For the majority of women, pregnancy is a normal, healthy, low-risk life event. Midwives view pregnancy and birth as normal life events during which you need special attention, support, guidance, and care to prevent problems. For most women pregnancy is a time of wellness. It is a time of change when you and your baby should be supported so you…
If you’re trying to conceive or hoping to become pregnant, there’s never been a better time to pay attention to your health. Actions you take now can maximize your chances of a healthy pregnancy and birth and can establish positive habits that you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life. Midwives can help you navigate the important decisions…
Pregnancy is an exciting time. But it can bring up a lot of questions and concerns about what foods you can eat or how medicines will affect your baby. Not all foods and medicines are safe when you are pregnant. Even common headache or pain medicine may not be safe during certain times in your pregnancy. FDA’s Office of Women’s…
Americans pay a high price in illnesses and deaths due to tobacco use. Unfortunately, even though smoking rates have declined over the years—from 20.9% in 2005 to 15.1% in 2015—tobacco use still results in far too many deaths, disabilities, and smoking-related illnesses in the United States. For every person who dies because of smoking, at least 30 people live with…
Labor is the work that your body does to give birth to your baby. Your uterus contracts, your cervix (the mouth of the uterus) opens, and you push your baby out into the world. Experiences of labor are as unique and varied as the nearly 4 million women who give birth every year in the United States. Familiarizing yourself with…
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy: what are the risks to the baby? A mother’s drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities for the baby that can last a lifetime. These disabilities are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Some of the behavioral and intellectual disabilities of people with FASDs include:…
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (also known as morning sickness) is a common condition of early pregnancy.1 The symptoms are usually more common in the morning, but may occur at any time during the day (hence the name ‘morning sickness’).1 It is estimated that up to 80% of women experience nausea or vomiting during pregnancy, with symptoms usually starting at…
January 3-9 is Folic Acid Awareness Week, but folic acid should be part of a healthy lifestyle every day. You can start the New Year off right by taking a multivitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) of the B-vitamin, folic acid, every day. Your body uses folic acid every day to stay healthy. Think you are getting all of the vitamins…
I am 13 weeks pregnant now. Is it safe to have sex with my husband during this time? I am wondering if having sex causes any harm to my baby or not. -Joyita I. Sex during pregnancy, for the most part, is totally safe and won’t hurt you or the baby in any way. As long as your midwife…
December is upon us! As the holiday season kicks into high gear, many of us lose track of our health goals until the New Year. Here are 10 ways to stay healthy during this holiday season (while still enjoying all of the celebratory goodies!). Get Moving – The weather may be less than motivating, but physical activity can help you…