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Anatomy: Fetus in Utero Amniotic sac. A thin-walled sac that surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. The sac is filled with liquid made by the fetus (amniotic fluid) and the membrane that covers the fetal side of the placenta (amnion). This protects the fetus from injury. It also

Medical Conditions and Pregnancy Certain health conditions may complicate a pregnancy. But with the correct care, most women can enjoy a healthy pregnancy, even with their health challenges. Diabetes before pregnancy Diabetes is a health problem where the body doesn't make enough

Delivery What are possible labor complications? Serious complications are rare during labor. But some problems can happen during this time. Some of the more common ones are listed below. Fetal meconium When the amniotic sac ruptures, the normal color of the amniotic fluid is

Understanding Risks of Medicines in Pregnancy When you are pregnant, always check with your healthcare provider or midwife before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. This includes herbs and dietary supplements. All medicines affect the baby. How they affect the

Prenatal Medical Care The importance of early prenatal medical care As soon as you find out you are pregnant, you should work with your healthcare provider to set up a schedule of prenatal care. For normal pregnancies without major complications, prenatal exams are often

The Second Trimester Prenatal visits during the second trimester During the second and third trimester prenatal visits, your healthcare provider may check certain things, depending on your current health and the health of the fetus. The provider may check: Any current symptoms or

Sex During Pregnancy In most cases, sex during pregnancy is safe. In fact, with your healthcare provider's OK, you can have sex until delivery. But changing hormone levels and sone pregnancy symptoms, like nausea and tiredness, can reduce your sex drive. So can visible changes in

Signs of Pregnancy/The Pregnancy Test What are the signs of pregnancy? The signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman. Usually, the most obvious sign is when a woman has a missed period. But some women continue to have bleeding even while pregnant. The following are the most

Smoking and Pregnancy The risks involved with smoking during pregnancy Fewer women are smoking during their pregnancy now than in the past. But many women still smoke. Even if a pregnant woman doesn't smoke, she may be exposed to secondhand smoke at home, at work, or in social

Common Tests During Pregnancy These are some of the more common tests done during pregnancy. First trimester prenatal screening tests First trimester screening is a combination of fetal ultrasound and maternal blood testing. It can help find out the risk that the fetus has