Advertisement

Prenatal health

Your physical health in pregnancy

Pregnant woman putting cheese on a cracker
12 ways to ease morning sickness: photos
By The BabyCenter Editorial Team
Lady laying on toliet seat
Morning sickness: why it happens
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Woman looking worried and holding cushion
I don't feel pregnant any more. Is my baby OK?
Reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader
Pregnant lady lying on the sofa
Gas and bloating in pregnancy
By Ann Elisabeth Samson
Woman sniffing lemon
Is it normal to salivate more now that I'm pregnant?
Reviewed by Karoline Pahl, GP
pregnant woman lying on sofa
Why are my breasts leaking during pregnancy?
Reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader
What could bleeding during early pregnancy mean?
Reviewed by BabyCenter Canada Medical Advisory Board, Medical Experts
go to video page
7 ways your breasts change during pregnancy: video
go to video page
Pregnancy headaches: video
Woman wiping her brow as she has a hot flush
Is it normal to have hot flashes during pregnancy?
By The BabyCenter Editorial Team
Pregnant woman opening her wardrobe
Is it normal to look more pregnant than I really am?
Reviewed by The BabyCenter Editorial Team
go to video page
9 remedies for morning sickness: video
Tired woman
Fatigue
Reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader
Lady holding tummy
Constipation in pregnancy
Reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader
Woman’s lower legs with her underwear around her ankles
Spotting or bleeding during pregnancy: what's normal and what's not
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Pregnant woman experiencing pelvic pain, sitting on bed with her partner
Pelvic pain in pregnancy: Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD)
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Woman sitting on a bed holding her back
Sciatica
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Did you have (or are you having) morning sickness?
How often do you eat now that you're pregnant?
Pregnant woman bent over sink, nauseous.
Pregnancy sickness second time around
Reviewed by Karoline Pahl, GP
How does your skin change during pregnancy?
Woman looking nauseated and leaning over the sink.
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: getting help and treatment
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Drawing of a pregnant mom with her feet up
go to video page
What can I do about pregnancy swelling? (Video)
How can you ease morning sickness?
Pregnant woman wincing, standing up with her hand on her bump.
Indigestion during pregnancy
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Legs with varicose veins
Swollen hands and feet (edema)
By Katie MacGuire
Pregnant woman getting up from bed experiencing discomfort
Hemorrhoids
Reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader
Pregnant woman smiling
go to video page
How to cope with pregnancy heartburn: video
Drawing of a mom holding a glass of water
go to video page
Why do women pee so much during pregnancy? (Video)
Pregnant woman having a scan
I have a blood clot under my placenta. Should I worry?
Reviewed by Becky Taylor, Midwife sonographer
Pregnant woman cooking and looking unwell
Heartburn - what's normal and what's not
By Katie MacGuire
Animation image of a mom
go to video page
What can I do about pregnancy constipation? (Video)
Pregnant woman holding her belly, grimacing
When to see your doctor for cramps during pregnancy
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Drawing of a pregnant mom
go to video page
What can I do about pregnancy dizziness? (Video)
Lady sitting on sofa holding her bump
How to tell if your contractions are Braxton Hicks or real labour
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Pregnant woman with back pain
go to video page
Pregnancy and low back pain: video
Woman rubbing hands together
Finger pain and numbness (carpal tunnel syndrome) in pregnancy
Reviewed by Denise Tiran, Midwifery lecturer and complementary therapy practitioner
Lady on yoga mat doing breathing exercises
Breathlessness during pregnancy
By Jenny Leach
Pregnant woman looking in mirror
Skin changes during pregnancy
Reviewed by Dr. Kellie Scott, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Family physician
Stressed and confused lady
Forgetfulness
By Katie MacGuire
Why do my eyes feel so dry now that I'm pregnant?
Reviewed by Karoline Pahl, GP
Pregnant woman holding her tummy
Round ligament pain
Reviewed by Hanna Dabbour, Senior physiotherapist
Lady at the dentist
Bleeding gums during pregnancy
By Jenny Leach
Pregnant woman relaxing in a warm bath
Belly cramps during pregnancy
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Pregnant woman sitting with a bowl, looking nauseous
Morning sickness
By Katie MacGuire
Pregnant mom kneeling on bed
go to video page
What can I do to relieve the pain of SPD? (Video)
Drawing of a pregnant woman
go to video page
Pregnancy gas and bloating: video
Woman picking up makeup
Clumsiness in pregnancy
Reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader
Lady on the toilet
Why do I pee so much during my pregnancy?
Reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader
Lady experiencing indigestion
Heartburn during pregnancy
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Lady with toilet roll
Vaginal discharge
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Dizzy woman holding her head and leaning against a tree
Dizziness in pregnancy
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Pregnant woman in pain heading for the toilet
Rectal bleeding during pregnancy
Reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader
go to video page
5 tips for a healthy pregnancy: video
Pretty young woman wearing pink nail polish sitting on sofa, frowning with pain and holding her head.
Headaches during pregnancy
Reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader
Hands holding breasts
Sore breasts
By Jenny Leach
Lady sitting on bed with leg cramp
Leg cramps during pregnancy
By Jenny Leach
Lady holding back, looking uncomfortable
Backache and back pain
Reviewed by Denise Tiran, Midwifery lecturer and complementary therapy practitioner
Pregnant woman scratching her bump
Itchy skin during pregnancy
By Katie MacGuire
Pregnant woman leaning over a bed in pain
How will my SPD affect my labour?
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Pregnant woman standing at her kitchen counter, holding her side in pain
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP)
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Pregnant woman opening her wardrobe
Is it normal...?
Advertisement | page continues below

Prenatal tests and care

Doctor showing pregnant woman information on a tablet computer
How to find a midwife in Canada
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Finger holding test strip
Glucose tolerance test
Reviewed by Dr. Suzanne Wong MD, FRCSC, DABOG, RDMS, MCFP, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Woman having an ultrasound
Screening for Down syndrome
Reviewed by Joseph Aquilina, Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist
Urine sample
Urine tests
Reviewed by Dr. Suzanne Wong MD, FRCSC, DABOG, RDMS, MCFP, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Are hand-held Dopplers safe?
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Mom smiling
go to video page
Should we find out our baby's sex? (Video)
Pregnant mom and doctor
go to video page
What should I do if I don't like my midwife? (Video)
A blood test being carried out.
Routine blood tests
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Close-up of CVS procedure
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Amniocentesis
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Lady having scan
Everything you need to know about prenatal appointments
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Pregnant woman having an ultrasound scan
When can I hear my baby's heart beat?
Reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader
Pregnant woman eating a healthy meal
10 steps to a healthy pregnancy
Reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader
Prenatal appointments scheduler
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Advertisement | page continues below

Natural remedies for pregnancy ailments

Woman relaxing in a bubble bath with candles
Insomnia (natural remedies)
Reviewed by Denise Tiran, Midwifery lecturer and complementary therapy practitioner
Lower back pain (natural remedies)
Reviewed by Denise Tiran, Midwifery lecturer and complementary therapy practitioner
Pregnant woman with swollen feet and ankles getting a foot massage from her partner
Swelling (natural remedies)
Reviewed by Denise Tiran, Midwifery lecturer and complementary therapy practitioner
Lady feeling sick
Nausea (natural remedies)
Reviewed by Chess Thomas, Research Editor
woman pinching forehead in pain from headache and displacing glasses
Headaches (natural remedies)
Reviewed by Denise Tiran, Midwifery lecturer and complementary therapy practitioner
Pregnant woman rubbing her stomach
Constipation (natural remedies)
Reviewed by Denise Tiran, Midwifery lecturer and complementary therapy practitioner
Woman's hands
Carpal tunnel syndrome (natural remedies)
Reviewed by Denise Tiran, Midwifery lecturer and complementary therapy practitioner
Pregnant woman yawning with hand in front of mouth and holding her bare belly
Tiredness (natural remedies)
Reviewed by Denise Tiran, Midwifery lecturer and complementary therapy practitioner
Calf with varicose veins and woman's hand holding and rubbing them
Varicose veins and hemorrhoids (natural remedies)
Reviewed by Denise Tiran, Midwifery lecturer and complementary therapy practitioner
Pregnant woman out of breath
Breathlessness (natural remedies)
Reviewed by Denise Tiran, Midwifery lecturer and complementary therapy practitioner
Elderberries with juice
Herbal remedies in pregnancy
Reviewed by Dr. Kerry Barlow, ND, Naturopathic doctor
Advertisement | page continues below

Pregnancy complications

Woman with suspected ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy
Reviewed by Joseph Aquilina, Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist
Woman sitting down, cradling her bump and looking worried
Abnormalities of the uterus
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
I can't stop vomiting -- should I worry?
Reviewed by Dr. Suzanne Wong MD, FRCSC, DABOG, RDMS, MCFP, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Measuring bump
What does small for dates mean?
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
A pregnant woman clearly in pain, resting on the bed with one hand on her forehead.
Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Intrahepatic cholestasis (ICP)
Reviewed by Joseph Aquilina, Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist
Pregnant woman on the phone looking worried
Can a blow to the stomach hurt my baby?
Reviewed by Clare Herbert, Senior midwife and team leader
Pregnant woman chatting to a doctor with a blood pressure gauge
Blood pressure in pregnancy
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Pregnant woman testing her blood glucose levels
What you need to know about gestational diabetes
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Heavily pregnant woman looking at bump
How can I avoid pre-eclampsia?
Reviewed by Dr. Suzanne Wong MD, FRCSC, DABOG, RDMS, MCFP, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pile of pills
Anemia (iron deficiency)
Reviewed by Dr. Suzanne Wong MD, FRCSC, DABOG, RDMS, MCFP, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pregnant woman measuring her bump
Everything you need to know about belly measurements in pregnancy
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Couple in hospital room having a scan
Placenta previa
By Katie MacGuire
pregnant asian woman looking at phone
How your age affects pregnancy
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Pregnant woman feeling sick sitting on the bathroom floor
Hyperemesis gravidarum (severe pregnancy sickness)
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Molar pregnancy
Reviewed by Joseph Aquilina, Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist
Pregnant woman talking to a nurse
Pre-eclampsia
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Pregnant woman lying down while a midwife measures her bump with a tape measure
Low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios)
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Pregnant woman having a blood test
What is my rhesus status, and how will it affect my pregnancy?
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Pregnant woman talking to a doctor
What is cervical weakness?
Reviewed by Dr. Suzanne Wong MD, FRCSC, DABOG, RDMS, MCFP, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Illnesses and infections

I am pregnant and have shingles. Will this harm my baby?
Reviewed by Karoline Pahl, GP
Concerned pregnant woman holding her toddler
Will it harm my baby if I catch Fifths Disease?
Reviewed by Dr. Kellie Scott, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Family physician
Raw or undercooked meat could cause toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis
Reviewed by Dr. Kellie Scott, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Family physician
Pregnant woman picking up her antibiotic prescription from a chemist
Group B streptococcus
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Pregnant woman washing her hands with soap and water
I’m pregnant. What should I do if I think I have coronavirus?
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Pregnant woman washing her hands with soap and water
I’m pregnant and worried about coronavirus. How do I keep myself and my baby safe?
Reviewed by Dr. Kellie Scott, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Family physician
Editorial Director Daphne Metland
go to video page
Is it safe to use insect repellents while pregnant? (Video)
Pregnant woman with a cold blowing her nose
Colds and coughs in pregnancy
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Woman on sofa, holding her stomach in discomfort
Urinary tract infections
Reviewed by Dr. Kellie Scott, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Family physician
Woman speaking to a pharmacist
Yeast infections in pregnancy
Reviewed by Dr. Kellie Scott, MD, CCFP, FCFP, Family physician
Pregnant woman looking nauseous, lying on the sofa
Will a stomach bug harm my unborn baby?
Reviewed by Karoline Pahl, GP

Prenatal ultrasound scans

Doctor performing ultrasound on pregnant woman
Will you be offered an ultrasound at each prenatal appointment?
Reviewed by Dr. Suzanne Wong MD, FRCSC, DABOG, RDMS, MCFP, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Woman having an ultrasound
When will I have my first ultrasound?
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
What is a placental lake?
Reviewed by Dr. Suzanne Wong MD, FRCSC, DABOG, RDMS, MCFP, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ultrasound machine
Ultrasound markers
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Woman having dating scan looking at ultrasound image of baby on a screen
Decoding your dating scan
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Pregnant woman, with her partner, having an ultrasound scan
Scans in later pregnancy
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Woman having anatomy scan while smiling at partner
Anatomy scan (mid-pregnancy ultrasound)
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Scan photo
Nub theory: will a dating scan show the sex of my baby?
Reviewed by Becky Taylor, Midwife sonographer
Pregnant woman having ultrasound scan
Ultrasound to check the position of the placenta
Reviewed by Becky Taylor, Midwife sonographer
What do ultrasounds involve?
Ultrasound tech holding transducer over pregnant belly
If my ultrasound shows no nose bone, does my baby have Down syndrome?
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Twin scan
What ultrasounds will I have if I’m expecting twins?
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Doctor explaining baby's ultrasound image on a monitor
go to video page
Ultrasound exam: video
Pregnant woman having a scan
Nuchal translucency (NT) scan
Reviewed by Becky Taylor, Midwife sonographer
Sonographer in background holding transducer in foreground
Can I have a scan before 10 weeks?
Reviewed by Becky Taylor, Midwife sonographer
Is it a problem that my baby's cord only has two blood vessels?
Reviewed by Dr. Suzanne Wong MD, FRCSC, DABOG, RDMS, MCFP, Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Woman sitting on sofa with a book showing different scans
What is an echogenic intracardiac focus (EICF)?
Reviewed by Becky Taylor, Midwife sonographer
Pregnant woman at ultrasound scan
Pregnancy ultrasound scans: an overview
Reviewed by Becky Taylor, Midwife sonographer

Latest in prenatal health

Pregnant woman holding her tummy
Round ligament pain
Reviewed by Hanna Dabbour, Senior physiotherapist
A pregnant woman clearly in pain, resting on the bed with one hand on her forehead.
Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore
Reviewed by Andrea Lennox, RM, Registered midwife
Ultrasound tech holding transducer over pregnant belly
If my ultrasound shows no nose bone, does my baby have Down syndrome?
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Pregnant woman measuring her bump
Everything you need to know about belly measurements in pregnancy
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Lady having scan
Everything you need to know about prenatal appointments
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Woman having dating scan looking at ultrasound image of baby on a screen
Decoding your dating scan
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Lady sitting on sofa holding her bump
How to tell if your contractions are Braxton Hicks or real labour
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Dizzy woman holding her head and leaning against a tree
Dizziness in pregnancy
Reviewed by Ashley Jagga, RM, Registered Midwife
Track your pregnancy on our free #1 pregnancy & baby app
phone with BabyCenter app
My pregnancy week by week
2
weeks pregnant
Fertilization illustration
3
weeks pregnant
Implantation illustration
4
weeks pregnant
Poppy seeds illustration
5
weeks pregnant
Sesame seeds illustration
6
weeks pregnant
Lentils illustration
7
weeks pregnant
Chickpeas illustration
8
weeks pregnant
Kidney beans illustration
9
weeks pregnant
Grape illustration
10
weeks pregnant
Kumquats illustration
11
weeks pregnant
Fig illustration
12
weeks pregnant
Lime illustration
13
weeks pregnant
Pea pod illustration
14
weeks pregnant
Lemon illustration
15
weeks pregnant
Apple illustration
16
weeks pregnant
Pear illustration
17
weeks pregnant
Ginger root illustration
18
weeks pregnant
Bell pepper illustration
19
weeks pregnant
Heirloom tomato illustration
20
weeks pregnant
Banana illustration
21
weeks pregnant
Carrot illustration
22
weeks pregnant
Spaghetti squash illustration
23
weeks pregnant
Mango illustration
24
weeks pregnant
Ear of corn illustration
25
weeks pregnant
Rutabaga illustration
26
weeks pregnant
Green onion illustration
27
weeks pregnant
Cauliflower illustration
28
weeks pregnant
Eggplant illustration
29
weeks pregnant
Butternut squash illustration
30
weeks pregnant
Cabbage illustration
31
weeks pregnant
Coconut illustration
32
weeks pregnant
Kale illustration
33
weeks pregnant
Pineapple illustration
34
weeks pregnant
Cantaloupe melon illustration
35
weeks pregnant
Honeydew melon illustration
36
weeks pregnant
Romaine lettuce illustration
37
weeks pregnant
Swiss chard illustration
38
weeks pregnant
Leek illustration
39
weeks pregnant
mini-watermelon illustration
40
weeks pregnant
small pumpkin illustration
41
weeks pregnant
newborn illustration
Advertisement