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It’s true that there is some research showing that pregnancies conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) carry a slightly increased risk of miscarriage, compared with spontaneous (natural) pregnancies. The exact level of the increased risk varies by study. The American Pregnancy Association states that in most healthy women who conceive naturally, the chances of having a miscarriage can range from 10% to 25%, averaging a 15% to 20% chance of miscarriage....

The term “rule out” is used by mental health professionals who are trying to make an accurate diagnosis. The symptoms of many mental health conditions are similar or overlap so before a clear diagnosis can be made, clinicians must rule out a variety of other conditions. If your teen is having trouble concentrating, a therapist may want to rule out ADHD or PTSD. Or, if your teen seems depressed, a mental health professional may want to rule out bipolar disorder before making a depressive disorder diagnosis....

Pregnancy comes with many hard decisions, and how to best manage your COVID-19 vaccination options may be on your list. But expert consensus is clear: The best way to protect yourself from the serious complications of COVID-19 is to get fully vaccinated, and to get a booster shot too. Key Takeaways COVID-19 booster shots are available to children 6 months and older and adults, including those who are pregnant.Adults and kids over 6 years old can safely get a booster dose of a different vaccine than the one they received in their primary series; Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna boosters are recommended....

Many parents worry about the toll that isolating at home during the COVID-19 pandemic had on their children. Sadly, the truth is that while staying home, social distancing, masking, canceling activities, and limiting in-person school was vital to saving lives and stopping the spread of COVID-19, these changes to daily life are also profoundly emotionally challenging for many kids (and adults). What to Know While we were absolutely physically safer when following pandemic safety precautions, living in crisis and in quarantine was understandably hard to cope with....

It might seem a little far-fetched to think a sticker will change your preschooler’s behavior. But when implemented well, a sticker chart can be an effective way to improve your child’s behavior. Although older kids usually require a more complex reward system, a sticker alone can often provide enough positive reinforcement to motivate preschoolers to change their behavior. If your child grows bored with stickers, however, you can certainly allow your child to exchange stickers for other tangible rewards....

Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development is well-known within the fields of psychology and education, but it has also been the subject of considerable criticism. While presented in a series of discrete, progressive stages, even Piaget believed that development does not always follow such a smooth and predictable path. In spite of the criticism, the theory has had a considerable impact on our understanding of child development. Support for the Theory Piaget’s focus on qualitative development had an important impact on education....

If you’re grieving the loss of something or someone you cared about, you may find yourself feeling sad and low. Everything may feel bleak and hopeless and you may not feel like doing things you once cared about. You may feel overwhelmed and find it difficult to get out of bed and go about your day the way you did before. If you feel this way, you’re not alone. Many people have similar experiences when they grieve a loss, whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a job, an idea, a sense of control, or anything else that had meaning to them....

The law of effect principle developed by Edward Thorndike suggested that responses closely followed by satisfaction will become firmly attached to the situation and therefore more likely to reoccur when the situation is repeated. Conversely, if the situation is followed by discomfort, the connections to the situation will become weaker, and the behavior of response is less likely to occur when the situation is repeated. Imagine that you arrive early to work one day by accident....

Toys will find their way into your home no matter how vigilant you are about keeping a pared down playroom. With every birthday, gift-giving holiday, and for no reason at all, your children’s toy collection will seemingly multiply. One day, you’ll sidestep toys on your way to the couch only to find that there isn’t a spot for you. Transformers, remote control cars, and half a box of Lincoln Logs have taken over your favorite seat....

If you’re planning on giving birth in a hospital or birthing center, you’re probably aware that there may be restrictions on what you can and can’t eat during labor. Rules like these are based on the idea that a birthing person shouldn’t consume any solid foods because of the chance that emergency surgery may be needed, and food aspiration is a potential danger if you go under general anesthesia. Restricting solid food during labor is still suggested by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)....

What Is Collaborative Therapy? Collaborative therapy refers to a form of therapy in which both the psychologist and the client work together to make decisions about how best to proceed with treatment. It is based on several key principles of practice, including collaboration, accountability, integrity, and respect. Collaborative therapy was developed by psychotherapist Harlene Anderson after recognizing that therapy is sometimes hampered by a lack of collaboration between therapists and their clients, in particular for those who have difficulty trusting authority figures....

When your partner is visibly upset, at the very top of your mind are the different ways you can help to make them feel better. However, this can get a little complicated when your typically bubbly, chatty, and loving partner reclines into themselves without giving any explanation as to why, or worse—denying that anything is wrong in the first place. Dealing with an upset, yet uncommunicative partner can be very discouraging....

My son seems very advanced. He rolled over when he was one week old and was walking with support at five months and walking and running on his own at seven months. He is now skipping and jumping and can mimic children’s dance steps on TV. He was putting two words together when he was 15 months old, so his speech seems to be advanced too. He draws circles and even holds his pencil correctly!...

Most people mean well when they offer up advice in dealing with a bullying situation. But unless they are trained in bullying prevention or have experienced bullying firsthand, their advice may sound trite or out-of-touch. For instance, a lot of people offer a lot of cliché-type advice like: “Keep your chin up,” “Don’t let it get you down,” or “This too shall pass.” And following their advice could get you or your child hurt or in trouble....

Psychotherapy is conducted by a professional with specialized training: for example, a psychiatrist, a trained counselor, a social worker, or a psychologist. But how do you make sense of the alphabet soup after their names? What are the qualifications of the person treating you? Doctoral Degrees Although it’s common to associate the title “doctor” with a medical doctor, this title can refer to anyone who has an advanced degree. That being said, just because someone calls themselves “doctor” doesn’t mean they are qualified to offer you treatment....

The pandemic has become a source of collective trauma for many, leaving some wondering what the long-term impact may be even after it’s over. The study of epigenetics may have the answer, as history shows that oppressed groups, for example, may pass down the impact of such trauma in their genes. Key Takeaways Epigenetics refers to how experiences are imprinted in genes and passed down as generational trauma.Historic and ongoing systemic racism may impact the genes of affected people, potentially into future generations....

Before becoming parents to a tiny human, many people start with a pet—and bringing home a new two-legged little love doesn’t make the existing four-legged one any less special or important. But while many soon-to-be parents start thinking about how their new baby will bond with their pet a few weeks before bringing baby home, pets may be thinking about it much sooner. In fact, cats may be able to sense when you’re pregnant—possibly before you do....

Does a loved one in your life have Parkinson’s disease? You’re not alone. Over 10 million people around the world are living with this condition. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological movement disorder that inhibits the brain’s ability to control movement. Unfortunately, Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that has no cure. However, it can be managed with treatment, often for a significant amount of time. Over time, a person with Parkinson’s disease may become increasingly dependent on their caregivers....

What Is Cognitive Reframing? Cognitive reframing is a technique used to shift your mindset so you’re able to look at a situation, person, or relationship from a slightly different perspective. Cognitive reframing is something that you can do at home or anytime you experience distorted thinking. It can sometimes be helpful to have a therapist’s assistance, particularly if you are caught in a negative thought pattern. When the technique is used in a therapeutic setting and practiced with the help of a therapist, it is known as cognitive restructuring....

What if there was a way you could get some extra help around the house all while building your preschooler’s self-esteem and sense of responsibility? There is — simple household chores. By assigning your kids chores like feeding pets and sweeping the floor, you are sending them an important message: that they are a contributing member of the family. Here’s why chores aren’t really a chore for your child and the best ways to assign them....