Ideally, a woman will want to start her pregnancy at a healthy weight for her height, to minimize complications during her pregnancy.Several studies have been done to understand the effect that being overweight... continue reading  about  What are the risks of having a baby when you're overweight? I need to lose weight, but I'm worried I'll never have a baby if I hold off until I've lost weight.

Although a Caesarean (C-section) birth is sometimes the best option for the health of mother and baby, there can be additional risks associated with this major surgical procedure. Any major surgery carries the ... continue reading  about  Do C-section births have increased risks for me and my baby?

If your major goal, in addition to reliable contraception, is to reduce the menstrual flow and frequency of periods, then a Mirena IUD, which secretes progesterone-like hormone locally in the uterine cavity wit... continue reading  about  I'm 38 and have been in a relationship for three years. I've been on the pill for 20 years and don't want more kids, but I don't like the melasma side effect of birth control pills. I've considered an IUD but know someone whose device migrated. Options?

A trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC) is reasonable for many women who have undergone a prior C-section. Research indicates that 60-80 percent of women have a successful vaginal birth after having a s... continue reading  about  If I have a C-section with my first pregnancy, does that mean I will have to have one for any future pregnancies?

Yes, the recovery time for C-section births is generally longer than that of vaginal births. For example, time in the hospital for vaginal births is generally between one to two days. On the other hand, C-secti... continue reading  about  Does recovery time after a C-section differ from a vaginal birth?

No. It is a myth that a pregnant woman must "eat for two." Although pregnancy increases the body's need for calories and nutrition, the amounts of calories or specific nutrients you need are NOT doubled. About ... continue reading  about  While pregnant, should I "eat for two?"

Most of the studies on the use of fertility drugs have examined hormonally sensitive tumors such as breast, ovarian and uterine malignancies. There does not appear to be any association between fertility drugs ... continue reading  about  Is a woman undergoing fertility treatments at higher risk of getting cancer than a woman of the same age who has not taken these drugs?

Preventing excessive weight gain during your pregnancy will help minimize delivery risks and protect your health. To keep within your recommended weight gain:Eliminate sugars and sweets, which provide lots of c... continue reading  about  What should I do if I am gaining too much weight during my pregnancy?

Pregnancy is a normal part of life. During pregnancy a woman is not sick or fragile. It is true there are some restrictions in foods and activities, but for the most part women are encouraged to live a healthy,... continue reading  about  Is it okay to have sex during pregnancy?