Pregnancy Health

Would you believe that, each year in the United States, more people suffer from postpartum depression than they do strokes, or even heart attacks? The numbers are so high—roughly 950,000 new moms every year—and the effects so heart-wrenching that science is scrambling to the rescue. A new study, published this summer in the medical journal Frontiers in Genetics, suggests … [Read more...] about Dream or reality? A blood test for postpartum depression

Choosing an obstetrician or midwife to provide your medical care is perhaps the biggest decision you'll make throughout your pregnancy, so you want to make sure you're choosing the one that works best for you. Some women spend weeks, maybe even months, searching for the health care provider that they feel comfortable with, and then there are others that find them on the … [Read more...] about Choosing the obstetrician or midwife for you

It's a scary thought that no one wants to entertain, but our homes could be a potential wonderland of toxins. Between household cleaners, personal care products and even myriad plastics, there's a great deal of unwanted chemicals circulating about our living spaces. As you prep for your little one's arrival, add cleaning up around home to your pre-baby to-do list. Here's how to … [Read more...] about 3 safe ways to clean your home during pregnancy

Has your due date come and gone with no signs of your little one? Talk to your doctor or midwife about performing a membrane sweep. What is it? When we talk about inducing labor, we generally refer to two camps: On one side, there's the natural, at-home remedies that are questionable in their efficacy. These include eating hot, spicy foods, massaging pressure points and … [Read more...] about The simple, (almost) painless procedure that may kick-start labor

If pregnancy has you feeling as if the room's spinning, you're not the only one. Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms for pregnant women and usually takes effect in the first trimester. Blame these spins on surging hormones that wreak havoc on the shape and size of your blood vessels. While less common, second trimester dizziness may also be caused by a growing uterus … [Read more...] about How to relieve dizziness during pregnancy