Learn the pros and cons of donating or saving these special cells. Before a birth, parents have many decisions to make. Among the choices may be whether to collect blood from the umbilical cord after delivery.   The umbilical cord is the part of the placenta that carries nutrients to a growing

What to expect when baby is finally ready to be born. Most babies are delivered vaginally, or through the birth canal. It is the method most patients and doctors prefer. Benefits of vaginal births include shorter hospital stays, lower infection rates and faster recovery. A C-section, by contrast, i

One in five pregnancies that are confirmed by a doctor end in pregnancy loss. Learn why this occurs and what to expect if it happens to you. Losing a pregnancy can be devastating. Though you may feel alone, confused or even at fault, these feelings are normal. Usually the loss could not have been p

Smart choices help you and your baby get the nutrients you need at this special time. When you’re pregnant, healthy eating  helps provide the nutrients you and your baby need. But “eating for two” isn’t a license to eat twice as much. The right choice of snacks can nou

Cigarettes can put nonsmokers at risk of serious health problems. As if we needed more reasons why quitting smoking now is a terrific idea: When you go smoke-free, you have a dramatic impact on protecting your loved ones from diseases and health problems caused by secondhand smoke.   It might

CVS can detect Down syndrome and other chromosome and genetic problems in the first trimester. Find out when and how this test is used. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test. It checks for chromosomal or genetic birth defects in your baby. To do the test, your doctor inserts either a

Amniocentesis can detect chromosome and genetic problems, including Down syndrome, as well as neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Amniocentesis (amnio) is a prenatal test. It is used to diagnose certain health problems and birth defects, some of which are genetic, meaning they may be passed

If you’re pregnant, you need to be extra careful and know your limits. Being physically active has tremendous health benefits for pregnant women. Exercising may help: Prevent or help control gestational diabetes Ease symptoms such as back pain, constipation and varicose veins Renew energy S

Why dental health is important when you’re pregnant. Did you know that keeping your teeth and gums in top shape is important during pregnancy?   Some studies show that there may be a link between gum disease (periodontitis) and premature birth. Lack of good dental habits has also been a

Think your due date is set in stone? Think again. Learn how your due date is calculated and why it’s important. Congratulations. You’re pregnant! Are you like some women who know the precise moment their baby was conceived? Or are you like most, who are less certain of the exact date o

A birth plan is a written statement that outlines your preferences for your childbirth experience. Here are some tips for creating yours. You are pregnant and your due date is approaching. Do you have a vision of what your “labor day” will look like? Who do you want with you during labo

It may pose serious risks for mother and baby. But effective treatments are available. Depression during pregnancy is common. One study found that about one in eight pregnant women experience depression. Such depression can pose serious risks for both mother and baby.   Women who are depressed

Get a good night’s sleep with these tips. Most adults need about 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Pregnant women in their first trimester need a few more hours on top of that. That’s because during those first few months, your body is working overtime to nurture your developing baby. &

Learn about HIV testing, a routine test for pregnant women. In order to monitor the health of both you and your baby, your medical team will do routine tests throughout your pregnancy. It may surprise you to learn that one of these is the test for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).   HIV

Learn how to manage pregnancy cravings from pickles to ice cream. From pickles to ice cream, many women have food cravings during pregnancy. Though no one knows for sure why, experts do have suggestions for managing these cravings.   Why curb cravings?   While it may be fine to give in t

Is it safe for pregnant women to use seat belts? Yes. Buckling up the seat belt protects both mom and her unborn baby. Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of death for pregnant women. Motor vehicle crashes are also the leading cause of traumatic fetal death. Seat belt use reduces

These screenings and diagnostics can check for common problems. Prenatal tests can tell a lot about the health of you and your unborn baby. Tests are done throughout pregnancy. Many tests are given to almost all pregnant women as part of their prenatal care. Other tests are suggested to certain wo

AF: aunt flow (period)BF: breast feedingBFN: big fat negative (pregnancy test)BFP: big fat positive (pregnancy test)CD: cycle dayCH: crosshairs- the lines drawn on the chart to indicate ovulationCIO: cry it outDD: estimated due dateDH: dear husbandDPO: days past ovulationFet: fertilityFF: formula fe