A still birth is a baby that is born after 20 weeks of pregnancy with no signs of life. Before 20 weeks, it's usually called a miscarriage.

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.

There are new reasons to control your weight both before and after you conceive -- particularly if you're heavy before you even try to have a baby. Obesity promotes not only severe pregnancy complications in the mother, it also places the baby at high risk of health problems.

QUESTION

Dear Doula,
I was wondering how long my body needs to recover from a delivery to be able to become pregnant again.

I lost my baby due to a blood clot in the umbilical cord.

Is it easier to become pregnant right after a birth?

QUESTION

Dear Doula,
My baby was stillborn 36 weeks into the pregnancy. It looks right now to be an antibody I have that produces blood clots. My doctor said I have to wait for 1 cycle and then I can start trying again. She has me set up for appointments with specialists.

I was just wondering if you knew of any people who have lost so late into the pregnancy and have had a successful pregnancy after that.

Thank you for your quick response.

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.

On October 9, 1996, at 7:30 a.m., I gave birth to a 1 lb. 1 oz baby girl, Laura Ann Douglas. We spent the better part of an hour holding her before it was time to say goodbye. She was perfectly formed from head to toe. The cause of her death was cruelly obvious. There was a knot in her umbilical cord...

QUESTION

Dear Midwife,
I had an ultrasound this week. I thought I was twenty weeks but measured 17 weeks 5 days. They could not find the lower part of the brain stem. Should I be concerned?

When does this normally form? At how many weeks? I have a appointment with a perinatologist in 3 weeks. What outcome can I expect?