MedicineNet

Labor and Delivery Related Diseases & Conditions

Medical tests and procedures are used to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions. Our doctors have compiled a list of ailments related to the topic of Labor and Delivery that may be used to diagnose or monitor the status of the diseases and conditions listed below.

  • Pregnancy Planning Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and...learn more »
    In This Article
    Pregnancy Planning Article
    • Pregnancy Planning Facts
    • What is pregnancy planning and why is it important?
    • What are pregnancy symptoms?
    • What is a pregnancy calculator and calendar?
    • Who effective are home pregnancy tests?
    • How can diet and nutrition affect early pregnancy?
    • How does alcohol affect pregnancy?
    • How do high blood pressure and diabetes affect pregnancy?
    • What are examples of commonly-used medications that are dangerous in pregnancy?
    • How do kidney and heart disease affect pregnancy?
    • What infections affect pregnancy?
    • What inherited (genetic) diseases can play a role in pregnancy planning?
    • Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy?
    • Can I travel by air during pregnancy?
    • Can I have intercourse during pregnancy?
    • How soon after stopping birth control can I become pregnant?
    • How do we maximize our chances of becoming pregnant?
    • Can I do something to help my chances of conceiving a boy or a girl?
  • Preeclampsia (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension) Preeclampsia is related to increased blood pressure and protein in the mother's urine. Preeclampsia typically begins after the...learn more »
    In This Article
    Preeclampsia (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension) Article
    • Preeclampsia Facts*
    • What Is High Blood Pressure?
    • What Are the Effects of High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy?
    • What Is Preeclampsia?
    • How Common Are High Blood Pressure and Preeclampsia in Pregnancy?
    • Who Is More Likely to Develop Preeclampsia?
    • What Are the Symptoms of Preeclampsia and How Is It Detected?
    • How Can Women with High Blood Pressure Prevent Problems During Pregnancy?
    • Does Hypertension or Preeclampsia During Pregnancy Cause Long-Term Heart and Blood Vessel Problems?
  • Women's Health Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and...learn more »
    In This Article
    Women's Health Article
    • Introduction to Women's Health
    • Women's General Health and Wellness
    • Female Anatomy
    • The Female Reproductive System
    • Female Hormones
    • Diseases More Common In Women
    • Cancer In Women
    • Women's Cosmetic Concerns
    • Menstruation
    • Sexuality
    • Fertility, Birth Control and Infertility
    • Pregnancy
    • Motherhood
    • Menopause
    • The Mature Woman - Post Menopause
  • Pregnancy and Drugs (Prescription and OTC) Taking prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs or supplements should be discussed with your doctor. There are some...learn more »
    In This Article
    Pregnancy and Drugs (Prescription and OTC) Article
    • Is it safe to use medicine while I am pregnant?
    • How should I decide whether to use a medicine while I am pregnant?
    • Where do doctors and nurses find out about using medicines during pregnancy?
    • How do prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicine labels help my doctor choose the right medicine for me when I am pregnant?
    • What if I'm thinking about getting pregnant?
    • Is it safe to use medicine while I am trying to become pregnant?
    • What if I get sick and need to use medicine while I am pregnant?
    • I have a health problem. Should I stop using my medicine while I am pregnant?
    • Are vitamins safe for me while I am pregnant?
    • Are herbal remedies or natural products safe for me when I am pregnant?
    • In the future, will there be better ways to know if medicines are safe to use during pregnancy?
    • For more information
  • Hair Loss There are many causes of scalp hair loss. This featured article covers the common ones such as patchy hair loss (alopecia areata,...learn more »
    In This Article
    Hair Loss Article
    • What are causes of hair loss?
    • How is hair loss classified?
    • What is alopecia areata?
    • What is traction alopecia?
    • What is trichotillomania?
    • What is tinea capitis?
    • What is generalized (diffuse) hair loss?
    • What is telogen effluvium?
    • What is androgenetic alopecia ("male-pattern baldness," "female-pattern baldness")?
    • What treatment is there for hair loss in men?
    • What other options do I have for hair loss?
    • Is hair loss in women different than men?
    • What about pregnancy hair loss?
    • What specific treatments are there for hair loss in women?
    • What vitamins are good for hair loss?
    • Can itchy scalp cause hair loss?
    • How do I prevent hair loss?
    • Hair Loss At A Glance
  • Pregnancy (Stages - Trimesters of Pregnancy) There are many symptoms involved in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The first early pregnancy symptom is typically...learn more »
    In This Article
    Pregnancy (Stages - Trimesters of Pregnancy) Article
    • Pregnancy facts*
    • Introduction
    • What is the first trimester (week 1-week 12)?
    • What is the second trimester (week 13-week 28)?
    • What is the third trimester (week 29-week 40)?
    • How will my baby develop week by week?
    • What are the changes that happen to a woman's body during her 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy?
    • Body aches
    • Breast changes
    • Constipation
    • Dizziness
    • Fatigue, sleep problems
    • Heartburn and indigestion
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Itching
    • Leg cramps
    • Morning sickness
    • Nasal problems
    • Numb or tingling hands
    • Stretch marks, skin changes
    • Swelling
    • Urinary frequency and leaking
    • Varicose veins
  • Postpartum Depression Postpartum depression is a form of depression that occurs within a year after delivery. It is thought that rapid hormone changes...learn more »
    In This Article
    Postpartum Depression Article
    • Postpartum depression facts
    • What is postpartum depression? Are there different types of postpartum depression?
    • What are causes and risk factors for postpartum depression?
    • What are postpartum depression symptoms and signs?
    • How is postpartum depression diagnosed?
    • What are the treatments for postpartum depression?
    • What is the prognosis of postpartum depression?
    • Can postpartum depression be prevented?
    • Where can people get more information about postpartum depression?
    • Where can people get support for postpartum depression?
    • What research is being done on postpartum depression?
  • Cystocele A cystocele is also known as a fallen or prolapsed bladder. Heavy lifting and straining may cause a cystocele, which causes urine...learn more »
    In This Article
    Cystocele Article
    • What is a cystocele?
    • What causes a cystocele?
    • How is a cystocele diagnosed?
    • How is a cystocele treated?
    • Where can people find more information about prolapsed bladders?
  • Eclampsia Preeclampsia is a condition in pregnant women marked by high blood pressure and a high level of protein in the urine. Eclampsia...learn more »
    In This Article
    Eclampsia Article
    • What Is Preeclampsia?
    • What Is Eclampsia?
    • What Causes Preeclampsia and Eclampsia?
    • Who Is at Risk for Preeclampsia?
    • What are the Signs of Preeclampsia?
    • Does Swelling During Pregnancy Mean I Have Preeclampsia?
    • How Can Preeclampsia Affect My Baby?
    • What Is the tretment for Preeclampsia and Eclampsia?
  • Pregnancy: What to Buy for Baby Welcoming baby into the world requires more than making sure he or she is healthy in your tummy. At some point, your little love...learn more »
    In This Article
    Pregnancy: What to Buy for Baby Article
    • What baby gear do you need for your newborn?
    • The nursery
    • Crib linens
    • Diaper time: what you need for the changing table
    • Layette: baby's first clothes
    • Bathing baby: what you need
    • Washing baby's laundry
    • Feeding baby
    • The diaper bag
    • Other baby essentials
    • The baby medicine cabinet
    • Baby gear nonessentials (but nice to have)
  • Pregnancy: Your Guide to Eating Right The amount of weight you should gain during pregnancy depends on your body mass index (BMI) before you became pregnant. Although...learn more »
    In This Article
    Pregnancy: Your Guide to Eating Right Article
    • Healthy pregnancy introduction
    • Eating for two
    • Keeping fit
    • Oral Health
    • Using Medicine and Herbs
    • Having Sex
    • Travel
    • Environmental Risks
    • Quitting Smoking
    • Substance Abuse
    • Abusive Relationships
    • When to Call the Doctor
  • Pregnancy: Pain Relief Options for Childbirth Women experience and tolerate pain differently. For some pregnant women, focused breathing is all they need to get through labor...learn more »
    In This Article
    Pregnancy: Pain Relief Options for Childbirth Article
    • Pain relief options for labor and childbirth introduction
    • What pain relief medications are available for labor and childbirth?
    • What is the difference between an epidural and spinal anesthesia?
    • How is regional anesthesia given during labor and childbirth?
    • How soon can I get the regional anesthesia during labor?
    • Will the anesthesia affect my baby?
    • How long does it take for anesthesia to work and how long will it last?
    • Will I feel anything after getting the anesthesia?
    • Will I have to stay in bed after regional anesthesia?
    • Will regional anesthesia slow my labor?
    • If I have regional anesthesia, will I be able to push?
    • Are there any side effects to regional anesthesia?
  • Urinary Incontinence in Women Millions of women suffer from urinary incontinence (UI). UI occurs twice as often in women as in men. There are many types of...learn more »
    In This Article
    Urinary Incontinence in Women Article
    • Urinary incontinence (UI) in women facts*
    • What is urinary incontinence?
    • What are the types of urinary incontinence?
    • How is incontinence evaluated?
    • How is incontinence treated?
    • Points to remember
    • Hope through research
    • For more information
  • Braxton Hicks Contractions Braxton Hicks contractions are also known as false labor pains. Though these irregular uterine contractions may occur in the...learn more »
    In This Article
    Braxton Hicks Contractions Article
    • What do Braxton Hicks contractions feel like?
    • What do true labor contractions feel like?
    • What are symptoms of false labor? How do I know when contractions indicate I am in true labor?
    • I sometimes have pain on the side of my stomach. Is this true labor?
    • I am afraid to keep bothering my health care provider with "false alarms." When should I call my health care provider?
  • Placenta Previa Placenta previa is a condition during pregnancy when the placenta lies low in the uterus either partly or completely blocking the...learn more »
    In This Article
    Placenta Previa Article
    • What is placenta previa?
    • What are the types of placenta previa?
    • Who is at risk for placenta previa?
    • What causes placenta previa?
    • What are the symptoms of placenta previa?
    • How is placenta previa diagnosed?
    • What is the treatment for placenta previa?
    • What are possible complications of placenta previa?
    • Can placenta previa be prevented?
    • What is the prognosis (outlook) for placenta previa?
    • Placenta Previa At A Glance
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection. Symptoms and signs of AIDS include pneumonia due to Pneumocystis jiroveci,...learn more »
    In This Article
    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Article
    • Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) facts
    • What does AIDS stand for? What causes AIDS?
    • What is the history of AIDS?
    • What are symptoms and signs of AIDS?
    • What are risk factors for AIDS?
    • How is AIDS diagnosed?
    • What is the treatment for HIV/AIDS?
    • What is the treatment for HIV during pregnancy?
    • What is the treatment for non-HIV-infected people who are exposed to the genital secretions or blood someone with HIV?
    • What are the complications of HIV?
    • What is the prognosis for HIV infection?
    • Can AIDS be prevented?
    • Is there a vaccine for HIV?
    • What research is being done to find a cure for HIV?
    • Where can a person find information about clinical trials for HIV and AIDS?
  • Nerve Disease and Bladder Control A nerve problem might affect your bladder control if the nerves that are supposed to carry messages between the brain and the...learn more »
    In This Article
    Nerve Disease and Bladder Control Article
    • What bladder control problems does nerve damage cause?
    • What causes nerve damage?
    • How will the doctor test for nerve damage and bladder control problems?
    • What are the treatments for overactive bladder?
    • How do you do Kegel exercises?
    • What are the treatments for lack of coordination between the bladder and urethra?
    • What are the treatments for urine retention?
    • Hope through research
    • For more information
  • Urinary Retention Urinary retention (inability to urinate) may be caused by nerve disease, spinal cord injury, prostate enlargement, infection,...learn more »
    In This Article
    Urinary Retention Article
    • What is the urinary tract?
    • What causes urinary retention?
    • What are the symptoms of urinary retention?
    • How is urinary retention diagnosed?
    • How is urinary retention treated?
    • What are the complications of urinary retention?
    • What are the complications of treatments for urinary retention?
    • Hope through research
    • Where can people find more information about urinary retention?