Topic Index

Birth Statistics

Planning a Pregnancy

Prenatal Medical Care

Pregnancy

Common Discomforts of Pregnancy

Common Tests During Pregnancy

Risks to Pregnancy

Warning Signs During Pregnancy

Labor and Delivery

Breastfeeding Your Baby

Bottle-Feeding

Glossary

More than 4 million babies will be born in the U.S. this year alone. Now more than ever, mothers-to-be have access to current information, advanced technologies, and skilled medical personnel to help them plan for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

If you are planning to become pregnant, you can do many things to help reduce risks to both you and your baby, as proper health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as maintaining a healthy body during pregnancy.

If you are already expecting, you can do many things to help minimize pregnancy and delivery complications -- while also helping to provide the healthiest environment for the developing fetus, and ultimately to ensure the health of your newborn.

By following a healthy lifestyle, including a well-balanced diet and regular exercise, avoiding certain harmful substances and potentially dangerous activities or situations, and by finding a qualified caregiver to manage your pregnancy, labor, and delivery, you will be taking the appropriate steps toward the delivery of a healthy baby.