Financing a Family

... now will cost a middle-class family $170,460 to raise through age 17. The figure climbs to $249...,180 -- about $15,000 a year -- if a family's annual income is above $65,800. And that doesn't even include... the costs will inevitably be a stretch, since a recent Consumer Finance Survey by the Federal Reserve...

You won't believe how much it costs to raise a child!

So you're thinking about trying to get pregnant? Congrats! Here's what to do now to get healthy, have fun, and feel prepared to start trying to conceive.

Giving birth doesn't come cheap. From prenatal care and epidurals to pre-term deliveries and hospital stays, here's the bottom line on hospital births.

Ready to be pregnant now? You'll want to put some planning behind your babymaking. Follow these tips to help you conceive more quickly.

Babies don't really need a lot of gear the first few weeks at home. Despite the temptation to buy all the wonderful baby clothes and gadgets available, a few basics are all you and your baby need.

Babies change everything. Here's how to make sure they change your love life for better, not worse.

Should you wait or have another baby now? Been-there moms spill on the pros and cons of having kids close in age or farther apart.

Find out how much you know about the costs of raising your family.

Think you've got to spend big bucks -- and shop at tony design stores -- to get a chic nursery? So did we -- until we checked out our local big-box retailer, Wal-Mart, and saw these gorgeous, mod buys from Wal-Mart. Our favorite part? Nothing here costs more than $300 (including the cribs).

You asked, we answered. We had real moms tell us which baby gear really got them through those first few roller-coaster months -- behold the 13 lifesavers you need to register for.

What causes these five pregnancy discomforts -- and how you can deal with them? Here's how to find relief for even the worst pregnancy pains.

There's one cliche about having a baby that's 100 percent true: It turns your life upside down. Are you ready for the world's biggest roller coaster ride? Take this quiz with your partner to find out.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! You've seen the positive markers on an at-home pregnancy test and a blood test has confirmed you're expecting. Now what do you do? Our checklist will help you get through your first trimester and pave the way for the rest of your pregnancy ... and your new life with Baby!

Your little bundle can cost you big. Here's how to avoid blowing your budget.

It takes moxie and moolah to have a baby. To estimate how much it will cost you, you need to find out what's covered on your insurance policy and what's not.

You expected the glowy skin and gorgeous bump -- probably not the itchy boobs or extra gas. Here, we've got the lowdown on everything you've been dying to ask about your most blush-worthy pregnancy issues.

Sometimes moms-to-be are the only ones craving strange foods and having wild pregnancy dreams. There are indeed fathers-to-be who experience sympathetic pregnancy symptoms. Called Couvade syndrome -- this condition isn't entirely rare! Check out these stories from couples who've both experience symptoms during pregnancy.

You know you're pregnant, but when exactly will your baby make his big entrance? Use our pregnancy due date calculator to find out.

Are you having a boy or a girl? These old wives' tales are a fun (but not scientific!) way to guess the sex of your baby.

It's an aspect of our health that most of us take for granted: Have sex, get pregnant, right? In reality, even minor stressors can throw your body out of whack. If you're trying to conceive, these simple health moves can help protect your fertility.

Find out what it means to go into labor and when you should start preparing.

Around-the-clock feedings. Nursing troubles. No sleep. No problem. We'll help you through the first crazy days.

Need a little inspiration? Design-savvy parents share their nursery decorating tips. Here are our top picks.