Pregnancy

Planning for a natural childbirth is a personal choice and is something that takes time and careful planning on your part to ensure that your caregivers understand your wishes. As you plan for...

With hospital births being so expensive, and some feel dangerous, many women are rethinking the paradigm and choosing home births. If your pregnancy is low risk, here is the woman-to-woman guide...

There are many different opinions on different types of doctors. Understand the difference between a midwife and an OBGYN and learn how to decide which is right for you.

If you are pregnant and thinking of hiring a midwife, then you probably have some questions about the kind of care you will receive during your pregnancy, labor and postpartum period.

A birth certificate is an important legal document that is used to prove that you are a United States citizen. The application for a certificate is completed after your baby is born, usually while...

You'll learn how easy it is to have your baby naturally, at home, rather than in a hospital under the influence of doctors.

Midwifery is the term applied to the field of medicine practiced by midwives. Midwives are people, usually women, trained in pregnancy and delivery that emphasizes a natural approach based on the...

Although sex during pregnancy is usually alright, there are a few restrictions. Knowing your risk factors, talking to your doctor or midwife and listening to your body are the first steps....

The use of midwives during pregnancy has been around for centuries--and some say they are just as good, if not better than, having a doctor deliver your baby. Some also prefer to have a doctor and...

Unassisted Childbirth is giving birth without any medical intervention. There are a growing number of women who are opting to give birth unassisted. It is a personal decision for women on how they...

Alternative birthing methods and culture have increased rapidly in recent years. Planning for the birth of a child is one of the central thoughts of a pregnant woman and her partner; how she...

Giving birth is tough. VERY tough. It will never be easy, and arguably should not be-you are bringing a new life into this world. It is a big deal and that is why it is hard to do. Here are some...

The Due date is an estimation, and not an exact science, but there are many reasons to want to get the pregnancy over with, as long as the baby is ready as well. One of the main reasons for me...

Seeing and hearing the baby's heartbeat are exciting milestones during a pregnancy. A doctor or midwife will follow it as an important sign of the baby's health. The baby's heart starts to beat at...

Home births have become increasingly popular over the last decade, as more pregnant mothers begin to shy away from medically-controlled births. The idea of a home birth is to bring both mother and...

An unassisted childbirth is when a woman chooses to trust her body and give birth without any attending medical professionals. This is sometimes also called freebirthing. Women who choose to give...

It seems that in movies and on television, when a woman is ready to have a baby, she goes to the hospital. Every now and then, something goes completely wrong and the baby is born at home. But in...

Many expecting mothers wish to have a midwife attend the birth of their baby. Midwives can assist women at home, at a freestanding birth center, or even at a hospital. Most women who have used a...

When your pregnancy gets to the point where you think you are in labor, it is important to know the correct way to time contractions. When you call your Midwife or Obstetrician they will need to...

At 23 weeks pregnant, your baby is over halfway to your due date. Fetal development is at an exciting point as your baby is preparing to survive outside your womb. In fact, there is a small chance...

The birth of your child is a sacred experience. Finding a good, reputable midwife is serious business. Anyone can hang out a shingle and say they are a midwife. Choosing a competent midwife is...

Monitoring the fetal movement during pregnancy is an important task for mothers to be. This is sometimes called kick counts. It can be helpful in determining if there is a problem with the baby...

Toward the end of your pregnancy you start to want to get labor moving along. You wonder what the early labor symptoms are and what signs show you that you are going into labor. Look to these...

Delivery options for childbirth include an obstetrician in a hospital or a midwife at home. Decide on a childbirth delivery option with tips from a gynecologist and obstetrician in this free video...

Congratulations! You are pregnant! Now is the time to start considering your options for a good doctor/midwife. Some women are afraid to go the doctor. You don't know what to expect. Well grab...

Different types of doctors specialize in certain areas of care during pregnancy. While it is common to think of your prenatal care provider as a stereotypical doctor at the hospital, your choices...

During birth, the doctor or midwife guides the mother through the process of labor, telling her when to push and how hard to push, until the baby is born. Understand the step-by-step process of a...

While pregnant, eating and drinking habits should be altered to increase 500 calories a day, increase servings of dairy, avoid raw meats, avoid large fish, minimize caffeine and eliminate alcohol....

Swollen breasts during pregnancy are a common occurrence, as there is an increase of blood flow to the breasts, the lobes that make milk develop and colostrum begins forming. Understand the...

The stages of pregnancy are divided into three main groups, the first, second and third trimester, the second being the longest at 28 weeks long. Understand the different stages of pregnancy with...

Treating a cold during pregnancy can be done by taking Tylenol or aspirin, using throat lozenges, gargling with warm water, using a saline nasal flush, getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of...

Things that can help induce labor include walking, eating particular foods, having intercourse and taking Castor oil. Experiment with various methods of inducing labor, only when the due date is...

Medications to avoid during pregnancy are categorized by the Food and Drug Administration as levels C, D and X, but levels A and B are generally safe to take during pregnancy. Find medications...

A pregnancy checklist for the hospital is expansive, but it should include clothing for the delivery, as well as after the delivery, general toiletries for the mother, blankets for the baby and a...

Sleeping positions while pregnant are important to consider, as sleeping on the back can constrict blood flow to the uterus. Try various positions on the left side with helpful information from a...

To tell if you are pregnant, symptoms such as breast tenderness, bloating and fatigue can occur before the missed period, but a home pregnancy test is a relatively accurate way to determine if you...

Lifting things during pregnancy can be safe when little strain is put on the back. Bend at the knees to lift small things off the ground with helpful information from a certified nurse-midwife in...

Medical information about labor and delivery is available in the form of books, classes and visits to a physician, but figuring out the options for paint management, location and birth attendants...

Morning sickness varies greatly from woman to woman, as it can last all day during the first part of pregnancy or it can be very subtle only during parts of the day. Learn about the different...

Getting pregnant requires first getting into the best health possible through eating well, getting into a regular fitness routine, eliminating alcohol from the diet and taking folic acid...

Preparing the body for becoming pregnant is very important for the overall health of the baby, and it includes taking folic acid, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep and taking prenatal...

Flying while pregnant is usually safe, so long as there are no complications with the pregnancy, the mother-to-be stays well-hydrated, and she travels with her medical records. Get tips on flying...

Cramping during pregnancy is quite common and normal, but it should be observed closely to make sure there is no coinciding bleeding taking place. Discover healthy and worrisome cramping during...

Environmental things to avoid while pregnant include any solvents, high-fume paints or pesticides, but keeping the room well-ventilated makes painting a room and painting nails safer. Use caution...

During pregnancy, changes in hair include a fuller head of hair with a lush texture, but hair loss is very common directly after pregnancy. Learn how the hormonal changes during pregnancy affect...

Calculating a date of ovulation requires keeping track of cervical mucous changes, body temperature changes and the cycle days, as ovulation usually occurs during day 14 of a 28-day menstrual...

A breastfed newborn baby should have a bowel movement five to 10 times a day for the first month and then every four to 12 days after that. Discuss newborn baby bowel movements with a pediatrician...

Signs of a teething baby include drooling, pulling at the ears, scratching at the jaw line, slightly loose stools and difficulty sleeping. Identify the signs of teething, as opposed to a more...

In the first few weeks of pregnancy, women will rarely even know they are pregnant. The first trimester often involves great fatigue and nausea. During weeks 16 through 22, pregnant women may...

Surrogate parenting is when a women is hired or volunteers to carry a baby for a family or couple that is unable to have a child in the traditional sense. Find out how surrogate parents may use...