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Pregnancy is the condition of having a developing embryo or fetus in the body. The union of an egg(ovum) with sperm is called fertilization, or conception, and it is this union that produces the embryo.
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Detailed information on pregnancy and childbirth, including information on birth statistics, pregnancy planning, preconception care, prenatal care, pregnancy discomforts, pregnancy tests, pregnancy risks, pregnancy warning signs, labor and delivery, breas
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A great deal of public health resources is spent on pregnancy. It is clear that prenatal and neonatal health play a large role in determining the health of a population, and in fact, pregnancy outcomes are often used as an indicator of a nation''s ...
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More doctors now suggest a pre-conception checkup and pre-conception counseling before getting serious about having a baby. Many problems that can affect a pregnancy can be avoided if addressed and dealt with before becoming pregnant.
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For most women, this is called the "golden trimester." You're starting to show. And you're starting to glow.
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Detailed information on planning a pregnancy, including reducing the risk of pregnancy and delivery complications
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Detailed information on what to do before (and during) your next pregnancy to reduce the chance for birth defects
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Detailed information on planning and preparing for a healthy pregnancy If you are planning to become pregnant, taking certain steps can help reduce risks to both you and your baby. Proper health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as maintaining a healthy body during pregnancy.
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Nutrition during the preconception period, as well as throughout a pregnancy, has a major impact on pregnancy outcome. Among prepregnancy considerations, the prepregnancy Body Mass Index(BMI), folic acid status, and socioeconomic status are the mo...
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Detailed information on planning and preparing for a healthy pregnancy If you are planning to become pregnant, taking certain steps can help reduce risks to both you and your baby. Proper health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as maintaining a healthy body during pregnancy.
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Your blood sugar will most likely return to normal after delivery. But gestational diabetes is a warning sign that you are at risk for getting diabetes later in life. You're also more likely to have gestational diabetes with your next pregnancy.
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Detailed information on caring for the mother physically and emotionally following childbirth, including information on postpartum depression
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A friend of mine is six months pregnant and says her baby moves all the time. I am also pregnant (five months) and rarely feel the baby -- maybe every other day. Is it abnormal to not feel the baby moving very often? I get regular check-ups and the baby is fine. At what stage does it become a concern when I don't feel the baby throughout the day?
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As your body changes during pregnancy, your back must work in new ways. This can be painful if your back isn't prepared.
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Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your baby. Only you can decide whether you're ready to quit.
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Learning the proper ways to bend, lift, and carry objects may help relieve back strain. It will also help you protect your back after your baby is born. Remember, if you're having trouble protecting your back, it's okay to ask the people around you for help!
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Detailed information on medication use during pregnancy When pregnant, a woman should always check with her physician before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication. All medications affect the fetus differently, depending on the stage of development, the type and dosage of the medication being taken, and the drug tolerance of the mother-to-be.
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Detailed information on preparing the family for the arrival of a newborn Preparing for your new baby includes helping other family members adjust. A new baby brings new sounds, new schedules, and new ways of coping for everyone. Most families soon find ways to adjust to the changes that take place. But it is helpful to prepare some family members for what is ahead.
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Detailed information on post-term pregnancy, including causes, diagnosis, and management
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Detailed information and examples of non-teratogenic agents A non-teratogenic agent is one which does not cause birth defects.
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Did you know that standing, sitting, or lying in certain ways can lead to back pain? To ease pain, use positions that support your body comfortably.
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Following these guidelines can help keep you and your developing child healthy in the months to come.
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Detailed information on blood types in pregnancy Every person has a blood type, (O, A, B, or AB) and an Rh factor, either positive or negative. The blood type and the Rh factor simply mean that a person's blood has certain specific characteristics. The blood type is found as proteins on red blood cells and in body fluids. The Rh factor is a protein that is found on the covering of the red blood cells. If the Rh factor protein is present on the cells, the person is Rh positive. If there is no Rh factor protein, the person is Rh negative.
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Detailed information on medication use during pregnancy When pregnant, a woman should always check with her physician before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medication. All medications affect the fetus differently, depending on the stage of development, the type and dosage of the medication being taken, and the drug tolerance of the mother-to-be.
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No one can say for sure that a medication is safe to use while you're pregnant. But, avoiding medicines may not be a good idea, either. It may be wiser to treat an illness than ignore it.
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I am in my second trimester and find it very difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. I am most comfortable on my stomach. How harmful is it to sleep on your stomach in your second trimester?
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After week 16, sleep and rest on your side instead of your back. Try different positions.
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During the early stages of pregnancy, can you drink coffee? My partner works nights and drinks a lot of coffee. Are there other, safer alternatives to the caffeine from coffee?
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My partner and I are now trying to become pregnant. I am a young African-American woman and have heard that the chemicals from hair relaxers or straighteners may be harmful to a healthy pregnancy. Is there any truth to this?
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Exercise can help you keep your blood sugar within a normal range. That's because your body uses more blood sugar when you exercise.
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Does fibromyalgia pain increase when a woman is pregnant?
Robert Shmerling, M.D., is associate physician and clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an associate professor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is an active teacher in the Internal Medicine Residency Program, serving as the Robinson Firm Chief. He is also a teacher in the Rheumatology Fellowship Program and has been a practicing rheumatologist for over 25 years.
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My first pregnancy ended at eight weeks in a miscarriage. When I get pregnant again, should I try to see my doctor early in the pregnancy as a precaution? Is there anything else I might do to prevent a miscarriage again?
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Is it safe to swim in a chlorinated pool during pregnancy?
Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.
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If birth defects can result when a pregnant women takes ACE inhibitors, what can happen to the fetus if the father takes ACE inhibitors?
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I am a little over six months pregnant and already lactating. Is this normal?
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What medication can be taken when a yeast infection develops in the last month of pregnancy?
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I am 24 years old and pregnant with my second child. During my first pregnancy I developed toxemia during my last trimester. During labor I was put on oxygen and magnesium. What are my chances of having this reoccur with my second pregnancy?
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Detailed information on hypothyroidism and pregnancy, including symptoms and treatment and thyroid function screening
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Detailed information for the pregnant mother, including information on hormones during pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy, nutrition during pregnancy, exercise during pregnancy, work and pregnancy, sex during pregnancy, and sleeping positions during
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At least 90 days before starting to try to conceive, both men and women should take steps to improve their diet and exercise routines, as well as fine-tune any medications they may be taking.
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The healthy choices you make before and during pregnancy can have a lasting impact on you and your unborn child. Experts say one of the most important things a woman or couple can do is to plan for pregnancies.
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Detailed information on sex during pregnancy In most cases, sex during pregnancy is safe. In fact, with your physician's approval, sexual relations can continue until delivery.
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Detailed information on traveling while pregnancy or breastfeeding Although traveling during pregnancy is normal and occurs rather frequently, it is important for pregnant women to consider potential problems that could arise when considering international travel. Pregnant women should also weigh the availability of quality medical care in the countries they are visiting, before traveling abroad. Preconceptual immunizations are preferred over vaccination during pregnancy.
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If you're pregnant, it's just as important for you to stay away from lead as it is to protect your children from it.
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Planning to have a baby? There are steps you can take before you ever become pregnant to help ensure a smooth pregnancy and a healthy outcome for you and your infant.
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From conception until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day.
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You may see signs that your body is getting ready for labor. Be patient. Within a few more weeks, your baby will be born.
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Pregnant women in their second or third trimester during influenza season should be immunized.
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I am 23 weeks pregnant and I was just diagnosed with genital warts. Will this affect my baby during delivery?
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Some pregnancy changes are caused by hormones. Others are caused by the pressure and weigh of your growing baby.
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During pregnancy, what can be done to remove abnormal cervical cells?
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Is there a recommended period of time to wait before getting pregnant again after a C-section birth? If so, what are the risks associated with becoming pregnant again too soon?
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Can cancer be transferred from mother to child in the womb?
Jeffrey Ecker, M.D. is an Associate Professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital, where he practices maternal-fetal medicine.
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Can I continue to take my asthma medication if I am pregnant?
Diana Post, M.D., is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
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Antidepressants, once considered safe during pregnancy, may cause birth defects. Women are warned of the effects and given alternatives.
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A physical exam and lab tests will show if there are any special concerns. Your health care provider can then plan the care that will help prevent problems later.
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Your health can affect your baby's growth. Here are some ways to stay healthy.It's important to develop healthy eating habits while you are pregnant, for you as well as for your baby. Here are some ways to stay healthy.
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The weight you gain now is not just extra fat. It is also the weight of your baby. And it is the increased blood and fluids to support the baby.
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From conception (fertilization) until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day. To help you understand what is happening, we've outlined how pregnancy begins and some of the changes you may notice.
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Pedigree analysis is an assessment made by a medical professional about genetic risk in a family.Pedigrees are most often constructed by medical geneticists or genetic counselors. People are referred to genetic professionals because of concern abo...
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To find out what your family risks are, ask people on both sides of your family. Start with your parents, siblings and children.
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What was your grandmother's maiden name? Where did your ancestors come from? Is your family known for a strong work ethic, a bold spirit or something else? Are there illnesses or diseases that tend to run in your family? If you know the answers, write them down! It's a priceless part of your family legacy, and nobody can tell the story better than you.
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If your father or mother has heart disease, that doesn't mean you will automatically develop it, too. It's true that you are more likely to get it than someone who does not have a family history of heart disease, but you can take steps to try to prevent it.
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Although inheriting certain genes might boost your chances of contracting a disease, it's rarely a sure thing. Often, your lifestyle and environment can join with disease-prone genes to make a potential disease a reality.
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Pedigree charts are a visual tool for documenting biological relationships in families and the presence of disorders. Using these charts, a medical professional such as a geneticist or genetic counselor, can analyze the genetic risk in a family fo...
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