Determining if a Specific Medical Test is Necessary During Pregnancy
The first thing for you to learn on this particular topic is that most of the time you should follow the advice of your doctor. In fact, almost all of the time you should do this. This article is not presented as a replacement for your doctor’s advice, but rather as a...
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Carrier Screening
If you are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant you may want to consider having a Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening test performed on yourself and your partner. Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited condition that is caused by an abnormal gene in the body which affect...
Combined First-Trimester Screening
There are many different types of tests pregnant women have available to them to verify the health of their baby. Most of these tests are meant to detect a child’s risk of birth defects such as Downs syndrome. While every mother wants her child to be healthy, there...
Alpha-Feto Protein (AFP) and Triple Screening Test
Alpha-Feto Protein Test The alpha-feto protein test (AFP test) is a pretty simple test that involves taking a blood sample from the mother in order to check the levels of AFP in the blood. The reason this test is conducted on pregnant woman is because AFP is secreted...
Glucose Screening Tests
Left untreated those who are pregnant and have a pre-existing diagnosis of diabetes or find they have gestational diabetes can make for major complications. This is why many physicians and health care providers recommend that pregnant women take a glucose screening...
Common Reasons for a Cesarean Procedure
Around the world the rate of births by caesarean section has increased, with North America leading the pack at around one in four births. Understanding the circumstances that may lead to a caesarean birth helps the mother cope with the decision, should it be necessary...
What Is Assisted Delivery?
On occasion it is necessary for a health care provider to assist the mother during the pushing stage in order to make for a successful delivery. After administering anesthesia and ensuring that the mother is comfortable the health provider will use forceps or suction...
Water Birth Explained
A water birth is when women give birth in a tub of warm water. The theory is that since the baby has been floating in a water-like environment for nine months that giving birth to them in water will be gentler and less stressful on both mother and baby. A water birth...
Understanding Labor & Birth Terminology : A Dictionary
Here are some common terms that you may hear during your labor and delivery, and what they mean: Abruptio Placenta / Placental Abruption: the placenta has begun separating from the wall of the uterus before the baby is born. Amniotic Fluid: the liquid that fills the...
Making Pregnancy Health Care Choices
You will quickly find out that after becoming pregnant that there are a lot of choices to be made. Foods to eat or not eat, how much exercise to get and even the best way to sleep are all things that you have to decide. Perhaps the most important choices you will make...
Midwives and Midwife Care – A Primer
For centuries women have been helping other women deliver their babies, this is where the occupation of midwife developed. A midwife is an expert on all the options available to a woman during labor and delivery, and specializes in ensuring that the pregnant mother...
Selecting a Childbirth Education Class
Being pregnant and preparing to deliver a child, even if it is not your first can be an overwhelming experience. By attending childbirth classes new parents can inform themselves about not only what will happen during labor and delivery, but also throughout their...
Understanding Kegel Exercises
Also known as pelvic floor exercises, Kegel exercises help to strengthen the important muscles that support the bladder, uterus and bowels, as well as the vaginal muscles. Main Benefits Of Kegel Exercises By taking the time to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles women...
Your Birth Plan
Having a baby is an intense, life-changing experience and you will want it to be just right, which is why a birth plan is so important. Although you don’t have control over when your baby will arrive, you can at least plan how you would like the labor and delivery...
Taking Care of Yourself After Cesarean
The postpartum period after you have given birth can be extremely difficult for the mother as well as the rest of the family. It can be even harder when the mother is recovering from a cesarean section. No matter what type of method is used to deliver the baby the...
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