Pregnancy is such an exciting and scary time for a woman. When that plus sign shows up on the stick, a woman's life will be forever changed. Get the facts you need to stay calm and happy throughout your pregnancy, so you'll feel confident that you're going to be a great mom.
Yipee, I'm Pregnant! Now What?
- > Am I Really Pregnant? Normal Symptoms
- > Common Pregnancy Check-ups and Tests
- > Healthy Pregnancy Exercises
- > Feeling Icky? Sooth that Morning Sickness
- > Special Section for Mothers Over 35
- > Typical Pregnancy Discomforts
Fun Pregnancy Moments
- > Fun Myths: Predicting a Baby's Gender
- > Tips for Picking a Baby Name
- > Top 10 Baby Boy Names
- > Top 10 Baby Girl Names
- > Top 10 Pregnancy Myths
- > Sex During Pregnancy
Pregnancy "No No's" & Warning Signs
- > Activities to Avoid During Pregnancy
- > Food During Pregnancy - List of No No's
- > These Medicines and Pregnancy Don't Mix
- > Should I Call a Doctor? Warning Signs
- > Signs and Risk Factors for Miscarriages
- > Signs and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes
Getting Prepared for Baby's Arrival
Am I Really Pregnant? Normal Symptoms
Have you been feeling a little odd these days? Mood swings? Cravings? Does the smell of eggs suddenly make you want to vomit? These are normal symptoms of pregnancy. Your body is going through a lot of changes that are bound to cause some discomfort. Heck, you're making a baby, what did you expect? Here are some normal symptoms that most pregnant women experience to varying degrees.
- Yipee, No More Monthly Cycle - Being pregnant means that "Aunt Flow" otherwise known as your period, will not come to visit for 9 months.
- Be Ready for your Breasts to Change - They're going to get tender and swollen and your nipples may be more sensitive. You might even experience some itchiness. Your body is just preparing your breast to produce milk for the baby.
- Sleepiness Can Occur - Fatigue can set in. Take more naps if needed.
- More Frequent Trips to the Bathroom - Your swelling uterus will most likely put some extra pressure on your bladder as your baby grows. Be prepared to urinate often.
- The Dreaded Morning Sickness - Why this is called morning sickness is beyond me because you can feel queasy, nauseous or vomit any time of the day during your pregnancy. Luckily morning sickness usually lessens by the 4th month.
- Dizziness or Fainting - Your uterus will swell during these 9 months of bliss and may compress arteries in your legs that cause your blood pressure to drop. The drop in blood pressure can make you feel light headed.
- Cravings for Certain Foods - You might suddenly get the craving to dip your broccoli in vanilla ice cream. Go ahead and try it! Remember your partner is always standing by to make those late night runs to the store to get you those pickles that you're yearning for.
- Heartburn or Constipation – If you find that spicy foods don't quite sit right in your tummy anymore or you're not quite as regular as you used to be, this is all rather normal.
- Mood Swings and Irritability – If you find that you're angrier in traffic or snap at the bank teller, it's just those baby hormones kicking in.
- Lower Back Pain, Bloating and Weight Gain – All normal yet undesirable symptoms that happen during this miraculous time.
