Updated with “Ask Heidi” video. If you’re among their ranks, chances are you’ve stockpiled homepregnancy testsand use them regularly. Here’s a guide to deciphering what those little lines or plus signs mean. What does a faint line on a pregnancy test look like? HCG is the hormone produced by cells that will becomethe placenta. It’s best to wait until the day of your missed period. Instead, it could simply mean that there’s not enough hCG yet for the test to detect....

Updates to copy, information, sources, and formatting, plus new medical review. Welcome to new parenthood! A gassy baby is completely common and normal, given infants' tiny and immature digestive systems. Why is my baby so gassy? Gas troubles often start right away or when babies are just a couple of weeks old. Infants are usually gassy because they have immature digestive systems and swallow air during feedings. Some babies may have sensitivities that could relate to abreastfeeding mom’s dietor a certain bang out of formula....

Updates to copy, sources, headlines, quotes, and formatting, and new medical review. What is measles? Measles(also called rubeola) is a highly contagious respiratory disease thats brought on by a virus. Its telltale symptom is arashthat covers the body, starting on the head and spreading down. Measles can also be fatal. When do babies get a measles vaccine? A second dose should be given between the ages of 4 and 6 years old....

“This 10-minute routine focuses on increasing your muscular endurance,” Ellis says. Head toobefitness.com, an online library of more than 2,500 workout videos and 14 live classes daily. Use the code WTE30 for 30 percent off your first month. just whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners.

Sleep like a baby? But an old-fashioned remedy can help: the lullaby. Theres a reason parents have turned to lullabies for centuries they work. And theres science to back that up. Nearly any song regardless of lyrics and melody can be re-imagined as a lullaby. Still, some songs seem to particularly lend themselves to sending baby off to dreamland. Theories abound as to the meaning of the mysterious (and ominous!)...

Minor copy and formatting changes. Opening presents, sharingcake, playinggames most baby showers feature certain classic elements. Think about what the parents-to-be are passionate about, and let that come through in the theme. For example, if they love to travel, their favorite locale could inspire the shower. If they have a beloved show, movie or band, consider it for the party’s focus. Or, if the baby-to-be’snurseryalready has a theme, you might center the shower around the same idea....

But is an expensive pregnancy test somehow better or more accurate than a cheap pregnancy test? And what’s the difference between cheap and expensive pregnancy tests, anyway? Heres how to figure outwhat kind of pregnancy test is rightfor you. Is there a difference between expensive and cheap pregnancy tests? How are they different? So what accounts for the price variations among different tests? Some pregnancy tests may be more sensitive to hCG than others....

Updates throughout to copy, sourcing and formatting, including a new medical review for accuracy. During pregnancy, your body undergoes some incredible changes to accommodate your growing baby. But for some moms, that gap is wider than average and needs help being repaired. Diastasis recti is common, and around 60% of women experience the condition postpartum. To test for diastasis recti: Again, a small gap is usually considered normal. “My physical therapist diagnosed me with diastasis recti,“says What to Expect Community member ninap38....

Heres more about the connection between yoga and fertility. Can yoga boost your fertility? No, not directly. Theres no research showing a direct link between yoga and fertility. But some studies have found that yoga does have indirect benefits for those who are trying to conceive. Yoga relieves stress, which can negatively impact your ability to get pregnant. Other research has found that yoga seems to help women undergoing fertility treatments....

Ovulation occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. But every womans cycle is different, and your own ovulation can vary from month to month. Heres a look at how they work, how to use them and whether theyre right for you. What are ovulation test strips and how do they work? Ovulation test strips work by measuringlevels of luteinizing hormone (LH)in your urine. How do you use ovulation strips to predict your most fertile days of the month?...

Don’t be alarmed. Here’s what it’s crucial that you know about flat head syndrome, or positional plagiocephaly. What is plagiocephaly (aka flat head syndrome)? Plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, is when a baby’s head is flat on one side. One study found that nearly half of all infants aged 7 to 12 weeks had plagiocephaly. Of those, 78 percent had a mild form. Babies with these symptoms generally don’t have learning delays or any other adverse health effects....

Your placenta is an incredible organ that nourished your baby during her time in utero. Thats the thinking behind placenta encapsulation the trend of turning the placenta into pills and consuming them postpartum. But theres little science behind placenta encapsulation, and it has some serious risks. Heres what you should know if youre thinking about giving it a try. What is placenta encapsulation? Placenta encapsulation is a process where a whole placenta is transformed into pills that can be taken postpartum....

Updates to sourcing, copy, formatting, and headlines. If youre a pumping mom, spilt milk can give you plenty to cry about. But little details matter, and cutting corners can potentially be harmful. Here are some basic guidelines when it comes to storing your breast milk safely. Many breastfeeding moms who take pumped or fresh milk with them pack it like they would a lunch. “Luckily, my son will take bottles at any temperature, warm or cold....