Latest posts
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Pregnancy After 35: Evidence on Age-Related Risks, Testing and Outcomes
“Advanced maternal age” is the medical term for a pregnancy where the due date falls at age 35 or older. It is not a diagnosis and it doesn’t mean something is wrong. It’s a label doctors use because research shows certain pregnancy risks become somewhat more common starting around this age. Most people who become…
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Premature Birth: Risk Factors, NICU Levels and What Parents Should Know
A premature birth is any birth that happens before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. A full-term pregnancy usually lasts about 40 weeks. Almost 1 in 10 babies born in the United States arrive early, and the earlier a baby is born, the more medical support they may need at first. This page covers the main…
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Postpartum Physical Recovery: Healing Timeline and What to Expect Week by Week
Most postpartum symptoms are a normal part of healing, but some signs mean you need help fast. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, seizures, thoughts of hurting yourself or your baby, severe lower abdominal pain, or leg pain and swelling that feels different from normal…
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Cholestasis of Pregnancy: Symptoms, Testing and Delivery Timing
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a liver condition that shows up as intense itching, usually without any rash, most often in the second half of pregnancy. It happens when bile builds up in the liver instead of flowing normally, which lets bile acids rise in the blood. The itching is the hallmark symptom, and…
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Lactation Suppression: What to Expect When Not Breastfeeding
If you don’t breastfeed or pump, your body still makes milk for a short time after birth, and your breasts may become full, heavy, or sore before milk production slows down and stops on its own. This is called lactation suppression. It happens whether you’re not breastfeeding by choice, because of a medical reason, after…
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Pregnancy and Exercise: Safe Activity Guidelines and When to Modify
Stop Exercise and Get Medical Care Right Away If You Notice These Signs Call your provider or seek emergency care if you have vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking from the vagina, chest pain, dizziness or fainting, a headache that doesn’t go away, shortness of breath before you even start exerting yourself, calf pain or swelling,…
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Maternal Mental Health: Perinatal Depression, Anxiety and When to Seek Support
Perinatal depression and anxiety are mood conditions that can happen during pregnancy or in the year after birth, and they are common, treatable, and not a sign of failure as a parent. Screening for these conditions is now a standard part of prenatal and postpartum care, and treatment usually involves some combination of talk therapy,…
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Preeclampsia: Signs, Risk Factors, Screening and When to Seek Emergency Care
Reviewed by the RHC Health Desk. Last verified: August 25, 2026. Medical Disclaimer: This page is for general education only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a provider-patient relationship. Talk with a licensed healthcare provider about your specific situation. If you are having a medical emergency, call…
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Breastfeeding Basics: Latch, Supply, Common Problems and When to Get Help
A good latch should feel like a tug, not a pinch, and most soreness that lasts past the first few days usually points to a latch or positioning issue that can be fixed. Milk supply typically builds over the first week as your body responds to frequent feeding, and problems like engorgement, clogged ducts, or…
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Pregnancy Dating Explained: Last Menstrual Period, Ultrasound and Due-Date Changes
How Pregnancy Due Dates Are Calculated In This Article How Pregnancy Due Dates Are Calculated Gestational Age vs. Fetal Age: What the Terms Mean How LMP Dating Works How Ultrasound Dating Works LMP Dating vs. Ultrasound Dating: A Quick Comparison Why and When a Due Date Might Change Extra-Caution Situations and Evidence Limits A Quick…