March 13, 2018 | Labor & Delivery |
After months of anticipation and the rigors of labor and delivery, your attention shifts to caring for your new baby — but you also need to take care of yourself. Postpartum care might involve managing vaginal tears or a C-section wound, sore breasts, leaking milk, urination problems, and hair loss.
And postpartum care isn’t limited to your physical health.
March 13, 2018 | Labor & Delivery |
Every woman’s labor and delivery experience is unique. Still, understanding what’s typical can help you know what to expect as your due date approaches.
Labor and delivery generally follows a pattern — the cervix softening and opening; the amniotic sac rupturing; the contractions getting stronger and closer together. Sometimes, however, labor and delivery takes surprising twists and turns.
March 13, 2018 | Week by Week |
The last few months of pregnancy — the third trimester — can be physically and emotionally challenging. Third trimester signs and symptoms might include backaches, swollen ankles and mounting anxiety.
During the third trimester, your baby will likely open his or her eyes and pack on the pounds. This rapid growth might lead to more pronounced fetal movements.
March 13, 2018 | Week by Week |
During the second trimester of pregnancy — from months four to six — you might feel better than you did at first. Now’s the time to enjoy your pregnancy!
During the second trimester, your baby might begin to seem more real. Second trimester signs and symptoms might include larger breasts, a growing belly and skin changes.
March 13, 2018 | Week by Week |
The first few months of pregnancy — the first trimester — are marked by rapid changes for both you and your baby.
For you, first trimester physical changes might include breast tenderness, fatigue and nausea. Your emotions might range from excitement to anxiety. For your baby, the first trimester is a time of rapid growth and development.
March 13, 2018 | Getting Pregnant |
If you’re experiencing pregnancy symptoms, you’re probably eager to know if you’re actually pregnant — whether you’ve been trying to get pregnant for months or your pregnancy symptoms came as a surprise.
Early pregnancy symptoms such as tender breasts and fatigue sometimes indicate pregnancy. In other cases, these classic pregnancy symptoms might be due to something else — such as an illness or the start of your period.
March 13, 2018 | Getting Pregnant |
Getting pregnant can be an exciting time. For some, getting pregnant seems to happen simply by talking about it. For others, getting pregnant takes patience and perhaps a bit of luck.
Understanding when you’re most fertile can make getting pregnant easier. It’s also important to consider simple do’s and don’ts of conception. For example,