Your body is experiencing a surge in hormones right now, which can lead to nausea. The hormone progesterone in particular can trigger digestive discomfort, including constipation and reflux. (Don’t worry for many pregnant women, appetite comes back in the second trimester.) Instead, focus on these good-for-you foods in the first trimester to cover your nutritional bases. How many extra calories do you need during the first trimester? During the first trimester, your babys energy needs like your baby!...

Break out those pointy hats and cupcakes its party time! Pretty amazing, right? Read This Next Age 2 language and communication milestones Oh, the questions youll hear! And those adorable long conversations, just when you want to tuck your tot into bed. Your childs language and communication milestones are exploding. Age 2 social and emotional milestones On the emotional horizon: tantrums, tears and triumphs galore. Heres what you’ve got the option to expect from your 2-year-old, socially and emotionally....

Has your doctor diagnosed you with gestational diabetes (GD or GDM)? While it might feel overwhelming at first, gestational diabetes is much more common than you might think. What is gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that appears only during pregnancy. What causes gestational diabetes? Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the body’s metabolism of fats and carbs. It also helps the body turn sugar into energy....

Updated with Ask Heidi video, plus updates to sources. Feeling a little nervous about pushing your little bundle out into the world? Its completely normal to have some anxiety about giving birth, and most moms-to-be experience occasional worries. Here’s how to cope with your labor fears and have a more positive pregnancy and birth. The average labor for first-time moms lasts around 20 hours and about eight hours for second-timers....

Twins are taking over! Back in 1980, only about 19 in every 1,000 newborns had twin status. Whats not surprising: Twin newborns can be a challenge. Read on for more twin eye-openers. There are more than two types of twins Think there are only fraternal and identical twins? While those are certainly the most common, there are actually othertypes of twin babies. These twin babies may be born on different days and sometimes even weeks or months apart....

Think babies come into the world with peaches-and-cream complexions? Read on to learn what to expect and how to protect your cutie’s tender skin. Vernix a greasy, cheese-like substance that protects ababys skin in uterofrom amniotic fluid may also remain at birth. Expect it to take a day or two to wear or wash off. (In fact, some babies can take up to six months to develop their permanent skin tone....

What skills is your child developing at 4 months? Skills likebabblingand, later,standing upare called developmental milestones. To play with your 4-month-old and help her meet the milestones above, try the following activities. Bring yourself to babys eye level, stick your tongue out and see if shell copy you. This simple game can help enhance her social and emotional, language and cognitive skills. Let baby explore toys with his mouth Give baby something light to bring up to her mouth....

The 5-month mark brings exciting new adventures, as your baby is likely much more engaged and expressive now. Suddenly, youll feel like youre actually communicating with one another! But there are still a variety of fun ways to engage your baby at this stage. What skills is your child developing at 5 months? Skills likereaching for toysand, later,sitting upandwalkingare called developmental milestones. They arent firm schedules, though every child develops at a slightly different pace....

For babies, play is just as important to growth as sleep and diet. In fact, experts say its the primary way little ones explore and interact with the world around them! What skills is your child developing at 7 months? The following activities are great ways to engage your 7-month-old and help her master these milestones. Because your 7-month-old is likely fascinated by her own reflection, shell love this new twist on the game....

Well, heres another move that might be happening: fetal hiccups! Yes, your developing baby can hiccup in utero. Are fetal hiccups normal? When your little one emits a hic in your belly, it doesnt bother her. Hiccupping in utero can start from aboutweek 23toweek 27. Read This Next As for the difference between hiccups and kicking? venture to relax when they occur and know that these common motions are very normal....

What is a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) test? But most doctors only use HSG tests for diagnostic purposes. When is the best time to do an HSG test? Just get the green light from your health care provider first. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take them exactly as directed before your procedure. Finally, consider asking someone to give you a ride home afterwards. Some extra support is always a good thing! Read This Next What happens during an HSG test?...

In both situations, routines are dismissed and theres the possibility of chaos while venturing into the unknown. And the reassurance that, much like my hair, I could hold it together for my babies. What role do braids play in self-care for Black parents? Black women do need help. The practice of using braids as a means of self-care is nothing new. And during slavery, historians believe that braids were used to relay messages to aid in escape....

Despite how much your pelvic floor does for you, most people dont think too much about these muscles. The pelvic floor consists of several layers of muscles and connective tissues that sit in your pelvis. The pelvic floor is even involved in sexual function and orgasm. Both men and women can experience pelvic floor issues, but theyre often associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Caring for your pelvic floor during pregnancy doesnt require intensive workouts....