When you are starting a family, you do a lot of planning. You organize and furnish the nursery and decide whether you want to know the baby’s gender. Scheduling and planning for a C-section may not be on the list, but it’s something you may not have control over. Your physician may make the decision ahead of time, or it could be due to an emergency during labor and delivery. Here are common reasons for a scheduled C-section.

Would you be surprised to know you should ask your obstetrician or your pharmacist whether to continue with a particular prescription drug once you know you are pregnant? First time mothers can be astonished this is the case. In fact, there are some over-the-counter medications pregnant women should avoid while pregnant. Let’s discover the safe medications during pregnancy.

You were never one to panic or overreact to things in your life, but then again, you have never been pregnant before. Life has changed, and your “panic meter” may be set differently. Time to find out about cramping during pregnancy: should I be worried?

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that may happen after the 20th week of pregnancy or after giving birth. It causes high blood pressure and other issues which can stress your heart and cause problems during and after pregnancy. Keep reading to learn more about preeclampsia warning signs before and after delivery.

Being pregnant is one of the very few times it is actually healthy to gain weight. However, forget that business about eating for two. You eat and gain weight to provide nutrients for your baby so they grow at a healthy rate. Pregnant weight gain: what to expect and strive towards.

A cesarean birth is a surgical procedure used when a vaginal delivery is too risky. According to the CDC, C-sections account for approximately 30% of deliveries in the United States. It can be planned ahead of time or decided during a normal vaginal delivery if complications occur during labor. Either way, here is what to expect if you have a C-section delivery.

Even if you have never exercised regularly before getting pregnant, it is safe to do so now as long as you follow the guidelines set by Women Gynecology & Childbirth Associates. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days. Exercising safely during pregnancy keeps you healthy and actually provides many other benefits.

After dreaming about it, planning for it, and deciding on a time frame, you are finally going to begin a family. There is one more goal that is essential. Getting your body ready for pregnancy should be at the top of your list. As soon as you make the decision to conceive, start focusing on how to be as healthy as possible before the first OB appointment.