Over the years, people have tried many different methods to help induce labor naturally, from eating spicy food to bouncing on an exercise ball. Some people may be tempted to try castor oil as a means to help induce labor. Those who consider using castor oil to induce labor should try to find out about
Pregnancy
The muscles, ligaments, and tissues of the pelvic floor support the bladder, rectum, and sexual organs. When the supportive structures weaken or become especially tight, doctors describe it as pelvic floor dysfunction. It is a common health issue. When a person has pelvic floor dysfunction, the organs in the pelvis may drop. They often press
Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) involves discomfort at the front or back of the pelvic joints. Pelvic girdle pain is another name for this condition. The two pelvic bones meet at the symphysis pubis joint, which is at the front of the pelvis. Dense ligaments stabilize the joint. In people with SPD, the ligaments become stretchy
When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, some women might consider a home abortion. Online sources cite abortion home remedies that they claim are both safe and effective. For example, some suggest consuming various fruits, herbs, or supplements in excessive quantities. Others recommend intense exercise or inserting implements through the cervix to the uterus to induce
Anxiety commonly causes a change in appetite. Some people with anxiety tend to overeat or consume a lot of unhealthful foods. Others, however, lose their desire to eat when they feel stressed and anxious. Anxiety is a mental health condition that affects 40 million adults in the United States each year. Changes in appetite are
Pregnancy can cause discomfort and pain in many parts of the body. When these sensations occur in the chest, the cause is often pressure from the growing fetus, acid reflux, or other relatively harmless issues. In rare cases, this chest pain can result from cardiovascular issues or complications of pregnancy. Keep reading for more information
Although a fever is not typically dangerous, when it occurs during pregnancy, it may affect a developing fetus. A fever occurs when a person’s body reaches a higher temperature than the expected normal range. In this article, learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for a fever, as well as the effects a
Influenza (flu) can be dangerous. Although everyone is at risk of contracting the flu, those who are pregnant or have just given birth are much more susceptible to the more severe effects of the illness. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant during flu season should get their flu shot. The flu shot may
A woman considering an abortion may wonder about any effects on future pregnancies. In most cases, an abortion does not affect fertility and has no impact on other pregnancies. There are two methods: medical abortion and surgical abortion. The type that a woman chooses may depend on several factors, including how far along the pregnancy
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Although they are very similar, there are some key differences between folic acid and folate. Both relate to vitamin B-9, which plays a key role in preventing birth irregularities and aiding the production of healthy red
An HCG pregnancy test checks human chorionic gonadotropin levels in the blood or urine. This measurement means that an HCG test can test whether a woman is pregnant, as well as whether their body is producing the right level of pregnancy hormones. Typically, HCG levels increase steadily during the first trimester, peak, then decline as
Depression is a widespread mental health condition. Pregnant women have a higher risk of depression due to increased stress, physical health changes, chemical changes in the body, and other factors. While estimates vary, a 2016 analysis suggests that between 7% and upwards of 20% of pregnant women around the world have depression. The actual rate
Most people have heard pregnancy-related advice or information, which often focuses on what different symptoms mean, how to tell the sex of the baby, and what a woman can and cannot do during pregnancy. Although some pieces of information, particularly those from healthcare professionals, can be accurate and helpful, lots of myths circulate pregnancy. Here,
Many people who have a Pap smear notice light bleeding, or spotting, for a couple of days after the test. In most cases, this is not a cause for concern, and it usually goes away without intervention. This symptom may occur because the Pap smear can irritate the blood vessels of the cervix, which causes
Salpingectomy is the surgical removal of one or both fallopian tubes. These tubes provide a pathway for an egg to travel from an ovary to the uterus, where it may be fertilized. A doctor may recommend a salpingectomy for various reasons, including an ectopic pregnancy. They may also suggest the procedure as a means of
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common, and women can often experience them during pregnancy. Left untreated, a UTI can pose a serious health risk to a pregnant woman and a developing fetus. This article outlines the possible causes of a UTI in pregnancy, as well as the potential risks. We also provide information on
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Some people may find it hard to tell the difference between being bloated or pregnant as they can share similar symptoms. If a person is unsure whether they are pregnant, they may wish to take a
Nabothian cysts are benign bumps on the cervix. The cysts are full of clear, light yellow, or amber mucus. People may have more than one nabothian cyst. Females may develop nabothian cysts after giving birth or after menopause. The cysts are normal and usually cause no symptoms. Nabothian cysts are not a sign of cervical
The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. It is one of the few organs in the human body that changes in size every month throughout a person’s fertile years. Each month, as part of the menstrual cycle, the body prepares the endometrium to host an embryo. Endometrial thickness increases and decreases during the process.
Many people develop stretch marks on the inner and outer thighs. These occur when the skin stretches due to weight gain, muscle growth, or medical conditions, and they usually fade over time. Stretch marks are very common and are a normal part of life, especially during adolescence and pregnancy. They pose no health risks, and