Medical Concerns and Pregnancy Conditions

Diabetes that develops for the first time in pregnancy is called gestational diabetes and affects between two and seven percent of pregnant women. In this condition, the pancreas produces insufficient insulin to move glucose (sugar) from the bloo...

This occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the uterine cavity. The vast majority of ectopic pregnancies are in the fallopian tube, but they can occur on an ovary, in the cervix, or in the abdominal cavity at the site of a previous cesa...

Taking medications during pregnancyDuring the first three months of pregnancy, it's best to avoid all over-the-counter medications. Once you are past the first trimester, some other medications are considered safe, but always consult your doctor ...

Whether you have a preexisting medical condition, or acquire an illness or infection during pregnancy, always consult your doctor before taking medication or before stopping any prescribed medication.If you have a condition such as high blood pre...

I'm asthmatic. Can I use my inhalers during pregnancy?It's essential that you keep asthma under control in pregnancy, which means continuing to use your inhalers, since the risks from uncontrolled asthma are greater than any risk from taking asth...

When you're pregnant, your immune system is slightly suppressed. This is necessary to stop you from rejecting the baby, who is genetically half the father's! This means that you may be slightly more susceptible to common problems such as colds, c...

Exposure to chickenpox or rubellaChickenpox in pregnancy can cause problems for the baby and can be severe in a pregnant woman, possibly leading to pneumonia. If you contract rubella for the first time in early pregnancy, it can cause miscarriage...

Understanding Ectopic Pregnancy Baby Talk An ectopic pregnancy is one in which the fertilized egg implants itself outside the uterus. After an egg is fertilized, it travels down the fallopian tube to find a comfy place in the uterus to attach a...

What Is Rh Incompatibility? Baby Talk Rh incompatibility occurs when the mother's blood is Rh-negative and the baby's blood is Rh-positive. At your first medical visit, blood is drawn to determine your blood type and Rh factor. You are eith...

What Is Preeclampsia? Hey Mom! Some believe that preeclampsia can be prevented by taking one baby aspirin every day during pregnancy. If a friend or relative suggests this plan, beware. There is no solid evidence that aspirin can reduce the risk...

Using Over-the-Counter Medications During Pregnancy Baby Talk Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are ones that can be bought without a prescription. They are all the preparations and remedies that fill the shelves in your local pharmacy. Here's ...

What Is Edema? Baby Talk Edema is swelling caused by an excess buildup of fluid in body tissues. Hey Mom! If your rings get stuck because of swollen fingers, don't try to remove them until the morning. That's when there's the least amount of swe...

Although the normal discomforts of pregnancy can be annoying, they are not life-threatening. However, there are other symptoms that can't be ignored and need attention immediately. The Three Big Pregnancy “Tests” The three most alarming w...

A mother is concerned that the medication she took during pregnancy could have caused her son's learning difficulties. ...