When your doctor’s office calls with the news that you’ve failed your first prenatal glucose (blood sugar) test, a flurry of thoughts can start to run through your head. Did I do something wrong? Does failing a glucose test mean I have diabetes? What do I do after I failed my glucose test? You might feel disappointed, frustrated and scared. And that’s normal! But a failed glucose test doesn’t always mean you have gestational diabetes, and even if you do, you and your baby can live perfectly healthy lives. So, while you wait in suspense for your three-hour test, here’s a little advice from our ..read more

Getting plenty of rest is essential during your pregnancy, but sometimes that’s easier said than done. Many women have trouble getting comfortable or have restless babies kicking throughout the night. How common is it to experience insomnia during pregnancy? National Sleep Foundation research found 78% of women report more disturbed sleep during pregnancy than at other times. Here are some fixes for common sleep problems during pregnancy: Can’t get comfortable Finding a comfortable position to sleep isn’t always easy with a growing baby. Shifting from standing to a horizontal positio ..read more

Becoming a new mom is a wonderful gift, but it can also be overwhelming. Sometimes pregnant women and new moms just need help. Fortunately, OhioHealth offers many resources for before and after the big day.  How will you and your partner learn to change diapers and burp a newborn? We can help. Breastfeeding have you stumped? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of resources we think will be most helpful as you, family and friends get ready for your baby’s arrival: Classes to Help You Prepare The nursery’s ready, you’ve stocked up on diapers and wipes, your overnight bag is packed and rea ..read more

Congratulations — you’re pregnant! You have a lot to celebrate and look forward to over the next few months. There’s also a lot you probably want to learn as your baby grows and you grow with her. Thanks to technology, there are thousands of pregnancy apps to help you put your wait time to work. Whether you want to track by day, week or month, get help choosing a name or connect with other parents-to-be, there’s an app for that — and more. These are a few of the best free iPhone and Android pregnancy apps moms have rated at least a 4.5 out of 5. 4 Pregnancy Apps for Moms-to-Be Glow Nurture iOS ..read more

Discover the changes each trimester brings, from the time sperms-meets-egg to when mom-meets-baby! A typical full-term pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. Pregnancy is grouped into three stages called trimesters. You and your baby go through big changes during each 12- to 13-week trimester. Remember, every pregnancy is different. You may or may not experience some or all of the typical symptoms that come with hormone changes and a growing baby. The stages of pregnancy are divided into trimesters, which include: 1st Trimester: Begins at conception to 12 weeks 2nd Trimester: Lasts from week 13 to week 2 ..read more

We want to help you prepare you for parenthood! Find out when and where can you take pregnancy classes at OhioHealth. Parenting is a lifelong learning process. Thankfully, you can get a head start while you’re expecting! Our pregnancy classes in Columbus cover a range of topics parents experience from pregnancy to birth to first birthday. We also have tips for grandparents and big brothers and sisters, too. Understanding Birth eClass Sometimes life doesn’t slow down, even for your pregnancy! So we have this online class that lets you learn at your own pace, with animations, videos and qui ..read more

Learn the reasons for a false-positive test result Is the stick always right? Usually yes, but sometimes no. Learn about the rare reasons for a false-positive pregnancy test. A home pregnancy test has confirmed what you suspected — you’re pregnant. Home pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine. Their results are considered reliable, especially when you wait for at least a week after you miss your period to use one. They’re not foolproof, however. It is possible to get a positive result when you’re not actually pregnant, which is called a false-p ..read more

Unless you and your care team have scheduled a Caesarean section for your baby’s birth, it can be stressful wondering when your little one is going to make his entrance into the world. While it can be impossible to predict exactly when labor will begin, there are some common, early signs of labor that many women miss. Increasing Braxton Hicks Contractions Braxton Hicks contractions are contractions that begin in the second or third trimester of your pregnancy. They occur when the muscles of your uterus tighten for short period of time, typically anywhere between 30 seconds to two minutes, and ..read more

Putting together a baby shower registry can be overwhelming, especially if this is your first baby. There are so many options to choose from and it can be hard to determine exactly what you need. We’ve put together a few simple tips to help you create the most efficient and comprehensive registry before your shower. Go with Needs Over Wants It can be tempting to register for every cute outfit or toy you see in the aisle, but it’s important to focus on things you need before registering for things you want. Identify must-haves, like diaper bags, cribs, bottles or a car seat and prioritize thos ..read more

Baby’s coming, but when? Countdown to delivery starts with calculating the due date! After learning that you’re pregnant, your next question is usually, “What’s my baby’s due date?” Most pregnancies last around 40 weeks. Your pregnancy due date is calculated by adding 280 days from the first day of your last period. Remember, your due date is an estimate. Every pregnancy is different. It’s normal to deliver your baby within a couple of weeks before or after your due date. On average, only 5 percent of babies are born on their exact due dates. Once you determine your due date, that doesn’t stop ..read more