Anemia in pregnant women is often caused by not having enough iron in the blood. It is common in pregnancy and very easy to treat.

If you've had bleeding early in your pregnancy, you're not alone. Many other pregnant women have had early bleeding, too. And in most cases, nothing is wrong.

Some pregnant women are chronic hypertension sufferers, meaning they have the condition before they become pregnant. Others develop gestational hypertension during pregnancy. Still others develop a hypertensive disorder called preeclampsia.

When you experience ongoing stress while pregnant, a substance called CRH circulates through your body. CRH can trigger contractions and early labor. CRH can also constrict blood flow to the placenta, limiting nutrients and oxygen the baby needs to grow.

Pregnant women with asthma are just as likely to have healthy, normal babies as women without asthma -- as long as their disease is kept under control.

To ensure a healthy pregnancy, you should do what any woman should do: Prepare for your baby with healthy lifestyle choices. Talk with your doctor about your risk factors and learn what you can do to prevent potential problems.

Although prenatal care during the first trimester is important for any pregnancy, it is vitally important if you are carrying twins or other multiples.

Whether you have a turtle or a parrot or a tabby cat, the best prevention against disease is cleanliness.

Drinking a small amount of alcohol isn’t harmful unless you are pregnant. That's because any alcohol you drink also affects your baby. Sometimes, even a small amount of alcohol may cause birth defects.

Down syndrome is the chief genetic cause of mild to moderate mental retardation. It occurs in 1 in 660 births, affecting all ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

The emotions that can engulf you during pregnancy can extend to your feelings about sex.. One day you might feel amorous; the next day the thought of making love might not be appealing.

Just about everything you put into your body can affect your baby. For that reason, avoid taking any prescription or OTC medications, vitamins or mineral supplements without first consulting your physician.

If you're pregnant, it's just as important for you to stay away from lead as it is to protect your children from it.

The emotional healing process after a miscarriage may take some time. It often takes much longer than the physical healing takes. Allowing yourself to grieve the loss can actually help you come to terms with it in the long run.

Multiple pregnancy is a pregnancy with two or more fetuses. In the United States, the multiple birth rate is rising.

A woman with a multiple pregnancy needs more calories and nutrients, more frequent prenatal visits, and more rest.

Gestational diabetes does not cause birth defects. Most women with gestational diabetes have healthy, full-term babies.

Eating the right foods is the main way to control your blood sugar. In fact, most women can keep their blood sugar within a normal range by diet alone.

Exercise can help you keep your blood sugar within a normal range. That's because your body uses more blood sugar when you exercise.

The only way to be sure your blood sugar stays within a normal range is to check it one or more times a day. Your healthcare provider will teach you how.

Taking insulin helps control your blood sugar without harming your baby. You will most likely be able to stop taking insulin after your baby is born.

About 3 to 5 percent of pregnant women who have never had elevated blood glucose levels develop gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. It usually occurs after 20 weeks.

Smoking during pregnancy reduces oxygen and blood flow to your baby. This may cause bleeding problems that can put your pregnancy at risk.

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your baby. Only you can decide whether you're ready to quit.

Having a plan helps you reach any goal. Your plan to quit smoking starts with a choice. First, pick a way to quit.

Life may seem out of control, but you're really making progress. You're going through withdrawal, which is how your body recovers from smoking.