MATERNITY INFORMATION

Genetic Disorders

The study of how traits are passed from parent to child through genes and chromosomes is called genetics. Each cell in your body has pairs of genes and chromosomes that control your physical makeup. Genetic disorders are problems in the genes or chromosomes of a fetus. These disorders may be inherited or they may occur without a family history. Read More...

Screening Tests for Birth Defects

Screening tests can give information about a pregnant woman's risk of having a baby with certain birth defects. These tests also can help your doctor detect possible problems during your pregnancy. Some pregnant women may have other tests, depending on their medical histories, family background, ethnic background, or exam results. Read More...

The Rh Factor: How It Can Affect Your Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a blood test is given to determine if your blood contains the Rh factor. It is most common to have Rh positive blood (containing the Rh factor) but some women's blood does not have the Rh factor (called Rh negative). Problems can develop if the fetus's blood contains the Rh factor and the mother's blood does not. With early testing and treatment, problems stemming from the Rh factor can be prevented. Read More...

Alpha-Fetoprotein Screening

Alpha-fetoprotein screening is a blood test for pregnant women. It can be used to look for a problem in the baby's spine or certain other conditions, such as some chromosome problems. Read More...

Diet During Pregnancy

In this discussion you will learn why you need a well-balanced diet while you are pregnant and what foods you should eat. You will also find out foods you should avoid and foods that will help some of the unpleasant side effects of pregnancy. Read More...

Heartburn during Pregnancy

Heartburn refers to "acid indigestion," a burning feeling in the lower part of the chest behind your breastbone. You may have the feeling of food coming back into your mouth, with a sour or bitter taste. Heartburn does not mean that anything is wrong with your heart. Read More...

Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is nausea or vomiting that usually occurs during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. More than half of pregnant women have morning sickness during the first trimester. It usually goes away by the second trimester, when the level of pregnancy hormones in your body falls. Read More...

Group B Streptococcus (Beta Strep) Infection

Group B streptococcus (also called beta strep, or GBS), is a very common type of bacteria. Ten to thirty percent of pregnant women carry GBS bacteria, most often in the vagina or rectum. GBS bacteria are different from the type of bacteria that cause strep throat (group A streptococcus). Beta strep is not a sexually transmitted disease. Read More...

Diabetes in Pregnancy

Diabetes is a condition that causes high levels of sugar in the blood. Some women have diabetes before they become pregnant. Other develop it during pregnancy, a form called gestational diabetes. Read More...

Postpartum Depression

Feeling sad or blue shortly after the birth of a baby is very common. For most women, these postpartum blues are mild and go away within a week. However, for 10 to 20% of women, especially very young mothers, the depression is more severe and lasts longer. Read More...