Can pregnant women become infected with STDs? Yes, women who are pregnant can become infected with the same sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as women who are not pregnant. Pregnancy does not provide women or their babies any protection against STDs.…
Pregnancy and smoking
Pregnancy and smoking Smoking in pregnancy results in serious risks for both the woman and the fetus. Cigarette smoking by pregnant girls and women has been shown to increase risks of complications in pregnancy and to cause serious adverse fetal…
Miscarriage
What is a miscarriage? A miscarriage, sometimes called pregnancy loss, is the loss of pregnancy from natural causes before the 20th week of pregnancy. Most miscarriages occur very early in the pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she is pregnant. What…
Pregnancy and HIV
Pregnancy and HIV Women can give HIV to their babies during pregnancy, while giving birth, or through breastfeeding. But, there are effective ways to prevent the spread of mother-to-infant transmission of HIV: Taking anti-HIV drugs during pregnancy—either a drug called…
Hypothyroidism in pregnancy
What causes hypothyroidism in pregnancy? Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is usually caused by Hashimoto’s disease and occurs in one to three of every 1,000 pregnancies.Like Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder. In Hashimoto’s disease, the immune system makes antibodies…
Hyperthyroidism in pregnancy
What causes hyperthyroidism in pregnancy? Hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is usually caused by Graves’ disease and occurs in about one of every 500 pregnancies.2 Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder, which means the body’s immune system makes antibodies that act against its…
Pregnancy and Hepatitis B
Are pregnant women tested for Hepatitis B? Yes. When a pregnant woman comes in for prenatal care, she will be given a series of routine blood tests, including one that checks for the presence of Hepatitis B virus infection. This…
Group B Strep( GBS)
What is group B strep? Group B strep (streptococcus) is a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness and death in newborns. Until recent prevention efforts, hundreds of babies died from group B strep every year. This type of…
Folic Acid before and during pregnancy
Folic Acid is an Important Vitamin Folic acid is a vitamin found in many foods and multivitamin supplements. It’s especially important for women who could become pregnant because folic acid can help prevent birth defects. Begin Each Day with Folic…
Eating fish during pregnancy
Fish Facts for Pregnant and Nursing Moms and for Women Who May Become Pregnant Fish and shellfish can be an important part of a healthy diet. They are a great source of protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. What’s more,…