Pregnancy Complications
Signs & Symptoms of Having a Miscarriage
It's in the back of every pregnant woman's mind. It's a thought many refuse to ponder on. But, unfortunately it becomes a reality to many moms every year—miscarriage. The majority of pregnancies end up with a happy-ever-afte...
Anemia in Pregnancy
Women are prone to anemia but in pregnancy they are especially susceptible. The reason for anemia in women typically is due to their periods, when they lose both iron and red blood cells. Pregnancy may be the first and only time a...
Breech and Abnormal Presentation or Positions in Labor
Every pregnant woman has wondered at times, how will this baby fit through here?! Most of the time, thankfully, the baby is in a normal position for birth. The ideal position and presentation is with baby head down, head-first in ...
Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy or tubal pregnancies can be life threatening to the mother and result in miscarriage. The rate of ectopic pregnancy has risen, with only 4.5 cases per 1,000 pregnancies in 1970 compared to between 1 in 40 to 1 in...
Bedrest: Why You May Need it and How to Survive It
You came home from your last check up with some surprising news; you need to be on bed rest. Most likely you have a lot of questions you wish you had asked, which is to be expected. That's OK, just take some time to digest the inf...
Placenta Complications in Pregnancy and Birth
The placenta has an important role in pregnancy, acting as the lifeline to the baby by supplying nutrients and oxygen to the growing child via the umbilical cord. However, if any abnormalities occur with the placenta, the results ...
Anemia in Pregnancy
Just diagnosed with anemia? You aren't alone. According to the March of Dimes, up to one-half of pregnant women are iron-deficient. Anemia occurs when red blood cells are too small or too few to carry oxygen from the lungs to the ...
Pregnant But Having a Period: Is It Possible?
Periods are our sure sign. Having regular periods is a good indicator of fertility. Missing a period means you are pregnant. Having periods means you are not expecting a baby. Simple. Right?< Well, just like so many other th...
Placenta Previa
The placenta is responsible for nourishing the baby during pregnancy. At the start of pregnancy, it will be located near the lower part of the uterus. However as the pregnancy progresses the uterus grows and moves upwards typical...
Gestational Diabetes - What It Means
According to the American Diabetes Association, gestational diabetes occurs in 4% of pregnancies. In the US, that means 135,000 women each year develop gestational diabetes. The disorder typically begins in the second trimester of...
How to Cope With a Pregnancy Loss
Pregnancy loss is not a rare event. Estimates range from at least one in five pregnancies ending in miscarriage, to perhaps as high as fifty percent. This number would include many pregnancies which occur so early the woman didn't...
Progesterone May Help Pregnant Women With a Short Cervix Avoid Preterm Labor
The National Institutes of Health announced April 6, 2011 that a new study published in Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology showed promising results from the use of inexpensive progesterone gel in women who were found ...
Causes of Bleeding During Pregnancy
There can be many causes for vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, which can range from mild to serious. However, as alarming as it might be to find that you are spotting or bleeding while you are pregnant, be advised that most women...
Baby's Breech at 38 Weeks
Q. I am now 38 weeks and was told at my last ultra sound that the baby still has not turned. I may have to have a c-section if he dosn't turn. The doctor said baby may be to big at this point to turn. I am scared to death -- wha...
What could be the reason for a lot of amniotic fluid?
Q I'm 28 weeks pregnant. I was monitored due to low fetal activity. Then I had an ultrasound. In the ultrasound it showed that I have A LOT of amniotic fluid and the Dr. wants me to have a level 2 ultrasound. My question is this:...
Short Cervix and Preterm Labor
Q My doctor told me that I have a short cervix and that there is a possibility for me to have a premature baby. I am only 19 weeks and this is very frightening for me if there is any advice you can give me please do so. A Until r...
Bleeding in the third trimester, a possible complication
Q I am pregnant and at about 32 weeks I had some spotting. Do you have some ideas of what could have caused this? I didn't have any cramping or pain. A I feel should be discussed with your physician as soon as possible. There are...
If my uterus should rupture, because of a previous ceserean, what could happen to me and the baby?
Q My doctor says I might have a high risk pregnancy. He needs to see the birth records from my first child to determine how I was cut on my uterus during my cesearean. My question is if my uterus should rupture, what could happen ...
Will the cervix can grow or improve with complete bedrest?
Q Will the cervix can grow or improve with complete bedrest? A I do not believe that the cervix will grow or improve with bed rest. Bedrest is usually only indicated if there is cramping and/or bleeding in pregnancy. This is a tr...
Pains In My Stomach
Q Hi! I'm going on 5 months pregnant and I was wondering if it is normal to have really bad gas pains where I feel like I have to go to the bathroom, but can't. Also, I get pains that feel like gas pains in the top part of my stom...
My doctor says I'm suffering from Ptyalism?
Q I'm about eight weeks pregnant, and my doctor says I'm suffering from ptyalism. The condidtion is so bad, that it leaves me dehydrated. My job also requires constant communication with the public. As you can imagine, it's quite ...
Urinary Tract Infections During Pregnancy
Q I am 21 weeks pregnant. I've had recurrent Urinary Tract Infections for the past 7 years, some have gone away by themselves and others with antibiotic treatment. I've been told that untreated Urinary Tract Infections may cause k...
Ultrasound shows partial placenta previa
Q I'm 18 weeks pregnant and I just had an ultrasound. The report the technician gave me says that the ultrasound "shows partial placenta previa." I have read something about placenta previa, and my question is this: at what point ...
Gestational Diabetes: The Basics of This Not So Sweet Condition
Gestational Diabetes is a complication that occurs in approximately 4% of pregnancies and exemplifies yet another reason to seek and receive quality prenatal care, but it is still considered a very manageable condition. While te...
Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia
The term pre-eclampsia means a pregnancy disease in which symptoms are hypertension, protein in the urine and swelling. Pre-eclampsia was once known as toxemia. Eclampsia is when hypertension, protein in the urine and swelling (...
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
Cancer affects everyone. From the woman who has it, to the children who depend on her, everyone involved feels the repercussions from this terrible illness. To the woman diagnosed with cancer, in any of its' many forms, her life i...
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia, or pregnancy-induced hypertension, affects about 15 percent of all pregnant women. It is more common in women carrying their first baby, women over the age of 35, and women carrying more than one baby. The reasons fo...
Incompetent Cervix
The term "incompetent cervix" indicates a cervix is not strong enough to support a pregnancy. According to Dr. Stefan Semchyshyn in his book How to Prevent Miscarriage and Other Crisis of Pregnancy, when the uterus expands and the...
Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic, translated as "out of place," occurs when the fertilized ovum implants outside the uterus. This condition is also known as "tubal pregnancy." Although rare, theses can sometimes happen in the ovary, the abdominal cavity,...
Placenta Previa
It is the job of the placenta to provide the growing fetus with the necessary nutrients and oxygen. If this organ fails to function properly, the fetus could be deprived of oxygen and become malnourished. If a problem with the pla...
Anemia in Pregnancy
Feeling tired, exhausted, fatigued, getting short of breath and experiencing dizzy spells can all be symptomatic of anemia. Anemia is defined as "a condition in which there is an abnormally low proportion of red corpuscles in th...
Placental Abruption
Placental abruption, also known as placental separation, is the result of the placenta deteriorating and separating form the uterine wall prematurely. This could cause oxygen nutrient deprivation to the fetus, which could lead to...
Gestational Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition resulting from too much glucose or sugar in the blood. When the body is incapable of producing enough insulin, the blood glucose level elevates and many metabolic problems can arise. While some people do d...
The Facts About High Risk Pregnancy
There are many factors that constitute a high risk pregnancy. Some depend on the physician you have and their current opinions. Some stem from chronic conditions that was in place before pregnancy occurred. And some crop up during...
Lady In Waiting:Coping With Bedrest
"Bedrest," she said, stoically. Incredulous, I asked my doctor to clarify. "You mean I can't go back to work?" "I mean you can get up to use the bathroom and to take the occasional short shower. Other than that, I want you lying...
When Something Goes Wrong
For many women, pregnancy comes and goes. Although it is an unforgettable experience, most women find pregnancy to be uneventful. However, there are some women who face issues and conditions during pregnancy, that aren't common. W...
When Your Baby Is Breech
In the vast majority of term pregnancies the fetus will be in the vertex, or "head-down" position at delivery. When the fetus is not in this position it is referred to as breech. Early in pregnancy the breech position is common....