Pregnancy and Childbirth

Learn about pregnancy and childbirth

Whether you are thinking about getting pregnant or already are expecting, our topics on pregnancy and childbirth can answer your questions. You can find information ranging from how to find out your due date, to exams and tests during each trimester, to labor and delivery, and much more.

Browse our pregnancy and childbirth topics, or start with one of the following:

• Pregnancy
• Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum Period
• Interactive Tool: What Is Your Due Date?
• Interactive Tool: From Embryo to Baby in 9 Months

More Information

• Health Topics
• Medical Tests
• Medications
• Make a Wise Decision
• Take Action

Health Topics

Abortion

Alcohol Effects on a Fetus

Alcohol or Drug Use During Pregnancy

Asthma During Pregnancy

Birth Defects Testing

Breast Engorgement

Breast-Feeding

Breech Position and Breech Birth

Cervical cerclage to prevent preterm delivery

Cervical Effacement and Dilatation

Cesarean Section

Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening

Ectopic Pregnancy

Emergency Contraception

Episiotomy and Perineal Tears

External cephalic version (version) for breech position

Fallopian tube procedures for infertility

Fertility Problems

Gamete and zygote intrafallopian transfer (GIFT and ZIFT) for infertility

Gestational Diabetes

Group B Streptococcal Infections in Newborns

High-Risk Pregnancy

In vitro fertilization for infertility

Infertility Tests

Insemination procedures for infertility

Interactive Tool: From Embryo to Baby in 9 Months

Interactive Tool: What Is Your Due Date?

Interactive Tool: When Are You Most Fertile?

Interactive Tools

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection for infertility

Intrauterine fetal blood transfusion for Rh disease

Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum Period

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling (ovarian diathermy) for PCOS

Mastitis While Breast-Feeding

Medicines During Pregnancy

Miscarriage

Missed or Irregular Periods

Molar Pregnancy

Multiple Pregnancy: Twins or More

Myomectomy

Obstetric Panel

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Placenta Abruptio

Placenta Previa

Postpartum Depression

Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Pregnancy-Related Problems

Premature Infant

Premature Ovarian Failure

Preterm Labor

Problems After Delivery of Your Baby

Rh Sensitization During Pregnancy

Rubella (German Measles)

Spina Bifida

Stillbirth

Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy

Umbilical Cord Care

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

Varicocele repair for infertility

Vasectomy reversal (vasovasostomy)

Medical Tests

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) in Blood

Amniocentesis

Antisperm Antibody Test

Biophysical Profile (BPP)

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Contraction Stress Test

Electronic Fetal Heart Monitoring

Fertility Awareness

Fetal Ultrasound

Fetoscopy

Folic Acid

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

Home Pregnancy Tests

Hormone Inhibin A

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

Luteinizing Hormone

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

Postcoital Test

Progesterone

Rubella Test

Toxoplasmosis Test

Medications

Antenatal corticosteroids for fetal lung development

Bromocriptine mesylate or cabergoline for infertility

Clomiphene citrate for infertility

Gonadotropin treatment for infertility

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for infertility

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues for infertility

Hydralazine for high blood pressure during pregnancy

Indomethacin for slowing preterm labor

Insulin for gestational diabetes

Labetalol for high blood pressure during pregnancy

Magnesium sulfate for preterm labor

Magnesium sulfate for seizure prevention during pregnancy

Metformin (Glucophage) for polycystic ovary syndrome

Methotrexate for ectopic pregnancy

Methyldopa for chronic hypertension during pregnancy

Nifedipine for high blood pressure during pregnancy

Nifedipine for preterm labor

Rh immune globulin

Ritodrine or terbutaline for slowing preterm labor

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for postpartum depression

Tricyclic antidepressants for postpartum depression

Make a Wise Decision

Depression: Should I take antidepressants while I'm pregnant?

Diabetes: Should I get pregnant?

Fertility problems: Should I be tested?

Infertility: Should I have a tubal procedure or in vitro fertilization?

Infertility: Should I have treatment?

Miscarriage: Should I have treatment to complete a miscarriage?

Multiple pregnancy: Should I consider a multifetal pregnancy reduction?

Pregnancy: Should I bank my baby's umbilical cord blood?

Pregnancy: Should I have amniocentesis?

Pregnancy: Should I have an early fetal ultrasound?

Pregnancy: Should I have an epidural during childbirth?

Pregnancy: Should I have CVS (chorionic villus sampling)?

Pregnancy: Should I have the maternal serum triple or quadruple test?

Pregnancy: Should I try vaginal childbirth after a past C-section (VBAC)?

Take Action

Depression: Managing postpartum depression

Gestational diabetes: Checking your blood sugar

Gestational diabetes: Counting carbs

Gestational diabetes: Dealing with low blood sugar

Gestational diabetes: Giving yourself insulin shots

Pregnancy and diabetes: Planning for pregnancy

Pregnancy: Dealing with morning sickness

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Author:	Merrill Hayden	Last Updated: November 21, 2007
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
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