Pregnancy + Original Articles

Read on to learn what half a century has brought us in terms of what we know about this widely used method of contraception. Fifty years ago, one of the greatest health advancements hit the market: The birth control pill. Today, the pill is all grown up and includes low-dose pills, continuous (no period) pills, patches, and rings.  It's even used to treat acne, migraines, and other health issues.

According to a recent study, having a baby may slow down the damaging effects of multiple sclerosis, a serious autoimmune disease. Researchers have made some startling findings: according to a recent study, having a baby may slow down the damaging effects of multiple sclerosis (MS), a serious autoimmune disease. Multiple Sclerosis is a disorder in which the body's own defense system attacks myelin, the protective fatty substance that surrounds nerve fibers in the central nervous system.

Could contraception see a responsibility shift? In the past, responsibility for contraception has fallen primarily on women. Although women have many options, each form of birth control varies in how convenient and effective it is, and how it affects a woman's health. Today, many men also want to control their own fertility and take an active role in preventing unplanned pregnancies.

Can your weight determine the effectiveness of your oral contraceptive? Read on to find out. We've known for awhile that birth control pills might be less effective for heavy women. A study reported in 2005 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists found that overweight women had a 60 percent greater and obese women a 70 percent greater chance of unintentional pregnancy while on the pill than women of normal weight.

Research shows that women who nurse have a lower incidence of cardiac disease. The longer women breastfeed, the lower their risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular disease, according to University of Pittsburgh researchers. The findings were published in "Obstetrics & Gynecology," and reported in Heart Disease Weekly.

Is this method safe, or does it go against the natural course of nature? Most women have about 450 periods in their lifetime. Most wish they had fewer. Now, women can reduce the number of periods they have and even eliminate them by taking birth control pills in a new way.   Nicknamed the, "no period pill," women can have a period only every three to four months and, in some cases, once a year.

Today pregnancy and diabetes is more manageable than in previous decades. Here are seven essential things you should know to protect your health and have a healthy baby. Many women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have healthy, successful pregnancies, which are still considered high-risk. Some of the risks that increase due to diabetes and pregnancy include pre-eclampsia, miscarriage, premature birth, congenital defects, stillbirth, neonatal death, and having a baby who will have diabetes.

New study indicates that ingesting probiotics during pregnancy prevents obesity. Taking probiotics during pregnancy prevents obesity, according to a new study presented at  the 17th European Congress on Obesity in May. According to researchers, one year after giving birth, women were less likely to become obese if they had taken probiotics starting from the first trimester of pregnancy.

Information and tips about rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy. If you have rheumatoid arthritis and are considering having a baby, you're likely to have concerns. Will you pass the disease on to your baby? Will halting your meds make your arthritis worse? Which arthritis drugs will hurt your baby? We've got some answers for you on how to cope with rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy.

Statistics show that up to 15 percent of women report moderate to severe depression after their babies are born. But for mothers of multiples, the numbers—and the problems—can be even bigger. Even under the best of circumstances, giving birth and caring for a newborn baby isn't easy. New mothers are dealing with the constant demands of an infant, including feeding, changing, stimulating, and settling. Breastfeeding requires a woman to be available at least every few hours around the clock, leaving her little time for unbroken sleep.

Get the truth about sex during pregnancy. The myths surrounding sex during pregnancy are endless. Sex can hurt the baby. The baby will know what's happening. Sex can cause a miscarriage. What's an expectant mom or dad to believe? Here, we separate fact from fiction. Q. Can you have sex during pregnancy? A.

  There's no doubt about it, having a baby is a life changing experience.  It's exhausting, demanding and requires all the resources a woman can muster.  Add to that the physical and hormonal changes birth causes, challenges of breast feeding, and extreme sleep deprivation and it's no wonder many new mothers get bummed out.

A miscarriage can be a devastating event. Here, we explain the basics behind it. Many women are all too familiar with miscarriage. If they haven't had one themselves, they most likely know someone who has. On average, 10 to 25 percent of all pregnancies result in miscarriage. This can be an extremely difficult experience for women and their families, resulting in grief, anger, sadness, and confusion.

Learn about the steps you can take to prevent this condition. Gestational diabetes is one of the most common complications of pregnancy often resulting in high birth weights. It not only affects the mother during pregnancy but it also puts them at a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Unfortunately gestational diabetes is treated reactively rather than preventatively.

The majority of women with the disease can successfully start families. If you have Crohn’s disease and want to get pregnant, you probably have many questions and concerns. Knowing how the disease will run during any one woman’s pregnancy is variable and hard to predict. However, here’s a brief overview of what you should know.

Here's what you need to know about this crucial topic. Are you pregnant and feeling confused, afraid, sad, stressed or depressed? According to the American Pregnancy Association, 10 to 20 percent of women will struggle with some symptoms of depression during pregnancy. And of those women, a quarter to half will suffer from severe depression.

A service of The National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health reports that a study has been published suggesting that measuring the levels of hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy may predict whether a woman is likely to develop postpartum depression or not. Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase greatly. In the first 24 hours after childbirth, hormone levels quickly return to normal. These hormonal changes may trigger symptoms of postpartum depression Researchers think the dramatic change in hormone levels may lead to depression.

If you’ve always wanted to have a baby but are worried that your asthma may get in the way, then you’ll be glad to know that today, most women with asthma are able to have very healthy pregnancies. Some of the latest research shows that the key to success is continuing to manage your symptoms throughout the nine months in order to ensure the best outcome for both you and your baby. Some of the latest research shows that the key to success is continuing to manage your symptoms throughout the nine months in order to ensure the best outcome for both you and your baby. Understand Your Changing Body If you are one of the growing numbers of women in the United States who suffers from asthma symptoms, the good news is that you may be able to have a normal pregnancy as long as you follow your doctor’s recommendations.

Approximately 50 percent of pregnant women will experience heartburn. Learn how to find relief. Approximately 50 percent of pregnant women will experience heartburn (most common during the second and third trimester.) The reason: As a woman's level of progesterone increases during pregnancy, her lower esophageal sphincter relaxes. This allows food and acid to reflux back into the esophagus, thus creating the feeling of heartburn or indigestion.

Consider these factors to help determine which contraceptive method is right for you. With the invention of birth control pills in the 1960s, women suddenly had unprecedented control over their reproductive schedules. Today, many couples are opting to delay starting a family, and some are ruling out parenthood completely. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the type of birth control you choose depends on your lifestyle and needs.

Tired of flabby abs or love handles? If diet and exercise haven't worked for you, abdominoplasty may be the solution. Who doesn't want a trim, flat stomach? Millions strive for tighter tummies, usually starting by improving their diet and exercise routines. However, these changes often aren't enough to achieve desired results. While body fat can be reduced through a healthy diet and workout plan, the loose muscles and skin that frequently result from extreme weight loss, pregnancy, and even aging and heredity aren't as easily eliminated.

Find out why more and more women are turning to cosmetic surgery to regain their pre-pregnancy figures. For many women, there's no greater thrill than having a baby. The act of childbirth signifies a new stage in their lives, and the arrival of their little one is a source of great joy. But some new moms find that pregnancy affects their bodies in unexpected, and unwanted, ways.

Tired of that burning feeling in your chest? Find out how to relieve heartburn during pregnancy. Even if you rarely or never had heartburn before your pregnancy, it's likely to occur while you're carrying your baby, most commonly during the second or third trimester. In fact, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) reports that more than 50 percent of all pregnant women experience heartburn.

These five tips may help increase your chances of getting pregnant. Pregnancy may seem like the most natural biological process in the world, but it doesn't come all that naturally for some. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated 12 percent of American women (7.3 million) have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term.

Here, we reveal some little-known facts about what to expect when you're expecting. When you're pregnant, almost everyone is eager to offer advice and a blueprint of what to expect during this monumental time. But moms-to-be may find that some aspects of pregnancy are rarely discussed. Here, we disclose some of pregnancy's best-kept secrets Morning sickness isn't limited to the morning.

Some parents may find names like Emily and Ethan too commonplace, but they might want to think twice before choosing one of these monikers. What's in a name? Some experts believe that everything from social acceptance to financial success is determined, in part, by the names we're given at birth. And many of today's parents are rejecting popular baby names in favor of more unusual monikers.

The nation's costliest conditions rack up a combined tab of more than $500 billion a year. What's the cost of poor health? A lot more than you may think. The nation's 10 most expensive medical conditions cost about $500 billion to treat in 2005, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Today's high-tech reproductive options help couples achieve their dreams of having a baby. For many couples, having a baby is the ultimate act of emotional fulfillment. Their little bundle of joy is an affirmation of life, and their new role as parents is the beginning of a uniquely rewarding journey. Even the physical pain associated with childbirth is usually viewed as a labor of love.

Millions of women become pregnant each year, but too many of them don't have all the facts. Here, a look at pregnancy by the numbers. As soon as a woman discovers she's pregnant, she embarks on a life-altering journey. As the baby grows and changes inside of her, she goes through a series of changes, too. If armed with the right tools and information, she can help ensure a smooth pregnancy and the birth of a healthy baby.

Bonding before birth is important for both mom and baby. Here's why. You may not have seen your baby yet, but it's likely that you've already formed a relationship with her. Many new moms say they first feel that connection with their baby when they feel the first kick or see their baby on an ultrasound. In addition, your baby has probably already begun forming a relationship with you, too, and will be able to recognize your voice and start trusting you.