During my own three pregnancies, I learned how even the smallest skin discomforts can feel like a lot. Pregnancy had a way of making me hyperaware of every sensation in my body. Most of the skin problems I had during pregnancy were minor irritations, like dry skin and acne, and they eventually went away. This was not the case with my hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). HS didn’t take a break just because I was pregnant. So, what happens when the discomfort is something more chronic, something …
The Baby Blog
About Our Baby Blog
Every person wants to know what’s best for their baby, especially when it comes to knowing how to minimize exposure risks. Our relatable stories are packed with practical information from our rotating staff of MotherToBaby expert bloggers. Whatever topic you’re looking for, our blogs will provide you a great foundation to learn more.
When You Cannot Trust Your Gut: What to Do About Diarrhea in Pregnancy and Lactation
The runs, the trots, the green apple quickstep. You have heard all the nicknames for it, but even hearing something as cute as “bubble guts” does not make diarrhea any better, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Just last week, I got a call from someone in a panic: “Leah, it is really bad. I am so uncomfortable. I thought you were supposed to get constipated during pregnancy.” That caller was not wrong – constipation can be common during pregnancy. Hormones like prostaglandins – …
Measles is Back in the News. Here’s What Pregnant Women Should Know.
By MotherToBaby and experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) At 16 weeks pregnant, Maria is busy planning a summer trip for her family. But lately, every time she opens her phone, she sees another headline about measles outbreaks. It makes her pause and wonder: What does this mean for me and my baby? What is measles, and why are people worried about it? Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air when someone who is sick with measles …
When The Sniffles Strike During Pregnancy: Cold Meds & Your Questions Answered
Is it a cold? The flu? Or is it COVID-19? Either way, it is miserable. It is Friday afternoon. You are pregnant, or actively planning, and you wake up with a scratchy throat, pressure in your nose and forehead, and runny nose. You think you have a cold… or is it the flu or COVID-19? You have left a message with your healthcare provider to ask them about what to do and what medication you can take. You are worried about taking the wrong medication. As the hours pass, you think it is unlikely …
How the Tdap Vaccine During Pregnancy Protects Your Baby from Whooping Cough
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the bacteria Bordetella Pertussis. It spreads through droplets in the air when someone coughs or sneezes. For adults, pertussis can feel like a bad cold with a lingering cough. But for babies, especially those under 1 year old, it can be much more serious. If a baby who is not fully vaccinated gets whooping cough, about 1 in 3 will need to be hospitalized. Complications can include: The good …
