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Miscarriage is commonly diagnosed using a combination of tests, the most standard of which include the hCG blood test, an ultrasound, fetal heart scanning, and a pelvic exam. Quantitative hCG Blood Test Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by the body during pregnancy. It becomes detectable in your about a week after ovulation when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. In the early weeks of pregnancy, the level of hCG can double every two to three days....

What this amounts to is very little awake time and lots of total sleep time, broken up by frequent feedings around the clock. And because newborn sleep patterns vary drastically from older children and adults, it’s natural to have questions. In one survey, 40 percent of parents of young babies indicated that they were concerned about their infant’s sleep. To help you make sense of your baby’s sleep patterns and needs, we have put together some expert-approved guidelines on infant sleep....

Research is helping doctors understand and diagnose the causes of preeclampsia, which may make it easier to predict and perhaps treat the disorder. Overview It is estimated that 5% of singleton pregnancies are affected by preeclampsia. However, one in every three mothers of multiples will exhibit symptoms during her pregnancy. The complications from the condition may lead to premature labor or other severe, even fatal, risks to both the mother and baby....

The fetal fibronectin (fFN) test is a diagnostic tool that healthcare providers use to determine the risk for preterm labor. The test measures levels of the protein fetal fibronectin (FFN). Higher levels of the protein, which is measured by collecting fluid in the vagina or cervical opening, indicate whether or not preterm labor is likely. A positive test result means a greater risk of going into labor, while a negative result makes going into labor early less likely....

Soccer practice might be at the same time as dance. And piano lessons might start before you get out of work. You may need to ask someone to help you shuttle kids from one activity to the next. Or you might find that you need someone to watch the kids for just a couple of hours so you can go to an appointment, clean the house, or do your taxes....

Baby Moisturizers Making sure your baby’s skin is properly moisturized will help to prevent chapping. While it’s always important to apply moisturizers before heading out in the cold, it’s even more beneficial to moisturize immediately after her bath. After having some delightful splash time in the tub, gently pat dry her skin with a clean towel. Be mindful not to rub the towel over the skin as you’re more likely to irritate it....

One way to lighten your load is to make meal prep a family affair. Plus, cooking as a family teaches even the youngest family members important life skills. Benefits of Family Cooking By getting your kids involved in the kitchen, you’ll be setting them up for a lifetime of culinary know-how. At any age, kids who learn to cook gain independence. The youngest in the family can feel a sense of industry while teens will be empowered to fend for themselves when they leave the nest....

Additionally, studies show that inadequate weight gain poses serious risks to the baby, including low birth weight, less likelihood of breastfeeding, and increased odds of death in infancy. If you are underweight and/or having trouble gaining enough weight, here are some tips to help you get your weight gain where it needs to be. Note that you should always consult your doctor or midwife before making any big changes in your eating habits and prior to starting any kind of nutritional supplement....

Postpartum Sore Muscles You might find that your whole body is sore from laboring in different positions and pushing. This might be a shock. You assume certain parts of your body would be sore, like your bottom, but why are your arms and legs sore? We weren’t joking when we said labor was a marathon, and even a short labor can cause muscle strain and stiffness. Sometimes your hips can really be sore as well....

You have no idea what’s going on. Are they weaning? Could it happen this suddenly? Either way, your stress levels are through the roof, and you have no idea what to do. If something like this is happening to you, your baby is most likely having a nursing strike and isn’t weaning. Nursing strikes are actually very common. As a lactation consultant, they are one of the most frequent calls for help that I receive....

It’s no surprise that kids suffer their fair share of injuries. Their bodies are still developing, which can affect their coordination. Lower extremity injuries are more common (42%) than upper extremity injuries (30%), per the CDC. “Younger and younger children are focusing on sports specialization in a single given sport, rather than cross-training, which may predispose them to more overuse injuries than we have previously seen,” says Natasha Trentacosta, MD, pediatric and adult sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles....

You will want to do a placenta print within a few days of birth. If you are not using a completely fresh placenta, you will want to keep it refrigerated until you are ready to use it. To get started you will need the following supplies: PlacentaPaper(s)ColorWaterTowelsGloves Use Acid-Free Materials The coloring that you use for your placenta can be an ink that is acid-free. Many people do the first few prints with the blood that comes with the placenta....

Wear a Mask Under Your Mask Your kids’ plastic superhero or princess mask shouldn’t replace their medical mask. Instead, they should wear a medical mask underneath any Halloween mask, says Gina Posner, MD, a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. “I would definitely have kids wear a mask since they don’t know who they will be exposed to,” she says, referencing the close interaction with candy-givers at each house the kids visit....

“Self-harming or what we in the mental health world label as Non-Suicidal Self Injurious (NSSI) behaviors are unfortunately very common,” says Dean Aslinia, PhD, LPC, NCC, the associate dean at the University of Phoenix College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Psychology and Human Services. “Research has indicated up to 20% of adolescents engage in these behaviors. While these behaviors tend to start around the age of 13 to 14, broadly speaking the greatest risk comes when the child is old enough to have access to or purchase the means of self-harm....

Some children who struggle with making friends and maintaining friendships may have lagging social skills and/or exhibit some behavioral issues. Tattling, physical aggression, and name-calling often arise when kids don’t have the skills to play well with others. A quiet disposition and social anxiety can also contribute to difficulty making friends. However, there are many ways to help your child develop friendship skills. Instill Self-Esteem The first step in teaching your child to be a good friend is to teach them to take pride in themself....

Feet swelling, sometimes referred to as edema, affects approximately eight out of 10 pregnancies. It’s usually caused by the increased fluids circulating around your body. Sufferers tend to notice swelling of their hands, arms, feet, or even face in their second or third trimester, though feet swelling particularly can happen at any time. “Swelling in pregnancy is completely normal and expected,” says Sherry Ross, MD, a Santa Monica-based OB/GYN. “If you think about it, your body produces [approximately] 50% more blood volume and other body fluids that help in the growth and development of the baby....

Other causes of bleeding during early pregnancy include ectopic pregnancy and infection. Since these can be dangerous, it is important to know how to recognize implantation bleeding and to get medical attention if you experience bleeding in pregnancy. What Is Implantation Bleeding? Implantation bleeding happens during the very early stages of pregnancy. It appears as a smear of blood on your underwear or toilet paper a few days before or after the time when you can first test positive on a pregnancy test....

Overview Acupuncture is a complementary medical practice of traditional Chinese medicine that seeks to balance the flow of energy (known as chi or qi) in the body. This healing art has been used in Eastern medicine for centuries and there is an established tradition (and substantial anecdotal evidence) of positive results. Acupuncture is used primarily as alternative medicine and is not routinely a part of traditional care. However, the healing art is often included in the growing trend of an integrative healthcare approach....

While the first trimester is the most common time for miscarriages, there are other reasons for cramps. Whether cramping signals a miscarriage depends on when it occurs, severity, and whether you’re experiencing other symptoms with it. Cramping in Early Pregnancy Having cramps in your lower abdominal area or lower back in early pregnancy (the first trimester) most likely signals one of three things: Ectopic pregnancy: Faintness and/or severe abdominal cramping may be a symptom of ectopic pregnancy....

How Popular Is the Name Isabella? Isabella was moderately popular during the first half of the 20th century until its ranking plummeted in the 1940s. It was a fairly rare until 1990 when it began to be used more widely again. In 1998, it broke into the top 100 names in the U.S. In 2004, it made the top 10, and was the runner-up from 2007 to 2008 before claiming the number one spot in 2009....