Pregnancy

Am I Pregnant?

Very Faint Line on a Pregnancy Test (Pregnant or not pregnant?)

Taking a home pregnancy test is easy, right? Two pink lines, pregnant; one pink line, not pregnant. How much easier could it get? But here you are at the end of your cycle anxiously waiting to test. You take the test and there is a faint line. Now what does that mean? Are your eyes playing tricks on you or are you pregnant?

• When do Pregnancy Symptoms Start?
• Pregnancy Test Accuracy Chart

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Baby Names

Baby Name Etiquette: Choosing the Right Name While Making Peace In the Family

You and your partner are overjoyed to learn that you are expecting a baby, and given that your little one will be the first boy in the family, you are excited to be able to name him after your beloved Grandpa Max. But before you even have a chance to make the announcement, your brother-in-law shows up at the next family gathering with his new dog… Max.

• Baby Names for Twins: Picking Names for Your Twins
• The Most Popular Baby Names of 2008

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Concerns and Complications

Bleeding During Pregnancy

Vaginal bleeding can occur during pregnancy for many reasons. This can be a very frightening experience for an expectant mom. If you experience any bleeding during pregnancy contact your doctor immediately. Some women will have light bleeding during early pregnancy. Twenty to twenty-five percent of women have spotting or bleeding during pregnancy.

• Subchorionic Hematoma
• Cramping During Pregnancy

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Do's and Don'ts

Toxoplasmosis: Cat litter and Pregnancy

If you are pregnant you have probably heard that you should not change cat litter during your pregnancy. You may be wondering why. Changing cat litter puts you at risk for contracting an infection called toxoplasmosis. There are several ways that a pregnant woman could contract toxoplasmosis but cats are known to be common carriers of the infection.

• Herbal Teas and Pregnancy: Is it safe to drink herbal teas during pregnancy?
• Saunas, Hot Tubs & Hot Baths During Pregnancy

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Feelings and Emotions

Having a "Sort of" Unplanned Pregnancy

Life is full of surprises. Isn’t that what they say? How about your pregnancy? Was it a total shock? Maybe, but maybe not. According to the CDC, about half of all pregnancies are unplanned. A lot of us have to wonder, how exactly do all of these unplanned pregnancies happen? They are called the “oopsy” babies and the “birth control” babies.

• Ultrasound Wars - Finding Out the Gender of Your Baby
• Pregnancy Changes You May Not Expect

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First Trimester

Your First Prenatal Appointment

Sometime between 6 and 10 weeks of pregnancy you will likely have your first prenatal appointment. You may be feeling anxious, excited, or just plain curious. Your initial appointment is quite often the lengthiest appointment of your pregnancy. What should you expect? What questions will your doctor or midwife have for you? What questions should you have for him or her?

• I’m Pregnant - When Will I Start to Show?
• Unusual Pregnancy Symptoms: Metallic Taste During Pregnancy

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Labor and Childbirth

Did my water break? Water Breaking Signs

Amniotic fluid surrounds your baby during pregnancy. Towards the end of pregnancy, the amount of collagen decreases in the chorion, the outer layer of the bag of water. Collagen is a fibrous connective tissue. It can be found in cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Collagen helps to strengthen the chorion providing extra protection to the amniotic membrane.

• Which Birthing Positions Are Best During Labor?
• Castor Oil to Induce labor

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Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss

Causes of Recurrent Miscarriage

Miscarriage is one of the most devastating experiences that can happen to a woman. Having one miscarriage is sadly, not that uncommon. Approximately two out of every ten pregnancies will result in miscarriage. After having one miscarriage most women go on to have a healthy pregnancy. Still there are a few women that will continue to have two, three or more miscarriages.

• Helping a Friend Through a Miscarriage
• What Is A Chemical Pregnancy?

» more on Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss

Nutrition and Fitness

Mocktail Recipes

Excerpted with permission from Thalia !Radiante!: The Ultimate Guide to a Fit and Fabulous Pregnancy

• More Reasons to Take Folic Acid During Pregnancy
• Weight Gain and Pregnancy

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Postpartum

Childbirth Grief: When Childbirth doesn't go the way you planned it

Many of us dream of the day we’ll have a baby.  We know that delivery will be painful and challenging, but we expect it to be miraculous.  We also expect that we’ll be able to plan and decide how our childbirth will happen.  But often, the whole experience doesn’t go according to plan.  And when it isn’t what we hoped, we can experience anything from

• Paternity Leave
• A Key to Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss: Sleep!

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Pregnancy Week by Week

36 Weeks Pregnant

You are inching your way closer to your estimated due date. This week is your thirty-sixth week of pregnancy. As the days go by you may be starting to wonder if you are ever going to actually have your baby. You may be analyzing every cramp, ache or feeling of wetness. In this week’s newsletter we are going to be discussing just what’s on your mind, signs of labor.

• 38 Weeks Pregnant
• 40 Weeks Pregnant

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Prenatal Testing

Glucose Tolerance Test

Around 24-28 weeks of pregnancy your doctor will likely want to screen you for gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that may develop during pregnancy.

• hCG Levels in Pregnancy
• Progesterone Levels During Pregnancy

» more on Prenatal Testing

Second Trimester

Round Ligament Pain in Pregnancy

Ouch! What was that? You feel a sharp, shooting pain in your abdomen. You may wonder if this is the start of labor or perhaps your baby kicked you real hard. Whatever it was, you hope it goes away. This sharp shooting pain is most likely the result of round ligament pain. Round ligament pain is a common complaint in pregnancy often starting in the second trimester.

• Skin Care During Pregnancy
• Fighting Pregnancy Fatigue

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Third Trimester

Round Ligament Pain in Pregnancy

Ouch! What was that? You feel a sharp, shooting pain in your abdomen. You may wonder if this is the start of labor or perhaps your baby kicked you real hard. Whatever it was, you hope it goes away. This sharp shooting pain is most likely the result of round ligament pain. Round ligament pain is a common complaint in pregnancy often starting in the second trimester.

• Fun Belly Painting Ideas
• Braxton Hicks Contractions

» more on Third Trimester

Twins and Multiples

Multiple Pregnancy: Special Care

  Special care is needed for a pregnant mother carrying more than one baby. If you've recently found out that you are pregnant with mulitples you may be having fears and concerns about how to best take care of yourself and your growing babies. Hopefully, we can help prepare you for some of what is in store for you during your pregnancy.

• Signs of a Multiple Pregnancy

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