Pregnancy brings many changes to the body, sometimes resulting in discomfort. By the third trimester, many women may be eager for the pregnancy to come to term so they may start the process of returning to normal body weight and of course to greet...
As you near your due date, you are likely wondering when you will go into labor. One sign of impending labor is your baby dropping, which is also called lightening. It occurs when your baby begins to descend into our pelvis in preparation for...
Many pregnant women eagerly look for signs of their baby dropping, which is also called engagement or lightening, toward the end of the third trimester. Although the process of the baby dropping can vary greatly depending upon the individual woman...
When you're pregnant, you might look forward to having the baby "drop" as an indication that the end of pregnancy is in sight. This process, medically termed "lightening," generally occurs two to three weeks before labor starts...
Lightening is the medical term used to describe the baby settling deeper into a woman's pelvis. The American Pregnancy Association points out that although this does indicate the body is preparing for labor, it might occur several weeks or only a...
In addition to her baby, one common topic on a new mom's mind is how to lose the weight she gained during pregnancy. With a newborn to care for, it's often difficult for new mothers to make weight loss a priority. However, combining diet, exercise...
Breastfeeding and caring for your baby will cause you to drop pounds right after labor, but eventually you’ll have to work at losing the weight you gained during pregnancy. Getting in shape and toning your mid-section will make you feel...
Lightening is the medical name for the baby dropping lower into a woman's pelvis during the late stages of pregnancy. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the baby can drop anytime during the last few weeks of...
Heartburn can occur during pregnancy whether a woman has ever experienced this discomfort before or not. Sometimes, women experience heartburn for the first time during pregnancy. Symptoms include a burning sensation in the chest, regurgitation of...
It's no wonder that you're anxious to lose weight after having your baby. After nine months of watching your body change as you gain weight, it's finally time to get your prepregnancy shape back. If you've had a C-section, your road to recovery...
Quitting smoking can be very difficult, partly because of the presence of nicotine in tobacco. Nicotine stimulates the brain and over time can cause the brain to become addicted to the chemical, which can make it difficult to quit. On the other...
While there is no get-thin-quick solution when it comes to eliminating your post-baby belly, a combination of exercise, diet and lifestyle choices can reduce your belly fat. Understanding the most effective ways to reduce belly fat is the first...
Although your weight may fluctuate slightly from time to time, an unexplained loss of weight that consists of more than a few pounds may signal the presence of a health problem. Depending on the cause of your weight loss, other conditions may...
If you're pregnant and crave sweet foods over salty foods, then your baby is sure to be a girl---at least, that's what some people would have you believe. Of the many myths surrounding pregnancy, the ones that purport to predict a baby's gender...
Progesterone plays in important role in a woman's fertility, both by building up the endometrial lining and triggering it to be shed during menstruation when no pregnancy occurs. Without the proper levels of progesterone in relation to estrogen,...
Hair normally follows a predictable pattern of growth. There is about a centimeter worth of growth every month for 2 to 6 years followed by a few months of no growth, and then the hair falling out and the cycle repeating. Sometimes, however, this...
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...
Hair loss can occur for a number of reasons, including a sudden or dramatic change in hormones. These hormones are produced by your ovaries and are responsible for a variety of functions, from regulating hormones to helping during pregnancy. If...
By the second trimester of your pregnancy, the worst of your morning sickness should be behind you, if you experienced it at all, according to the website SheKnows Baby & Pregnancy. In your second trimester, you should be gaining the most...
A typical pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, but every woman's body and every pregnancy she has can be different. In order for the baby to be delivered, he must drop down in the woman's womb, called lightening. This can occur at various times for...
Progesterone plays an important role during pregnancy. After delivery of the baby, the levels of this hormone begin to drop. Breastfeeding causes low levels of progesterone due to the effect of prolactin, which prevents ovulation. Thus,...
Toward the end of a pregnancy, many women feel a sensation called lightening, or the baby dropping into position to be born, according to the Giving Birth Naturally website. This generally happens two to four weeks before a pregnant mother goes...
Pelvic pressure is a common female complaint. It may be constant or intermittent, sharp or dull. Often it occurs at particular times, such as during intercourse, urination or menstruation. Pregnancy and its various related conditions is a major...
As you near the end of your pregnancy, sick of aching back and swollen feet, you might wake up one morning with the strange desire to repaint the bathroom or clean the attic. No, pregnancy hasn't driven you crazy --- this might be the "nesting...
Among the many changes that occur during pregnancy is lightening, the physical shifting of your baby's body that takes place shortly before labor. Understanding the facts about lightening, including what it is, what it means and how it might...
Your preconception fitness level indicates the level of physical activity you can continue into a healthy pregnancy. Likewise, the level of activity you’re able to maintain up until your third trimester is directly related to the intensity,...
Pregnancy is an exciting journey that can bring much apprehension as the expected delivery date of the baby approaches. From the moment of conception a woman's body takes on many changes. In fact, some of the early changes are paving the way for...
By the time the ninth month of pregnancy finally arrives, most women are more than ready for pregnancy to be over. Every twinge, cramp and odd sensation bring the hopeful question "Is this it?" Early labor has several signs; some are subtle and...
At 37 weeks gestation, your baby is about 18 inches long and 6 or 7 pounds -- although your belly may look as if it is much, much larger, according to the American Pregnancy Association. This can complicate even everyday activities, including...