Pregnancy

Prenatal care, tests, symptoms and high-risk pregnancy.

PregnancyAnatomy Scan (20-Week Ultrasound): What It Checks and What to ExpectThe anatomy scan is a detailed ultrasound at 18–22 weeks that checks your baby's organs, growth and placenta. Learn what it looks for and what results mean.PregnancyCramping During Pregnancy: What's Normal and When to WorryMild cramping during pregnancy is usually from a growing uterus, stretching ligaments or gas. Learn the normal causes and the warning signs that need care.PregnancyExercise During Pregnancy: What's Safe, What to Avoid and Warning SignsExercise in pregnancy is safe for most people, with a goal of 150 minutes a week. Which workouts to keep, which to drop, and the signs that mean stop.PregnancyFirst Prenatal Appointment: What to Expect, When to Book and What to BringYour first prenatal appointment is usually at 8 to 10 weeks and runs about an hour: health history, exam, blood work and often an ultrasound. What to bring.PregnancyFoods to Avoid While Pregnant (and What to Eat Instead)Foods to avoid while pregnant include high-mercury fish, raw meat and eggs, unpasteurized dairy, cold deli meats and alcohol. See the full list and swaps.PregnancyGestational Diabetes: Symptoms, Diet, Treatment and What It Means for Your BabyGestational diabetes is high blood sugar that starts in pregnancy. How it's diagnosed, the first weeks of finger sticks and meals, and what it means for baby.PregnancyGlucose Test in Pregnancy: 1-Hour vs 3-Hour Test, How to Prepare and What Results MeanThe glucose test screens for gestational diabetes at 24–28 weeks. Learn how the 1-hour and 3-hour tests work, how to prepare, and what a failed test means.PregnancyGroup B Strep Test in Pregnancy: When It's Done and What a Positive Result MeansThe group B strep test is a swab done at 36–37 weeks. If you test positive, IV antibiotics during labor greatly lower the chance your newborn gets sick.PregnancyHigh-Risk Pregnancy: What It Means and When to See a Maternal-Fetal Medicine SpecialistA high-risk pregnancy has a higher chance of complications. Learn what makes a pregnancy high risk and when to see a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.PregnancyHyperemesis Gravidarum: Symptoms, Treatment and How It Differs From Morning SicknessHyperemesis gravidarum is severe pregnancy vomiting that causes dehydration and weight loss. Learn the symptoms, treatment steps and when to get urgent care.PregnancyMorning Sickness: When Does It Start, When Does It End, and What Helps?Morning sickness usually starts around 6 weeks and eases by 12 to 14 weeks. Learn what helps, which treatments are safe, and when nausea needs a doctor.PregnancyNIPT Test in Pregnancy: What It Screens For, Accuracy and What Results MeanNIPT is a blood test from 10 weeks that screens for Down syndrome and other chromosome conditions. How accurate it is and what a high-risk result means.PregnancyPreeclampsia Symptoms: Warning Signs, Causes and TreatmentPreeclampsia is high blood pressure in pregnancy with signs of organ strain, usually after 20 weeks. Learn the symptoms, who's at risk and when to get help.PregnancyPregnancy After 35: Real Risks, Extra Tests and How to Have a Healthy PregnancyPregnancy after 35 carries higher risks of chromosome conditions, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, but most go well. Here's what changes in your care.PregnancyPrenatal Visit Schedule: How Often You'll See Your OB and What Happens at Each VisitMost prenatal schedules run every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2 weeks until 36, then weekly. What happens at each visit, which tests are when, and what to ask.PregnancySafe Medications During Pregnancy: What You Can Take for Common SymptomsWhich medications are safe during pregnancy? See options OB/GYNs often recommend for pain, colds, allergies, heartburn and constipation, and what to avoid.PregnancySpotting in Early Pregnancy: What's Normal and When to WorrySpotting in early pregnancy is common and often harmless, but it can signal miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. The causes, the tests, and when to call.PregnancyTwin Pregnancy: What to Expect, Types of Twins and Extra MonitoringA twin pregnancy means more visits and ultrasounds and higher risks like preterm birth and preeclampsia. The types of twins, the schedule, and how to prepare.