Pregnancy

Cross-posted from health.gov An increasing number of pregnant women in the United States have chronic health conditions — such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease — that may put them at higher risk of pregnancy complications. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is working...

“How could this happen to me?” This is what one of my colleagues says her mother kept saying after she found out she had heart disease. Jane* thought she’d done everything right. Before she was diagnosed at 67, she felt like she was in the best shape of her life. She exercised daily, chose mostly...

Content warning: Suicide Suicide is a serious problem, and the rate of suicide among women is on the rise. People who consider suicide often feel like there is no hope, and they may often feel trapped or alone. We spoke with Dr. Danielle Johnson, Chief of Adult Psychiatry and Director of the Women’s...

As an obstetrician-gynecologist, I have seen many women who struggle with mood changes after having a baby. There is a common belief that childbirth is a magical time for all mothers and that as soon as the baby is born, maternal feelings and knowledge magically appear. For many women, this may not...

We've all seen those pictures of the famous moms looking flawless while their babies are perfectly latched on, feeding away, neither one with a care in the world. They make it look so natural and easy. Well, here's the truth about breastfeeding: It's natural, but it's not always easy. How you choose...

One of the first decisions all moms have to make is how they're going to feed their babies. For National Breastfeeding Month, we interviewed a mom who decided to breastfeed. Lauren Sogor is the proud mom of a 10-month-old girl. From the joys to the challenges, she shares her experiences...

Our miracle baby Nia was once the tear streaming down her daddy's face as he sat alone in his car waiting for my D&C (dilation and curettage), a procedure that removed the remains of the sibling Nia will never know. She was once the words my pain-consumed heart uttered as I rocked on my knees asking...

A typical pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, but few women give birth on their due date. In fact, the term "due date" can be misleading — it's simply an estimate. So when is the best time for your baby to arrive? A baby born too soon can face a number of serious complications. For example, in the first few...

Vaccines are very important for women — especially for pregnant women. Pregnancy changes your immune system, and during this time of year, you may become more vulnerable to the flu. A flu shot is the best protection against serious complications of the flu, like pneumonia. Getting sick with the flu...