Pregnancy Issues

Pregnancy Issues answers your questions about the changes that occur when you're expecting. Learn how to exercise during pregnancy, nutrition guidelines, preparing for childbirth, and more in this section.

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An Austrian woman who had just given birth began producing milk in breast tissue located in her vulva.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

The dark line that runs down a pregnant woman's belly is completely normal, and it even has a fancy Latin name.

By Jesslyn Shields

It seems unbelievable that a baby's placenta could cause the mother to break out in a nasty itchy rash, but it happens occasionally. What causes the allergy?

By Alia Hoyt

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Pregnancy brings women that lovely glow -- shiny hair, great skin, an aura of happiness. It also brings some not-so-lovely things, like excessive burping and farting. Go ahead, blame the baby! Here's why.

By Laurie L. Dove

Pregnancy is all about celebrating your body. But is it safe to celebrate it permanently -- with a tattoo? Here's what we know.

By Debra Ronca

We all know that it's bad news to be stressed out a lot, but what about when you're expecting? Should pregnant women be especially wary of this amped-up state? We'll ponder 5 ways that stress affects a pregnancy in this article.

By Shanna Freeman

Your pregnancy "morning sickness" (or all-day sickness) is wearing you out. But take heart -- there are some many natural remedies you can try to help you feel like yourself again.

By Laurie L. Dove

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Not wanting to be a single parent is one of the reasons women choose to have an abortion. Learn how many women who have abortions are single parents from this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Whether pregnancy is planned or a surprise, most women quickly realize they're carrying a developing child. But what if a pregnancy is both unplanned and unknown to the woman who's pregnant?

By Marianne Spoon

Back pain, bloating, swollen ankles, a glowing complexion and various food cravings. These common symptoms make it seem like pregnancy is pretty much the same for everyone. Not so -- there certainly are some unique pregnancies out there.

By Maria Trimarchi

A woman's body changes a lot during pregnancy, but belly bands can help to ease the transition. Is using these products just a way to make your clothes fit better, or can they make your pregnant body feel better, too?

By Elizabeth Whitmore

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Vanishing twins sound like something straight out of Stephen King, but it's common for one twin not to survive the first trimester. But what if, instead of being absorbed by the mother's body, the twin ends up inside the other twin?

By Molly Edmonds

Carrying "high" means she's having a girl; "low" means a boy, says the old superstition. But is there any truth to it?

By Julia Layton & Francisco Guzman

What is the definition of abortion? Learn about the definition and controversy of abortion.

By Sinclair Intimacy Institute

The truth is that no matter what your age, you're very likely to have a healthy baby as long as you are in good health, seek early prenatal care and adopt sound lifestyle habits. Here's what you can expect in your 20s, 30s, and 40s.

By American Baby

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The baby isn't the only good thing that can come out of a pregnancy. Learn about other possible benefits of pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

By American Baby

The truth is, pregnancy is rife with Old Wives' tales that have been passed from generation to generation. Here are some of the most common myths which, while entertaining, are not at all true.

By Keith Eddleman, M.D. & Joanne Stone, M.D.

You already know that pregnant women have sensitive noses and stomachs, but you probably don't know why. Could it benefit the baby?

By Molly Edmonds

Most husbands will do anything they can to help their pregnant wives, but for some, it goes much further than doting and running an occasional errand. Backaches, weight gain and even morning sickness can all accompany Couvade syndrome, or sympathetic pregnancy.

By Josh Clark

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Pregnancy is not always a happy time, even if the baby is wanted and planned. It's normal for parents to experience a wide range of emotions during this period. Learn about emotions that surface during pregnancy.

By Elizabeth Eden

A woman's body weathers a myriad of symptoms during pregnancy as changes happen in your reproductive and digestive systems, and to your blood flow and metabolism. Read about understanding pregnancy symptoms.

By Elizabeth Eden

Once your pregnancy has been confirmed, what you most want to know is your due date. The average length of a pregnancy is 40 weeks from the first day of the last normal menstrual period. Here's an example of how it works.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd.

During a pregnancy, different kinds of prenatal testing are an important part of the process. Learn how all the different tests protect both mother and child.

By Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D.

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Smoking is dangerous for pregnant women for many reasons -- learn why.