Pregnancy vaccines are a small set of shots that protect two people at once. You make antibodies in response to each vaccine, and those antibodies cross the placenta to inoculate your baby. Newborns cannot get most vaccines for weeks to months, so what you pass along covers that gap. In 2026, four vaccines are part…
Pregnancy-related leg cramps are sudden, involuntary contractions of the calf or foot muscle that lock the muscle tight for anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. They are one of the most common complaints of the second and third trimesters, and studies suggest somewhere between a third and a half of pregnant women…
Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting that many women experience during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Despite the name, it can strike at any time of day, and for some women it lasts from morning until night. It is caused largely by the rapid rise in pregnancy hormones, and while it is a…
Pregnancy cravings are strong, sometimes sudden, urges to eat certain foods. Just as common are aversions, when foods you once loved suddenly turn your stomach. These shifts in appetite are one of the most well-known parts of pregnancy, and for most women, they are a normal response to a body that is changing quickly. Cravings…
Wanting to know whether you are having a boy or a girl is one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy for many parents. There are several reliable ways to find out, and how early you can get an answer depends on which method you choose. Prenatal tests identify your baby’s sex, the biological traits…
Pregnancy apps can be a helpful tool during your nine months. They track your baby’s growth week by week, log symptoms, time contractions, and help you stay on top of appointments. With dozens of options in the app store, it can be hard to know which ones are actually useful and which are filled with…
Pregnancy brings a long list of changes to your body, and some of them show up in unexpected places. Your mouth is one of them. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can make your gums more sensitive, swollen, and prone to bleeding. This condition is so common that it has its own name: pregnancy gingivitis. It affects…
Anti-Mullerian hormone, or AMH, is a protein produced by the small follicles in your ovaries. An AMH blood test measures the level of this hormone to give your provider a snapshot of your ovarian reserve, which is the estimated number of eggs you have remaining. This test has become a common part of fertility evaluations,…
Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are a group of mental health conditions that can develop during pregnancy or within the first year after giving birth. They go well beyond the “baby blues,” which most new parents experience for a week or two after delivery. PMADs affect up to one in five women and can…
The second trimester of pregnancy covers weeks 13 through 27 and is often considered the most comfortable. Early symptoms like nausea and fatigue tend to ease, and many women notice a return of energy and appetite. At the same time, your baby is growing rapidly, your body is adjusting to support that growth, and your…