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Pregnancy is a very busy time in a woman’s life. From preparing the nursery to keeping up on regular household chores (not to mention the incredibly taxing task of growing another human being), moms-to-be have a lot going on. Here are four unexpected things to avoid during pregnancy and why they may be harmful to you and your baby.

A first-time pregnancy is full of wonder, excitement, and anticipation. It is also full of constant change. Here are four ways dads-to-be can help make life easier for their partners during a first-time pregnancy, and in doing so be an active participant in the adventure.

You've made it to the 15-week mark. How are you feeling? Your energy may be up and your morning sickness has likely eased. You're probably curious to know how big your baby is doing. Is she healthy and developing well? The 15-week mark is a good time to start thinking about second-trimester prenatal screening tests so you and your OB can check in on your baby's development. Let's take a look at what you can expect for you and your baby at 15 weeks. We'll also cover the prenatal screening tests that are available at this point in your pregnancy.

Whether or not you've been taking your prenatal vitamin is one of the main questions your OB will ask you throughout your pregnancy — and for good reason. Prenatal vitamins provide essential nutrients for the prenatal development of your baby. Taking your vitamins is especially important when you’re so nauseous you can’t eat properly! We've got you covered with answers to the most common questions about prenatal vitamins and how they impact prenatal development.

Stirrups, speculums, and cervix swabs: there's a lot to shudder about when it comes to pap tests. But this routine gynecological exam is an important part of women's health. It may surprise you to learn that this test is essential enough that you will have one during pregnancy, too. So what is a pap test? Why should pregnant women have one? When will your OB perform the test? We'll cover all these questions and more to help you learn all about the routine pap test and what it can tell you about your pregnancy.

You probably already know that hormones are responsible for many of the miseries of pregnancy. However, those levels of hCG and other hormones on a prenatal screening test can give your OB a glimpse into the development of your baby. So what can pregnancy hormones tell you about the health of your pregnancy? Which prenatal screening tests are available to measure your hormone levels? NTD Eurofins offers several prenatal tests that use biochemical markers, such as your pregnancy hormones, to screen you and your baby for various conditions.

If you have a family history of genetic disorders, then a carrier screening test can bring peace of mind during your pregnancy. Certain populations are more at risk for genetic conditions than others. However, not every condition has a family history that you can trace. We’ll answer all your questions about genetic carrier screening tests to help you decide whether or not they’re right for you.

If either you or your partner has a history of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in your family, then you likely have concerns about your pregnancy. One of the best ways to prepare yourself and your family for a genetic condition is to learn as much as you can about it. We’ll answer all your questions about the signs, symptoms, and causes of SMA so you can confidently plan for your family’s future.

When parents find out they’re expecting, they naturally feel overwhelmed with emotions. Amidst fun, lighthearted questions like whether they’re having a boy or a girl are more serious concerns about their child’s potential health conditions – fragile X syndrome, for example. Here is what you need to know about causes, symptoms, and signs of FXS, and how to help your child if they’re diagnosed with the condition.

When sickle cell disease (SCD) runs in your family, the thought of passing those genes on to your children can be frightening. However, not every combination of sickle cell genes results in a serious condition. There is hope! We’ll answer all your questions and help you prepare yourself with knowledge of sickle cell disease.