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Content Map Terms
Pregnancy & Parenting Categories
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Planning Your Pregnancy
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Fertility
- Ovulation and Fertility Pregnancy Planning
- Ovulation and Transport of Egg
- Find Your Ovulation Day
- Infertility: Problems With Ovulation
- Ovulation
- Superovulation
- Interactive Tool: When are you most fertile?
- Infertility
- Infertility: Emotional and Social Support
- Pregnancy after Age 35
- Infertility: Ethical and Legal Concerns
- Infertility: Factors That Affect Treatment Success
- Infertility: Setting Limits on Testing
- Infertility: Problems With the Man's Reproductive System
- Infertility: Problems With Fallopian Tubes
- Infertility: Problems With the Uterus and Cervix
- Cancer Treatment and Infertility
- Fertility Problems: Should I Be Tested?
- Infertility Tests
- Fertility Drugs
- Infertility
- Fertility Problems: Should I Have a Tubal Procedure or In Vitro Fertilization?
- Insemination for Infertility
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection for Infertility
- Infertility Treatment for Women With PCOS
- In Vitro Fertilization for Infertility
- Infertility: Setting Limits on Treatment
- Infertility: Questions to Ask About Medicine or Hormone Treatment
- Infertility: Questions to Ask About Assisted Reproductive Technology
- Infertility: Should I Have Treatment?
- Insemination Procedures for Infertility
- Gamete and Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer for Infertility
- Varicocele Repair for Infertility
- Fallopian Tube Procedures for Infertility
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Progesterone
- Sperm Penetration Tests
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting
- Your Health When Planning to Become Pregnant
- Ending a Pregnancy
- Adoption
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Fertility
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Pregnancy
- Healthcare Providers During Pregnancy
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Your Health During Pregnancy
- Foodborne Illness During Pregnancy
- Pregnancy and Seat Belt Use
- Pregnancy: Chemicals, Cosmetics, and Radiation
- Travel during Pregnancy
- Lupus and Pregnancy
- Multiple Sclerosis and Pregnancy
- Cancer During Pregnancy
- HIV and Pregnancy
- Pregnancy and Chronic High Blood Pressure
- Schizophrenia and Pregnancy
- Depression During Pregnancy
- Pregnancy and Epilepsy
- Obesity and Pregnancy
- Pregnancy
- Dental Care During Pregnancy
- Immunizations and Pregnancy
- Quick Tips: Healthy Pregnancy Habits
- Massage Therapy during Pregnancy
- Sex During Pregnancy
- Leg Cramps During Pregnancy
- Medicines During Pregnancy
- Swelling During Pregnancy
- Electronic Fetal Heart Monitoring
- Depression: Should I Take Antidepressants While I'm Pregnant?
- Pregnancy: Dealing With Morning Sickness
- Back Pain During Pregnancy
- Abnormal Pap Test While Pregnant
- Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy
- Acupressure for Morning Sickness
- Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Braxton Hicks Contractions
- Caffeine During Pregnancy
- Exercise During Pregnancy
- Fatigue During Pregnancy
- Fever During Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Pregnancy: Changes in Bowel Habits
- Pregnancy: Healthy Weight Gain
- Pregnancy: Hemorrhoids and Constipation
- Pregnancy: Pelvic and Hip Pain
- Pregnancy: Ways to Find Your Due Date
- Estrogens
- Symptoms of Pregnancy
- Sexually Transmitted Infections During Pregnancy
- Ginger for Morning Sickness
- Heartburn During Pregnancy
- Nausea or Vomiting During Pregnancy
- Urinary Problems During Pregnancy
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Body Changes During Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Varicose Veins
- Pregnancy: Hand Changes
- Sleep Problems During Pregnancy
- Managing Emotional Changes During Pregnancy
- Breast Changes During Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Hair Changes
- Pregnancy: Belly, Pelvic and Back Pain
- Pregnancy: Stretch Marks, Itching, and Skin Changes
- Pregnancy: Changes in Feet and Ankles
- Pregnancy: Vaginal Discharge and Leaking Fluid
- Interactive Tool: From Embryo to Baby in 9 Months
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Your First Trimester
- Check-ups and Tests In the First Trimester
- Embryo and Fetal Development In the First Trimester
- Mothers' Physical Changes in the First Trimester
- Normal Pregnancy: First Trimester
- Week 8 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 8 weeks of pregnancy
- Week 12 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 12 weeks of pregnancy
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Your Second Trimester
- Mothers' Physical Changes During the Second Trimester
- Check-ups and Tests in the Second Trimester
- Normal Pregnancy: Second Trimester
- Week 16 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside /
- Fetal development at 16 weeks of pregnancy
- Week 20 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 20 weeks of pregnancy
- Week 24 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside /
- Fetal development at 24 weeks of pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Kick Counts
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Your Third Trimester
- Check-ups and Tests in the Third Trimester
- Fetal Development in the Third Trimester
- Mothers' Physical Changes in the Third Trimester
- Prenatal Classes in the Third Trimester
- Writing Your Birth Plan or Wishes
- Normal Pregnancy: Third Trimester
- Week 28 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 28 weeks of pregnancy
- Week 32 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 32 weeks of pregnancy
- Week 36 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 36 weeks of pregnancy
- Week 40 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 40 weeks of pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Dropping (Lightening)
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Risks and Complications During Pregnancy
- Pregnancy-Related Problems
- Gestational Diabetes
- HELLP Syndrome
- Gestational Diabetes: Dealing With Low Blood Sugar
- Insulin Injection Areas for Gestational Diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes: Giving Yourself Insulin Shots
- Gestational Diabetes: Counting Carbs
- Gestational Diabetes: Checking Your Blood Sugar
- Pre-Eclampsia: Expectant Management
- Pregnancy: Hot Tub and Sauna Use
- Pregnancy After Weight-Loss (Bariatric) Surgery
- External Cephalic Version (Version) for Breech Position
- Bedrest for Preterm Labour
- Multiple Pregnancy: Preterm Birth
- Multiple Pregnancy: Should I Consider a Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction?
- Multiple Pregnancy: Twins or More
- Twin Pregnancy Types
- High-risk Pregnancy
- Rh Sensitization during Pregnancy
- Post-Term Pregnancy
- Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
- Intrauterine Fetal Blood Transfusion for Rh Disease
- Miscarriage
- Abruptio Placenta
- Anemia During Pregnancy
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Pregnancy /
- Asthma During Pregnancy
- Bedrest in Pregnancy
- Pre-Eclampsia: Checkups and Monitoring
- Functional Ovarian Cysts /
- High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
- Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling for PCOS
- Low Amniotic Fluid
- Low-Lying Placenta Versus Placenta Previa
- Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?
- Molar Pregnancy
- Passing Tissue During Pregnancy
- Placenta Previa
- Polyhydramnios
- Pre-Eclampsia
- Eclampsia (Seizures) and Pre-Eclampsia
- Special Health Concerns During Pregnancy
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Subchorionic Hemorrhage
- Endometriosis
- Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy
- Vaginal Bleeding During Pregnancy
- Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
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Emotional Health and Support During Pregnancy
- Getting Help for Perinatal Depression
- Coping with Losing a Baby
- Depression and Anxiety During Pregnancy
- Domestic Abuse While You Are Pregnant
- How Support Teams Can Help During Pregnancy
- Partner Support during Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Relationship Changes
- Stress While You Are Pregnant
- Tips for Pregnant Parents
- Alcohol and Other Drug Use During Pregnancy
- Interactive Tool: What Is Your Due Date?
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Labour and Birth
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Planning Your Delivery
- Childbirth Classes
- Childbirth: Labouring in Water and Water Delivery /
- Childbirth: Perineal Massage Before Labour
- Choosing Where to Give Birth Hospital or Home
- Doulas and Support During Childbirth
- Making a Birth Plan
- Packing for Birth at a Hospital
- Pregnancy: Deciding Where to Deliver
- Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC)
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Stages of Labour
- Labour and Delivery
- Cervical Cerclage to Prevent Preterm Delivery
- First Stage of Labour - Early Phase
- First Stage of Labour Active Phase
- First Stage of Labour Transition Phase
- Information on Fourth Stage of Labour
- Information on Second Stage of Labour
- Information on Third Stage of Labour
- Preterm Labour and Short Cervix
- Preterm Labour
- Preterm Labour: Testing for Fetal Fibronectin
- Preterm Prelabour Rupture of Membranes (pPROM)
- Telling Pre-Labour and True Labour Part
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During Labour
- Breathing Techniques for Childbirth
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Effacement and Dilatation
- Cervical Insufficiency
- Childbirth: Epidurals
- Childbirth: Opioid Pain Medicines
- Childbirth: Pudendal and Paracervical Blocks
- Childbirth: Strep Infections During Delivery
- Comfort Positions Labour and Birth
- Epidural Anesthesia
- Epidural and Spinal Anesthesia
- Episiotomy and Perineal Tears
- Epistiotomy Vacuum and Forceps During Labour and Birth
- Fetal Monitoring During Labour HY
- Labour Induction and Augmentation
- Local Anesthesia for Childbirth
- Pain Relief Options Labour and Birth
- Postpartum Bleeding
- Postpartum: First 6 Weeks After Childbirth
- Postural Management for Breech Position
- Practicing Breathing Techniques for Labour
- Spinal Block for Childbirth
- Stillbirth
- VBAC: Labour Induction
- VBAC: Participation During Birth
- VBAC: Uterine Scar Rupture
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After Labour and Care for New Moms
- Alcohol and Smoking After Pregnancy
- Baby Blues
- Depression: Managing Postpartum Depression
- Fitness: Staying Active When You Have Young Children
- Sex After Childbirth
- Support Teams for New Parents
- Taking Care of Yourself When Your Baby Is Fussy
- Your Body After Pregnancy
- After Childbirth: Coping and Adjusting
- After Childbirth: Pelvic Bone Problems
- After Childbirth: Urination and Bowel Problems
- Childbirth Afterpains
- Help with Urination After Giving Birth
- Managing Bowel Movements After Pregnancy
- Mom and Baby Staying Together
- New Moms and Abuse
- Postpartum Depression
- Problems After Delivery of Your Baby
- Vaginal Care After Giving Birth
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Planning Your Delivery
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Parenting Babies (0-12 months)
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Baby Care
- Pregnancy: Should I Bank My Baby's Umbilical Cord Blood?
- Umbilical Cord Blood Donation and Private Banking
- Preparing Siblings for Meeting your New Baby
- Can Cloth Diapers Work for Your Familiy
- Bonding With Your Baby
- Infant Crying
- Crying: Tired or Overstimulated
- Baby's Daily Needs: What to Expect
- Ways to Comfort a Crying Baby
- Coping Strategies to Avoid Harming a Baby
- Coping When Your Baby Cries A Lot
- Tips for Soothing Babies
- Immunizations for Premature Infants
- Important Paperwork for Newborns
- NICU: Communicating With the Staff
- Premature Infant: Safe Travel With Your Baby
- Tips for Diapering a Newborn Baby
- Ways to Comfort a Baby in the Hospital
- Premature (Preterm) Infant
- Bonding With Your Newborn
- Bathing and Skin Care For Newborn Babies
- What to Expect When You Have an Extremely Premature Infant
- Birthmarks
- Biting
- Caring for More Than One Baby
- Caring for a Baby's Nails
- Circumcision
- Circumcision: Should I Keep My Son's Penis Natural?
- Cleaning Your Young Child's Natural (Uncircumcised) Penis
- Cleft Lip
- Cleft Palate
- Club Foot
- Common Types of Birthmarks
- Diaper Rash
- Infant Massage
- Oral Care For Your Baby
- Positional Plagiocephaly
- Quick Tips: Getting Baby to Sleep
- Screening for Hearing Problems
- Separation Protests: Helping Your Child
- Thumb-Sucking Versus Pacifier Use
- Using Soothers and Stopping When it is Time
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Breastfeeding
- A Video on Breastfeeding Positions
- A Video on Breastfeeding and Skin-to-Skin Contact
- A Video on Hand Expressing Breastmilk
- Breast Engorgement
- Breast Surgery and Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding After Breast Surgery
- Breastfeeding After a C-Section
- Breastfeeding During Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding Multiple Infants
- Breastfeeding Positions
- Breastfeeding With Inverted Nipples
- Breastfeeding Your Newborn and an Older Child
- Breastfeeding a Sick Baby
- Breastfeeding and Your Milk Supply
- Breastfeeding at Work
- Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding: Baby's Poor Weight Gain
- Breastfeeding: Planning Ahead
- Breastfeeding: Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs
- Breastfeeding: Waking Your Baby
- Breastfeeding: When Baby Doesn't Want to Stop
- Common Breastfeeding Concerns
- Common Breastfeeding Positions
- Coping With Thrush When You’re Breastfeeding
- Experiencing Let-Down Reflex
- FAQs About Breastfeeding
- Get Started on Expressing Breastmilk
- Getting Comfortable Breastfeeding in Public
- Hospital Policies and Breastfeeding
- Latching Your Baby - Video
- Learning Basics of Breastfeeding
- Learning to Latch
- Mastitis While Breastfeeding
- Medications and Herbal Products for Breastfeeding Moms
- Medicine Use While Breastfeeding
- Milk Oversupply
- Nipple Shields for Breastfeeding Problems
- Oxytocin
- Plugged Milk Ducts When You're Breastfeeding
- Poor Let-Down While Breastfeeding
- Preventing Mastitis
- Pumping Breast Milk
- Quick Tips: Successful Breastfeeding
- Signs That Your Baby Is Getting Enough Breast Milk
- Sleep, Rest, and Breastfeeding
- Storing Breast Milk
- Storing and Using Breastmilk
- Under or Over Production of Milk During Breastfeeding
- Vitamin D Supplements for Breastfeeding Babies
- What you need to Know About Supplementing Baby Formula
- Your Milk Supply
- Breastfeeding: Weaning a Baby
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Feeding Your Baby
- Alternative Feeding Methods for Newborns
- Baby Feeding Cues - Video
- Bottle-Feeding: When Baby Doesn't Want to Stop
- Burping a Baby
- Choosing Baby Bottles and Nipples
- Cleft Palate: Feeding Your Baby
- Combining Breastfeeding and Formula-Feeding
- Cup-Feeding Baby With Breast Milk or Formula
- Feeding Schedule for Babies
- Feeding Your Child Using Division of Responsibility
- Feeding Your Infant
- Feeding Your Premature Infant
- Getting Started and Feeding Cues
- How Often and How Long to Feed
- Introducing Solid Foods to Your Baby
- Learn More Before You Supplement Formula
- Safe Drinking Water - Your Baby's First Year
- Safe Water for Mixing Infant Formula
- Signs of a Good Feed
- Spitting Up
- Weaning
- Bottle-Feeding: Weaning a Baby
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Baby Health
- Newborn Rashes and Skin Conditions
- Early Disease Screening of Newborns
- Group B Streptococcal Infections in Newborns
- Drug Withdrawal in Newborns
- Umbilical Cord Care
- Jaundice in Newborns (Hyperbilirubinemia)
- Abdominal Gas and Colic
- Basic Dental Care From Birth to 16 Years
- Bowel Movements in Babies
- Cataracts in Children
- Chronic Lung Disease in Infants
- Colic Diary
- Colic
- Colic: Harmful Treatments
- Comforting a Child Who Has a Respiratory Illness
- Common Health Concerns for Babies First Year
- Cough Symptoms in Children
- Cradle Cap
- Croup
- Croup: Managing a Croup Attack
- Crying Child That Is Not Acting Normally
- Dehydration: Drinking Enough Fluids
- Dental Care From Birth to 6 Months
- Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
- Developmental Problems: Testing
- Failure to Thrive
- Gastroesophageal Reflux in Babies and Children
- Health and Safety, Birth to 2 Years
- Healthy Hearing and Vision For Babies
- Immunization, Your Baby's First Year
- Orchiopexy for Undescended Testicle
- Reducing Biting in Children Ages 8 to 14 Months
- Reducing Biting in Teething Babies
- Teething Products
- Teething: Common Concerns
- Treating Asthma in Babies and Younger Children
- Tongue-tie and tethered oral tissues
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Baby Growth and Development
- Helping Your Newborn Learn
- Physical Growth in Newborns
- Cognitive Growth in Newborns
- Language Development in Newborns
- Sensory and Motor Growth in Newborns
- Babies' social and emotional development
- Children's Growth Chart
- Cognitive Development 9-12 mos
- Cognitive Development First 6-9 Mos
- Emotional and Social Growth in Newborns
- Growth and Development Milestones
- Growth and Development, Newborn
- Importance of Tummy Time for Babies' Development
- Speech and Language Milestones, Birth to 1 Year
- Stimulate Your Baby's Learning
- Tooth Development in Children
-
Baby Safety
- Child Car Seats
- Quick Tips: Babyproofing Your Home
- Baby's Sleep Position and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- Baby Proofing Your Home First Year
- Choking Rescue for Babies
- Safer Sleep for My Baby
- Crib Safety
- Safe Chairs for Baby's First Year
- Safety at Home for Baby's First Year
- Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Sun Safety Babies for their First Year
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Baby Care
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Parenting Toddlers (12-36 months)
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Caring for Your Toddler
- Acetaminophen Use in Young Children
- Breath-Holding Spells
- Breath-Holding Spells: Keeping a Record
- Brushing and Flossing a Child's Teeth
- Care for Toddlers' Colds and Coughs
- Crying, Age 3 and Younger
- Dental Care and Teething in Toddlers
- Egocentric and Magical Thinking
- Hearing Health for Toddlers
- Ibuprofen Use in Young Children
- Managing Your Toddler's Frustrating Behaviours
- Positive Parenting
- Preparing Your Toddler for Health Care Visits
- Preventing Breath-Holding Spells in Children
- Promoting Positive Behaviour in Your Toddler
- Breastfeeding Your Toddler
- Childproofing your Home
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Toddler Growth and Development
- Cognitive Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months
- Emotional and Social Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
- Emotional and Social Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months
- Growth and Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
- Growth and Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months
- Growth and Development, Ages 2 to 5 Years
- Language Development 12-18 Months
- Language Development 18-24 Months
- Language Development 24-30 Months
- Milestones for 2-Year-Olds
- Milestones for 3-Year-Olds
- Physical Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
- Physical Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months
- Sensory and Motor Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
- Sensory and Motor Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months
- Speech and Language Development: Helping Your 1- to 2-Year-Old
- Speech and Language Milestones, Ages 1 to 3 Years
- Toddler Play Activities
- Toddlers Language Development 30-36 Months
- Toddlers Physical Development 18-24 Months
- Toddlers Physical Development 24-30 Months
- Toddlers Physical Development 30-36 Months
- Toddlers Social and Emotional Development 12-18 Months
- Toddlers Social and Emotional Development 18-24 months
- Toddlers Social and Emotional Development 30-36 Months
- Toddlers social and Emotional Development 24-30 months
- Toilet Training
- Toilet Training: Knowing When Your Child Is Ready
- Understanding your Toddlers Development
- Toddler Sleep
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Caring for Your Toddler
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Parenting Preschoolers (3-5 years)
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Caring for Your Preschooler
- Motivational Therapy for Bedwetting
- Daytime Accidental Wetting
- Dental Care: 3 Years to 6 Years
- Health and Safety, Ages 2 to 5 Years
- Preschoolers: Building Self-Control
- Preschoolers: Building Social Skills
- Preschoolers: Building a Sense of Security
- Preschoolers: Encouraging Independence
- Preschoolers: Helping Your Child Explore
- Preventing Tooth Decay in Young Children
- Temper Tantrums
- Temper Tantrums: Keeping a Record
- Thumb-Sucking: Helping Your Child Stop
- Your Child and the Dentist
- Moisture Alarms for Bedwetting
- Nightmares and Other Sleep Problems in Children
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Preschooler Growth and Development
- Emotional Development, Ages 2 to 5 Years
- Encouraging Language Development in Your Preschooler
- How Reading Helps Language Development
- How to Teach Your Child by Example
- Milestones for 4-Year-Olds
- Milestones for 5-Year-Olds
- Speech Problems: Normal Disfluency
- Speech and Language Delays: Common Misconceptions 49
- Speech and Language Development
- Speech and Language Development: Red Flags
- Speech and Language Milestones, Ages 3 to 5 Years
- Stuttering
- Thumb-Sucking
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Caring for Your Preschooler
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Parenting School-Age Children (6-11 years)
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Caring for Your School-Age Child
- Bedwetting
- Building Kids Resilience
- Childhood Fears and Exposure to Violence
- Conversations that Teach Children Resilience
- Establishing Limits With Your School-Age Child
- Help Your School-Age Child Develop Social Skills
- Helping Your School-Age Child Learn About the Body
- Quick Tips: Using Backpacks Safely
- Sample School Plan
- Self-Esteem, Ages 6 to 10
- Back to School
- School-Age Children Growth and Development 6-11
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Caring for Your School-Age Child
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Parenting Teens (12-18 years)
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Teen Growth and Development
- Adolescent Sensory and Motor Development
- Cognitive Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years
- Emotional and Social Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years
- Emotional and Social Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years
- Growth and Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years
- Growth and Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years
- Menarche
- Menstruation: Not Having a Period by Age 15
- Milestones for Ages 11 to 14
- Milestones for Ages 15 to 18
- Physical Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years /
- Physical Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years
- Puberty Issues
- Teenage Sleep Patterns
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Caring for Your Teen
- Conversations that Teach Resilience
- Help Your Working Teen Balance Responsibilities and Set Priorities
- Helping Adolescents Develop More Mature Ways of Thinking
- Helping Your Child Transition Into Middle School or Junior High
- Helping Your Teen Become a Safe Driver
- How to Get Back on Track After Conflict with Teenagers
- How to Start a Conversation with Teens About Alcohol
- Medical Checkups for Adolescents
- Talking to Your Adolescent or Teen About Problems
- Teen Relationship Abuse
- Teen Substance Use: Making a Contract With Your Teen
- Teenage Substance Use: Choosing a Treatment Program
- Teenage Tobacco Use
- Teens With Diabetes: Issues for Parents
- Tips for Parents of Teens
- Your Teen's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
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Teen Growth and Development
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Keeping Your Child Safe
- Quick Tips: Helping Your Child Stay Safe and Healthy
- Poison Prevention for Toddlers
- Playground Safety for Toddlers
- Safety Outdoors in the Cold for Toddlers
- Bathroom Safety For Toddlers
- Your Toddler: Safe Ways to Explore
- Child Safety: Preventing Burns
- Child Safety: Preventing Drowning
- Water Safety for Toddlers
- Child Safety: Preventing Child Abduction
- Child Safety: Fires
- Protecting Your Child From Infections
- Child Safety: Pets
- Child Safety: Preventing Falls
- Child Safety: Streets and Motor Vehicles
- Child Safety: Washing Toys to Prevent Germs
- Preventing Choking in Small Children
- Preventing Children's Injuries From Sports and Other Activities
- Child Safety: Air Pollution
- Child Safety: Bathing
- Child Safety: Bicycles and Tricycles
- Child Safety: Drowning Prevention in Pools and Hot Tubs
- Child Safety: Guns and Firearms
- Child Safety: Strollers and Shopping Carts
- Head Injuries in Children: Problems to Watch For
- Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger
- Object Stuck in a Child's Airway
- Preventing Choking
- Playground Safety
- Bullying
- Quick Tips: Safely Giving Over-the-Counter Medicines to Children
- Preventing Poisoning in Young Children
- Bullying: How to Help Your Child Who Bullies
- Staying Healthy Around Animals
- Bullying: Building a Child's Self-Esteem
- Thinking About Child Safety
- Bullying: Signs a Child Is Bullied
- Rule of Nines for Babies and Young Children
- Abuse: Signs of Abuse-Related Injuries
- Media and Your Child: Making Choices
- Child Abuse: Emotional Abuse by Parents
- Protecting Your Toddler From Potential Abuse
- Sexual Abuse: Signs and Symptoms
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Relationships and Emotional Health
- Helping Your Child Build Inner Strength
- Helping Your Child Build a Healthy Body Image
- Symptoms of Depression in Children
- Active Listening
- Aggression in Youth
- Appreciating Your Child's Personality
- Family Life Cycle
- Family Meetings
- Recognizing and Developing Your Children's Special Talents
- Sibling Rivalry: Reducing Conflict and Jealousy
- Violent Behaviour in Children and Teens
- Growth and Development: Helping Your Child Build Self-Esteem
- Effective Parenting: Discipline
- Corporal Punishment
- Talking With Your Child About Sex
- Helping Kids Handle Peer Pressure
- Substance Use Problems: How to Help Your Teen
- Helping Your Child Avoid Tobacco, Drugs, and Alcohol
- Stress in Children and Teenagers
- Stress Management: Helping Your Child With Stress
- Family Therapy for Depression in Children
- Comparing Symptoms of Normal Moodiness With Depression in Children
- Conditions With Symptoms Similar to Depression in Children and Teens
- Warning Signs of Suicide in Children and Teens
- Taking Care of Yourself When You Have a Child With Physical, Emotional, or Behavioural Problems
- Taking Care of Yourself When Your Child Is Sick
- Grief: Helping Children With Grief
- Grief: Helping Children Understand
- Grief: Helping Teens With Grief
- ADHD: Taking Care of Yourself When Your Child Has ADHD
- Baby's Best Chance
- Toddler's First Steps
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Birth Control
- Birth Control Hormones: The Pill
- Birth Control Hormones: The Shot
- Birth Control Hormones: The Mini-Pill
- Birth Control Hormones: The Patch
- Birth Control Hormones: The Ring
- Breastfeeding as Birth Control
- Birth Control: How to Use a Diaphragm
- Birth Control
- Birth Control: Myths About Sex and Pregnancy
- What to Do About Missed or Skipped Birth Control Pills
- Birth Control Pills: Missed or Skipped Periods
- How Birth Control Methods Prevent Pregnancy
- How to Take Birth Control Pills
- Birth Control: How to Use the Patch
- Birth Control: How to Use the Ring
- Hormonal Birth Control: Risk of Blood Clots
- Effectiveness Rate of Birth Control Methods
- Birth Control
- Diaphragm for Birth Control
- Spermicide for Birth Control
- Contraceptive Sponge for Birth Control
- Cervical Cap for Birth Control
- Birth Control: Pros and Cons of Hormonal Methods
- Intrauterine Device (IUD) for Birth Control
- Hormonal Methods of Birth Control
- Barrier Methods of Birth Control
- Tubal Implants for Permanent Birth Control
- Birth Control Patch
- How Pregnancy (Conception) Occurs
- Getting Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control
- Male Condoms
- Emergency Contraception
British Columbia Specific Information
If you have any questions or concerns about pregnancy, labour and baby care speak with your health care provider or contact HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse anytime of the day or night, any day of the year, or a pharmacist from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
You can also read Baby's Best Chance (PDF 14.88 MB), a parent’s handbook on pregnancy and baby care.
You can also access SmartParent, a Canadian prenatal education program that provides trustworthy educational text messages to help guide you through the weeks of your pregnancy.
Topic Overview
Is this topic for you?
This topic covers pregnancy information, including planning for labour and delivery. If you aren't pregnant yet, see the topic Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy.For more information on labour and delivery, see the topic Labour and Delivery.
What can you do to have a healthy pregnancy?
You may be happy and excited to find out that you're pregnant. And you may be a little nervous or worried. If this will be your first child, you may even feel overwhelmed by all of the things you need to know about having a baby. There is a lot to learn. But you don't have to know everything right away. You can read all about pregnancy now, or you can learn about each stage as your pregnancy goes on.
Pregnancy is measured in trimesters from the first day of your last menstrual period, totalling 40 weeks. Most babies are born at 37 to 42 weeks.
During your pregnancy, you'll have tests to watch for certain problems that could occur. With all the tests you'll have, you may worry that something will go wrong. But most women have healthy pregnancies. If there is a problem, these tests can find it early so that you and your doctor or midwife can treat it or watch it to help improve your chance of having a healthy baby.
Taking great care of yourself is the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby. Everything healthy that you do for your body helps your growing baby. Rest when you need it, eat well, and exercise regularly. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after you are active. This is very important when it's hot out.
You'll need to have regular checkups. At every visit, your doctor or midwife will weigh you and measure your belly to check your baby's growth. You'll also get blood and urine tests and have your blood pressure checked.
It's important to avoid tobacco smoke, alcohol and drugs, chemicals, and radiation (like X-rays). These can harm you and the baby.
What kinds of examinations and tests will you have?
Your first prenatal examination gives your doctor or midwife important information for planning your care. You'll have a pelvic examination and urine and blood tests. You'll also have your blood pressure and weight checked. The urine and blood tests are used for a pregnancy test and to tell whether you have low iron levels (are anemic) or have signs of infection.
At each prenatal visit you'll be weighed, have your belly measured, and have your blood pressure and urine checked. Go to all your appointments. Although these quick office visits may seem simple and routine, your doctor is watching for signs of possible problems like high blood pressure.
In some medical centres, you can have screening in your first trimester to see if your baby has a chance of having Down syndrome or another genetic problem. The test usually includes a blood test and an ultrasound.
During your second trimester, you can have a blood test (triple or quadruple screen test) to see if you have a higher-than-normal chance of having a baby with birth defects. Based on the results of the tests, you may be referred to a geneticist for further discussion. Or you may have other tests to find out for sure if your baby has a birth defect.
Late in your second trimester, your blood sugar will be checked for diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). Near the end of your pregnancy, you will have tests to look for infections that could harm your newborn.
What changes can you expect in your body and your emotions?
You will go through some amazing changes during pregnancy. Your body, emotions, and relationships will all do some growing. These changes are common, but some may be a challenge.
Every woman feels these changes in her own way. Even the way she changes can change. In the beginning of your pregnancy, you may feel so tired that you can barely keep your head up. But at other times, you may have trouble sleeping.
Many women feel nauseated in the morning (morning sickness) or at other times of day in the early part of pregnancy. But some women never have this problem. Your breasts will get larger and may feel tender. Throughout your pregnancy, you may get heartburn or crave certain foods, and you may have aches and pains. You also may enjoy the flutters of your baby moving and kicking.
Your emotions may move around too. Even women who are happy about their pregnancy may worry a lot about their babies. They may even feel some sadness at the coming changes in their lifestyles.
Your relationship with your partner and other children you may have also may change. Talk with your partner and with your doctor if you have concerns about how you're feeling.
Health Tools
Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.
- Breastfeeding: Planning Ahead
- Fitness: Walking for Wellness
- Healthy Eating: Changing Your Eating Habits
- Healthy Eating: Cutting Unhealthy Fats From Your Diet
- Healthy Eating: Making Healthy Choices When You Shop
- Pregnancy and Diabetes: Planning for Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Dealing With Morning Sickness
- Stress Management: Breathing Exercises for Relaxation
- Stress Management: Doing Guided Imagery to Relax
- Stress Management: Managing Your Time
Prenatal Visits and Tests
The first test you may have is the one you take at home to see if you're pregnant. After you know you're pregnant, you will have a series of tests throughout your pregnancy to make sure you and your baby are healthy.
At-home pregnancy test
If you think you might be pregnant, you can use a home pregnancy test as soon as you think you have missed your period.
Pregnancy is measured in weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period. There are several methods to find out your due date.
Checkups and tests after you know you're pregnant
As soon as you know you're pregnant, make an appointment with your doctor or registered midwife. Your first prenatal visit will provide information that can be used to check for any problems as your pregnancy progresses.
Good care during pregnancy includes regularly scheduled prenatal examinations. At each prenatal visit, you'll be weighed, have your abdomen measured, and have your blood pressure and urine checked. Use this time to discuss with your doctor or midwife your list of pregnancy concerns or problems.
At different times in your pregnancy, you may have additional examinations and tests performed. Although some are routine, others are only done when you ask for them, when a problem is suspected, or if you have a risk factor for a problem.
- Your first prenatal visit includes a health history, physical examination, and blood and urine tests.
- First-trimester examinations and tests may include fetal ultrasound, which uses reflected sound waves to provide an image of your fetus and placenta.
- Second-trimester examinations and tests may include fetal ultrasound and electronic fetal heart monitoring. Later in the second trimester, you will have an oral glucose screening test for possible gestational diabetes. If you have Rh-negative blood, you may have an antibody screening test and will receive an injection of Rh immunoglobulin. Screening tests help your doctor look for a certain disease or condition before any symptoms appear.
- Third-trimester examinations and tests may include fetal ultrasound, hepatitis B screening, and group B strep screening.
Testing For Birth Defects
Tests in the first and second trimester can show if your baby has a birth defect. It's your choice whether to have these tests. You and your partner can talk to your doctor or midwife about birth defects tests.
For more information on these tests, see the topic Birth Defects Testing.
You can choose from different kinds of tests. If you are worried about the chance of a birth defect, you might want test results as early as possible. If your risk for having a baby with a birth defect is very low or if knowing that your baby has a birth defect wouldn't change your plans, you might decide not to have early tests. Or you might choose not to have these tests at all.
Health and Nutrition
The best way to help yourself have a healthy pregnancy is to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of rest, and avoid things that could hurt your baby.
For more tips on how to have a healthy pregnancy, see Quick Tips: Healthy Pregnancy Habits.
Eat well
- Try to get proper nutrition. Pay close attention to your folic acid, iron, and calcium intake and the need for slow, gradual weight gain. Women who are obese have a different weight-gain goal than other women.
- A vegetarian diet requires special attention so that you get enough protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and zinc, in addition to the extra folic acid, iron, and calcium that all expectant mothers need. These nutrients are vital to your fetus's cellular growth, brain and organ development, and weight gain.
- Calcium is an important nutrient, especially during pregnancy. If you can't or don't eat dairy products, you can get calcium in your diet from non-milk sources such as tofu, broccoli, fortified orange juice or soy beverage, greens, and almonds.
Stay active
- Exercise during pregnancy can help your body best handle labour, delivery, and recovery. Moderate activity such as brisk walking or swimming is ideal during pregnancy. Some women enjoy prenatal yoga. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after you are active. This is very important when it's hot out.
-
Do pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises during and after pregnancy. They strengthen your lower pelvic muscles. They may help prevent urine control problems (incontinence) after childbirth.
- In addition to moderate exercise, the following stretching and strengthening exercises are well suited to pregnancy:
What to avoid
- Medicines that are not approved by your doctor or midwife
- Alcohol and drugs
- Tobacco smoke
- Sources of foodborne illness that may cause listeriosis or toxoplasmosis infection, such as raw meat, poultry, or seafood; unwashed fruits or vegetables; and cat feces or outdoor soil that cats commonly use
- Raw (unpasteurized) milk and cheeses made with raw milk
- Fish that may contain mercury. Eat no more than 150 g a month of high mercury fish, such as fresh or frozen tuna, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy, and escolar. Limit canned albacore tuna to no more than 300 g per week.footnote 1 Avoid fish caught in local waters that haven't tested as safe.
- Hazardous chemicals, radiation, and certain cosmetic products
- Caffeine (Or limit your intake to 300 mg or about 2 cups (500 mL) of coffee each day.footnote 2)
- Things that raise your core body temperature, such as doing hot yoga or using hot tubs and saunas
Talk with your doctor or midwife about any herbal products you use including herbal tea and herbal remedies. Some herbal products may not be safe to use during pregnancy.
What's okay when you're pregnant
- Sex causes no problems during an uncomplicated pregnancy, and sexual interest often changes during different phases of a pregnancy.
- Working or going to school, if it isn't too physically demanding, is usually fine during pregnancy. Scale back if you're becoming too worn down as your pregnancy progresses. Talk to your doctor or midwife if you are at risk for preterm labour.
- Travel is usually a safe choice until later pregnancy. Talk to your doctor or midwife if you have any concerns. During your third trimester, it's best to stay within a few hours of a hospital, in case of sudden changes that need medical attention.
- Wearing a seat belt is vital to protect yourself and your baby during pregnancy.
- Massage during pregnancy is safe when it is done by a specially trained massage therapist.
Body Changes
Pregnancy is a time of many changes. Your body will go through a lot on the way to creating a new person.
Normal physical changes and symptoms throughout pregnancy
Although they can range from mild to severe, the following conditions are common during pregnancy:
Many pregnant women also have:
- Changes in vaginal discharge. A thin, milky-white discharge (leukorrhea) is normal throughout pregnancy. Also, the tissues lining the vagina become thicker and less sensitive during pregnancy.
- Nosebleeds and bleeding gums
- Hemorrhoids and constipation
- Varicose veins
- Hair changes
- Stretch marks, itchiness, and other skin changes
- Hand pain, numbness, or weakness (carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Mild swelling of your feet and ankles (edema).
First trimester
The first trimester of pregnancy lasts from week 1 through week 12. Your first sign of pregnancy may be a missed menstrual period. Other early signs of pregnancy, caused by hormonal changes, include:
- Fatigue.
- Breast tenderness.
- Increased urination.
- Fullness or mild aching in your lower abdomen.
- Nausea with or without vomiting, also known as morning sickness.
Second trimester
The second trimester of pregnancy (from week 13 to week 27) is the time when most women start to look pregnant and may begin to wear maternity clothes. By 16 weeks, the top of your uterus, called the fundus, will be about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel. By 27 weeks, the fundus will be about 5 cm (2 in.) or more above your navel.
You may find that the second trimester is the easiest part of pregnancy. For some women, the breast tenderness, morning sickness, and fatigue of the first trimester ease up or disappear during the second trimester, while the physical discomforts of late pregnancy have yet to start. Pressure on your bladder may be less as the uterus grows up out of the pelvis.
Common symptoms you may experience during the second trimester of pregnancy include:
- Breast changes.
- Leg cramps.
- Back pain.
- Pelvic ache and hip pain.
- Stretch marks and other skin changes.
- Hemorrhoids and constipation.
- Heartburn (also a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD).
- Nosebleeds and bleeding gums.
- Hand pain, numbness, or weakness (carpal tunnel syndrome).
- Braxton Hicks contractions, which are "warm-up" contractions that do not thin and open the cervix (do not lead to labour).
Third trimester
The third trimester lasts from week 28 to the birth. Many women have some discomfort during this time as their belly gets bigger. You might have trouble getting comfortable so you can sleep. And you might have a few other aches and pains.
Common symptoms you may experience during the third trimester include:
- Braxton Hicks contractions, which are "warm-up" contractions that do not thin and open the cervix (do not lead to labour).
- Fatigue.
- Back pain.
- Pelvic ache and hip pain.
- Hemorrhoids and constipation.
- Heartburn (a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD).
- Hand pain, numbness, or weakness (carpal tunnel syndrome).
- Breathing difficulty, since your uterus is now just below your rib cage, and your lungs have less room to expand.
- Mild swelling of your feet and ankles (edema). Pregnancy causes more fluid to build up in your body. This, plus the extra pressure that your uterus places on your legs, can lead to swelling in your feet and ankles.
- Difficulty sleeping and finding a comfortable position. Lying on your back interferes with blood circulation, and lying on your stomach isn't possible. Sleep on your side, using pillows to support your belly and between your knees. Later in your pregnancy, it is best to lie on your left side. When you lie on your right side or on your back, the increasing weight of your uterus can partly block the large blood vessel in front of your backbone.
- Frequent urination, caused by your enlarged uterus and the pressure of the fetus's head on your bladder.
Baby Development
Pregnancy is measured in trimesters from the first day of your last menstrual period, totalling 40 weeks. The first trimester of pregnancy is week 1 through week 12, or about 3 months. The second trimester is week 13 to week 27. And the third trimester of pregnancy spans from week 28 to the birth.
Your baby will change from week to week. For more information about how your baby is changing each month and about what tests you might think about having, see the Interactive Tool: From Embryo to Baby in 9 Months.
First trimester
During the week after fertilization, the fertilized egg grows into a microscopic ball of cells (blastocyst), which implants on the wall of your uterus. This implantation triggers a series of hormonal and physical changes in your body.
The third through eighth weeks of growth are called the embryonic stage, during which the embryo develops most major body organs. During this process, the embryo is especially vulnerable to damaging substances, such as alcohol, radiation, and infectious diseases.
Having reached a little more than 2.5 cm (1 in.) in length by the ninth week of growth, the embryo is called a fetus. By now, the uterus has grown from about the size of a fist to about the size of a grapefruit.
The first trimester is a time of amazing development. The embryo starts out looking like a tiny seed, then a tadpole with a tail, and then more human.
Second trimester
If this is your first pregnancy, you'll begin to feel your fetus move at about 18 to 22 weeks after your last menstrual period. Although your fetus has been moving for several weeks, the movements have not been strong enough for you to notice until now. At first, fetal movements can be so gentle that you may not be sure what you are feeling.
If you've been pregnant before, you may notice movement earlier, sometime between weeks 16 and 18.
During this time, the fetus is still building up body fat and starting to put on a lot of weight. By the end of the second trimester, your fetus is about 25.5 cm (10 in.) long and weighs about 680 g (1.5 lb).
Third trimester
The third trimester of pregnancy spans from week 28 to the birth. The fetus moves frequently, especially between the 27th and 32nd weeks. After week 32, a fetus becomes too big to move around easily inside the uterus and may seem to move less.
Your due date marks the end of your 40th week. Most babies are born at 37 to 42 weeks. During this final trimester, your fetus grows larger and the body organs mature.
At the end of the third trimester, a fetus usually settles into a head-down position in the uterus. You will likely feel some discomfort as you get close to delivery.
Emotions and Relationships
The emotional experience of pregnancy is different for every woman. It's common to have mixed emotions and to feel uncertain—even if your pregnancy was planned.
Because of the increasing hormones and the fatigue of early pregnancy, mood swings can be worse than before pregnancy. Many women worry that their baby will have a problem. Or they may feel anxious about childbirth.
Your relationships with family and friends may change as you adjust to having a new family member.
- Emotional changes occur throughout pregnancy.
- Changes in your relationship with your partner are to be expected as your focus shifts to your own and your baby's well-being.
- Getting support from your partner is important to help you bond as a family and to help you have less stress.
- Handling pregnancy and parenting can be a challenge. Rest whenever you can. Prepare your other child or children ahead of time to help your family adjust to the demands of a newborn.
With all the changes in your life, you may feel stressed at times. Try relaxation exercises and use time management tips and skills at home.
Health Concerns
Some women have health problems or concerns before they get pregnant. For other women, problems may come up during pregnancy. Your doctor or midwife will work with you to prevent or manage these problems to help you have a healthy pregnancy.
If you have a health problem or concern, you may have a high-risk pregnancy. This means that your doctor or midwife needs to follow you closely. It doesn't mean that something will go wrong during your pregnancy.
Pregnancy when you have health problems
- Depression during pregnancy requires treatment to reduce risks to you and your baby, before and after pregnancy.
- If you have diabetes, it's important during pregnancy to keep your blood sugar in your target range. Planning diabetes care before and during the first few weeks of pregnancy can lower your risk of problems.
- Obesity during pregnancy can increase the chance of problems. But most women who are obese have healthy babies. Your doctor will follow you closely and will plan a pregnancy weight gain that is right for you.
- If you have chronic high blood pressure during pregnancy, special care may be required. Your doctor may need to change the medicines you take to control your high blood pressure.
- Managing asthma during pregnancy is important for making sure you and your baby are getting enough oxygen. Most, but not all, asthma medicines are safe to use during pregnancy.
- Having epilepsy during pregnancy may require you to switch medicine or make other changes. But stopping medicine is not always the best solution. Having seizures during pregnancy can also harm the baby. Talk with your doctor about the best choice for you.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during pregnancy requires early detection and treatment to prevent newborn infection.
- Cancer treatment during pregnancy is delayed whenever possible to prevent harm to the baby. But chemotherapy is sometimes used, when needed.
Common infections during pregnancy
- Vaginal yeast infections are more common in pregnancy because of the increased levels of hormones. Call your doctor or midwife if you have symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection or bacterial vaginal infection (bacterial vaginosis).
- Urinary tract infection is common during pregnancy and must be treated with antibiotics to prevent a dangerous infection or preterm labour.
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV) that causes symptoms is usually treated with oral antibiotics.
- Some women carry group B strep bacteria in their vaginal area. A woman can pass this infection to her baby during vaginal birth. This infection doesn't cause symptoms, but you will be screened for it in your third trimester.
Health problems that can happen during pregnancy
- Pre-eclampsia can develop after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It causes high blood pressure and protein in your urine. It can be very dangerous for the mother and baby. For more information, see the topic Pre-Eclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy.
- Gestational diabetes can make your baby grow too large, which can cause problems during delivery. For more information, see the topic Gestational Diabetes.
- Preterm labour is the start of labour between week 20 and week 37 of pregnancy. The earlier the preterm labour, the greater the risk of problems with the baby. For more information, see the topic Preterm Labour.
- Placenta previa happens when the placenta attaches in the wrong place in the uterus. For more information, see the topic Placenta Previa.
- Abruptio placenta happens when the placenta separates too soon from the uterus. For more information, see the topic Abruptio Placenta.
- If you have Rh-negative blood and your partner is Rh-positive, you need WinRho (Rh immunoglobulin) treatment to prevent Rh sensitization.
- The risk of blood clots can increase during pregnancy and after delivery.
- Cholestasis of pregnancy is a liver problem that makes your skin very itchy. It happens when the flow of bile slows down or is blocked. It may cause problems for your baby. Your doctor will watch you and your baby closely.
Other concerns during pregnancy
- Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of problems such as low birth weight, preterm labour, and miscarriage.
- Pregnancy over age 35 poses some risks, but most older women have healthy pregnancies.
- Medicine use (including natural health products) during pregnancy should always be approved by your doctor or midwife, to prevent harm to the fetus.
- Immunizations help protect you and your baby from certain health problems. The influenza vaccine and the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine are recommended for all pregnant women. It is safe to get these vaccines during your pregnancy. You may need to get other vaccines before or soon after your pregnancy.
- Pregnancy after bariatric surgery may mean that you keep seeing the doctor who did your weight-loss surgery, along with seeing the doctor or midwife who is caring for you during pregnancy.
- Domestic violence can happen more often and/or get worse when women are pregnant. It is dangerous for both the mother and the baby. For more information and to learn how to get help, see the topic Domestic Violence.
Planning for Labour
During your prenatal visits, talk with your doctor or midwife about what you would like to happen during your labour. Consider writing up your labour and delivery preferences in a birthing plan, either in a childbirth education class or on your own. You can find examples of birthing plans on parenting websites.
Because no labour or delivery can be fully anticipated or planned in advance, be flexible. Your experience after labour begins may be totally different from what you expected. If an emergency or an urgent situation arises, your plans may be changed for your own or your baby's safety.
When making plans for your baby's birth, consider the location of your delivery, who will deliver your baby, and whether you want continuous labour support from a doula, a friend, or family members. If you haven't already, this is also a good time to decide whether you'll attend a childbirth education class, starting in your sixth or seventh month of pregnancy.
Learn about labour and delivery ahead of time. Think through your preferences for comfort measures, pain relief, medical procedures, and fetal monitoring. And think through how you want to handle your first hours with your newborn. For more information, see the topic Labour and Delivery.
Planning to breastfeed
Plan ahead for breastfeeding by learning about breastfeeding and finding a good lactation consultant ahead of time and buying necessary supplies. For more information, see the topic Breastfeeding.
Cord blood banking
Sometime during your pregnancy, you may get information about cord blood banking. Cord blood is the blood left in the umbilical cord after birth. Think about whether you want to bank your baby's umbilical cord blood for possible future use.
When To Call
At any time during pregnancy
At any time during your pregnancy, call 9-1-1 if you think you have symptoms of a blood clot in your lung (called a pulmonary embolism). These may include:
- Sudden chest pain.
- Trouble breathing.
- Coughing up blood.
At any time during your pregnancy, call your doctor or midwife now or seek immediate medical care if you:
- Have signs of pre-eclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition, such as:
- Sudden swelling of your face, hands, or feet.
- Visual problems (such as dimness or blurring).
- Severe headache.
- Have symptoms of a blood clot in your arm or leg (called deep vein thrombosis or DVT). These may include:
- Pain in the arm, calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness and swelling in the arm, leg, or groin.
At any time during your pregnancy, call your doctor or midwife now if you:
- Have pain, cramping, or fever with bleeding from the vagina.
- Pass some tissue from the uterus.
- Think or know you have a fever.
- Vomit more than 3 times a day or are too nauseated to eat or drink, especially if you also have fever or pain.
- Have an increase or gush of fluid from your vagina. It's possible to mistake a leak of amniotic fluid for a problem with bladder control.
At any time during your pregnancy, call your doctor or midwife today if you:
- Notice increased swelling of your face, hands, or feet.
- Have any vaginal bleeding or an increase in your usual amount of vaginal discharge.
- Have pelvic pain that doesn't get better or go away.
- Have signs of cholestasis of pregnancy that seem to be getting worse. For example:
- Your itching gets worse or you get other symptoms.
- There is a new or increasing yellow colour to your skin or the whites of your eyes.
- Have painful or frequent urination or urine that is cloudy, foul-smelling, or bloody.
- Feel unusually weak.
Between 20 and 37 weeks
If you are between 20 and 37 weeks pregnant, call 9-1-1 or other emergency services immediately if you:
- Have severe vaginal bleeding.
- Have severe abdominal (belly) pain.
- Are in your third trimester and have had fluid gushing or leaking from your vagina (the amniotic sac has ruptured) AND you know or think the umbilical cord is bulging into your vagina (cord prolapse). If this happens, immediately get down on your knees so your buttocks are higher than your head to decrease pressure on the cord until help arrives. Cord prolapse can cut off the fetus's blood supply. (These measures apply to you if you are as early as 24 weeks pregnant.)
If you are between 20 and 37 weeks pregnant, call your doctor or midwife now or go to the hospital if you:
- Have signs of preterm labour, including:
- Mild or menstrual-like cramping with or without diarrhea.
- Regular contractions for an hour. This means about 6 or more contractions in 1 hour, even after you've had a glass of water and are resting.
- Unexplained low back pain or pelvic pressure.
- Have noticed that your baby has stopped moving or is moving much less than normal.
- Have uterine tenderness or unexplained fever (possible symptoms of infection).
After 37 weeks
After 37 weeks, call 9-1-1 or other emergency services immediately if you:
- Have had fluid gushing or leaking from your vagina (the amniotic sac has ruptured) AND you know or think the umbilical cord is bulging into your vagina (cord prolapse). If this happens, immediately get down on your knees so your buttocks are higher than your head to decrease pressure on the cord until help arrives. Cord prolapse can cut off the fetus's blood supply. (These measures apply to you if you are as early as 24 weeks pregnant.)
After 37 weeks of pregnancy, call your doctor or midwife now or go the hospital if you:
- Have vaginal bleeding. (For light spotting, you can call at any time on the same day.)
- Have had regular contractions for an hour. This means about 4 or more in 20 minutes, or about 8 or more within 1 hour.
- Have a sudden release of fluid from the vagina.
- Notice that the baby has stopped moving or is moving much less than normal.
Related Information
- Alcohol Effects on a Fetus
- Alcohol or Drug Use During Pregnancy
- Asthma During Pregnancy
- Avoiding Mercury in Fish
- Breech Position and Breech Birth
- Caesarean Section
- Fertility Awareness
- Gestational Diabetes
- Growth and Development, Newborn
- Health and Safety, Birth to 2 Years
- Medicines During Pregnancy
- Miscarriage
- Multiple Pregnancy: Twins or More
- Placenta Previa
- Placental Abruption
- Pre-Eclampsia
- Premature (Preterm) Infant
- Preterm Labour
- Rh Sensitization During Pregnancy
- Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC)
References
Citations
- Health Canada (2008, updated 2019). Mercury in fish: Consumption advice: Making informed choices about fish. Available online: http://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/chemical-contaminants/environmental-contaminants/merc….
- Government of Canada (2013). Health Canada reminds Canadians to manage their caffeine consumption. Available online: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2013/34021a-eng.php.
Credits
Current as of: November 9, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine
Brian D. O'Brien MD - Internal Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kirtly Jones MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Current as of: November 9, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine & Brian D. O'Brien MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kirtly Jones MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Back Press
- Backward Stretch
- Diagonal Curl
- Forward Bend
- Leg Lift Crawl
- Pelvic Rocking
- Pelvic Tilt
- Tailor Press
- Tailor Sitting
- Tailor Stretching
- Trunk Twist
- Upper Body Bends
- Pregnancy and Seat Belt Use
- Normal pregnancy: First trimester
- Normal pregnancy: Second trimester
- Normal pregnancy: Third trimester
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