Healthy Pregnancy & Childbirth
The First Trimester; Photo of couple
What You Need to Know
Why You Need Prenatal Care

You need to take care of yourself for a new reason. Your health can affect your baby's growth.

Your Changing Body

From conception until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day.

Baby's First Trimester Changes

By the end of the first trimester, your baby has formed all of its major body organs and weighs just over an ounce.

First Trimester Tips

Look here for advice on dealing with nausea, fatigue, mood swings, and headaches.

Morning Sickness

For nearly two-thirds of pregnant women, morning sickness is a common occurrence.

Separating Myths from Facts

There are plenty of myths and "old wives' tales" surrounding pregnancy. You may need help separating fact from fiction.

Sound Advice for a Healthful Pregnancy

Following these guidelines can help keep you and your developing child healthy in the months to come.

Parents-to-Be Must Communicate

Childbirth classes are easy to find. What's harder to come up with is training in how to become a good parent—and a close and loving partner despite the challenging of a growing family.

Being There: Advice for Expectant Dads

Remember scenes from old movies where the husband paces around the waiting room while his wife is in labor? As a father-to-be today, you know that you can participate throughout your partner's pregnancy.

Pregnancy Kits and Tests

If you suspect that you may be pregnant, you have several options to find out for sure. You can buy a home pregnancy test kit from a drugstore, discount store or the Internet, or you can see your health care provider, who can order a pregnancy test.

Common Questions

There are plenty of myths and "old wives' tales" surrounding pregnancy. You may need help separating fact from fiction.

Medication Strategies During Pregnancy

No one can say for sure that a medication is safe to use while you're pregnant. But, avoiding medicines may not be a good idea, either. It may be wiser to treat an illness than ignore it.

Monitoring Your Blood Sugar During Pregnancy

The only way to be sure your blood sugar stays within a normal range is to check it. You may be asked to check your blood sugar at home one or more times a day.