According to the American Pregnancy Association, an obstetrician or OB-GYN is a doctor specially trained to manage prenatal care, labor and the delivery of your baby. In addition to a PHD, this type of doctor also receives special training in the...
When a baby is born in a hospital, the administrative staff provides the new parents with the forms they need to register the baby's birth. If a child was not born in a hospital, however, the parents or midwife are responsible for obtaining...
Telling your 2-year-old your family is about to enlarge isn't always easy. But your approach can make him more accepting of the changes. While he won't understand all the implications, he will pick up on your nervousness if you approach the...
Pregnancy drastically alters your body's physique, and it can take a lot of work after childbirth to regain your form. Even after birthing, most women still have larger-than-normal stomachs that need to be slowly reeled in as the body heals and...
Pregnancy causes weight gain that is often difficult to shed after the birth of your child. In addition to all-over weight gain, fat may tend to accumulate in the lower area of your abdomen. To combat this post-pregnancy lower-belly pooch, begin a...
Obtaining your child's birth certificate is important when proof of birth date and citizenship are needed for government benefits, social security numbers and even renting a home. Some states have strict guidelines regarding who can request a...
You should secure your child's birth certificate as soon as possible after the child's birth, to establish documentary proof of paternity and to perform other legal acts on behalf of your child, such as getting a Social Security number and...
Getting back into shape after having a baby is something that most women want to do as quickly as possible. In most cases, such as if you had an uncomplicated vaginal birth, you can start light exercises shortly after giving birth, notes...
Birth certificates are important legal documents issued the state government when a child is born. Although birth certificate laws differ somewhat from state to state, it is possible to change the name of a parent on a birth certificate in most...
When you go into labor, you can generally choose which type of pain relief you want administered to help relieve the pain of contractions and childbirth. You can opt to have a natural delivery without medication, narcotics to take the edge off of...
According to a September 2006 article in "The Lancet," childbirth-related hemorrhage -- uncontrolled or abnormal bleeding -- is responsible for about 126,960 of the 529,000 mothers' lives lost globally to pregnancy-related causes every year,...
Once you find out that you are pregnant, you experience many emotions. One main desire is to know when you can expect your bundle of joy. Determining your due date before seeing a doctor will give you a good idea of when you will be giving birth....
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is defined as a blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher. According to BabyCenter.com, gestational hypertension, often referred to as pregnancy-induced hypertension, occurs in women after 20 weeks of...
Shortly after a baby is born, the mother is presented with a birth certificate to fill out and sign. This certificate lists the baby's date of birth, sex, name and parents. This becomes the primary identification of that child's United States...
While there are normal ranges at which children should be expected to develop, parents should remember that each child goes through stages at varying times within an average period, according to doctors at the Child Development Institute. Parents...
Babies make remarkable progress in the first five months of their lives, reaching a wide variety of milestones. Each child develops at her own rate, and parents shouldn't worry about slight delays, according to the website Baby Medical Questions...
Children develop rapidly from birth to seven years, progressing from totally helpless infants to individuals who can think, speak and solve problems. Knowing the stages of child development can help you understand their needs and behaviors and...
Pregnancy makes great demands of your body. Growing, developing and birthing a child are hard work and can put stress on your body. Your nutrition can influence how your body performs and recovers from the stress of pregnancy, especially your...
Multivitamins may not help everyone, but certain groups of people may reap the benefits of a multivitamin. See your doctor or a dietician to determine which multivitamins and dosages are appropriate for you, because individual supplements are...
Herbs grow just about anywhere, but some are more identified with certain geographical locations than others. Herbs that grow in the United States have been used by Native Americans, pioneer families, ranchers and trappers for generations. Today,...
A birth defect that can affect the brain, cerebral palsy affects about 10,000 babies each year in the United States, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Symptoms of cerebral palsy can start by the time the...
The decision to search for a child you gave up for adoption can be challenging, both emotionally and practically. Some birth parents prefer to conduct a passive search. This method involves making a concerted effort to place the information you...
Searching for a child you put up for adoption can be a daunting task followed by a life-long relationship. You may choose a passive or active search. Passive means taking your updated contact information and putting it where your child can find it...
A traditional surrogate mother uses her own egg to carry and give birth to a child for another couple. The services of a surrogate are typically needed because of the woman's infertility or other reproductive-related issues. A woman who desires to...
Not all paternity cases are filed directly after an out-of-wedlock birth of a child. In some instances, years pass before a paternity case commences. The delay in pursuing a paternity case arises from a variety of reasons. Ultimately, the reason...
A paternity affidavit is one device designed to establish the parentage of a child born out of wedlock. The presumed biological father executes the affidavit affirming that he is in fact the father of the child. Typically, a paternity affidavit is...
Parents and caregivers have swaddled their infants since at least the 1700s, explains “The Journal of Pediatrics,” and since the 1990s, swaddling has become a popular trend in the United States, according to a health writer at The New...
Loose skin happens as a natural part of the aging process. It also happens when you lose a significant amount of weight or give birth to a child. There are a few lifestyle changes you can adopt to reduce sagging skin. You can also have surgery to...
The birth of your child is one of the most unique experiences that you may have. Pregnancy is a significant process that requires you to adjust your lifestyle. Having a healthy pregnancy is an attainable goal with some diligence and focus.