It is important for a woman to gain weight during a pregnancy. The extra weight provides nourishment for the growing baby, as well as for breastfeeding after the child is born. There are several contributing factors to weight gain during…
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Twenty-two percent of all pregnancies end in abortion, and in 2005, 1.21 million abortions were performed. This data is reported by the Guttmacher Institute, which also reports that each year two percent of women age 15 to 44 have an…
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Overview Exercise can be an important part of pregnancy, as long as there are no known complications. However, even in normal pregnancies, exercising too intensely can have serious ramifications. The recommended intensity level varies for each woman depending on her…
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Motherwort is a herb native to Asia, now grown worldwide, that has been used for centuries as a blood thinner, muscle relaxant and in other applications. The herb is also known as lion’s tail, heartwort, leonurus and throwwort. When administered…
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Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyomata, are non-cancerous tumors of smooth muscle cells in the uterus. While the exact prevalence of fibroids is not known, analysis of uterine cells from hysterectomies showed that 70 percent of women have uterine…
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Infant massage offers many benefits to both you and your baby. Massage can encourage a baby’s weight gain, help digestion, ease gas discomfort, promote a restful sleep and even increase a baby’s brain development. Massage can also help you by…
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The menstrual cycle is when the lining of the uterus is shed in a monthly cycle to prepare the body for reproduction. There are several changes that occur to the female body during menstruation, including hormonal imbalance. The Mayo Clinic…
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The non-hormonal intrauterine device (IUD)–marketed under the brand name ParaGard in the United States–is a type of birth control that is inserted directly into a woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy. This method of contraception releases copper, which causes the uterus…
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Kelnor (ethynodiol diacetate and ethinyl estradiol) is a prescription oral contraceptive indicated to prevent pregnancy in women. This medication works by inhibiting the release of eggs from the ovaries, a monthly event in females referred to as ovulation. Before choosing…
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Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder, in which cells throughout the brain become damaged and die. Progression of Alzheimer’s leads to memory loss, behavioral and emotional disturbances, diminished motor skills and personality changes. The biochemical hallmarks of Alzheimer’s are…
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For many pregnant women, the joy and anticipation of welcoming a new child into the world is overshadowed by severe aches and pains. As the baby grows, a woman’s center of gravity shifts, pulling on the back and putting pressure…
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According to the National Campaign for Preventing Teen Pregnancy and the Guttmacher Institute, nearly 750,000 girls ages 15 to 19 become pregnant annually. Although this statistic is reportedly lower in recent years, it still indicates a high number of teenage…
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Belara (ethinyl estradiol) is a prescription contraceptive medication indicated to prevent pregnancy in women. This medication is administered orally and is only marketed outside of the United States, explains Drugs.com, a peer-reviewed drug information website for consumers. Before beginning this…
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Breast cancer can develop from a number of tissues within the breast. Once the breast tumor, called the primary tumor has developed, a few cells can break off from the tumor and form secondary tumors throughout the body, a process…
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A female’s uterus is lined with tissue called the endometrium. This lining normally thickens and is then shed during the menstrual cycle if pregnancy does not occur. If you have endometriosis, this tissue grows in other areas including the fallopian…
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Overview Colic is an extremely stressful condition for both the baby and her caretaker. While most infants are fussy, colic is much more severe than the occasional crying bout. The Mayo Clinic defines colic as crying for at least three…
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The loose, watery, frequent stool, known as diarrhea, may result from viral infection, food poisoning, medication, bowel disorders or food allergies. According to the Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia, diarrhea can be dangerous for infants and small children under the age…
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Abortion can be an elective or sometimes a medically necessary procedure. Society often underestimates the emotional problems that plague the would-be mothers and families following an abortion, according to “Introduction to Maternity and Pediatric Nursing” by Gloria Leifer. Abortion is…
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Like adults, babies have a variety of sleep stages and depths, some moving quickly through the stages to wakefulness, while other stay sleeping deeply. The stages of sleep that a baby goes through begins forming during the last months of…
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In the abundance of commercialism and media promoting libido boosters from the male perspective, women seem to be on the seldom-explored side of the movement. Gaps in scientific knowledge are slowly closing with studies regarding female-specific causes for decreased sex…
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Getting pregnant isn’t easy, even under the best of circumstances. In any given month, only 15 to 20 percent of couples under age 35 actively trying to get pregnant achieve their goal. Over a one year period, 85 percent will…
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Abortion, as defined by the Better Health Channel, is the deliberate induction of a miscarriage. Abortion procedures can be divided into procedures done during the first trimester (12 weeks) of pregnancy and procedures done after the first trimester. During the…
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Watching a baby grow and develop over the first year is amazing and exciting for parents and family members. Though babies are unique in how they develop as individuals, there are certain guidelines that help track developmental milestones. It’s important…
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Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. There are several types, including acute bacterial, chronic bacterial and nonbacterial. Pain and difficulty urinating are the most frequent symptoms. It is important to get prostatitis diagnosed and treated. Conventional treatments include…
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