To Parent or Not to Parent: Obstacles to Conception
There are many reasons why couples may find it difficult to conceive, ranging from physical problems to stress. There are often emotional challenges that come about as a result, sometimes intensified by painful interactions with family and friends....
Haley or Matthew's Story: Nutrition During Pregnancy
Women often become more health conscious when they become pregnant, and that translates into a more healthy diet. Undernourished pregnant women have a higher risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and babies with birth defects. From a physical point-...
Haley or Matthew's Story: Complications of Premature Birth, The
About 8 percent of babies are born prematurely and weigh 5 pounds or less at birth; 1.5% weight less than 3 pounds. Although medical advances have increased the survival rate of premature babies, it is still the second leading cause of infant mortal...
Haley or Matthew's Story: Labor and Delivery: First Stage
The first part of labor is cervical dilation, rhythmic contractions of the uterine muscles that cause the cervix to dilate and efface. Expectant parents Tracey and J.P. leave for the hospital when her contractions are only minutes apart, but it soon...
Haley or Matthew's Story: Impact of Stress During Pregnancy
Reading Greek poetry or listening to classical music may not influence the developing brain of a fetus, but controlling stress certainly does. Research shows that women who experience stress during their pregnancy have a greater risk of having a bab...