So you're going to have a baby! Whether you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant, you will want to give your baby a healthy start.
You need to have regular visits with your healthcare provider. These prenatal care visits are very important for your baby and yourself. Some things you might do when you are pregnant could hurt your baby, such as smoking or drinking. Some medicines can also be a problem, even ones that a doctor prescribed. You will need to drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet. In early pregnancy, you may get morning sickness, or nausea. You may also be tired and need more rest.
Your body will change as your baby grows during the nine months of your pregnancy. Don't hesitate to call your health care provider if something is bothering or worrying you.
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Pregnancy
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) - http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy.cfm
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Staying Healthy during Pregnancy(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/pregnancy/preg_health.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/embarazo/preg_health_esp.html
- You and Your Baby: Prenatal Care, Labor and Delivery, and Postpartum Care(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/ab005.cfm
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Having a Healthy Pregnancy(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/bd/abc.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/Spanish/bd/spabc.htm
- Healthy Pregnancy(National Women's Health Information Center) - http://womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/
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Pregnancy Calendar(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_calendar/pregnancy_calendar_intro.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/embarazo/pregnancy_calendar_intro_esp.html
- Coffee in Pregnancy May up Cleft Lip Risk Slightly(05/06/2009, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83928.html
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Melanoma and Pregnancy: What Every Woman Needs to Know about the Risks, Prognosis(05/04/2009, American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.aad.org/media/background/news/Releases/Melanoma_And_Pregnancy_What_Every_Woman_Needs_To_K/
- Vitamin D Often Low in Mothers and Newborns(05/04/2009, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83786.html
- Exercise During Pregnancy May Help Baby(04/17/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83055.html
- More News on Pregnancy http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_p.html#pregnancy
- hCG Test(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hcg/test.html
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Pregnancy Tests(National Women's Health Information Center) - http://womenshealth.gov/faq/pregnancy-tests.cfm
Also available in Spanish http://womenshealth.gov/espanol/preguntas/pregtest.htm
- Symptoms of Pregnancy: What Happens Right Away(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/symptoms-of-pregnancy/PR00102/METHOD=print
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MedlinePlus: Birth Control(National Library of Medicine) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/birthcontrol.html
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/birthcontrol.html
- Pregnancy and Prenatal Testing(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/wellness/pregnancy.html
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Routine Tests in Pregnancy(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp133.cfm
Also available in Spanish http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/sp133.cfm
- Choosing a Multivitamin Before Pregnancy(March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation) - http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/173_15354.asp
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Fit for Two: Tips for Pregnancy(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/two.htm
Also available in Spanish http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/la_futura_mama.htm
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Folic Acid and Pregnancy(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/pregnancy/folic_acid.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/embarazo/folic_acid.html
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Food-Borne Risks in Pregnancy(March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation) - http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1152.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.nacersano.org/centro/9388_9916.asp
- MyPyramid for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding(Dept. of Agriculture) - http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramidmoms/
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Nutrition during Pregnancy(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp001.cfm
Also available in Spanish http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/sp001.cfm
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What You Need to Know about Mercury in Fish and Shellfish(Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water) - http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/advice/
Also available in Spanish http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/advice/aviso.htm
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Asthma and Pregnancy(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/asthmaandpregnancy.stm
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/espanol/tips/asma_y_embarazo.stm
- Avoid Fetal "Keepsake" Images, Heartbeat Monitors(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/keepsakevideo032408.html
- Back Pain during Pregnancy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy/HQ00302/METHOD=print
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Bleeding during Pregnancy(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp038.cfm
Also available in Spanish http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/sp038.cfm
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Common Concerns and Exposures(Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction) - http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/common/
- Contractions(March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation) - http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_16047.asp
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Depression and Pregnancy(Organization of Teratology Information Services) - Links to PDF - http://www.otispregnancy.org/pdf/depression.pdf
Also available in Spanish http://otispregnancy.org/pdf/es_depresion.pdf
- During Your Pregnancy(March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation) - http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159.asp
- Exercising during Pregnancy(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/pregnancy/exercising_pregnancy.html
- Kegel Exercises: How to Strengthen Pelvic Floor Muscles(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/kegel-exercises/WO00119/METHOD=print
- Later Childbearing(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp060.cfm
- Linea Nigra(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/lineaNigra.htm
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Medicine and Pregnancy
(Food and Drug Administration, Office of Women's Health) - http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/pregnancy.html
- Overdue Pregnancy: What to Do When Baby's Overdue(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/overdue-pregnancy/PR00116/METHOD=print
- Perineal Massage in Pregnancy(American College of Nurse-Midwives) - Links to PDF - http://www.midwife.org/siteFiles/news/sharewithwomen50_1.pdf
- Planning for a Healthy Pregnancy and Traveling While Pregnant(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh9-PregnancyTraveling.aspx
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Possible Health Effects of Radiation Exposure on Unborn Babies(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/prenatal.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/espanol/prenatal.asp
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Pregnancy and Breast Cancer Risk(National Cancer Institute) - http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/pregnancy
- Pregnancy and Liver Function(American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases) - http://publish.aasld.org/yourliver/Pages/LiverFastFactsPregnancyandLiverFunction.aspx
- Pregnancy and Your Vision(Prevent Blindness America) - Links to PDF - http://www.preventblindness.org/resources/factsheets/FS02_pregnancy.PDF
- Pregnancy Cravings Can Harm Your Oral Health(Academy of General Dentistry) - http://www.agd.org/public/oralhealth/Default.asp?IssID=325&Topic=P&ArtID=3081
- Pregnancy Precautions: FAQs(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/pregnancy/pregnancy_precautions.html
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Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Bone Health(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Bone_Health/Pregnancy/default.asp
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Pregnancy, Childbirth and Bladder Control(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - Links to PDF - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/pdf/pregnancy_ez.pdf
Also available in Spanish http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/spanish/pubs/pregnancy/index.htm
- Pregnant Women to Benefit from Better Information(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/pregnancy052808.html
- PUPPP (Pruritic Urticarial Papules Plaques of Pregnancy)(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/pruriticUrticarialPapulesPlaquesofPregnancy.htm
- Sex during Pregnancy(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/pregnancy/sex_pregnancy.html
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Sleeping during Pregnancy(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/pregnancy/sleep_during_pregnancy.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/embarazo/sleeping_during_pregnancy_esp.html
- Stretch Marks of Pregnancy (Striae of Pregnancy)(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/striaeofPregnancy.htm
- Vaccinations during Pregnancy(March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation) - http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_16189.asp
- Working during Pregnancy: Do's and Don't's(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/pregnancy/WL00035/METHOD=print
- Abdominal Pain Over 20 Weeks Pregnant(DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/abdominal-pain-over-20-weeks-pregnant/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
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Ovulation and Due Date Calculator(National Women's Health Information Center) - http://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/mom-to-be-tools/ovulation-due-date-calc.cfm
Also available in Spanish http://womenshealth.gov/espanol/elembarazo/herramientas/lafechadeparto.cfm
- Vaginal Bleeding in Pregnancy(DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/vaginal-bleeding-in-pregnancy/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
- Shopping for a Healthy Pregnancy: Shopping Cart Game(March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation) - http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/13874.htm
- Atlas of the Body: Changes during Pregnancy(American Medical Association) - http://www.medem.com/medlib/article/ZZZO0MM56JC
- Atlas of the Body: Female Reproductive Organs(American Medical Association) - http://www.medem.com/medlib/article/ZZZ8QKJ56JC
- Fetal Development: What Happens during the First Trimester?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prenatal-care/PR00112/METHOD=print
- Fetal Development: What Happens during the Second Trimester?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-development/PR00113/METHOD=print
- Fetal Development: What Happens during the Third Trimester?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-development/PR00114/METHOD=print
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Pregnancy(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Pregnancy%22
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Pregnancy Complications(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Pregnancy+Complications%22
- Epilepsy and Pregnancy: Are Seizure Medications Safe?(American Academy of Neurology) - http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/full/71/14/e32
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Landmark U.S. Geological Survey Study Demonstrates How Methylmercury, Known to Contaminate Seafood, Originates in the Ocean(Environmental Protection Agency) - http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d0cf6618525a9efb85257359003fb69d/577aada113bdd840852575a900660baf!OpenDocument
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Research on Pregnancy and Birth(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) - http://www.nichd.nih.gov/womenshealth/research/pregbirth.cfm
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Therapeutic Dilemma for Pregnant Women with Depression?(American Psychiatric Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.psych.org/MainMenu/Newsroom/NewsReleases/2009NewsReleases/MarchAJPRelease.aspx
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Rates of follow-up and repeat pregnancy in the 12 months... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19300332&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Vascular endothelial growth factor C facilitates immune tolerance and endovascular... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19299706&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Control of neurohypophysial hormone secretion, blood osmolality and volume in... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19258663&tool=MedlinePlus
- Pregnancy -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=((pregnancy[majr:noexp]+OR+pregnancy+trimesters[majr])+NOT+(pregnancy+in+adolescence[mh]+OR+pregnancy,+high+risk[mh]+OR+pregnancy+complications[mh]+OR+fertilization+in+vitro[mh]))+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Fetal development -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=fetal+development[majr]+NOT+(abortion,induced[mh]+OR+gene+expression+regulation,developmental[mh])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- ACOG's Physician Directory(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - http://www.acog.org/member-lookup/disclaimer.cfm
- SMFM's Physican Locator(Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine) - http://www.smfm.org/index.cfm?zone=search&nav=doctor
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - http://www.acog.org/
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March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation - http://www.marchofdimes.com/
Also available in Spanish http://www.nacersano.org/
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National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - http://www.nichd.nih.gov/
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National Women's Health Information Center(Dept. of Health and Human Services) - http://womenshealth.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://womenshealth.gov/espanol/
- Compliance Assistance — Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)(Dept. of Labor) - http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/
- Facts about Pregnancy Discrimination(Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) - http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-preg.html
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Births: Preliminary Data for 2007(National Center for Health Statistics) - Large PDF file - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr57/nvsr57_12.pdf
- FastStats: Births/Natality(National Center for Health Statistics) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/births.htm
- Safe Motherhood: Promoting Health for Women Before, During, and After Pregnancy(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/drh.htm
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Always Meant to be a Mom - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter08/articles/winter08pg21.html
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Bringing in Baby - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter09/articles/winter09pg3-4.html
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Pregnancy Quiz - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter08/articles/winter08pg24.html
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Should I Exercise During My Pregnancy? - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter08/articles/winter08pg26.html
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Tips for Healthy Eating - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter08/articles/winter08pg25.html
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What Makes a Healthy Pregnancy? - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter08/articles/winter08pg20-21.html
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Preparing Your Child for a New Sibling(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/sibling_prep.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/padres/sibling_prep_esp.html
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Things to Expect When Your Mom Is Pregnant(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/home_family/mom_pregnant.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/kid/en_espanol/sentimientos/mom_pregnant_esp.html
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MedlinePlus: Teenage Pregnancy(National Library of Medicine) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/teenagepregnancy.html
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/teenagepregnancy.html
- Just for Dads: Helping Out(March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation) - http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/362_757.asp
- Birth Control - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/birthcontrol.html
- Childbirth - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/childbirth.html
- Diabetes and Pregnancy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabetesandpregnancy.html
- High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/highbloodpressureinpregnancy.html
- High Risk Pregnancy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/highriskpregnancy.html
- Infections and Pregnancy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/infectionsandpregnancy.html
- Pregnancy Loss - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pregnancyloss.html
- Prenatal Care - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prenatalcare.html
- Prenatal Testing - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prenataltesting.html
- Teenage Pregnancy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/teenagepregnancy.html
- Female Reproductive System - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/femalereproductivesystem.html
- Pregnancy and Reproduction - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pregnancyandreproduction.html
- Women - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/women.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Pregnancy is the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - http://www.nichd.nih.gov/
Pregnancy - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/pregnancy.html