Technology related to pregnancy and childbirth has come a long way in the last five years alone. Tina Fey was on the Conan O'Brien show recently to talk about her new book, and she brought along with her an image from a new 3D ultrasound, which lets you see your fetus in detail like never before. According to Fey, the image is too detailed and downright disturbing.

The image of her second child that she showed the world on the show was digitally enhanced to be especially scary looking. In 3D fetal scanning, instead of the sound waves being sent straight down and reflected back, they are sent at different angles The returning echoes are then processed by a sophisticated computer program resulting in a reconstructed 3D volume image of the fetus's surface or internal organs. The process and result are very similar to CT scan.

An excessive increase in body mass index (BMI) during pregnancy is a serious concern, because it can lead to childbirth complications. Pregnant women should try to avoid becoming overweight, with an ideal body mass index increase of about 12-14 kilograms only. If the increase is higher than this level, it is associated with obesity. Obesity can cause a condition called pelvic organ prolapse. Many women have this condition following childbirth, but the percentage varies between 25% to 50%. Fatter pregnant women have a higher risk of developing the condition.

Pelvic organ prolapse is a painful condition, but many women don't consider it to be huge concern. However, it can create other problems such as urinary incontinence. The condition occurs most frequently in women over the age of 45, but younger women can suffer from the problem as well, usually those who deliver a baby in their late 30's.

Getting continuous support during labor and childbirth from a doula, helps birthing moms the most, suggests a newly updated research review in the Cochrane Library – a publication of the Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization, which evaluates medical research.

The research review examines the effects of continuous, one-to-one support during labor and childbirth to reveal that women getting help during labor and childbirth from nurses, midwifes, husbands, partners, friends, relatives or doulas usually have a spontaneous vaginal birth. They also have a shorter labor and childbirth is more joyous. Additionally, their babies have lower five-minute Apgar Scores.

The findings confirm the teachings of Lamaze educators that speak of continuous support from a loved one, friend or doula to help women feel more comfortable and facilitate progressive labor, says Marilyn Curl, President of Lamaze International. The research review suggests that of all the assistance women can get, help sought from doulas, trained in how to offer physical comfort and emotional support to women during labor and childbirth, is most beneficial.