Pregnancy, Fertility and Childbirth

A thin needle is placed through the mother’s abdomen and into the amniotic sac away from the fetus to withdraw one to two tablespoons of amniotic fluid. The needle’s insertion feels similar to that of having blood drawn; some women... Full Answer

Here are some things you'll want with you: Cell phone and charger; laptop for sending instant birth announcement/photos or skyping/ichatting with faraway friends and relatives (check hospital's internet policy first); phone numbers for health insurance... Full Answer

New parents may feel crowded by relatives and friends who want to be in the delivery room. Besides making a private affair feel congested, too many people can put a strain on the doctors and nurses who are there to ensure a safe delivery. Don’t... Full Answer

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis can be used for most conditions where the specific gene defect associated with that condition is known. For instance, some cases of cardiomyopathy are associated with a known mutation, and pre-implantation genetic... Full Answer

Doppler ultrasound is a kind of prenatal test that can be used to check a baby’s health in high-risk pregnancies. Providers usually use Doppler ultrasound during the last trimester, but it may be done earlier. During Doppler ultrasound, your... Full Answer

When you hear about ultrasound during pregnancy, it’s most likely a transabdominal ultrasound. This is a prenatal test that uses sound waves to show a picture of your baby in the uterus (womb). Your health care provider uses it to check your... Full Answer

4-D ultrasound is a prenatal test that uses sound waves to show a three-dimensional picture of your baby in the uterus (womb) and shows your baby’s movement. 3-D images are almost as clear as a photograph, and 4-D is a moving-picture version or... Full Answer

3-D ultrasound is a prenatal test that uses sound waves to show a three-dimensional picture of your baby in the uterus (womb). Some providers may use this kind of ultrasound to make sure your baby’s organs are growing and developing normally. The... Full Answer

First-trimester ultrasound (also called early ultrasound) is a prenatal test that uses sound waves to show a picture of your baby in the uterus (womb). Some providers may use this kind of ultrasound to make sure your baby’s organs are growing and... Full Answer

Most experts recommend that, after the birth of a child, you should wait at least 18 months before getting pregnant again. This applies both in the case of a vaginal or cesarean birth. Waiting 18 months gives your body the time it needs to fully recover... Full Answer