baby -- there are health concerns that need to be considered before undergoing any type of elective procedure during pregnancy.

You've worked so hard to show off those abs with a pretty little ring, and then you find out you are pregnant. Or maybe you want to live just one more moment on the "wild side" before you have to be a "mature" mom. What do you do now? Here's information to help you care for the piercings you already have and make an informed decision about piercing you may be considering in the future.

Eating for two doesn't mean twice the food. 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 rest of your body.

The presence of a professional labor support person -- a doula, for example -- can have a huge effect on the obstetrical outcome of the birth. Randomized, controlled trials on birth support have shown shorter labor, less requests for pain medication, reduction in number of necessary c-sections. Interested in a doula? Here are tips for interviewing and hiring.

When you dream of your perfect birth experience, do you find yourself longing for the comforts of home complete with your own bed, quiet, personal surroundings, control over what family / friends are welcome, and more? Today's pregnant woman is increasingly turning to the respite offered from yesteryear (well - with modern plumbing which is a definite plus)! Read on for help planning your special day.

Thinking about getting pregnant, or already pregnant? 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. While most women are able to work through their entire pregnancy, There are some situations in which you may want to consider leaving work early or requesting some modifications to your working environment.

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? While you're blooming with hopes, dreams, friends, and new dress sizes, your partner is probably buzzing with confusion.

You have a job. You're pregnant. Is your job dangerous for your baby? 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 some women lower their risk of having a premature delivery. Find out how you can give your little one the best chances of being full term.

Preeclampsia, affecting seven percent of all pregnancies worldwide, occurs when a woman's blood pressure rises. It most frequently strikes first-time mothers and women who are carrying twins, or multiple pregnancies. What can be done to prevent it? How is it detected and treated?

It isn't that *big* of a thing normally...but right now smells are driving me nuts. Worse than driving me nuts...driving me to throw up. And my husband doesn't get it. 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. The hospital is the most important choice you will make with regards your pregnancy. Is it baby friendly? Can it care for preterm babies? Take these and more into consideration when making your decision.

The experience of pregnancy and childbirth has long been described as miraculous. 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! Here are some very simple things that help alleviate constipation during pregnancy and in the post-partum period.

You are pregnant and glowing, basking in the idea of being a new parent. One disadvantage -- 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? And how can you fend off unwanted attention?

How do you get pregnant with twins or more? Check out this article right now!

What are the common complications when you're carrying twins or more? Find out!

I discovered during my pregnancies that the people I know are liars. Sure they meant well, but had I known then what I know now, I'd never have believed them in the first place. Following are the lies they told me and the truths I found. I am so glad I have my children but I'm really glad I won't have to endure the "joy" of pregnancy again.

Hyperemesis, excess vomiting during pregnancy, 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. What nutritional support is necessary? What additional treatments might be beneficial? Read on for this information and more!

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. Even the mildest forms of this syndrome are devastating.

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. I intensely look forward to the day when paternity leave will be considered a normal benefit of employment. One day, perhaps, society will be organized in a way that recognizes the tremendous, far-reaching value of knitting fathers, mothers, and babies together.

After I discuss how to determine who the "best doctor in town" for you is, I'll give you some hints on how to become his or her patient, even if that doctor doesn't take your insurance. 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. Although more research is needed before we know with certainty about these medicines in pregnancy, women everywhere should know about the potential risk.

Not only are blood types different but some types of blood are incompatible with some others. The white blood cells in some types will perceive other types as enemies, attacking and destroying.

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. So what does this have to do with pregnancy?

Lamaze emphasizes pain management through relaxation and breathing exercises. The belief is that a woman in labor is able to condition her responses to contractions through breathing and imagery to reduce her pain. Also, the class stresses education, preparation, and your role as an informed patient. Learn more...

The term "Natural Childbirth" is most widely used to describe a birth in which the mother labors without the use of pain medications or unnecessary interventions. The female body is designed to labor and give birth, and centuries of history attest to the fact that a natural birth usually results in a healthy mother and a healthy baby.

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? Standing, sitting, side-lying, kneeling... What are the advantages and disadvantages of birthing different positions? Read on and find out!

Dr. Robert Bradley developed this method in the late 1940s. The Bradley method emphasizes an extremely natural approach, with few or no drugs and little medical help during labor and delivery. Stressing good diet and exercise during pregnancy, it teaches deep relaxation techniques to manage pain, and educates a woman's husband or partner so they can be an effective coach. Read more.

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. Birth centers offer a personalized and comfortable place for childbirth where pregnancy and birth are normal situations, not an illness.

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? The weeks leading up to the birth can be tiring, exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Shellie shares ways to easy your discomfort and your mind.

Two weeks after our long-awaited positive, we found it was an ectopic pregnancy. We were devastated. Now I want answers to why. Can I still get pregnant without treatment? Will it turn out to be normal? I feel hopeless and all alone. My family is more tuned in to my sister being pregnant and forgetting about my loss. I hope you can help! Read Debbie and Mara's reply.

How do you feel about giving birth? If you're afraid of giving birth, you're not alone. In fact, fear seems to permeate the culture of birth today. But giving birth can teach you that your body has a wisdom all its own and has strength and resilience.

Researchers have discovered a simple solution for a potentially dangerous problem for expectant mothers. Moms-to-be who are at risk for, or have, high blood pressure during their pregnancy may be able to prevent serious medical problems simply by boosting their calcium intake.

"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. But being plus-sized doesn't mean you can't have a wonderful, healthy pregnancy and a beautiful, healthy baby if you get the information you need and receive good medical care.

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! Starting a family doesn't have to lead to financial ruin. There are plenty of practical steps you can take to minimize the impact on your family's budget. Here are a few ideas.

He "plays" with the baby in the only ways he knows how. He plays catch. You yell at him for throwing toys at the baby. He plays hide-and-seek. You screech that he's trying to suffocate the baby with the blanket. He gives the kid a hug, and you explode in fury. Is it any wonder that your toddler is confused? How can you 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... To start with, you will need a bigger bag -- something roomy enough to accommodate your needs. If you are feeling lousy, a little shopping excursion just might cheer you up!

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! Here are here are a few practical tips that pregnant dads have shared with me during the second trimester of pregnancy.

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. So which fish are good for your body and for the planet. Find out!

For at least 2500 years, the Chinese culture has used acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to safely and effectively assist in the treatment of infertility, pregnancy, post-partum conditions, and many other gynecological conditions.

Prenatal supplements consist of a variety of vitamins and minerals. During pregnancy, a woman's daily intake requirements for certain nutrients, such as folic acid (folate), calcium, and iron will increase. Vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and folic acid are vital for proper fetal growth, development, and healthy adult living.