21 Reasons to See a Gynecologist Before Age 21 (Infographic)

Pregnancy Periods Sexuality and Relationships 10. Have safe and healthy relationships with a boyfriend or girlfriend. 11. Know when a relationship is threatening or harmful. 12. Talk about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) topics. 13. Think things through before you have sex for the first time. 14. Learn about safe sex. 15. Get birth control so you can choose to become pregnant when the time is right for you. 16. Plan ahead for a safe and healthy pregnancy. 17. Get tested for pregnancy. 18. Know what your options are if you become pregnant. 19. Protect yourself fr...

A Healthy Pregnancy for Women with Diabetes

FAQ176, July 2019

What is diabetes mellitus? Diabetes mellitus (also called “diabetes”) is caused by a problem with insulin. Insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into the body’s cells where it can be turned into energy (see the FAQ Diabetes and Women). Pregnancy health care professionals often call diabetes that is present before pregnancy pregestational diabetes mellitus. When the body does not make enough insulin or does not respond to it, glucose cannot get into cells and instead stays in the blood. As a result, the level of glucose in the blood increases. Over time, high blood glucose levels can dam...

Alcohol and Pregnancy (Infographic)

alcohol and pregnancy

Gestational Diabetes

FAQ177, November 2017

What is gestational diabetes (GD)? Diabetes mellitus (also called “diabetes”) is a condition in which too much glucose (sugar) stays in the blood instead of being used for energy. Health problems can occur when blood sugar is too high. Some women develop diabetes for the first time during pregnancy. This condition is called gestational diabetes (GD). Women with GD need special care both during and after pregnancy.

Your Postpartum Care Team

Postpartum care