Latest posts
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Umbilical Cord Complications: Prolapse, True Knots and Nuchal Cord
Nuchal Cord vs. Cord Prolapse: What’s the Difference? A nuchal cord is when the umbilical cord wraps around the baby’s neck. It’s common and usually harmless. Cord prolapse is when the cord slips through the cervix ahead of the baby, and it’s a rare medical emergency that needs immediate delivery. A true knot is an…
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Breech Presentation: External Cephalic Version, Delivery Options and Outcomes
Call your provider right away if your water breaks and your baby is breech If you know your baby is breech and your water breaks, go to the hospital right away. When a breech baby’s water breaks, the umbilical cord can slip down before the baby does, which can be dangerous. Also call your provider…
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Diastasis Recti: Abdominal Separation After Pregnancy, Assessment and Recovery
What Is Diastasis Recti? Diastasis recti is a separation between the left and right sides of the rectus abdominis, the long muscle that runs down the front of your belly. During pregnancy, the growing uterus puts steady tension on the abdominal wall, and the connective tissue that holds the two muscle bands together stretches and…
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Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery: Timing, Nutrition and Monitoring Needs
Most obstetric guidance recommends waiting 12 to 24 months after bariatric surgery before trying to conceive. This window lets your body get through the fastest phase of weight loss and lowers the chance of entering pregnancy with a nutrient deficiency. If pregnancy happens sooner than that, it does not automatically mean something will go wrong,…
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Hyperemesis Gravidarum: When Morning Sickness Becomes a Medical Condition
Hyperemesis gravidarum is the medical term for the most severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. It goes beyond typical morning sickness. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), it occurs in up to 3 percent of pregnancies and may be diagnosed when a woman has lost 5 percent or more…
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Umbilical Cord Complications: Prolapse, True Knots and Nuchal Cord
Most umbilical cord findings sound scary but turn out fine. A nuchal cord (cord wrapped around the baby’s neck) is common and usually harmless. A true knot is less common and carries some added risk. Cord prolapse is rare and is a true emergency that needs immediate medical care. This guide explains the difference, the…
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Breech Presentation: External Cephalic Version, Delivery Options and Outcomes
A breech presentation means your baby’s bottom, feet, or both are positioned to come out first during birth, instead of the head. This happens in about 3 to 4% of full-term pregnancies. If your baby is breech near your due date, your provider will talk with you about options, which may include external cephalic version…
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Diastasis Recti: Abdominal Separation After Pregnancy, Assessment and Recovery
Diastasis recti is a separation between the left and right sides of the rectus abdominis, the long muscle that runs down the front of your belly. During pregnancy, the growing uterus stretches the connective tissue (linea alba) that holds these two muscle bands together, and the gap can remain after birth. It looks like a…
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Pregnancy Nutrition: Essential Nutrients, Supplements and What Evidence Supports
The nutrients that matter most in pregnancy are folate (folic acid), iron, calcium, DHA (an omega-3 fat), and choline. Most people can meet these needs through a varied diet plus a prenatal vitamin, but the right combination depends on your health history, so a healthcare provider should confirm what you personally need. This page walks…
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Twin and Multiple Pregnancy: Types, Monitoring and Delivery Planning
A twin or multiple pregnancy happens either when a single fertilized egg splits into two or more embryos (identical, or “monozygotic”) or when two or more separate eggs are each fertilized by separate sperm (fraternal, or “dizygotic”). The type matters because it affects how many placentas and amniotic sacs the babies share, which in turn…