Are you pregnant or planning to get pregnant? Your dental health is more important than you might think – and it matters for both you and your baby. Many moms-to-be don't know that pregnancy can cause changes to their teeth and gums. The good news is that taking care of your mouth is safe during pregnancy. How Pregnancy Affects Your Teeth and Gums When your body changes during pregnancy, so does your mouth. Your pregnancy hormones (progesterone and estrogen) can increase your risk for dental problems . ...
Pregnancy is often seen as a happy, exciting time – but many people experience worry and stress in addition to the excitement. It’s completely normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed at times. But when sadness or anxiety starts to affect your daily life, or makes it hard to take care of yourself or others, it may be a sign of prenatal depression. Prenatal depression is common, affecting about 1 in 10 pregnant women. It’s important to recognize the signs and get help early—untreated depression during pregn...
Having a baby can be exciting – but for many new moms, it can be overwhelming, too. Are you expecting your first child? You may be unsure of what to expect or how to prepare for your new arrival. First-time moms who are PCHP members may be able to get extra support from our Nurse-Family Partnership program. Who can participate? The program is open to first-time moms who join before their 28th week of pregnancy. Moms can participate in the program until their child is 2 years old. How does it work? A nur...
Black Maternal Health Week takes place April 11–17 of every year – which makes it a good time to focus on access to prenatal and postpartum care for this important group of mothers. The Facts About Black Maternal Health Unfortunately, American women are more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than women in other high-income nations. In 2023, there were 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births. In addition, 1 in 9 Texas children is born prematurely. In the U.S., these rates are higher for Black women...
Breastfeeding is an important way to help your baby start life on a healthy note. Breastmilk includes nutrients and antibodies that help reduce the baby’s risk of illness – including ear infections, breathing problems, asthma, diabetes, obesity, and sudden unexplained death in infancy, also known as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastmilk is also easier for babies to digest, which can help prevent diarrhea and other stomach problems. Breastfeeding is good for moms, too! It helps burn calories, w...
At birth, most babies weigh somewhere between 6 and 8½ pounds. Low birth weight means the baby weighs less than 5½ pounds. If a baby weighs too little at birth, they will need extra help during their first few hours and days in the hospital. They may also need extra care after you take them home. Babies with low birth weight may: have problems eating have trouble gaining weight be prone to catching infections be at risk for some long-term health problems have difficulty controlling their body temperatur...
One of the best ways to stay healthy during pregnancy is to see your doctor for regular checkups. Even if you feel well, you might have a health condition that can affect you and your baby. One example is a condition called preeclampsia. When a pregnant woman has preeclampsia, her blood pressure will be too high. This can become a medical emergency. What is high blood pressure? Your heart pushes blood through your body with every beat, like water moving through a network of hoses. As blood pushes agains...
Are you pregnant? Remember: A healthy baby starts with a healthy pregnancy. If you have a normal pregnancy, you will have your baby about 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period. Those weeks will go by fast! Be sure to plan ahead for prenatal visits with your health care provider. During your pregnancy, you might receive care from: Obstetricians An “OB” doctor specializes in caring for pregnant women and delivering babies. If you need a cesarean section delivery, also called a “...
You’re pregnant and you are excited to meet your new baby. You might feel your pregnancy is lasting forever. For a healthy baby, every week counts—even at the very end of pregnancy. A full-term pregnancy is 40 weeks. When your baby is born after the 37th week of pregnancy, they have a chance to develop as fully as possible before birth. However, if you go into labor and give birth before your 37th week of pregnancy, your baby will be considered “premature” or “preterm.” Preterm babies can have health pr...