Dilantin, also called phenytoin, is a medication taken by some people for control of seizures. Like all anti-seizure medications, Dilantin can cause problems for the fetus when used by a woman during pregnancy, especially during the first three...
Cytotec (misoprostol) is a prostaglandin (hormone-like) medication that has several uses. Cytotec is often used "off label" to induce labor, meaning that the drug is not FDA approved for use in pregnancy because it hasn't been adequately tested in...
As of 2007, one in five women in the United States begins their pregnancy obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, carrying excess weight is associated with serious health risks for both mom and baby. If...
Smoking and pregnancy should not mix. Unfortunately, at least 10 percent of women smoke while pregnant, according to a 2006 study published in "National Vital Statistics Reports." A baby exposed to smoke in utero is at risk for many different...
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...
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...
Thalidomide is a drug that caused severe birth defects in babies born in the 1960s to mothers who took the drug early in pregnancy for morning sickness. The drug was banned due to its significant side effects, but is again being used to treat...
Women who abuse drugs during pregnancy face increased risks for many different problems for both themselves and their babies. Four of the most common complications associated with substance abuse are miscarriage, fetal growth restriction, preterm...
Drug abuse during pregnancy is responsible for a surprising amount of birth defects and other adverse outcomes for the baby. The types of defects that can occur depend on which drug is used, how much is used and the timing during pregnancy when it...
Pregnancy is the beginning of a life-changing event. Your body belongs to someone else and what you do with it affects this new being. One of the most important parts of pregnancy is getting adequate nutrition, vitamins and minerals. Folic acid is...
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....
Folic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin found almost exclusively in supplements. This chemical arrangement is rarely found in foods. Folate is naturally occurring in foods and is metabolically active in the human body. All people need folic acid,...
Chickenpox is a common childhood disease caused by the varicella virus. Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, stomachache and a characteristic rash of small, red, fluid-filled blisters called pox. Past generations of children would miss...
A prosthetic leg is an artificial limb designed to replace a missing leg. A prosthetic leg can be used for congenital defects (being born without a leg), a disease that requires amputation or an accident that has caused the loss of the limb....
Folic acid refers to the synthetic form of folate, an essential B vitamin that occurs naturally in legumes and other foods. Folic acid, which is the form found in supplements and added to fortified foods, is water-soluble. According to the...
Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is an evergreen shrub native to Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. The leaves and twigs of the plant are dried and steeped in hot water until a tea is formed. Yerba mate acts as a central nervous system...
A healthy, well-rounded diet helps to ensure your health, as well as the health of your baby, when you are pregnant. Nutritional deficiencies can account for a number of developmental problems in your growing fetus, as well as possibly cause a...
So named because of its blue-white sparkly appearance, crystal methamphetamine is a central nervous system stimulant and illegal street drug. Young women may smoke, snort or inject meth to improve energy and mood and suppress appetite. Users...
The dangers of smoking are well-known -- an increased risk of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and impaired reproduction, among countless other illnesses. However, many women may not be aware of the risks to their unborn infants or young...
Smoking and alcohol are contraindicated during pregnancy, but unfortunately, many women continue to smoke and drink alcoholic beverages throughout their pregnancy. Smoking and alcohol are dangerous in and of itself as they can lead to heart...
When you become pregnant, you begin to focus on making the best choices for your unborn baby. Eating a balanced diet, avoiding alcohol and getting plenty of rest help ensure a smooth pregnancy and a healthy child. Planning a healthy pregnancy...
Before the development of the chicken pox, or varicella, vaccine, about 4 million cases of chicken pox occurred annually in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 11,000 people required...
If you're pregnant, prenatal testing may seem like a positive thing, a way to check your baby's health and find out whether you're having a boy or girl. While 97 percent of all prenatal tests deliver good news, according to the University of...
Chickenpox is often thought of as just a benign children's disease, but chickenpox in children and adults, including pregnant women, can have devastating consequences. Chickenpox, a blistering rash, is caused by the varicella zoster virus and is...
Beta-carotene and other carotenoid pigments found in darkly colored vegetables are metabolized by the body into vitamin A. Vitamin A, or retinol, is an important nutrient for vision, the immune system and gene expression during development. A...
When a mother smokes during pregnancy, she places her baby and herself at risk for dangerous consequences. Smoking causes increased chances for miscarriage, growth restriction, preterm birth, birth defects, and health problems after birth....
Epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition characterized by seizures, affects around 2 million Americans, including many women of childbearing age. Seizure activity can range from loss of consciousness and convulsions to brief episodes of staring...
During the early days of archery, bow strings were made from sinew, rawhide or animal parts. As the technology of bows evolved, so did the materials used for the bow strings. Having the proper bow string for a particular bow can dramatically...
Green bell peppers contain water and the nutrients lutein, zeaxanthin, potassium, and vitamins A, C and K. Your method of preparation determines the amount of each nutrient the green bell peppers retain. Green bell peppers taste sweet to all but...
