1. Your Life is About to Change
Pregnancy is exciting and terrifying for most expectant mothers and expectant fathers. Suddenly, it's not just about you anymore. The emotional weight of a pregnancy can seem overwhelming, especially if it was an unplanned pregnancy. Confide in your partner or a good friend to help get you through the rough times and to celebrate the miracles.
2. Morning Sickness and Other Pregnancy Symptoms
When you're pregnant, expect some of what you've heard about; morning sickness, mood swings, food cravings and that growing belly are all symptoms of pregnancy. Some of the first signs you might notice are sore breasts and fatigue. These symptoms, along with morning sickness, should pass after your first trimester. Unfortunately, more symptoms come along as your pregnancy progresses. Your growing belly and swollen feet and ankles are just a glimpse into what you can expect.
3. The Journey to Motherhood
There are three stages of pregnancy and they're most often referred to as the first, second and third trimester. The first trimester is the first 13 weeks of pregnancy and it includes conception and the development of the fetus' major organs. Doctors urge women to be extra careful with medication during this time because it can affect development. The second trimester is the time when everything really starts to grow. You learn the gender of your baby, if you choose, and you can choose to take screening tests to look for genetic birth defects. The third trimester is when you and your baby really pack on the pounds. This is a time for you to rest and focus on labor and delivery as well as how your life will change with a new baby around.
4. When to Expect That Baby
All nine months of pregnancy add up to that big day: the due date. In most women, the due date is 40 weeks after the first day of their last period. When you see your doctor for the first time, you might have an ultrasound to determine the due date. Keep in mind that your doctor may change your due date as your pregnancy progresses based on future ultrasounds.
5. Eating for Two
You're eating for two, but that doesn't mean you need two value meals every time you run through the drive through. Your growing baby needs only 300 calories a day. If you were on a diet before you learned of your pregnancy, put that on hold for a while. Pregnancy is not a time to lose weight. Overall, the average woman should gain about 30 pounds during the course of pregnancy. If you are overweight, your doctor will advise you to gain less than 30 pounds; if you are underweight, you should gain more.
