Patient information: A guide to pregnancy

PREGNANCY OVERVIEW

Pregnancy is a time that is filled with a variety of emotions — joy, anticipation, worry, and even fear. The idea of giving birth may also feel daunting, with the myriad of choices to be made. Learning about the changes that normally occur during pregnancy and after birth can help to ease your anxiety, especially if you are a first time parent.

Most women have an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth and have a healthy newborn. However, if you have a health condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or another health problem, there may be an increased risk of complications during pregnancy.

UPTODATE PREGNANCY RESOURCES

Patient information — UpToDate has a library of articles about normal as well as complicated pregnancies. These articles are available on the internet at www.uptodate.com/patients.

Prenatal care

  (see "Patient information: Pregnancy due date calculator")

  (see "Patient information: Avoiding infections in pregnancy")

  (see "Patient information: Immunizations and pregnancy")

Prenatal testing

  (see "Patient information: Amniocentesis")

  (see "Patient information: Chorionic villus sampling")

  (see "Patient information: Should I have a screening test for Down syndrome during pregnancy?")

Delivery information

  (see "Patient information: Cesarean delivery")

  (see "Patient information: Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC)")

  (see "Patient information: Postterm pregnancy")

Premium subscription information — More detailed information is also available by subscription.

  (see "Immunization of pregnant women")

  (see "Management of hypertension in pregnancy")

  (see "The initial prenatal assessment and routine prenatal care")

  (see "Anticoagulation during pregnancy")

  (see "Clinical features, diagnosis, and long-term prognosis of preeclampsia")

  (see "Cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy")

  (see "Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in pregnancy: Treatment")

  (see "Diagnostic imaging procedures during pregnancy")

  (see "Glycemic control in women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus during pregnancy")

  (see "Headache in pregnancy")

  (see "Management of arrhythmias in pregnancy")

  (see "Management of depression in pregnant women")

  (see "Maternal cardiovascular and hemodynamic adaptations to pregnancy")

  (see "Maternal endocrine and metabolic adaptation to pregnancy")

  (see "Nutrition in pregnancy")

  (see "Pregnancy in adolescents")

  (see "Recognition and management of allergic disease during pregnancy")

  (see "Smoking and pregnancy")

  (see "Trauma in pregnancy")