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It’s actually not so common to see pregnant women with hypothyroidism, since women with the untreated condition tend to have high rates of infertility. But if you _are _pregnant (congrats!), hypothyroid medications (like levothyroxine) are actually completely safe and can reduce the complications that come if you leave the disease untreated (such as an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, low birth weight babies and learning disabilities later in baby’s life)....

Being told to go on bed rest can be a dreaded order for any active mom-to-be, but it doesn’t have to mean your life is totally on hold! The definition of bed rest isn’t the same for every expectant mother, and the key is to find out from your doctor what your specific limitations are first by asking relevant questions. Some bed rest orders may be very strict, meaning your doctor doesn’t want you to sit on the couch or get up to grab a quick bite – or even to shower....

Turns out size does matter—at least when it comes to your due date. A new study from the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center Ohio Collaborative found that a mother’s height helps shape the fetal environment, influencing the length of pregnancy and whether or not a baby is premature. A baby’s birth length and weight, however, have less to do with fetal environment, influenced instead by transmitted genes. “Our finding shows that a mother’s height has a direct impact on how long her pregnancy lasts,” says Louis Muglia, MD, PhD, of the Ohio Collaborative....

Second to your pregnancy test being positive (yay!), discovering whether you’re having a boy or girl is, for many expectant parents, one of the most exciting moments of pregnancy. Of course, you don’t just want to know what doctors think baby’s sex is—you want accurate results. There are several different ways to learn baby’s sex, and the accuracy can vary depending on which method you use and when it’s conducted. Luckily, mistakes aren’t common....

On Thursday, February 6th, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine will hold its annual meeting known as The Pregnancy Meeting, researchers from around the world to share the latest news, studies and research in the name of maternal-free medicine. One thing they’ll be sure to share? The fact that noninvasive prenatal testing detected 83.2 percent of chromosomal abnormalities in baby that, in the past, have normally only been picked up by invasive testing strategies....

A study of over 2,000 first-time moms revealed that the best ways to describe new motherhood would be “chaotic,” “tiring” and “stressful.” (Yup! That sounds about right, doesn’t it?) The study, performed by the UK-based company Nurofen for Children and Babies, went on to add that as a new mom, the first twelve months with baby are an uphill battle, emotionally and physically draining. Of the 2,000 moms surveyed, a large percentage admitted that the more negative aspects of parenthood (you know, the sleepless nights, those feelings of helplessness, loneliness and sheer shock at how much — and how often — this little person can wail) outweighed the positive....

You’ve gotten all the essential baby gear, set up the nursery and brought your newborn home from the hospital. But when it comes time for baby’s first bath, there are suddenly so many questions. When can I give my newborn a bath? How often should you bathe a newborn? What’s the right water temperature? Not to worry. We’ve got all the bases covered to prep you for baby’s first bath—and beyond....

As a parent, your top priority is the safety of your child—and that starts during pregnancy. One important way to keep you and baby safe is to steer clear of certain foods that are known to be harmful or potentially risky to consume while pregnant. Wondering what not to eat during pregnancy? Some may be common knowledge (think: alcohol), while others might surprise you. Here, we asked experts for a comprehensive list of which foods to avoid during pregnancy (and which to at least limit when you’re expecting)....

Sure, you’ve heard the benefits of breastfeeding. But have you ever thought about how what you eat while breastfeeding can affect baby? Certain nutrient-packed foods can help keep your body and your milk supply nice and healthy, while other foods can lower your milk production and impact baby’s digestive system. We’re here to help you get to the bottom of all your breastfeeding diet concerns, from the best foods to eat while breastfeeding to the best vitamins to supplement your meals, plus which foods to avoid or limit while breastfeeding and why....

Many parents start out by using a bassinet in their bedroom for baby. For an exhausted new parent, running back and forth to the nursery to feed and check on baby may simply be more stressful than it’s worth. You’ll also feel safer at first with baby nearby. If you’re worried about baby adjusting to the crib later, have her take naps in it to start getting acclimated. Because there are currently no federal standards in place for bassinets, cradles or bedside sleepers, it can be tough to know what to look for....

You’re swollen, you’re tired and everything hurts. Oh, the joys of pregnancy! For many mamas-to-be, a day doesn’t seem to go by without pregnancy aches and pains. Whether it’s pain in a specific area (hello, pelvic pressure!) or more general discomfort, chances are you’ll experience some of this during your nine month journey to motherhood. The good news? Body aches in pregnancy are usually a completely normal reaction to the changes your body is going through....

Pros • Larger than most playards • The carrying case has a full shoulder strap for travel • Attached wheels make it easy to move it around the house or bring it outdoors Cons • Too bulky for small rooms • Breaking down each rail takes some time and attention • Securing the mattress straps to the playard floor can be tedious Bottom Line The Joovy Room2 Playard is plenty roomy for baby to sprawl out with lots of toys, and still folds down into a reasonably compact size for storage and travel....

Necessity is the mother of invention, so the proverb goes. And that was never more true for Virginia nurses Kim Jarrelle, BS, RNC‐OB, Debbie Burbic, RN and Jessamine Niccoli, RN. Having helped deliver thousands of babies in their 50‐plus years of combined nursing experience, the three understood moms who undergo c‐sections feel they miss out on that immediate postbirth skin‐to‐skin contact with their babies. (In most hospitals, babies are whisked away because of surgical procedures after c‐section birth....

Miscarriage can be a turbulent storm, leaving emotional wreckage in its wake. But for families who conceive after loss, there’s light at the end of the squall. Rainbow babies—those who are born shortly after a miscarriage, stillbirth or death in infancy—bring color back into their parents’ lives. Here, 14 moms open up about their experiences with pregnancy after loss and share stunning images of their beautiful rainbow babies. Image: Lifetime of Clicks Photography A Long Awaited Gift “Welcome to the world, Aibhlinn Noelle, born Earth-side on May 28, 2018 at 3:23 p....

After baby’s born, there’s a lot of extra stuff hanging out in your middle — you know what I’m talking about new mama. And shape wear is your best friend if you’re invited to a wedding or some other event where you’re expected to squeeze into something you don’t feel quite ready to squeeze into just yet. That’s why the new Mother Tucker (yes, that’s the real name) Nursing Tank by Belly Bandit is pretty smart....

September 22, 2010: Abbott Laboratories, the maker of Similac infant formula, has announced a massive recall on 5 million cans of its plastic-packaged powdered formula, after a small beetle was found in the product at the Michigan plant where it’s produced. After consulting with the Food and Drug Administration, Abbott Laboratories ceased production of the formula immediately and initiated the recall in an effort to ensure that no other cans have been contaminated....

Your little one asks for a sippy cup. You give them a sippy cup. And suddenly, all hell breaks loose. What’s going on? It could have been the wrong color cup, or maybe you put it down on the table instead of putting it into their hands—who knows. The one thing that’s abundantly clear is that you’re witnessing a tantrum. Read on to learn why kids throw temper tantrums and how to deal with—and better yet, avoid—those emotional breakdowns....

And the Winner Is: Miracle 360 Munchkin Trainer Cup It’s an exciting rite of passage when baby is ready to ditch the bottles and start drinking out of a cup. But as with any new skill, practice (and patience) makes perfect. Luckily, Munchkin’s Miracle 360 Trainer Cup paves the way for a smooth transition. It’s easy to hold, easy to drink from, easy to clean and—parents, rejoice!—it’s truly spill-proof (and trust us, as parents ourselves, we’ve really put this one to the test)....

Selecting a new family car is a big decision. Not only is it a significant purchase, but it also significantly impacts your and your kids’ comfort and safety while on the road. Add to that the numerous car options on the market, and it’s enough to make your head spin. Which is why we’re helping you navigate this tricky road. Here’s what to look for when shopping around, and which vehicles made our list of the best family cars out there....

Meet Shayna Ferm and Tracey Tee, the ladies behind The Bump Pump and Dump Validation Tour. These Denver-based moms are here to remind you that even on your worst parenting day, you’re doing a great job. And whether it’s via song at their parentally-incorrect live comedy shows or via blog post on The Bump, they’re guaranteed to make you laugh. If you’re in New York, catch them at Gotham Comedy Club on September 30th....