Women’s Health

Medical interventions have their place. But simpler, healthier birthing options abound — and they’re becoming more popular. Want to make your pregnancy and labor as safe and empowering as possible? Consider your choices, including the birthing partners, plans, and environments that suit you best.

You want to stay fit, and you want your baby to be healthy. Here’s what’s known (and not yet known) about the potential risks and rewards of staying seriously active — and even competing — while you’re pregnant.

If you use a hormonal method of birth control, you may gain weight. Then again, you may not. Your doctor can’t tell you. In fact, you could be the best expert on this weighty matter.