If you’re pregnant, you may want to re-consider any travel plans down south. Just thank your stars that we’re having a mild winter and forgo the Caribbean vacation for another year. Why? The Zika virus is spreading like wild fire through Latin and some parts of South America and the Caribbean. So much so, that the World Health Organization has declared the explosive spread of the Zika virus a national emergency.

It looks like children’s bodies remember exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxins – even from before they’re born.

While it’s normal for a woman’s cholesterol to spike during pregnancy, this can be problematic for a woman who has a preexisting cholesterol issue. Research has shown that excessive lipid levels can have a negative health impact on both the woman and her baby. Luckily, Mother Nature may have a way to lower cholesterol in pregnant women.

Throughout your pregnancy, you’ll routinely find yourself being poked, prodded and pricked with needles, but you may not always know why. Because it’s easy to lose track of what you’re being tested for, here’s what to expect from prenatal appointments from your first trimester right up until your baby is born:

Whether you're vomiting your way through your first trimester or are plagued by pregnancy-related aches and pains in your second and third, acupuncture may be the key to relieving your discomfort. Here's how it can help you have a happier, healthier pregnancy in each trimester: