Throughout the process of pregnancy, mothers- and fathers-to-be are looking for normal, healthy growth of their unborn child. As a way of better handling the rigors of childbirth, many women participate in exercise programs. While exercise during...
A developing human embryo mimics human evolution. The consecutive stages of the embryo's developing respiratory system resemble the respiratory systems found in fish, amphibians, reptiles and lower mammals. The fetus gets its oxygen and nutrients...
A fetus in the womb does not begin its existence with fully functioning lungs. Instead, the infant relies on its mother to provide the oxygen required for living. A fetus doesn't really breathe in the womb. The lungs are full of amniotic fluid....
A baby needs a fully developed set of lungs in order to breathe well on her own and to provide enough oxygen for her body's tissues. A premature baby's lungs may be underdeveloped, causing difficulty with breathing and putting the baby at risk of...
Although kidney cysts can be diagnosed at any age, the majority of cases are identified through renal ultrasound or shortly after a baby is born. The severity of this condition is highly variable. In some instances, people make it to adulthood...
Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including cyanide, lead and at least 60 cancer-causing compounds, reports BabyCenter. Nicotine and carbon monoxide are two of the most dangerous chemicals that are inhaled during cigarette...
Treatment of HELLP syndrome will depend on the severity of your symptoms, your overall health, the health of your unborn baby, the extent of the disease and the gestational age of the fetus. The results of your physical exam and lab work will...
According to the American Pregnancy Association, babies born before the 37th week of gestation are considered premature. Contributing factors to premature birth include maternal heart disease, diabetes, infection, incompetent cervix, preeclampsia,...
Babies do not actually breathe in the womb---at least, not in the usual sense. Fetal lungs are not fully functional, and are not even able to fully expand, until after birth. During the later stages of gestation, the fetus may "practice" breathing...
According to the March of Dimes, more than 500,000 U.S. babies are born prematurely every year--that's almost 13 percent of all births. Although many preemies make it out of the newborn intensive care unit with no problems, others fight for every...
Naproxen or naproxen sodium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, a class of drugs that work by preventing the body from producing substances that cause pain and inflammation. It is typically prescribed for people suffering from...
The third trimester is traditionally a time when the new mother begins to gather clothes and supplies and prepare a room for the forthcoming infant. She has passed through morning sickness, and through the relatively easy second trimester. The...
Cystic lung disease encompasses a group of acquired and congenital disorders with distinct features but plenty of overlap among the disease characteristics. The term "cystic" refers to small lesions in the lung containing air or fluid, called...
Hormones in the male human body function as coordinators for many bodily processes, including the regulation of organ and cell function. Men primarily produce three types of hormones: follicle-stimulating hormones, luteinizing hormones and steroid...
Although your baby's lower respiratory system started forming shortly after its heart began to beat, the lungs are among the last organs to fully mature before birth. Most newborns come into the world ready to breathe on their own, but some don't,...
A baby's lungs begin to develop during the fetal period and continue maturing into early childhood. Some children have difficulties with respiratory development due to illness or prematurity. Respiratory development that has been compromised...
A woman's pregnancy is typically dated in weeks, with the start date at her last menstrual period. The weeks up to the 12th week are typically known as the first trimester. The process begins with a sperm penetrating the egg, forming a zygote. The...
Myths abound about the use of basil during pregnancy. Some people mistakenly believe that eating this herb may cause contractions, making it unsafe for your diet during pregnancy. No scientific evidence exists to confirm this finding; in fact, a...
