Pregnancy

Pregnancy covers the life stage period from conception to birth. Learn about the changes that take place during this time, what to do to stay healthy, and how to help prevent complications during pregnancy.

Topics to Explore

Abortion Overview

Benefits of Folic Acid During Pregnancy

What are the effects of cancer on fertility?

6 Surprising Benefits of Pregnancy

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Rare Condition Causes New Mom to Lactate Outside Her Breast

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

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jun 14, 2019 Pregnancy / Pregnancy Issues

New Dads Deal With Postpartum Depression, Too

We mostly associate postpartum depression with new moms. But studies show that new dads experience it, as well.

By John Donovan Mar 21, 2019 Pregnancy / Postpartum Care

Bed Rest Is Ineffective — Even Harmful — For Pregnant Women

What harm could it do, right? Turns out, quite a bit.

By Jesslyn Shields Dec 31, 2018 Pregnancy / Pregnancy Issues

What Is the Linea Nigra of Pregnancy?

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 Nov 14, 2018 Pregnancy / Pregnancy Issues

Multiple Pregnancies Age Women's Cells Faster

And you thought you felt old because you had three kids? While that may be true, they're not the only thing to blame.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler Aug 3, 2018 Pregnancy / Pregnancy Issues

How Doulas Work

Doulas don't have any medical training but many mothers depend on them to be in the delivery room to offer support. What do mothers like about doulas and how do you become one?

By Alia Hoyt Pregnancy / Labor & Delivery

More C-Sections Complicate Human Ability to Give Birth, Study Suggests

C-sections are life-saving interventions for many women. Could they also be messing with natural selection?

By Kate Kershner Oct 24, 2017 Pregnancy / Labor & Delivery

Why Would Anyone Eat Their Placenta?

More women are choosing to ingest their encapsulated placentas because of the supposed benefits they get after childbirth. But what does science have to say?

By Alia Hoyt Aug 3, 2017 Pregnancy / Postpartum Care

Is a Woman More Likely to Get Pregnant Naturally After Adoption or IVF?

You've tried to conceive and can't, so you adopt. Then boom, you get pregnant. What gives?

By Alia Hoyt Jul 31, 2017 Pregnancy / Fertility & Infertility

Men's Sperm Count Down Significantly, Study Finds

A new study confirms that sperm counts of men in Western countries are plummeting.

By Sarah Gleim Jul 26, 2017 Pregnancy / Fertility & Infertility

What Do Babies See Before Birth?

Very little is known about what or how fetuses see. This study shows their vision capabilities are more advanced than previously thought.

By Alia Hoyt Jun 20, 2017 Pregnancy / Fetal Development

Experts Call for Egg Donor Registry

The registry would be used to track donor well-being and learn more about breast cancer and other health risks. But for some, it raises privacy concerns.

By Chris Opfer May 9, 2017 Pregnancy / Fertility & Infertility

Fetal Lambs in 'Biobags' Show Promise for Artificial Human Wombs

A new device tested on fetal lambs could change care for human preemies, immersing them in a "biobag" with lab-made amniotic fluid, keeping them underwater for weeks.

By Patrick J. Kiger May 1, 2017 Pregnancy / Fetal Development

You Can Get Pregnant When You're Already Pregnant

It's extremely rare but not unheard of. So, how does it happen?

By Alia Hoyt Mar 14, 2017 Pregnancy / Conception

Survival Rate Improving for Extremely Preterm Babies

New analysis also shows that preemies born between 22 and 24 weeks of pregnancy are less likely to develop health issues.

By Laurie L. Dove Feb 15, 2017 Pregnancy / Fetal Development

Enter Mr. Pig-Man? Chimera Embryos Should Not Be Feared, Scientist Says

Even though the NIH banned funding for work on chimera embryos, a scientist explains why it's necessary — and not unethical.

By Dave Roos May 31, 2016 Pregnancy / Fertility & Infertility

Fertility Nation? Janet Jackson and the Future of Pregnancy After 45

Janet Jackson's pregnancy raised interest in reproductive assistance for older parents. Which mind-blowing techniques are on the horizon?

By Alia Hoyt May 17, 2016 Pregnancy / Fertility & Infertility

Fear of a Three-parent Baby Stalls Treatment of Mitochondrial Diseases

Controversy surrounding mitochondrial replacement has created a fear of designer babies. Will a new scientific paper convince the FDA this fear is unwarranted?

By Robert Lamb Feb 10, 2016 Pregnancy / Fertility & Infertility

C-sections Can Affect a Baby's Immune System

But researchers are working on a method to boost the microbiota of babies born by C-section.

By Rachel Pendergrass Feb 8, 2016 Pregnancy / Labor & Delivery

Researchers Link Maternal Diabetes and Obesity to Autism in Kids

Diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder have been rising over the past two decades, along with obesity and diabetes in women of childbearing age. How are these related?

By Karen Kirkpatrick Feb 8, 2016 Pregnancy / Pregnancy Issues

The Possibilities and Pitfalls of Uterine Transplants

A U.S. trial program will implant uteruses from deceased women into live volunteers, allowing them to carry a child. Experts are divided on the procedure.

By Alia Hoyt Nov 23, 2015 Pregnancy / Fertility & Infertility

Is it possible for a pregnant woman to be allergic to the placenta?

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 Pregnancy / Pregnancy Issues

Why does pregnancy cause you to fart more?

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 / Pregnancy Issues

Can you get a tattoo if you're breast-feeding?

There are a lot of opinions about what breast-feeding women should avoid, but only some of them are supported by science. Can new moms get inked? Yes, but with a couple of caveats.

By Debra Ronca Pregnancy / Postpartum Care