Pregnant? Congratulations! Pregnancy can be the most joyous time of your life—or the most stressful. Once you get a handle on the symptoms and you’ve read the basic introductory articles to the baby bump, however, finding a reliable source of information can be tough.
If you are unsure which pregnancy websites to trust, you need look no further. Writing on (and researching) pregnancy is my specialty, and here are some sources that provide reliable, high-quality information. Don’t take my word for it, though—check them out for yourself. I’m willing to wager that at least one will find its way onto your list of favorites!
Top Websites for Reliable Pregnancy Information
- ClevelandClinic.com. If being an internationally renowned resource for all things health weren’t enough to recommend this site to you, being a local institution (accessible by clicks or a quick drive!) should certainly do the trick.
- AmericanPregnancy.org. This is the site of the American Pregnancy Association, and it is perhaps the most comprehensive Internet resource on pregnancy. To top it all off, its articles are readable, well researched, and up-to-date.
- Healthline.com. This stellar pregnancy site covers the best beyond-the-basics info on pregnancy. From slideshows and creative exercise ideas to in-depth expert explanations of pregnancy conditions, this site has it all and is very user-friendly. Down-to-earth and rock solid makes quite a combo.
- WomensHealthcareTopics.com. Run by a retired obstetrician, this site offers all the basics plus the things that make learning about pregnancy much more enjoyable: tons of videos, a week-by-week guide to pregnancy, and a blog that doesn’t shy away from the occasional bit of preggo celeb gossip. Even better? The Ask the Doc feature, where the site’s founder will give you expert advice about your particular pregnancy questions.
If you’re pregnant and looking for a little info or advice between doctor’s visits, consider making these sites your new go-to gems. You won’t regret it.
Example: On the list of questions a woman should ask herself if she is considering abortion in the case of an unwanted pregnancy, the APA includes "Am I aware of the relationship between abortion and breast cancer?" The National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health established years ago that having an abortion or miscarriage does not increase a woman’s subsequent risk of developing breast cancer. See http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/abortion-miscarriage for more information. For the most authoritative information about women's reproductive health, I recommend Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and Medline Plus, which is run by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.