The uterus, also referred to as the womb, is an organ in the female reproductive system. This upside-down pear-shaped organ sits in the lower portion of the pelvis. The function of the uterus is to house a developing baby prior to birth. Each...
It is common for women to wonder if they may be pregnant with twins early in their pregnancy. Women with a family history of twins or those who take certain fertility drugs may be at a higher risk for a twin pregnancy. According MayoClinic.com, a...
Cranberry juice is made from the cranberry fruit, and it can be found fresh, frozen or from concentrate. During pregnancy, everything that you consume can directly affect your growing baby, so it is important to make sure that the things you eat...
It can be difficult to identify placental insufficiency, as there are generally no symptoms. However, there are some signs that can indicate a potential problem. A small uterus is one example. At your prenatal checkup, your doctor will typically...
A woman's body undergoes so many changes throughout pregnancy that different bodily symptoms develop. During the tenth week, the symptoms may be the same as those experienced since the beginning of the pregnancy or they may be more prominent. The...
A normal pregnancy lasts 40 weeks and is divided into 3 trimesters. The first trimester runs from conception to the end of the 13th week. This is when there is the greatest risk of miscarriage and all of the baby's organs must form. In the second...
A woman carrying twins may display the same signs as woman who is carrying one baby, but there are some signs that hint that a woman is carrying twins. WomensHealth.gov states that rapidly increasing pregnancy hormones can cause a pregnant woman...
Stomach fat is a common physical complaint and an area that is often targeted in fitness exercises. However, fat around your abdomen can also be a sign of disease. Harvard Medical School advises that stomach fat is composed of two types of tissue....
Fibroid tumors, also known as "fibroids," are benign growths found in the uterus. Different types of fibroid tumors grow in different areas of the uterus and each can cause different symptoms. Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but if they do,...
Uterine leiomyomata, or fibroid tumors, can be completely asymptomatic or cause serious health issues. Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that develop along the lining of uterine walls. They vary greatly in size and can be smaller than a peanut or...
The uterus is normally the size of a pear. According to the Mayo Clinic, however, by the end of pregnancy it will take up the space between your pubic bone and your ribcage. Uterus changes begin as early as two to three weeks into a pregnancy, at...
A leiomyoma, otherwise known as a uterine fibroid tumor, is a benign, smooth muscle tumor of the uterus that can vary in location, size, and affect. There are four major types of fibroids, but most fibroid conditions consist of multiple fibroid...
During pregnancy and childbirth, the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles undergo a great amount of stretching. In addition, a woman may have gained additional fat during her pregnancy due to a lack of ability to exercise or overeating. To gain back...
The uterus is an organ inside the female pelvis that is responsible for supporting menstruation and pregnancy. Normally, the uterus is fist-sized; however certain medical conditions may cause the uterus to become enlarged or bigger than normal....
Progesterone is a female hormone produced by the ovaries. Along with estrogen, progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy and supports the fertilized egg if conception occurs. It also prepares the body for breastfeeding and milk production...
Uterine fibroids (also called leiomyomas, fibromyomas or myomas) are benign (noncancerous) growths that develop on the outer or inner lining of the uterus. While many women with fibroids will have no symptoms, some may experience changes to their...
The belief that you might be pregnant can trigger a host of conflicting emotions, ranging from joy and excitement to uncertainty and fear. Whatever you’re feeling, if you suspect you might be pregnant, you’ll probably be watching your...
Uterine prolapse is when a portion of the uterus descends into the vaginal canal. The uterine wall is made up of smooth muscles that cannot be contracted, so no exercise exists to directly strengthen the uterus. Instead, medical professionals...
When you are pregnant, your stomach grows and this includes the skin surrounding your mid-section. You lose some pounds after you have a baby -- the baby, placenta and nourishing fluids -- but you are often left with stretched and sagging skin and...
If you're in the second trimester of your pregnancy and notice a stabbing pain in the groin or abdominal area, it may be due to the ligaments stretching around your uterus, notes the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board in the article "Round Ligament...
According to "Maternal-Newborn Nursing and Women's Health Care," the uterus is the only organ that increases in muscle size during pregnancy without the benefit of exercise. Although the muscles throughout the rest of the body relax, they do not...
Fibroids are benign growths in the walls of your uterus. Most common symptoms of fibroids include heavy menstrual bleeding and enlarged size of the uterus. The exact cause of fibroids is unclear, but an increased number of estrogen receptors along...
After delivery, you can begin thinking about how to get back in shape after pregnancy. Although you typically are permitted to engage in light exercise after having a baby, your doctor is likely to advise you to wait several weeks until returning...
Complications of an enlarged uterus are normally due to the disease or condition responsible for the enlarged uterus. Usually, an enlarged uterus is caused by one of two conditions: noncancerous tumors called fibroids or adenomyosis, a thickening...
Losing extra weight gained during pregnancy is important to many women. It can also be difficult. If you are breastfeeding, there are more things to consider that just cutting calories and working out. If you are using your body to nourish a child...
If you have ever experienced ligament pain during pregnancy, you know how painful this can be. This sudden onset of abdominal or groin pain stops you in your tracks. Round ligament pain usually sets in during the second trimester of pregnancy as...
Between 20 percent and 80 percent of women develop uterine fibroids by age 50, reports the website WomensHealth.gov. Uterine fibroids are benign growths of the uterus. Symptoms of uterine fibroids may include heavy menstrual flow, abdominal pain,...
Kickboxing is a fun and effective exercise, but you should think carefully before incorporating it into your exercise plans during your pregnancy. Generally, women are encouraged to continue participating in exercises that they have been doing...
For at least the six weeks into your pregnancy, your unborn baby is only the size of half a pea. Yet something so small can affect your body so profoundly. Beyond symptoms such as morning sickness and sleepiness, your body begins undergoing...