Breadcrumb

Home
Search Health Topics
Pregnancy and Childbirth

Print
Feedback
Email a link

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Learn about pregnancy and childbirth

Whether you are thinking about getting pregnant or already are expecting, our topics on pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can answer your questions. You can find information ranging from how to find out your due date, to examinations and tests during each trimester, to labour and delivery, and much more.

Browse our pregnancy and childbirth topics, or start with one of the following:

Pregnancy
Labour and Delivery
Interactive Tool: From Embryo to Baby in 9 Months
Pregnancy: Dealing With Morning Sickness
Breastfeeding

Health Topics
Medical Tests
Make a Wise Decision
Take Action

Abnormal Pap Test While Pregnant
Abortion
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy
Acupressure for Morning Sickness
After Childbirth: Coping and Adjusting
After Childbirth: Pelvic Bone Problems
After Childbirth: Urination and Bowel Problems
Alcohol Effects on a Fetus
Alcohol or Drug Use During Pregnancy
Anemia During Pregnancy
Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Pregnancy
Artificial Rupture of the Membranes
Asthma During Pregnancy
Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
Avoiding Mercury in Fish
Baby Blues
Back Pain During Pregnancy
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting
Bedrest for Preterm Labour
Bedrest in Pregnancy
Birth Defects Testing
Braxton Hicks Contractions
Breast Changes During Pregnancy
Breast Engorgement
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding After a C-Section
Breastfeeding After Breast Surgery
Breastfeeding and Your Milk Supply
Breastfeeding as Birth Control
Breastfeeding During Pregnancy
Breastfeeding Your Newborn and an Older Child
Breastfeeding: Choosing a Breast Pump
Breastfeeding: Exercise and Weight Loss
Breastfeeding: Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs
Breathing Techniques for Childbirth
Breech Position and Breech Birth
Caesarean Section
Caffeine During Pregnancy
Cancer During Pregnancy
Cancer Treatment and Infertility
Cervical Cerclage
Cervical Effacement and Dilatation
Cervical Insufficiency
Charting Your Basal Body Temperature
Childbirth Afterpains
Childbirth Classes
Childbirth Pain Relief Options
Childbirth: Epidurals
Childbirth: Is Planning a C-Section a Good Choice?
Childbirth: Labouring in Water and Water Delivery
Childbirth: Opioid Pain Medicines
Childbirth: Perineal Massage Before Labour
Childbirth: Pudendal Block
Childbirth: Strep Infections During Delivery
Cholestasis of Pregnancy
Congenital Syphilis
Contractions During Pregnancy: What to Expect
COVID-19: Advice if You're Planning a Pregnancy, Pregnant, Recently Pregnant, or Breastfeeding
Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening
Dental Care During Pregnancy
Depression During Pregnancy
Diabetes: Preparing for Pregnancy
Doulas and Support During Childbirth
Early Signs of Pregnancy
Eclampsia (Seizures) and Pre-Eclampsia
Ectopic Pregnancy
Emergency Contraception
Epidural Anesthesia
Episiotomy and Perineal Tears
Exercise During Pregnancy
External Cephalic Version for Breech Position
Fallopian Tube Procedures for Infertility
Fatigue During Pregnancy
Fetal Monitoring During Labour
Fever During Pregnancy
Find Your Ovulation Day
First-Trimester Examinations and Tests
Folate Deficiency Anemia
Foodborne Illness During Pregnancy
Gamete and Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT and ZIFT)
Genetics
Gestational Diabetes
Getting Enough Folic Acid (Folate)
Getting Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control
Ginger for Morning Sickness
Group B Streptococcal Infections in Newborns
Heartburn During Pregnancy
HELLP Syndrome
Hepatitis C in Pregnancy
High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
High-Risk Pregnancy
HIV and Pregnancy
Hospital Policies and Breastfeeding
Immunizations and Pregnancy
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Indirect Coombs Test
Infertility
Infertility Tests
Infertility Treatment for Women With PCOS
Infertility: Emotional and Social Support
Infertility: Ethical and Legal Concerns
Infertility: Factors That Affect Treatment Success
Infertility: Problems With Fallopian Tubes
Infertility: Problems With Ovulation
Infertility: Problems With the Uterus and Cervix
Infertility: Questions to Ask About Assisted Reproductive Technology
Infertility: Questions to Ask About Medicine or Hormone Treatment
Infertility: Setting Limits on Testing
Infertility: Setting Limits on Treatment
Infertility: Thinking About Adoption
Insemination for Infertility
Insemination Procedures
Interactive Tool: From Embryo to Baby in 9 Months
Interactive Tool: What Is Your Due Date?
Interactive Tool: When Are You Most Fertile?
Interactive Tools
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Intrauterine Fetal Blood Transfusion
Labour and Delivery
Labour Induction and Augmentation
Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (Ovarian Diathermy) for PCOS
Leg Cramps During Pregnancy
Local Anesthesia for Childbirth
Low Amniotic Fluid
Low-Lying Placenta Versus Placenta Previa
Lupus and Pregnancy
Making a Birth Plan
Managing Emotional Changes During Pregnancy
Massage Therapy During Pregnancy
Mastitis While Breastfeeding
Medical Abortion Care
Medicines During Pregnancy
Milk Oversupply
Miscarriage
Missed or Irregular Periods
Molar Pregnancy
Multiple Pregnancy: Preterm Birth
Multiple Pregnancy: Twins or More
Multiple Sclerosis and Pregnancy
My Birth Plan
Myomectomy
Nausea or Vomiting During Pregnancy
Non-Medical Options for Pain Relief in Childbirth
Nutrition During Pregnancy
Obesity and Pregnancy
Obstetric Panel
Oxytocin
Partner Support During Pregnancy
Passing Tissue During Pregnancy
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Physical Growth in Newborns
Placenta Previa
Placental Abruption
Polyhydramnios
Postpartum Bleeding
Postpartum Depression
Post-Term Pregnancy
Postural Management for Breech Position
Pre-Eclampsia
Pre-Eclampsia: Checkups and Monitoring
Pre-Eclampsia: Creatinine Clearance Test
Pre-Eclampsia: Expectant Management
Pregnancy
Pregnancy After Age 35
Pregnancy After Weight-Loss (Bariatric) Surgery
Pregnancy and Chronic High Blood Pressure
Pregnancy and Epilepsy
Pregnancy: Belly, Pelvic, and Back Pain
Pregnancy: Blood Clots
Pregnancy: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Pregnancy: Changes in Bowel Habits
Pregnancy: Changes in Feet and Ankles
Pregnancy: Chemicals, Cosmetics, and Radiation
Pregnancy: Choosing a Health Professional
Pregnancy: Deciding Where to Deliver
Pregnancy: Dropping (Lightening)
Pregnancy: First Prenatal Visit
Pregnancy: Hair Changes
Pregnancy: Hand Changes
Pregnancy: Healthy Weight Gain
Pregnancy: Hemorrhoids and Constipation
Pregnancy: Hot Tub and Sauna Use
Pregnancy: Kick Counts
Pregnancy: Nosebleeds and Bleeding Gums
Pregnancy: Pelvic and Hip Pain
Pregnancy: Prenatal Visit Schedule
Pregnancy: Relationship Changes
Pregnancy: Stretch Marks, Itching, and Skin Changes
Pregnancy: Vaginal Discharge and Leaking Fluid
Pregnancy: Varicose Veins
Pregnancy: Vegetarian Diet
Pregnancy: Ways to Find Your Due Date
Pregnancy: Work and School Issues
Pregnancy-Related Problems
Premature (Preterm) Infant
Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
Preterm Labour
Preterm Labour and Short Cervix
Preterm Prelabour Rupture of Membranes (pPROM)
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
Problems After Delivery of Your Baby
Quick Tips: Healthy Pregnancy Habits
Quitting Smoking and Avoiding Smoke During Pregnancy
Rh Sensitization During Pregnancy
Schizophrenia and Pregnancy
Screening for Gestational Diabetes
Second-Trimester Examinations and Tests
Sex After Childbirth
Sex During Pregnancy
Signs That Your Baby Is Getting Enough Breast Milk
Sleep Problems During Pregnancy
Smoking: Problems With Pregnancy
Spinal Block for Childbirth
Staying Healthy Around Animals
Stillbirth
Subchorionic Hemorrhage
Surgical Abortion Care
Swelling During Pregnancy
Symptoms of Pregnancy
Third-Trimester Examinations and Tests
Tips for Pregnant Parents
Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy
Travel During Pregnancy
Umbilical Cord Blood Donation and Private Banking
Umbilical Cord Care
Urinary Problems During Pregnancy
Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC)
Vaginal Bleeding During Pregnancy
Vaginal Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
VBAC: Labour Induction
VBAC: Participation During Birth
VBAC: Uterine Scar Rupture
Vitamin B6 for Morning Sickness
Week 12 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 16 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 20 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 24 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 28 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 32 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 36 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 40 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 8 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Your Baby's Movements During Pregnancy

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Test
Amniocentesis
Antisperm Antibody Test
Biophysical Profile (BPP) Test
Blood Type Test
Cell-Free DNA Test
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
Contraction Stress Test
Coombs Test
Endometrial Biopsy
Estrogen Test
Fertility Awareness
Fetal Blood Sampling (FBS) During Pregnancy
Fetal Fibronectin Test
Fetal Heart Monitoring
Fetal Ultrasound
First-Trimester Screening for Birth Defects
Folate Test
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test
Home Pregnancy Tests
Hormone Inhibin A Test
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) Test
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test
Non-Stress Test
Nuchal Translucency Screening Test
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
Progesterone Test
Quad Screening for Birth Defects
Rubella Test
Sperm Penetration Tests
Toxoplasmosis Test

Breastfeeding: Should I Breastfeed My Baby?
Depression: Should I Take Antidepressants While I'm Pregnant?
Fertility Problems: Should I Be Tested?
Fertility Problems: Should I Have a Tubal Procedure or In Vitro Fertilization?
Infertility: Should I Have Treatment?
Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?
Multiple Pregnancy: Should I Consider a Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction?
Pregnancy: Should I Bank My Baby's Umbilical Cord Blood?
Pregnancy: Should I Have Amniocentesis?
Pregnancy: Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth?
Pregnancy: Should I Have CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling)?
Pregnancy: Should I Have Screening Tests for Birth Defects?
Pregnancy: Should I Try Vaginal Birth After a Past C-Section (VBAC)?

Breastfeeding: Planning Ahead
Depression: Managing Postpartum Depression
Gestational Diabetes: Checking Your Blood Sugar
Gestational Diabetes: Counting Carbs
Gestational Diabetes: Dealing With Low Blood Sugar
Gestational Diabetes: Giving Yourself Insulin Shots
Pregnancy and Diabetes: Planning for Pregnancy
Pregnancy: Dealing With Morning Sickness

Current as of: November 9, 2022

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

About This Page
General Feedback
Email Link
Physical Activity Services

We appreciate your feedback. Comments submitted through the form below can help us fix errors in page content, get rid of interface bugs, and update the HealthLinkBC website to better suit the needs of the people who use it.

To submit feedback about this web page, please enter your comments, suggestions, compliments or questions in the form below. To submit general feedback about the HealthLink BC website, please click on the General Feedback tab.

Page

Feedback Regarding:

Content

Functionality

Message:

Your name:

Your email:

Do you want a reply?

Yes

Leave this field blank

To submit general feedback about the HealthLink BC website, please enter your comments, suggestions, compliments or questions in the form below. To submit feedback about a specific web page, please click on the About This Page tab.

Please note that we are unable to provide general health information or advice about symptoms by email. For general health information or symptom advice, please call us at 8-1-1 any time of the day or night.

For questions about food and nutrition, please click on Email a HealthLinkBC Dietitian.

What is your message about?

Message:

Your name:

Your email:

Leave this field blank

To share this link, enter the information below and click on the "submit" button.

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.

To (email):

From (email):

Message:

Leave this field blank

There are many ways you can add physical activity to your healthy lifestyle, no matter your age or activity level. Ask us your physical activity question. Physical activity related questions will be answered by one of HealthLink BC’s qualified exercise professionals.

To submit your question about physical activity, please complete the form below.

For questions not related to physical activity, please use the General Feedback tab.

indicates required fields

Terms and Conditions

Please read and accept our Terms and Conditions.

I accept.

Consent

You may be sharing personal information when you submit this form. Consent is required to receive a reply. Please confirm that you are providing consent to receive a reply from physical activity services with your non-encrypted personal information submitted in the email below, and that you understand and accept the risks of sending / receiving your personal information through email. Please do not submit personal information or requests on behalf of someone else unless you are the parent or guardian of a minor who is incapable of acting on their own behalf.

I consent.

Your name:

Your email (Please make sure the email address you have entered is accurate)

Please select one of the following:

Female

Male

Age (in years)

Postal Code (no space)

Enter your physical activity question here:

Leave this field blank