Medical Concerns and Pregnancy Conditions

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...

Your baby's lungs won't be fully developed until late in pregnancy, but the foundations are being laid down right now. ...

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...

Your baby todayBy now the fetus's forehead is high and bulging, with visible joins in the plates of bone that comprise the skull. The eyes have migrated from the sides of the head at this stage of development. ...

Your baby todayYour baby's hair and eye color are all determined genetically and set before birth. Unfortunately, however detailed an ultrasound image is, it can only show the shape of structures and will never be able to show true color informat...

Your baby todayThis profile of the baby shows the tip of the nose touching the placenta. Your placenta will not be growing any more and now thins slightly. Within, the placenta continues to mature and it remains a highly efficient means of supply...

Your baby todayThe lip shape and groove between the nose and upper lip are particularly well shown here. If you or your partner has a prominent groove, or philtrum, above the upper lip, your baby may too, or she may inherit characteristics that a...

Your baby todayThe embryo until this stage of development has consisted of two layers of cells. Now, a third layer starts to become visible as a "bulge" between the two-this bulge can be seen in the center of this image. ...

Your baby's skin is still transparent and there is little fat lying beneath it at this stage of the pregnancy. ...

What's happening insideThe blastocyst prepares to embed itself in the lining of the uterus-the endometrium. Once it is completely implanted-usually around seven days after fertilization-the pregnancy will become established. ...

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...

You're probably already wondering if you're carrying a boy or a girl, but the physical signs of gender aren't apparent yet. ...

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 either Rh...

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 ...