Pregnancy is an exciting time for parents-to-be. Some mothers find it difficult to quit smoking prior to or during their pregnancies. Cigarette smoke contains over 2,000 chemicals, with two of the most dangerous substances being nicotine and...
Any drug—alcohol, marijuana, cocaine or any prescription or street drug—may be subject to abuse by an individual. For an individual addicted to drugs, use persists despite the existence of negative consequences. Rates of drug use...
Premature infants are babies who are born prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), as many as 10 percent of babies are born prematurely. Premature birth has many effects on infant health and...
The substances you put in your body while pregnant directly affect your unborn child. This applies to the foods you eat, as well as the substances you choose to drink. Unfortunately, this also means that if you choose to drink alcohol pregnant,...
Maternal instinct awakens during pregnancy and keeps most expectant mothers away from anything that might endanger the well-being of their unborn baby. Evidence shows that drinking and smoking during pregnancy can prove harmful to the health of...
Acidophilus, also known as lactobacillus acidophilus, is a bacteria that is commonly found in the digestive tract; for women, it is also found in the vagina. Considered a good bacteria, acidophilus produces vitamin K, which helps in forming blood...
According to the March of Dimes, 30% of young women younger than 20 years of age become pregnant at least once. Because of the wide-ranging effects to the individual mothers and children as well as society as a whole, programs to help prevent teen...
Chemicals in the body called hormones, play vital roles in causing a pregnancy to occur, supporting the developing fetus during the pregnancy as well as helping the birth to occur and breast milk to be formed. As explained by the University of...
Accutane is a prescription medication used to treat severe cases of acne. Unlike some acne medications, Accutane does not appear to interact with caffeine, and both substances can generally be taken concurrently. For best results, limit your daily...
Physicians may prescribe the use of nitric oxide to help premature babies breathe. Drugs.com reports the inhaled gas helps to dilate the child's blood vessels, primarily in his lungs, which helps him breathe better. Nitric oxide, introduced...
Smoking during pregnancy can harm the baby and the mother. The mother can suffer from placenta previa and placenta abruption, both of which may cause heavy bleeding and death of the mother and/or baby. She is also at an increased risk of needing a...
Green Supreme Multivitamins are a mixture of vitamins, minerals, herbs and phytochemicals available in capsule form. The makers boast that, in addition to essential vitamins and minerals, Green Supreme Multivitamins contain 25 fruits and...
The quest for a pleasant high or escape may seem appealing to users when first indulging in the distorted world of drugs. But drugs can produce negative effects and carry long-term consequences ranging from permanent damage to the body, to...
Smoking causes or contributes to a wide variety of health problems to smokers, unborn babies and passive smokers. The Centers for Disease Control estimate nearly 20 percent of all deaths in the United States are directly or indirectly attributable...
Fenugreek seeds have a long history of use as a spice and an herbal medication, particularly in India, Egypt and the Middle East. Currently, fenugreek seeds are used to treat high cholesterol, diabetes and appetite loss. Fenugreek seeds can also...
Cholesterol readings can provide an indication of the amount of total cholesterol circulating in your bloodstream, as well as the amount of each individual type of cholesterol. Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter, and the National...
Whether or not expecting mothers are active tobacco users, secondhand smoke can affect their fetuses in many ways. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that nonsmoking women can inhale airborne smoke passively, or secondhand....
When an infant is exposed to substance abuse through his parents or caregivers, he is at risk for physical, mental and developmental delays. It is important to take into consideration that an infant can face the effects of substance abuse long...
Premature infants are babies who are born before the 37th week of gestation. A premature birth shortens the time for development and maturation in the womb. The risk of complications increases the earlier the baby is born. The result is an...
Black cohosh is a member of the buttercup plant family native to North America and is not to be confused with blue cohosh or white cohosh, which are unrelated. Black cohosh was used by Native Americans for variety of diseases and by 9th century...
The hormone progesterone plays an important role in the health of all women. This sex steroid affects reproduction, cognition and emotions across the entire lifespan. Released mainly from the ovaries, natural progesterone quickly circulates...
Cigarettes contain more than 60 known carcinogens, according to the American Cancer Society. Thus, cancer is a side effect of smoking cigarettes. Cigarettes are also addictive and expensive. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) note that smoking...
Smoking cigarettes during the first few weeks of pregnancy and throughout the first trimester can lead to an array of complications. Not only can smoking affect the mother, it can also affect the unborn baby. Because the first trimester is...
Pregnancy complications can be devastating to a woman who wants to have a baby. Whether she is suffering from infertility, has experienced recurrent miscarriages or is at risk of a serious pregnancy-related condition such as preeclampsia, she may...
Tretinoin is a retinoid or a type of Vitamin A. It's used as an anti-cancer drug, available by prescription only, and may be marketed under the Canadian brand name of Vesanoid. Store it at room temperature away from heat, light and moisture....
The National Institutes of Health says that cholesterol is necessary for proper functioning of the human body. Cholesterol supports membrane structures, and certain endocrine glands use it to synthesize steroid hormones. NIH says the brain has the...
A baby's birth weight can make a significant difference in the way she develops. Depending on if there are any neurological or physical complications, the baby may initially appear delayed but will often catch up by the age of two. Babies born...
Folic acid, or vitamin B-9, is essential for the formation of red blood cells, healthy metabolism and cellular division, especially during the initial weeks of fetal development. Researchers have known for many years that supplemental folic acid...
If you smoke while you are pregnant, you put both yourself and your unborn child at risk for significant health complications, according to the American Cancer Society. Your unborn baby relies upon you for necessary oxygen, nutrients and blood....