Pregnancy

HowStuffWorks contributor Cherise Threewitt was due to deliver her baby in late March. She never knew that would mean she'd be having her child in the midst of a global pandemic.

By Cherise Threewitt

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

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

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

By John Donovan

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

By Jesslyn Shields

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

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

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

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

By Kate Kershner

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

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

By Alia Hoyt

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

By Sarah Gleim

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

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

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

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

By Alia Hoyt

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

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

By Dave Roos

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

By Rachel Pendergrass

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 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

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 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

No caffeine for low energy. No ibuprofen for pain. No sushi for ... well, a sushi craving. Many items are on the no-no list for pregnant women because of the risk they may pose to a fetus. But when it comes to antibiotics, some are A-OK.

By Alison Cooper

There is no hard, scientific evidence proving that a pedicure -- or foot massage – will help induce labor if you've carried full term. Then again, why not try it?

As far as contraceptives go, intrauterine devices (IUDs) are generally the most effective method short of abstinence. But does highly effective mean fool-proof?

By Jennifer Sellers