Pregnancy

Many people who miss a period will take a test to check for pregnancy. If the pregnancy test is negative, a variety of conditions and factors may be responsible for the lack of menstruation. In this article, we explain how the menstrual cycle works and provide some possible causes of a missed period other than

Many people wonder whether it is safe to start taking birth control pills in the middle of their menstrual cycle. The answer usually depends on the type of pill and the needs of the person. Birth control pills are a safe and effective method of preventing unintended pregnancy. For some people, the pill can also

Amniotic fluid is the liquid that surrounds a fetus in the womb. It has a range of functions, all of which relate to the development of the fetus. The fetus and fluid stay in the amniotic sac, which usually breaks when a woman goes into labor. It can sometimes rupture early, which is called premature

Most women can continue with their everyday activities during pregnancy and only need to make some minor lifestyle changes. The health and well-being of both the woman and the developing fetus are of primary concern during pregnancy, so it is best to avoid consuming certain foods and doing potentially risky activities. In this article, we

Dilating to 1 centimeter does not necessarily mean that labor is only hours or days away. The cervix can be dilated to 1 centimeter for weeks before the beginning of labor. This extent of dilation only signals that the cervix is starting to prepare for labor. Most pregnant women spend some time wondering when they

Both breastfeeding and pumping are excellent ways to feed a baby breast milk. Breast milk is the natural food for infants, and pumping can offer benefits that are similar, although not identical, to providing breast milk directly from the breast. Human breast milk is biologically designed to meet a baby’s nutritional needs, and many doctors

Making healthful food choices is crucial for women when they are pregnant. Their diet will provide the fetus with the nutrients essential for growth and development. A nutritious diet plays an essential role in a person’s overall health, helping the body to function effectively and reducing the risk of some diseases. Most people are aware

Birth control pills are a popular and effective method of contraception. However, some factors, such as missing pill days, vomiting, and taking certain medications, can reduce the effectiveness of the pill and may result in unintended pregnancies. In this article, we look at how effective the birth control pill is, and five reasons why the

There are ways to induce labor medically, but a person can often encourage dilation by keeping the body relaxed and loose. This can help ease the delivery. Dilation is a term that describes the widening of the cervical opening. Dilation of the cervix is one sign that a pregnant woman is going into labor. During

Plan B One-Step is an emergency contraception pill that people can take in some instances to prevent pregnancy. This pill is effective if people forget to take their birth control pill and have unprotected sex or if another birth control method fails. It is essential that people who decide to use the Plan B pill

Stretch marks appear on men and women of all ages, sizes, and skin types. They do not cause pain or health problems, but some people are bothered by their appearance. People often wonder how to prevent stretch marks from forming. Skin can stretch to accommodate size changes, including those due to weight fluctuations, puberty, muscle

Birth control pills contain hormones, and they can increase a person’s breast size. However, the effect is usually temporary. The two primary hormones present in most types of birth control pill are: estrogen, a female sex hormone progestin, a synthetic version of progesterone, which is another female sex hormone The body produces estrogen and progesterone.

Postpartum gas is when a woman experiences increased flatulence after having a baby. Postpartum gas is common and usually goes away on its own but can also be a sign of a pelvic injury or underlying health condition. In this article, we explore the causes of postpartum gas and bloating. We also cover when to

Most women need to wait at least 6 weeks before having sex after a C-section, or until their doctor or midwife says it is safe. They may also need to take a few precautions and make some adjustments to their sexual activities in the short term. A C-section, also known as a cesarean delivery, involves

A pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy rash is a common skin condition. Natural remedies, including oatmeal, chamomile, and peppermint, can help. This type of rash usually starts in stretch marks on the abdomen and spreads to the legs and chest. It causes itchy, red, hive-like bumps to form in the creases of stretch

For people trying to get pregnant, the days following ovulation mark the infamously difficult two-week wait. However, knowing what is happening in the body, as well as the typical pregnancy symptoms that occur on different days past ovulation (DPO), can make the wait a little easier. Many people wonder if every twinge and ache could

Membrane stripping, also known as membrane sweeping, is a procedure that can help induce labor in pregnant women who are close to or past their due date. A doctor will use a gloved hand to sweep the inside of the cervix in a circular motion. Membrane stripping is effective and safe for most women. In

A pregnancy test can detect pregnancy before a woman misses her period, but some may notice symptoms even earlier than this. The first sign of pregnancy is often a missed period, which happens around 15 days past ovulation (DPO). Some women may notice symptoms as early as 5 DPO, although they won’t know for certain

Taking a pregnancy test can be a nerve-racking experience, especially when it is difficult to understand what the lines on the test mean. A test may show a small streak where the positive line should be. This is called an evaporation line. An evaporation line does not indicate pregnancy. If this type of streak appears,

An intrauterine device, or IUD, is a small device that doctors place inside the uterus as a contraceptive. Many people experience IUD side effects, especially in the first few weeks to months following insertion. There are two types of IUD available. One type secretes hormones while the other contains copper. Hormone-secreting IUDs release the synthetic

A chemical pregnancy is one that results in very early pregnancy loss, usually in the first few weeks. Doctors call it a chemical pregnancy because levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are initially elevated enough to produce a positive result on a pregnancy test but dip again before a doctor can see the

What causes irregular periods? Your menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of your last period to the start of your next period. Your period is considered irregular if it’s longer than 38 days or if the duration varies. Irregular periods can have several causes, from hormonal imbalances to other underlying conditions, and should

What are the recommendations for alcohol consumption while breast-feeding? Moderate alcohol consumption is safe for mothers breast-feeding their infants. Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as about one drink per day. At this level, research shows there are no known harmful effects to the infant. However, more than one drink per day is not recommended. Of

Miscarriage rates by week vary between women. However, the odds of having a miscarriage, or pregnancy loss, start to drop as the pregnancy progresses. The risk figures for pregnancy loss are just averages, so each woman’s risk may be higher or lower depending on a range of factors. A pregnancy loss can occur before a

During labor, the cervix changes from a tightly closed entrance to a fully open exit for the baby. Looking at a cervix dilation chart can help people to understand what’s happening at each stage of labor. Each woman experience labor differently. In this article, we discuss in detail how the cervix is likely to change

Many women experience night sweats or hot flashes after pregnancy. These are known as postpartum night sweats. Certain home remedies can help relieve the symptoms. Night sweats happen when a woman experiences a hot flash during the night. Many people associate hot flashes and night sweats with menopause, but pregnancy, which is also a time

During a period, the uterus sheds the lining that has built up in case of pregnancy. While a woman can experience uterine bleeding during pregnancy, it will not be due to a period. In this article, we take an in-depth look at menstruation and pregnancy and discuss other potential causes of bleeding during pregnancy. Can

Vaginal cramps or spasms may feel like strong, painful muscle contractions. While mild vaginal cramps can be a symptom of menstruation, painful cramps or vaginal cramps that occur outside of menstruation often have an underlying medical cause. This article looks at some of the most common causes of vaginal cramps, as well as treatment options

After giving birth, many women notice swelling or puffiness in the skin, especially in the legs and face. This is called postpartum swelling. During pregnancy, the body retains extra water to support the baby, and this water is gradually released through sweating and urination. In the meantime, various home remedies and exercises can reduce the

Proper self-care is important for physical health and mental well-being after an abortion. When a medical professional performs an abortion, it is a safe procedure that carries few risks. However, women should be aware of what to expect after an abortion and how to plan their rest and recovery. According to one analysis, it is