Any pregnancy involves a certain level of risk to both the mother and the baby. However, certain pregnancies are considered high-risk--this may be due to the mother's pre-pregnancy health status, or arise from problems that surface during the...
While exercise is an important part of a healthy pregnancy, if your OB has diagnosed you as high risk, exercise may be discouraged. Certain conditions such as high blood pressure and preterm labor can be exacerbated by exercise, making it...
Every pregnancy carries its share of risks, such as miscarriage, tubal pregnancy, and premature birth. In some cases, pregnancy poses danger for both the mother and fetus; these are high risk pregnancies, as the National Institutes of Health...
Pregnancy is usually a time of joy and anticipation. Some pregnancies progress along smoothly and end with a quick and easy delivery while others are accompanied with complications from the first moment. During your pregnancy, a nutritious diet is...
Pregnancy affects a woman's body, causing an increased level of hormones and volume of blood, which in turn increases the need for certain nutrients. Although eating a healthy diet helps a woman meet vitamin and mineral needs, some women might...
The Brewer Pregnancy Diet aims to reduce the risk of dangerous conditions during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, toxemia, HELLP syndrome and pregnancy swelling. The diet differs from traditional recommendations by being much higher in protein and...
Only 6 to 8 percent of pregnancies are considered high-risk, according to the UCSF Medical Center. Occasionally, these situations involve bed rest and other lifestyle modifications for the pregnant mother. However, with proper, highly specialized...
A high risk pregnancy requires that you take extra precautions when selecting exercises for your fitness regimen. Yoga provides a way for many pregnant women to maintain fitness levels and reduce discomfort during pregnancy. A high risk pregnancy,...
Pregnancy is a happy, yet scary time for most expectant parents. However, many different complications can arise during the course of a pregnancy. Maintaining compliance with pre-natal care and doctor's visits will help to ensure that if a...
Pregnancy is generally a happy time for most women. However, there are some who are at high risk. This means there are specific health risks, either pre-existing or those that develop during the pregnancy, that threaten the development of the baby...
Finding out that your pregnancy is considered high risk comes with a wide range of emotions. Dealing with these emotions is necessary so you can enjoy your pregnancy as much as possible. Some women blame themselves for their pregnancy being high...
When a woman finds out she’s pregnant, it’s natural that one of the first things she wonders is whether her baby is developing normally and whether her pregnancy will be risky. While pregnancy is a very natural event that more often...
High blood pressure, also known as HBP or hypertension, is associated with increased risk for diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Hypertension during pregnancy poses additional risks that affect the mother and her infant, including low...
Having chronic hypertension that starts before pregnancy or during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause complications. Chronic hypertension can have harmful effects on a fetus, and it also increases the risk of developing other diseases in...
Progesterone is a hormone essential to the female menstrual cycle and a healthy pregnancy. Inadequate levels of progesterone can result in miscarriage or infertility. Progesterone supplements are often used in women who have fertility problems and...
Once you've discovered that you're pregnant, you may have a lot of questions concerning the things you should and shouldn't do. Exercise is highly recommended for pregnant women, but you should take some precautions to help you deal with the first...
Electronic fetal monitors help medical personnel track the health of a laboring mother and her baby in the womb. Fetal monitors are especially useful in high-risk pregnancies. The technology has some drawbacks, including false positives that may...
Many pregnant women seek to maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise during their pregnancies. While exercise is probably safe for most pregnant women, you should check with your doctor or midwife to make sure it is safe for you to exercise....
While it would be a convenient excuse, housework generally is safe for pregnancy. Since the actions could be considered low-impact exercise, sweeping and mopping actually could be a beneficial way to stay active while pregnant. Unless your doctor...
If you were born in the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s, your mother probably did not exercise during her pregnancy. Doctors, according to an article on Childbirth.org, feared that exercise could damage the fetus, and recommended bed rest for even their...
Monitoring the fetal heart rate is essential to tracking your baby's growth and development during pregnancy. While in the womb, your baby's heart rate should be 120 and 160 beats per minute, according to MedlinePlus. The heart rate may rise when...
Midwives have cared for women during childbirth for thousands of years. The meaning of the word midwife is "with woman," and the midwife's role is to offer supportive care to the expectant mother. In general, midwives use fewer interventions than...
In healthy, uncomplicated pregnancies, exercise is safe and beneficial. Physical fitness during pregnancy may make labor easier and ease common pregnancy discomforts. Exercising during your pregnancy may also help you manage weight gain during...
A doctor who delivers babies is usually licensed as an obstetrician/gynecologist, or Ob/Gyn, a specialty that involves training in pregnancy, birth and the reproductive systems of women. Different obstetricians have different philosophies, with...
HCG, better known as human chorionic gonadotropin, is a hormone that is essential for normal reproductive function. It is essentially produced by human placenta and is measured in blood or urine for diagnosis of pregnancy. HCG is also very...
As you journey into motherhood, you may wonder whether you should be more or less active during your pregnancy. To be safe, consult your obstetrician regarding your health status and fitness level before engaging in any exercise routine. Read a...
The fetal Doppler is a way to check the heartbeat on a fetus in the womb. The Doppler may be used during fetal development to monitor the health of the baby, and it is used during the time of labor and delivery. Other times, the fetal Doppler...
Progesterone is a hormone secreted by a woman's ovaries that helps to regulate ovulation and menstrual bleeding. This important hormone has also been used as a supplement to treat many symptoms of menopause. Women who are pregnant may benefit from...
Pregnancy changes certain aspects of life, but travel is generally fine to continue even by air. Some pregnant women with preexisting health conditions or high-risk pregnancies face greater restrictions on when they are able to fly safely. Check...
