One in eight U.S. babies is preterm, says the Institute of Medicine. That's a rise of 30 percent in recent decades.

You may also feel exhausted as your body carries and nourishes two or more babies. You will be seeing your health care provider a lot during these last weeks so take the time to discuss any questions you have.

Preeclampsia can occur in any pregnant woman. But if you've had it before, you have a greater chance of it recurring.

Just about everything you put into your body can affect your baby. For that reason, avoid taking any prescription or OTC medications, vitamins or mineral supplements without first consulting your physician.

The emotions that can engulf you during pregnancy can extend to your feelings about sex.. One day you might feel amorous; the next day the thought of making love might not be appealing.

When you experience ongoing stress while pregnant, a substance called CRH circulates through your body. CRH can trigger contractions and early labor. CRH can also constrict blood flow to the placenta, limiting nutrients and oxygen the baby needs to grow.

Any pregnant woman can have preterm labor. It may start for no reason. But there are risj factors that can increase your chances of preterm labor.

First, the fetus is located with ultrasound. A thin needle is then inserted into your belly. The doctor keeps the needle from touching the fetus by watching the screen.

It's normal to worry about your baby's health. One way that you can know your baby's doing well is to record the baby's movements once a day. Your healthcare provider may also do tests to check on your baby's size and development.

About 3 to 5 percent of pregnant women who have never had elevated blood glucose levels develop gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy. It usually occurs after 20 weeks.

Eating the right foods is the main way to control your blood sugar. In fact, most women can keep their blood sugar within a normal range by diet alone.

Exercise can help you keep your blood sugar within a normal range. That's because your body uses more blood sugar when you exercise.

Taking insulin helps control your blood sugar without harming your baby. You will most likely be able to stop taking insulin after your baby is born.

The only way to be sure your blood sugar stays within a normal range is to check it one or more times a day. Your healthcare provider will teach you how.

Nonstress and contraction stress testing checks whether your baby is getting enough oxygen and nutrients from your blood.

If your tests are normal, you can probably go into labor naturally. If your baby is large or your tests show a problem, your labor may be started early or you may get a cesarean.

During ultrasound, high-frequency sound waves pass through your body and your baby. You can’t hear the sound waves, but the ultrasound equipment can.

There are five types of insulin. Some kinds of insulin work fast and other kinds work slowly and last longer.

Insulin won't work if it's swallowed, so it must be given by injection. Your healthcare team will show you how to give yourself insulin injections.

If blood tests show that you have gestational diabetes, this doesn't mean that you're sick or that you did anything wrong. And it doesn't mean your baby will be born with diabetes.

As your body changes during pregnancy, your back must work in new ways. This can be painful if your back isn’t prepared.

Think through each move before you make it, so you'll use the right muscles for the job. If you practice these safe moves now, they may come naturally to you by the time your baby's born.

You likely position yourself differently now than you did before you were pregnant. Did you know that standing, sitting, or lying in certain ways can lead to back pain? To ease pain, use positions that support your body comfortably.

With daily workouts, back exercises may bring an added bonus: you may stay more active. Practice the stretches in the morning to loosen tight muscles, and do the strengtheners throughout your day.