Placenta previa is a potentially deadly complication of late pregnancy. The placenta implants low on the uterine wall in placenta previa and covers part or all of the cervical opening. As the cervix begins to thin or dilate, the placenta tears...
About 50 percent of women over age 40 have fertility problems, the March of Dimes states. But even if a woman over 40 does get pregnant, she has a higher risk of complications during pregnancy compared to younger women. Many of the complications...
Premature labor refers to going into labor before a fetus is 37 weeks gestational age. In the United States alone about one in eight babies are born before 37 weeks. Unfortunately, premature labor and delivery is the leading cause of death in...
Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, notes BabyCenter.com, including cyanide and lead, as well as at least 60 cancer-causing compounds. During pregnancy, all these things enter your bloodstream, which is your baby's only source of...
For women who spend years having a menstrual period, a pregnancy can be time off from those monthly cycles of bleeding. Occasionally, small amounts of bleeding occur during pregnancy, especially in the early weeks, which can be indicated by the...
Over time, smoking can affect almost every major organ in the body. Not only are smokers at a higher risk for cardiovascular issues and disease, smoking can also affect appearance. According to Center for Disease Control---smoking causes...
While most pregnancies proceed without complications, in a small percentage of cases, difficulties arise. Complications are more common in women of advanced maternal age, and just as conceiving can be more challenging at age 40, maintaining a...
Nicotine exposure (by smoking, using patches or being exposed to passive smoke) during pregnancy has harmful effects on at least three major types of fetal cells during early pregnancy. Nicotine's toxic effect on the development and function of...
Pregnancy is an exciting time to think about a new baby, but pregnancy also causes an increase in some illnesses and disorders. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, increases in blood clotting occur during pregnancy because...
While pregnant, you should get a healthy amount of low-impact exercise. In fact, "Medline Plus" magazine says that a pregnant woman should aim for 30 minutes of exercise each day. Swimming, walking and low-impact weight lifting can all be...
The fourth stage of labor is the last stage. It may seem like it's all over, but after your baby is born there are still several tasks to be completed before your delivery is finished. These include tending to any tears or incisions during...
Fibroids are a benign growth of uterine muscle cells that can impair fertility in three ways. Fibroids may inhibit conception, cause pregnancy loss due to poor placental attachment or may cause pregnancy complications such as pre-term birth,...
A cesarian-section is a method of giving birth through a surgical incision in the abdomen. There are many situations that call for a c-section, such as the baby being in distress, the baby appearing feet instead of head first (breech), if your...
Water birth is when a woman in labor delivers her child while in water. This technique was often used only in private birth centers but is now gaining momentum in hospitals around the world. This birthing option is available to a mother that...
A C-section, or a cesarean section, is a surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through an incision in the lower belly area. When vaginal birth is not possible or there are complications involved, which may harm the mother or the baby, a...
After pregnancy and once the baby is born, vaginal bleeding is a normal consequence as the body gets rid of all of the supporting tissue left in the uterus. Called lochia, this discharge is perfectly natural and nothing to be concerned about....
Placenta previa is an uncommon pregnancy complication wherein the placenta implants over the cervical os (opening to the cervix), blocking the cervix. In a normal pregnancy, the placenta is usually planted high up in the uterus. Implantation can...
For many women, pregnancy is one of the most exciting times of their lives. Over the course of your pregnancy you may spend time decorating your baby's nursery, shopping for baby clothes, choosing a name for your new baby and contemplating what...
