One in 12 babies born in the United States weighs less than 5 lbs., 8 oz. at birth, according to the March of Dimes. Babies less than 3 lbs., 4 oz. are classified as very low birth-weight, a designation that only 1.5 percent of babies attain,...
Teenage pregnancies are those that occur among girls between the ages of 13 and 17. These pregnancies are often a result of poverty and poor education, which reduces the chances that a girl is using contraceptives, says Pregnancy Rx. Many teen...
According to a 2006 study published in "National Vital Statistics Reports," at least 10 percent of women smoke while pregnant. Exposure to smoke prenatally increases the risk for several adverse outcomes for the fetus, including miscarriage and...
At least one in 10 women smokes and/or drinks alcohol during pregnancy. While most women are aware that smoking and drinking are not recommended during pregnancy, many women don't realize the specific risks associated with these exposures. From...
A baby's birth weight can make a significant difference in the way she develops. Depending on if there are any neurological or physical complications, the baby may initially appear delayed but will often catch up by the age of two. Babies born...
Nicotine is a chemical substance that is found in tobacco products like cigarettes. Smoking is one of the most common outlets that nicotine has to get into the body. Some short-term effects of nicotine include a rush of energy and a feeling of...
Weight loss of 5 to 10 percent in the days following birth is normal. Usually, a baby will regain that weight in the following weeks. If you are concerned that your baby has lost too much weight, or simply want to know how much weight she has...
Alcohol and drug use during pregnancy is a major cause of preventable miscarriage, birth defects and other adverse outcomes. In addition to alcohol, other common drugs used by pregnant women include amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana and heroin....
Pregnancy is an exciting time for parents-to-be. Some mothers find it difficult to quit smoking prior to or during their pregnancies. Cigarette smoke contains over 2,000 chemicals, with two of the most dangerous substances being nicotine and...
Many factors can affect the development of a fetus. Environmental agents that can negatively affect prenatal development are called teratogens. Teratogen exposure tends to be most detrimental during the first trimester (the first three months) of...
Most women have little trouble gaining extra pounds when they're pregnant, but you could be part of a smaller group that consistently struggles to reach pregnancy weight goals. Whether you started out underweight, you lost some weight due to early...
A healthy baby grows substantially during the first year of life. At 12 months, most babies weigh three times as much as at birth. This is an important time to establish habits that will support growth for a baby, by regularly feeding him and...
Smoking affects nearly every organ in the body, and smoking-related illness causes nearly 400,000 deaths in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health. Approximately 87 percent of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking, according...
High blood pressure during pregnancy can be a result of chronic hypertension present before conception or it may be a result of bodily changes during pregnancy. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, 6 to 8 percent of pregnant...
Ensuring a baby's healthy weight is important in preventing adverse health conditions. To prevent low birth weight, a proper diet must be followed to get vital nutrients to both mother and child.
As of 2010, the pregnancy and birth rates among adolescents are significantly high in the United States as compared to other developed countries, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, the complications in teenage...
Babies born at a healthy weight have a lower risk for health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, low birthweight babies are at a greater risk for developing problems such as neurodevelopmental handicaps or...
Almost all women experience stress at some point during pregnancy. Mood swings and emotional disturbances are a completely normal reaction to the physical, emotional and lifestyle changes associated with pregnancy. While normal levels of stress...
Your baby's growth and development depend on appropriate weight gain during your pregnancy, according to MayoClinic.com. Rates of low birthweight increase in women gaining too little weight during pregnancy. Current weight gain recommendations are...
The increased blood volume you experience during pregnancy to support your unborn child's growth and development requires you to boost your nutritional intake in a variety of ways. Among the nutrients you'll need to increase is iron. Iron is...
Cymbalta is an antidepressant medication classified as an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), which means it increases levels of both serotonin and norepinephrine. Cymbalta is a Class C drug for use in pregnancy, which means that...
Most women worry about gaining too much weight during pregnancy rather than too little. But if you started pregnancy underweight and then find it difficult to eat in early pregnancy due to morning sickness, you may worry about your baby's...
Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a condition characterized by motor dysfunction or uncoordinated muscle movement. Injury to the cortex of the brain accounts for the dysfunction, notes the Brain Connection website. Diagnosing cerebral palsy before one...
Vitamins are defined as essential organic compounds required in very small amounts that are involved in fundamental functions of the body. They are categorized as water soluble or fat soluble. Vitamins A, D, E and K are the fat soluble vitamins....
In 1984 the Surgeon General mandated that cigarette packages carry the following warning; "Smoking by pregnant women may result in fetal injury, premature birth and low birthweight." When a woman finds out that she is pregnant the first thing she...
Although pregnancy might seem like the perfect time to indulge in your favorite foods since you are "eating for two," gaining too much or too little weight can put you at risk for a number of complications, including preeclampsia, pre-term...
Despite the fact that millions of Americans take either a daily multivitamin tablet or individual vitamin and mineral tablets, no general consensus exists among health and nutrition experts that these supplements lead to improved health. For...
A pregnant woman's diet and health have significant effects on the baby she carries because her body bears sole responsibility for nourishing and forming the fetus. Accordingly, when an expecting mother experiences malnourishment, her baby also...
According to MayoClinic.com, most babies double their birth weight by 6 months and triple it by 1 year. But for parents of infants who fall short of that goal, or who were classified “growth restricted” at birth, it’s natural to...
Breastfeeding is a natural and healthy way to feed babies and has many nutritional advantages. Difficulty with breastfeeding is a common problem for new moms though, so learn how to breastfeed in this video.
