While all women have some degree of vaginal discharge on a daily basis, pregnant women will notice an increase in the production of their vaginal secretions. This is just one of many changes they will undergo throughout the course of their...
Your due date gives you a general idea of when your newest family member will arrive, but you can't predict exactly when your body will begin true labor. Even when the contractions start you won't necessarily rush straight to the hospital. If you...
Women who have never given birth may believe that they will automatically know when the time to deliver the newborn has come. According to Penn Health, true labor is sometimes not easily identifiable. The due date is a reference date, and actual...
Pregnancy causes numerous changes to a woman's body and bodily functions, including an increase in vaginal discharge. In many cases, the discharge is perfectly normal, but there are times when it may be a sign of an infection or other health...
As you near your due date, you should start packing your bags to bring to the hospital when you go into labor. You can pack one bag with everything you need for labor and delivery, postpartum and discharge; however, it may be easier to pack one...
Near the end of pregnancy, women may have periodic mild contractions that cause discomfort, particularly in the back, abdomen and legs. Emotional support, warm baths, rest, extra fluids and moderate exercise may help. This pre-labor, or false...
Preterm labor occurs in or before your 37th week of pregnancy. While everyone is anxious for the baby to arrive, early birth can possibly cause problems for the baby such as impaired brain function and respiratory and digestive trouble. The...
Reaching the 39th week of pregnancy means you are almost there. Your body is preparing itself for the big day. You may know things are going on by the Braxton Hicks, or fake contractions, you are experiencing. Another indication is a slimy...
There are many reasons for vaginal bleeding in pregnancy. While many are nothing to worry about, others are quite serious and require a doctor's immediate attention. Pregnant women should educate themselves about the various causes of early and...
Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can mimic the symptoms of a period. It is important for women to understand, however, that bleeding while pregnant is not an actual period. Menstruation occurs when a woman does not conceive; therefore, no...
Vaginal discharge is a completely normal occurrence in women and teenage girls. Discharge changes throughout a woman's menstrual cycle. Normal discharge varies between a white, sticky discharge to one that closely resembles an egg white. Discharge...
The 34th week of pregnancy is an exciting time, as the baby continues to grow and develop inside the mother's body and both get ready for the impending birth. For a woman who has had a healthy, uneventful pregnancy, this time is often filled with...
Cramps are a common late pregnancy complaint. A pregnancy is full-term between 37 and 42 weeks, and cramps are the body's way of preparing for labor. In a normal pregnancy, the expectant mother has gained 25 to 40 pounds by this point. She may be...
Most women go their entire pregnancy with no problems or concerns. However, if something unusual does occur, it can have serious implications for the mother and her baby. Knowing the danger signs of pregnancy will help you to get immediate medical...
Your human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, levels can tell your doctor quite a bit about your pregnancy. Your doctor will confirm your pregnancy by testing your hCG levels and the same hormones will tell your doctor more about your pregnancy later...
While some bleeding is common during pregnancy, it can also be a sign that something is wrong or that there is a complication. Understanding the signs and symptoms of pregnancy-related conditions that can lead to abnormal vaginal bleeding are...
If you're in the third trimester of your pregnancy, you are probably getting more and more anxious about the big delivery day. After the 38th week of your pregnancy, your baby could come at any time, even if you are still a few weeks from your due...
Aches and pains are common at the end of a pregnancy, and back pain is no exception. Mothers may find themselves uncomfortable whether they are sitting or lying down. Worries and anxieties commonly surface at this stage of the pregnancy, sometimes...
Labor is divided into three stages delineated by the dilation of the cervix and changes in the uterus, according to BabyCenter website. Your physician will determine how your labor is progressing via a physical examination to determine your baby's...
There are multiple causes of bleeding during pregnancy, most of which are not life-threatening. Mothers are naturally anxious about the prospect of pregnancy loss, complications or preterm birth. Small amounts of bleeding after sex or vaginal...
Since exercise is so beneficial to your body when pregnant, it's actually a highly recommended activity as long as you're enjoying a safe and healthy pregnancy. Cardiovascular -- sometimes known as aerobic -- exercise involves raising your heart...
Dramatic weight gain--between 25 and 40 lbs. in a healthy pregnancy--and fluctuating hormones are the cause of a variety of pregnant womenâ??s complaints, including pelvic pressure. A pregnancy lasts between 37 and 42 weeks, so at 33 weeks,...
Spotting or vaginal bleeding during the ninth month may be alarming. It can be the result of normal pregnancy conditions, including labor, or it can be a sign of a pregnancy complication. Women who notice any bleeding this late in the pregnancy...
Any spotting during the 34th week of pregnancy should be reported to a doctor. While the spotting may not indicate anything serious, it is important that a proper diagnosis is made right away. Some of the more serious causes of spotting are rare...
Your first pregnancy is bound to be an unfolding mystery. As your body undergoes rapid changes, you'll need to know how to accommodate these changes in a way that's healthy for you and your baby. You may also want to know what to expect at various...
Spotting towards the end of your pregnancy is a sign of labor. This spotting occurs when the mucous plug that protects the opening of your cervix from bacteria dislodges from the cervix. Loss of the mucous plug also is known as the bloody show....
Although expecting a child can bring much excitement and joy, it also can be overwhelming and scary when you are not sure what is going on. Knowing what to expect when expecting a child may help you feel more in control of the process and able to...
As your due date grows nigh, you may find yourself looking for signs that your baby is ready to be born. Your doctor may notice physiological changes in your body that indicate that labor could start at any time. However, if you've kept in tune...
Pregnancy may cause you some amount of anxiety, especially if this is your first child. Make sure you keep all of your appointments with your obstetrician. This will not only give you and your child the best care, but these appointments will allow...