Featured Tests and Procedures
A cesarean section is a procedure to surgically remove a baby from the uterus. This eMedTV page explains the structures in the body that are involved with pregnancy, what happens during the surgery, and possible complications of this procedure.
Featured Conditions and Diseases
With an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg does not plant itself inside the uterus, but somewhere else. This eMedTV resource discusses treatments and possible risk factors for this condition, such as sexually transmitted diseases.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is directly caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. This eMedTV page explains the types of the disorder; associated physical, mental, and behavioral issues; and ways to help a child with the condition.
If a women drinks alcohol during pregnancy, her child may be born with fetal alcohol syndrome. This eMedTV resource further describes fetal alcohol syndrome, including its causes, effects, treatment options, and prevalence.
As this eMedTV page explains, fetal distress is a term that has no clear definition but refers to any trouble the baby is having prior to delivery. Fetal distress can be brought on by anything that cuts off the supply of blood or oxygen to the baby.
Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that only affects pregnant women. This section of the eMedTV library discusses gestational diabetes in detail and explains that, for most women, gestational diabetes goes away after pregnancy.
Early signs of labor are different for each woman and with each pregnancy. This page of the eMedTV site explains the difference between false labor and true signs of labor -- the most obvious being contractions that increase in strength and duration.
Placenta accreta, as this eMedTV article explains, is a serious condition in which the placenta becomes too firmly attached to the walls of the uterus. In some cases, a hysterectomy is needed to repair placenta accreta.
Placenta previa is a condition characterized by the placenta either partially or totally blocking the opening in the cervix. This eMedTV resource provides an in-depth look at placenta previa and explains the risk it poses for a safe vaginal delivery.
Placental abruption, as this eMedTV article explains, occurs when the placenta becomes detached from the uterus too early. If this happens, cesarean delivery is usually recommended because of the serious risk posed to the mother and the baby.
Some postpartum bleeding is normal, and most of it occurs right after birth. This eMedTV resource talks about normal bleeding and postpartum hemorrhage (which can occur when the uterus fails to contract during and after delivery of the placenta).
As this eMedTV article explains, many women will experience what is known as the "baby blues," but some will develop postpartum depression -- which is more serious. Symptoms of postpartum depression can be treated with psychotherapy and medication.
Pregnant women with preeclampsia can experience decreased blood flow to vital organs, as well as the placenta. This page of the eMedTV website examines preeclampsia in detail, and describes possible causes and symptoms.
Pregnancy symptoms often change as the pregnancy progresses, but common symptoms include swollen breasts, nausea, and fatigue. This eMedTV website explores common pregnancy symptoms commonly experienced during each trimester.
As this eMedTV article explains, knowing what to expect in your pregnancy week by week can help you take the necessary steps to ensure your health and your baby's. This page offers detailed information on what happens during each week of pregnancy.
Umbilical cord prolapse refers to when the umbilical cord drops down into the birth canal. This page of the eMedTV website explains umbilical cord prolapse in detail, including how it can cause complications during delivery.
Featured Medications
Carenatal DHA is a prescription prenatal vitamin that contains important nutrients for pregnant women. This eMedTV article describes Carenatal DHA in more detail, including the benefits of taking the vitamins, potential side effects, and dosing tips.
Citracal Prenatal + DHA uses include supplementing important nutrients that a pregnant woman's diet may lack. This eMedTV Web page offers more information on the benefits of using Citracal Prenatal + DHA, such as improving brain and eye development.
Clomid, a prescription medicine, is licensed for the treatment of infertility in women. This page on the eMedTV Web site contains a general overview of Clomid and its effects, potential side effects, and dosage information.
Clomiphene is a medication that is prescribed to treat infertility in women. This eMedTV Web page covers how clomiphene works and provides general information on its effects, success rate, and possible side effects.
DuetDHA is a prenatal vitamin that is only available by prescription. This eMedTV article describes DuetDHA prenatal vitamins in more detail, including the benefits of taking the vitamins, potential side effects, and general dosing guidelines.
Expecta Lipil is a non-prescription supplement that is meant to be used in addition to a prenatal vitamin. This eMedTV page explains how Expecta Lipil is beneficial to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, describes possible side effects, and more.
Folic acid is a vitamin that is most commonly used in pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects. This eMedTV article further discusses what folic acid is used for, describes its effects, and explains what you should know before taking the vitamin.
NataChew, a prescription prenatal vitamin, provides important vitamins and minerals for pregnant women. This eMedTV page provides an overview of NataChew, including information on the benefits of the vitamins, potential side effects, and dosing tips.
PreCare Premium and PreCare Chewables are prenatal vitamins that are available by prescription only. This eMedTV page offers an overview of PreCare products, including information on the benefits of taking prenatal vitamins and general dosing tips.
PremesisRx is a prescription prenatal vitamin that is designed to help relieve morning sickness. This eMedTV article describes PremesisRx in more detail, including the benefits of taking the vitamins, potential side effects, and general dosing tips.
Prenatal vitamins are helpful for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive. This eMedTV Web page provides an overview of prenatal vitamins, including information on their benefits, possible side effects, and tips for taking them.
Prenate DHA, a prescription prenatal vitamin, provides important nutrients for a pregnant woman and her baby. This eMedTV page provides an overview of Prenate DHA, including information on its benefits, potential side effects, and dosage information.
Prenate Elite is a prescription prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid, which can prevent birth defects. This eMedTV resource offers an overview of Prenate Elite, including information on the benefits of the vitamins, side effects, and dosing tips.
PrimaCare and PrimaCare One are prenatal vitamins that are available by prescription. This eMedTV Web page describes PrimaCare products in more detail, explains the benefits of taking prenatal vitamins, and offers dosing information for the drug.
Stuart Prenatal is a prenatal vitamin that is available without a prescription. This eMedTV article provides an overview of Stuart Prenatal, including information on the benefits of the prenatal vitamin, possible side effects, and tips for taking it.
Featured Other
Bloody show -- a normal sign of prelabor -- refers to mucus that is tinged pink or streaked with blood. This page from the eMedTV archives further explains bloody show, including its relevance to labor.
Braxton Hicks are a sign that your body is preparing for childbirth, not a sign of actual labor. This eMedTV article explains Braxton Hicks contractions and offers suggestions for alleviating them.
Women who are having difficulty conceiving may need to know more about how to get pregnant. This eMedTV article explains how to get pregnant based on when a woman ovulates and discusses other options, such as fertility testing.
The types of contractions felt during pregnancy are Braxton Hicks contractions and true labor contractions. This eMedTV article offers an in-depth look at these two types of contractions and explains the differences between them.
When a normal vaginal delivery is deemed too risky or impossible, a forceps delivery may be used instead. As this eMedTV article explains, with this procedure, the doctor uses forceps to gently pull the baby down the birth canal.
The mucus plug, which keeps bacteria from entering the uterus during pregnancy, is often lost prior to labor. This eMedTV resource explains the mucus plug and its relevance to pregnancy and childbirth.
Preconception, the time during which you plan for pregnancy, involves making changes to diet and lifestyle. This eMedTV article discusses several preconception measures you can take, such as taking folic acid and getting enough sleep.
Many couples want to know if it's safe to have sex during pregnancy. This eMedTV resource discusses the safety of pregnant sex, issues that may affect your changing sex life, and more.
Prenatal care ensures the health of the baby and the mother during pregnancy. This eMedTV article provides a variety of tips for prenatal care and includes links to specific prenatal care during each stage of pregnancy.
