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RhoGAM is one brand of Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg). RhIg is an injectable drug given to women with Rh-negative blood during pregnancy. The main purpose of RhIg is to prevent problems in case baby has Rh-positive blood. RhIg usually is given to a pregnant woman with Rh-negative blood around 28 weeks and within 72 hours of baby’s birth (if baby is Rh-positive). The drug prevents your body from forming Rh antibodies, which aren’t likely to harm your first baby, but could actually harm any future babies you have if they’re Rh-positive....

Thinking about the best ways to dispose of different types of popular baby gear? There is so much advice out there for how to buy baby gear, but very little on how to actually get rid of it once baby inevitably outgrows it. After putting so much time and effort into choosing everything from a crib mattress to a high chair, here’s how you can make sure you’re retiring your gear responsibly....

Moms work hard—like, really hard! From pregnancy to the toddler years and beyond, the physical and emotional labor never stops. So when it comes time to treat your partner, sister or pregnant friend to a little something for her birthday or Mother’s Day,, it’s worth pulling out all the stops. One gift that hits the mark every time: Birthstone jewelry for moms. Many parents wear jewelry featuring their child’s birthstone to honor their arrival into the world and celebrate this super-special bond....

So, baby is on the way (yay!), and in the midst of all this excitement you suddenly have some very big decisions to make. Having trouble deciding whether you should go the midwife or ob-gyn route? We compiled a list of tips from our very own Bumpies to help you with this difficult choice. “I personally like the practice of midwives, because I have a strong desire for a natural birth with minimal (preferably zero) medical intervention....

If you’re hoping to switch things up once your maternity leave is over, it is probably best to lay your ideas on the table now. First, make sure you’re clear on what your company’s policies state (like whether part of your leave would be covered by disability insurance, and whether you’d retain health insurance with your new schedule). Once you’ve done your homework, write up a detailed proposal for your boss....

What is endometriosis during pregnancy? Endometriosis is when the tissue that usually lines the uterus grows outside of it, and on and around the pelvic and abdominal organs. If you have endometriosis, you’re probably wondering how it will affect your pregnancy. What are the signs of endometriosis? The most common symptoms of endometriosis are abdominal pain, heavy periods, painful intercourse and severe menstrual cramps. You might also experience fatigue. The good news is: While you’re pregnant, you might actually get some relief from your endometriosis symptoms....

Between hair sprouting in random places, swelling and difficulty finding clothes that fit, pregnancy can be a lesson in humility. To add to it, bowel issues are common among moms-to-be—and by bowel issues, we mean changes with your poop. As a result, you may find yourself dealing with problems like constipation, hemorrhoids or diarrhea. Fun stuff. Pregnancy has a “major effect” on the way your bowels work and move, says Maia Kayal, MD, an assistant professor of gastroenterology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City....

Justin Baldoni is not afraid to bare it all—and we’re not talking about his shirtless scenes as Rafel in the hit TV series Jane The Virgin. He has feelings, and he’s all about embracing that. The actor, director and social activist is on a mission to change the way society thinks of masculinity. He’s encouraging men to dig deep and be vulnerable in his new book, Man Enough. We connected with the dad of two over Zoom to talk about his journey, which accomplishment he’s most proud of and the parenting approach he’s taking with his own kids....

Every pregnant mom knows she should be popping prenatal vitamins. For years, doctors and experts have been encouraging moms-to-be to take them, often before they even conceive. But, she might not be aware of exactly what are the benefits of prenatal vitamins—or their side effects. In this article: What are prenatal vitamins? Prenatal vitamins ingredients list Benefits of prenatal vitamins Prenatal vitamins side effects What Are Prenatal Vitamins? Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins that include a variety of vitamins and minerals....

Well, that’s a matter of opinion. The World Health Organization says: “Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to six months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond.” The American Academy of Pediatrics says: _“Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child…Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother…There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychological or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer....

The main thing to keep in mind, is that when you are at work, you are pumping the milk that the baby will eat the next day. So on Monday, you are pumping for Tuesday; on Tuesday you are pumping for Wednesday, etc. You should pump at the office at the same times your baby typically eats. Before you go back to work, you should get accustomed to using your pump....

Yes. In fact, women are able to re-lactate years after they stop breastfeeding (to feed an adopted baby, for example). With good support, you can work to rebuild your milk supply and teach baby to breastfeed. A lactation supplementer will be key — this is a device that holds fluid (breast milk or formula) that baby receives through a little tube as he suckles on your breast. This way, baby practices nursing AND stimulates your milk supply while he gets his dinner....

Melasma or chloasma (the “mask of pregnancy”) is common among pregnant women, and looks like dark patches on the forehead, cheeks, or upper lip. Pigmentation levels, sent soaring by your changing hormones, are to blame for this discoloration. It should fade after delivery, but there are a few things you can do to protect your skin and avoid getting it in the first place. Minimize sun exposure, especially to your face....

And the Winner Is: Nuna Pipa Lite RX An infant car seat is one of the most important pieces of baby gear you’ll own as a new parent; in fact, the hospital won’t even let you head home without one. It’s essential to keeping baby safe as you venture out and hit the road. But you’d be surprised just how heavy it can get with your little one inside (many infant car seats accommodate kids up to 30+ pounds!...

Meet Dina DiMaggio, MD, and Anthony F. Porto MD, MPH, official spokespeople for the American Academy of Pediatrics and the co-authors of The Pediatrician’s Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers. Each month, they’ll write about the latest AAP guidelines, studies and seasonal issues affecting babies and toddlers. Follow them on Instagram @pediatriciansguide. It is full-blown winter, folks! In tandem with the colder weather, the no. 1 call we are receiving (by far) is what to do when a child has a fever....

Your OB will probably listen for the heartbeat with a Doppler ultrasound device around week 12. (Some of our mom friends have had doctors try a little earlier, but usually not before week 10.) Anything between 110 and 160 beats per minute is considered “normal.” And though we’ve heard many a grandma claim that the heart rate can reveal baby’s sex, scientists say no way. In fact, the heart rate changes a lot — even baby wiggling around can speed it up....

There’s a lot of change that comes with becoming a mom, some of it pretty challenging. But there are plenty of other aspects to parenthood that are simply great. In fact, there are a lot of (unexpected) things that being a mom has helped me out with. Not that your mom-status should be wielded as a get-out-of-jail-free card, but let’s be honest—sometimes it’s the best excuse when you’re in a jam....

There’s never a dull moment when you’re a parent to multiples. You’ll find yourself wishing you had another arm to spare or a clone of yourself to tackle to-dos, but at the end of the day, you have so much love to give to all of your littles. Whether you have twins, triplets, quadruplets or more, one thing is certain: You’re constantly surrounded by a cuteness overload—and we have the pictures to prove it....

Baby’s baptism is on the horizon; now it’s time to spread the word. Ask loved ones to join you for the special ceremony with the help of some festive stationery. Read on for the lowdown on baptism invitation wording, and shop our favorite baptism invitations celebrating the religious rite. In this article: Baptism invitation wording Baptism invitations Baptism Invitation Wording Wondering what to put on your cards? Start by following this baptism invitation template:...

Scrambling to file your taxes this weekend? No sweat. We talked to Matt Becker, financial planner and founder of Mom and Dad Money, for some last-minute advice for parents. “The biggest tax deadline tip I have is to get your IRA contributions in before the deadline,” Becker says. “For 2014, the maximum IRA contribution is $5,500 and you have until the April 15 tax filing deadline to make it. The only catch is that you had to have opened your IRA by the end of 2014....