For many women, the symptoms of pregnancy are almost immediately noticed. Pregnancy symptoms may include, "morning sickness", tenderness and swelling of the breasts, headaches, backaches, emotional mood swings, sleep disturbances and fatigue, but some women have very few or none of these pregnancy symptoms. Some women only have slight changes in moods, slight fatigue and body changes due to the growth of their baby. Most women have a great feeling of well being during pregnancy, but depending on past life experiences and current life situations, it is possible for a woman to be under a lot of stress during pregnancy and this will negatively effect her feelings about hers and her baby's future.

Pregnancy is obviously not an exclusively human condition. The process of reproduction in all mammals is referred to as pregnancy. When you breed your pet dog, you say she is pregnant with a litter. The word pregnant is also used just to describe something that is full. But pregnancy means something very special to we humans. Pregnancy is the beginning of family or the expansion of family. Pregnancy, under normal circumstances results in a wonderful baby at the end of 37 -42 weeks. Pregnancy readies a woman's body for lactation so she can feed her newborn infant when the time comes.

Pregnancy is the way we perpetuate the human race. For the benefit of the planet, pregnancy should be limited by each family so that the world does not become so overpopulated that we can no longer exist. But pregnancy in moderation is a great thing. A new little person entering the world. An endless number of possibilities with each new life. Pregnancy is exciting and planning and getting pregnant can be fun and exciting too. Pregnancy is a journey that is shared by mother and child or children in the case of multiples. This shared experience is so finely tuned and miraculous that it will never be fully comprehended. The bond between mother and baby is inexplicable. And just because the umbilical cord is cut, the connection can never be truly severed.

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Set up an appointment to see your OB/GYN or midwife as soon as possible, chances are you'll be meeting his/her staff before you ever meet them. This is the first appointment where your doctor/midwife will want to know all your medical history. If you've been pregnant, what types of sicknesses run in your family, etc. If you can, try making sure you know all of this ahead of time, maybe even have it all down on paper so when he/she asks you are prepared. During the days or weeks leading up to this meeting you may have concerns, write them down and ask them. Believe it or not doctors are there to help you, and they've been asked every question you can possibly think of. Before leaving your doctor may even give you a bag full of goodies all about being pregnant. Read these, they may prove beneficial and not to mention they've got coupons. Your doctor will either give you another appointment or have you set one up before leaving. There are some great books out there if you are really worried about what will happen next or how birth is going to be, check them out at your local library.

Make sure that you get your prenatal vitamins, they are very important during pregnancy. If for some reason you can't take them, talk with your doctor he/she may be able to prescribe a lower dosage or something else. You'll get your first ultrasound, also known as US around week 20, this is normally when you find out what sex the baby is. However some doctors like to call it safe and give you an ultrasound around 10-12 weeks just to make sure the baby is in the proper location and all is going well. You will also be asked to take an orange drink that you must drink in five minutes. You'll wait around for an hour to three hours, at which point your blood gets drawn and you can go home. The test determines if you have or have a chance of getting gestational diabetes.

At first your appointments will be about 4 weeks apart until you hit the 36 week and at that point it'll be two weeks later and a week later after that until the baby is born. By now you should be preparing to have the baby. Yes, I'm sure you'll have some anxiety towards the end of your pregnancy. You've went this far, it's time you see your reward.

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Never miss a meal while you are pregnant, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and your baby has probably been waiting since he/she woke up in the middle of the night. You may learn that if you wait so long before eating you start to feel sick, this is your body telling you to eat. Do it!

Make sure you are getting enough of the food you need daily. It takes 4-6 servings of dairy a day for a healthy pregnancy, this can include some cheeses, milk, yogurt. This provides the baby with calcium which it'll need to develop healthy growing bones. Adding extra calcium to your diet wouldn't hurt you either, especially your teeth and bones.

Don't forget about your fruit and vegetable servings. Lots of green is always a good choice, so are sweet potatoes. Not only will you be giving your body what it needs but you'll start to have more energy. Try laying off the sweets for a week and replace them with healthier items and see how alive you feel.

Foods to Avoid

Not all foods are safe during your pregnancy, there are a few things you should avoid eating:

- unpasteurized products- brie

- Certain fish- exotic, shark, swordfish, anything high in mercury

- Raw eggs

- Undercooked meats- lunch meats. If you are buying a deli sandwich you can ask for them to eat the meat up a little.

- Caffeine- soda, chocolate. If you find this difficult you can wean yourself off, but the less caffeine in your system the better it is for the baby.

If you are ever unsure of the foods you can eat you can ask your doctor for a list of items to avoid during pregnancy. They'll be more than happy to share this with you.

You may also learn that your stomach won't handle certain foods that it would before. Some of those foods may include foods that contain grease, fast foods, meat, and certain foods that have a strong odor.

Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to cut out all the fun in your life, you can still treat yourself from time to time. Go out and get a frozen yogurt or a smoothie.

While you are making sure you get enough to eat throughout the day, that doesn't mean neglect your fluid intake. You'll need lots of water and juices from here on out. The baby will thank you later. Who knows, you may discover that you really enjoy eating healthier and continue it even after the pregnancy.

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Now maternity clothes are often very close fitting. Even garments that are just stretchy tube tops and tunics and dresses are part of a woman's pregnancy clothing wardrobe. And wearing these clingy garments definitely shows off the belly to maximum effect. And why not? Pregnancy clothing are fun and comfy and allowing one's fabulous belly that holds a growing baby in it is something to show off! It only becomes a problem for a couple of reasons. Firstly, some women have a negative body image during pregnancy.

These women think of themselves as fat more than pregnant and put off wearing pregnancy clothing for as long as possible as wearing pregnancy clothing is an admission that they are too big for their "regular clothing" These women cant' stand the fact that they are getting larger all the time. They feel unattractive and the need for pregnancy clothing exaggerates that for them. Unfortunately, in this culture, The U.S., especially, for some women, thin is the only look that they feel is attractive. So being pregnant is torture for them and wearing pregnancy clothing is adding insult to injury.

But the truth of the matter is, that pregnancy clothing can be very flattering, cute and fun to wear. There are articles of pregnancy clothing that advertise the pregnancy. Tee shirts that have wording printed right on them referring to the belly and the baby, etc. Other pregnancy clothing can be glamorous and flowing and actually be worn long after the baby is born, which is part of the beauty of the garment. But again, for some women, no matter how wonderful their pregnancy clothing is and how versatile it is, after the baby is born, so is the pregnancy clothing because associating a pre-pregnant and post-pregnant body with pregnancy clothing is the last thing these women want to do. You can find pregnancy clothing in a wide range of prices. Some pregnancy clothing can be very affordable and then there is the designer pregnancy clothing that is outrageously expensive. This is true with all clothing, so why would pregnancy clothing be any different when it comes to cost. If you are shopping for pregnancy clothing in a specialty shop, chances are you will find great looking pregnancy clothing, but you will also be paying a bit extra for it.

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Vaginal bleeding- This may also known as spotting, but make sure that is what is going on. There is a difference between actively bleeding and spotting. Spotting is lightly bleeding kind of like your period, the blood can be red, pink or even brown. If you are bleeding actively with any pain call your doctor, if you can't get a hold of him go immediately to the emergency room. Bleeding can be a number of things from implantation, ectopic pregnancy, labor, infection or even miscarriage. Always let your doctor know, so everything can be ruled out, you'll feel better too.

Stomach pain or cramping- During the pregnancy it may be hard to decipher the difference between a growing pain and an actual stomach pain/cramping. However, if you do get a pain of any sort rest. After a few minutes if it doesn't subside, call your doctor and describe the pain to him. Don't worry about it if you find out you only had gas or were having Braxton hicks contractions, at least you know everything is okay with pregnancy.

Gush of liquid- This could mean you are in labor and that your water broke, however if it isn't close to the time of birth it can be something else. Call your doctor immediately and head for the emergency room.

Dehydration- While you are pregnant it is easy to become dehydrated, especially if you have morning sickness or just don't drink those 8 glasses of water. If you find yourself pale, dry mouth or dizzy, you could be dehydrated and should be seen by a doctor. Dehydration can cause premature labor and/or distress on the pregnancy.

Painful urination – Could be a urinary tract infection, also known as UTI. This can be easily treated with medication or by drinking lots of fluids and cranberry juice. A urinary tract infection isn't something to be embarrassed about, it is very common amongst pregnant women. The growing belly pushes against your ureters and makes it harder for it to flow through. Which of course can cause infection. Another way to find out if you have it is if you have a foul odor when you pee.

Pregnancies can be scary enough, there's no reason to add to it. If you are ever in doubt or have a concern talk with your doctor. It is common that first time moms are worried about many pains that they feel. Never fear calling because you are afraid of waking the doctor up or because you feel silly. Being silly might just save the baby. While you are worrying, you are only causing stress on you and the baby, find out what's wrong and relieve your anxiety.

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Some pregnancy books are mostly filled with photographs and charts that illustrate the different stages of pregnancy and the development of the embryo and fetus. Other pregnancy books are designed as more of a tool for childbirth preparation. These pregnancy books are very useful to individual women who want to be as informed and prepared as possible. They are also wonderful teaching aids for pregnant women who are participating in childbirth education classes. Pregnancy books of this sort are available online, at the library and in almost every bookstore.

Pregnancy books can be a great comfort to a pregnant woman because of the growth charts found in them. Women like to refer to these growth charts on a regular basis to see what stage of development their baby may be at during any one of the forty or so weeks of pregnancy. Pregnancy books will also have sections that address possible complications and normal symptoms so a woman will be able to recognize and respond appropriately when these symptoms may appear for her. Any good pregnancy books will always advise the pregnant reader to consult with her healthcare professional if she has any concerns or questions because it is never a good idea to take risks by not asking questions and giving information about changes that occur during pregnancy in case there is a problem that needs to be treated.

From a professional's point of view, pregnancy books are very useful references when working with pregnant clients. This is especially true with practitioners who will be accompanying a woman through her labor and delivery. Together they can refer to the sections in the pregnancy books that show the stages of labor and birth and this will inform the pregnant woman or refresh the practitioner on what to expect as labor progresses. There will be a point, however, in this process when neither person will be concerning themselves with pregnancy books, they will be much to involved in what is happening as a new little person is entering the world.

Later on, when that new baby is growing up and a sibling is on the way, it will be time to bring out the pregnancy books again…

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Mark the Dates

Go out and buy yourself a calendar for the holidays. Post it up on the wall and start marking dates. You won't need to stress out because you won't be double booking yourself. This can also help you in preplanning, mark the day you should send out the holiday cards or buy certain items.

Choosing Your Activities

During the holiday season you are sure to be invited to a couple of parties. It isn't necessary to attend every one of them. Decide which ones you'll enjoy the most, maybe two or three and explain to the rest you'll miss going but need some rest.

Choose Where You'll Go

Whether you want to stay home for the holidays with your own family or go across country to be with the entire family the decision should be yours. Don't feel guilty telling them you won't be making it this year, explain you need rest and traveling isn't very helpful. You may even want to extend an invitation for the family to come to your house instead.

Designating Jobs

If you've decided to have the holidays at your house you can still have a good time. Don't forget that asking for help is okay. No one expects you to do it all on your own. Do you really have to cook the ham, bake the potatoes, make a cake, clean the house and set up the tree all by yourself? Designate others to help, they'll feel happy you've given them something to do instead of sit around waiting while they watch you do it all.

Shopping Time

Shopping during the holiday season can be a nightmare that you don't need to attempt while pregnant. It's safer to just stay home during some of those sales. Instead you may want to try shopping online, not only will you be home but you can relax. The only thing you'll need is a credit card and let your fingers do the work. You can even do all your holiday shopping early and have it delivered right to your front door. All you need to do is wrap it up and hide it in the closet.

Remember the holiday season is all about making memories that'll last. You may be pregnant but you don't have to sit at home the whole time stressed out, instead you can actually enjoy yourself with these helpful tips. Don't forget to take a little time off to do something just for you, after all you deserve it.

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Pale green, yellow, white, cream, even browns and reds are terrific unisex options. There are lots of unisex options in terms of prints, such as animal prints or geometric shapes, stripes, or letters.

Baby hats are very popular gifts, and are necessary particularly in these cold months to help baby retain heat. You can get matching gloves although scarves should be avoided for young babies as they can pose a strangulation hazard. Babies also go through several clothes changes a day, so all-in-one suits that are buttoned with press-studs are always welcome. Other essentials include bibs, jumpers, socks, blankets, t-shirts, and elastic waist trousers, which you can purchase from popular online shopping site Very.

If you're planning on having another baby, it's a good idea to buy newborn clothes (which won't get much wear, since baby won't be independently mobile or eating very messy things!) in neutral or unisex colours so they can be used for baby number two. It's tempting to buy everything in pink or blue if you know the gender of the baby you're expecting but just bear in mind that baby number two might not appreciate them! So maybe buy the bigger items like coats or blankets and bedding in neutral colours to help your budget.

Very.co.uk has a large range of beautiful unisex baby clothes for you to choose from.

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Some well known pregnancy risks involve the use of certain substances during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol and using drugs, both prescription and illegal drugs, are risky behaviors during pregnancy. Information about these pregnancy risks have been made very public in recent years. But for some women who indulge in the use of drugs and alcohol before pregnancy find it very hard and sometimes impossible to refrain from that use during pregnancy, thus creating serious pregnancy risks for herself and her unborn child. Some of the consequences of these pregnancy risks are miscarriage, pre-term labor, low birth weight of baby, and birth defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome or effect, both of which are completely preventable if the pregnant woman refuses to expose her baby to alcohol and not take this pregnancy risks.

For some women gestational diabetes is an issue and for them, not paying close attention to blood sugar levels and not sticking to prescribed diets become pregnancy risks. This is another area where, if the woman is conscientious, the pregnancy risks can be greatly reduced. Another area of avoidable pregnancy risks is accessing regular pre-natal care and monitoring during pregnancy. The pregnancy risks here is if there is a lack of pre-natal care, certain complications can go unnoticed and negative consequences can occur. It is very important to maintain a regular schedule of pre-natal check ups. By doing this, a woman is reducing her chances for allowing problems that might come up from escalating and causing further problems.

Second hand smoke is a terrible pregnancy risks that, for some women seems unavoidable. Even if she was a smoker and quit for the sake of her health and the health of her baby, she may have a partner or household member who refuses to limit their smoking to areas away from the pregnant woman. This is both inconsiderate and irresponsible. Everyone near a pregnant woman should be concerned enough about her well being to refrain from smoking in her vicinity. This is only common courtesy and responsible behavior that one should expect from our fellow man.

Unprotected sex with multiple partners at any time is a health risk and if pregnant, a pregnancy risk. If a pregnant woman is not in a committed relationship and/or marriage, she should always practice safe sex. There are certain STD's that can be devastating to a baby. If the pregnant woman contracts one of these and it goes undetected, during the birth of the baby, this STD can cause blindness or even be fatal so this is another pregnancy risks that can be completely avoided if the pregnant woman takes steps to protect herself and her child.

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All of these options are very personal and decisions are made for many different reasons on how, when and where to have a pregnancy test and what to do after learning the results. Pregnancy tests have evolved over the years. But the home pregnancy test is a urine analysis. For a pregnancy test to return a positive result, there must be the presence of a hormone called, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine. And the home pregnancy test is designed to recognize this hormone. This is accomplished by either placing a drop of urine on a chemically treated strip or dipping a chemically treated strip into a urine specimen. The results of these home pregnancy tests are said to be about 99% reliable. This statistic is about the same as the reliability of a pregnancy test conducted in a doctor's office or family planning clinic.

It is recommended that the pregnancy test be conducted about ten days after possible conception, but it is more likely to produce an accurate result if done five to ten days after a missed period. It is most advisable to use first urine in the morning for best results. Although they are rarely used these days, blood tests can also determine an existing pregnancy. The drawbacks of using a blood test for pregnancy tests are that they are more expensive, they must be conducted at a lab and the results can take anywhere from a few hours to a day, whereas the urine type of pregnancy test produces results almost instantly. And of course, there is the fact that the urine tests can be used at home so they are less expensive and more convenient as well as resulting in immediate results.

As with anything that involves your health, although pregnancy is not typically a medical problem, it is always best to seek the wisdom of a midwife or doctor for monitoring and care. Having a Midwife or Obstetrician available for resources and any necessary referrals is important in case any unexpected or uncharacteristic circumstances that may arise. And if there is any doubt about the desire to carry a pregnancy to term, the earlier one seeks medical care, the better for many reasons.

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The pregnancy calculator is usually a wheel with two circles that spin. Each wheel has information on it. One is calibrated with weeks 1 – 43 and also an indication of date of conception. The second wheel has the 365 days of the calendar year on it. To use the pregnancy calculator, you line up an arrow at the date of the first day of the pregnant woman's last menstruation cycle and two weeks after that date is the estimated conception date and then the weeks 1 – up to 43 match up to the calendar dates of the other wheel. The pregnancy calculator also indicates other information relating to the timeline of a pregnancy.

The pregnancy calculator will indicate the beginning and end of each of the three trimesters of the pregnancy. The pregnancy calculator may also indicate the approximate length and weight of the fetus at various points during the gestation period. If a woman is absolutely certain of her own cycle and knows the precise days of ovulation, the pregnancy calculator is even more accurate if the point on the wheel that indicates conception is lined up at that calendar day and then 40 weeks from that date would be the estimated due date.

The pregnancy calculator is a handy tool. It helps to give more accurate benchmarks during the pregnancy to be aware of how the pregnancy is progressing and if there are any signs of predicted low birth weight or other indicators about "normal" fetal development. The pregnancy calculator can even be used by a couple to determine when they might want to try to conceive a child when planning a family. Some people are very concerned with when a baby will be born. The pregnancy calculator is useful in these situations. Perhaps a woman wants to plan the birth of her baby around her work schedule. If she is a school teacher, the pregnancy calculator will help her to plan conception so that the birth would most likely occur at the beginning of the school summer vacation so she would have extra time at home with her new baby before returning to work.

Of course, the pregnancy calculator is a tool that gives estimations. The pregnancy calculator is not scientifically accurate except under circumstances where everything is normal and routine. But every woman, pregnancy and baby is individual and full term gestation can range from 37 – 43 weeks which is a big window. So if you choose or your healthcare provider chooses to use the pregnancy calculator to give an estimated due date for the birth of your baby, know that it is just that…an estimated due date.

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I'm pretty sure you aren't going to even care at this point what sex the baby is, all you want is for the morning sickness to stop. You may even be counting down the days until the first trimester is over. Chances are if you morning sickness someone is bound to tell you what sex of the baby is. One wives tale is if you are having severe morning sickness is a sign you are having a girl.

Here's a wives tale that is a lot of fun and you can test it on everyone in your household. Take a thin piece of string or your hair, slide your ring down it, hold it above your belly and let the ring dangle above it. If the rings spins in a circle it is a boy, but if it goes from one side to the other, it is a girl. Once you've tried it out on your tummy, get someone in your house and do it above their hand. Does the ring spin in a circle above your husband's hand? Hmm, is it really and old wives tale or is there really something to it?

Many women claim to suffer from bouts of heartburn during the pregnancy, according to the old wives tell this would mean your baby will be born with a head full of hair.

Right before the end of your first trimester your doctor will listen to your baby's heart rate, this is to make sure the baby is doing alright. The wives tale goes, if the heart rate is high it is a girl and a low one is a boy.

Ever have someone tell you that you are carrying high or low and wonder what that really means? Basically if you are carrying your baby low it is closer to your abdomen, a high baby is closer to your chest. Look at yourself in the mirror. How is your baby sitting? The old tale says that if you are carrying high it is a girl, carrying low is a boy.

Wives tales can be a lot of fun but keep in mind these aren't fact. Don't go preparing your child's room just because one of these told you, you were going to have a girl.

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Origin

The origin of a name can help you pick out what name you like best, this also adds a piece of history to your child. Giving your son/daughter an Italian name because their great grandfather originally came over from Sicily will mean a lot to the family. Not to mention your child will always know they're Italian. This doesn't mean you can only choose names that go with your heritage, there may be a name out there that belongs to your child that isn't.

The Sound of the Name:

Names can be hard to pronounce sometimes, not just for other people but for your child as well. Don't choose a name you have a hard enough time saying, imagine how hard it'll be for your own child to learn. The spelling can also be a cause for concern. Your child must learn how to spell his/her name, you don't want a name that has over 20 letters long. Do you think you'd be able to learn to spell that in kindergarten? Think about your child first, sure the name might sound great but make sure it isn't something that is going to be really hard. This doesn't mean don't choose a name that is unique, that is what makes your child stand out. But make sure that is what you really want.

Meaning

Meaning can be another factor when choosing a name, learn what that name means before you pick it. You might want something that means something dear to you. My daughter's name means pure hope, I thought it was a lovely gesture and it sounded beautiful. Think about choosing a positive meaning for your child, this is the first thing that will be associated with him/her the moment he/she is born.

Gender names

Gender naming is another important issue. Think about if the name sounds like a boy's name or a girl's name. There are names that can go either way such as Sam, Erin or Angel.

Nicknames

When picking out a name, don't forget that your child may end up being called by a nickname because of the name you have chosen. If this is something you don't want, try picking a name that can't be shortened. But don't be surprised if it happens anyways. If you don't mind, try picking out a name that'll have a nickname you enjoy.

Last but certainly not least, remember children can be cruel think about the initials your child will have. You don't want something that it's initials mean something else. You want your child to be proud of his/her name. Not everyone is going to like the name you have chosen for your child, but as long as it is something you like, your child will like it too.

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You aren't the only one that is being driven nuts by this either, take a look at your husband. Sure he seems like a trooper but deep inside he's probably ready to put someone's lights out. Talk with your husband and see how he feels. Even if you don't mind, he might not like other men's hands on you. He may not care if it is a female touching your body but he can mind about a man. Think about how you would feel if you saw some woman rubbing her hands all over your husband's chest. Maybe the two of you can come to an agreement, after all do you have to let everyone touch the baby?

Your belly, clothed or not is a personal space, sure there is someone intruding inside you but that person in welcome. But to actually touch someone else's belly one should ask before they do it and respect your answer. If you don't want them to touch it, tell them. While some women don't mind all the attention, there are other women that don't want their belly's touched, let alone them to be showing for the whole world to see. Maybe they've gained 10 pounds and feel conscious enough about it, or they could be a very private person.

Children may also want to touch the belly, normally it is because they know someone that has had a baby and they were able to do it. If you don't like it, let them know. If you don't mind, you may want to place their hand on your belly. Children tend to get excited and actually smack the belly when they are trying to reach for it.

Forget about the rubbing the belly for a moment, be careful that you don't get the person that likes to poke at it. That hurts more than anything and half the time they don't get it. Try explaining to them as nicely as you can that it hurts. They may only be doing it because they want to see the baby move and when you jump they just think it is part of the pregnancy reaction. They may think twice before doing it again to you or anyone else.

If nothing else seems to work and you've been polite in letting people know that your belly is off limits, feel free to sick your husband on them or start swatting. You've already given fair warning. Don't feel bad if you smack a person that lifts up your shirt in broad daylight either. This is a normal reaction and people should really think twice before doing it. They wouldn't do it if you weren't pregnant.

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There are a ton of lotions out there that claim to help prevent stretch marks, such as scar serum, cocoa butter or Maderma. Make sure your skin is always moist, this helps in stretching the skin and not tearing it. There are new discoveries every day, ask your doctor what he/she recommends. Try them out yourself first and see if they work for you. This isn't something you just put on one time during your pregnancy, you'll have to make this a daily effort in order for it to work. That's where most women fail, they just stop doing it.

During your pregnancy try to eat healthy and stay in shape. This can help to keep off any access weight. The recommended weight gain for the average, 25-35 healthy pregnancy is 25-35 pounds. Make sure you drink plenty of water, staying hydrated helps keep the skin healthy. The moment your skin dries out you can begin getting stretch marks.

If you've had one or more children your chances of getting more stretch marks will increase. Your skin has already been stretched out and you are about to do it again. Large babies and multiple babies can increase your chances of getting stretch marks too. Begin using preventing creams and lotions with vitamins A and E in them, as soon as you find out your are pregnant and try to lessen your chances of getting them.

After the pregnancy if you have any stretch marks you may still have a few stretch marks, even after all the care you took. These do fade over time, so don't worry about the way you look. If they are unbearable to you and you've waited a while, you can choose to have a tummy tuck or laser removal. Make an appointment with a dermatologist to see what he/she has to tell you. You may discover that you can live with them after all.

Besides caring for your skin daily and eating right, there isn't much you can do to prevent these beautiful pregnancy marks, however this doesn't mean you don't have to try. Take comfort in knowing that half the woman you know that have been pregnant probably have a mark or two, they may even have a little road map. Think about it as you've just been initiated into the gang of motherhood. No woman should ever feel ashamed of her stretch marks, they may not be the prettiest thing in the world but they do represent one thing…your child. Remember that the next time you are getting disgusted by them.

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There are, on the other hand, many women and families that, after great deliberation and heartache, decide that a pregnancy termination is necessary due to some medical diagnosis for the mother or the unborn child. In these cases, women and people in their support system have obtained as much information as possible concerning the ramifications of carrying a baby to term and/or caring for a child who has been diagnosed with some profound birth defect that is either untreatable or so dramatic that the prognosis is too terrible to live with. These are subjective issues and very personal. And women in these circumstances often need the assistance of counseling or close support from their church community to resolve the grief that can come with pregnancy termination.

There is a delicate time frame during which a woman has to get the facts and consider her decision and act on it if she chooses pregnancy termination. There are different laws regulating the window of opportunity for a woman to obtain a pregnancy termination. Sometimes, due to the ambivalence that a woman has around this issue, she finds herself right up to the wire when it is still legal to terminate a pregnancy. Beyond that point, or within just a matter of a couple of weeks, the fetus becomes and viable person and in some cases, could survive if born at that point. And the further into the pregnancy, the likelihood of trauma if the woman seeks pregnancy termination.

There is no simple path for many women who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy or a pregnancy that only holds a devastating prognosis for herself or her unborn child. Pregnancy termination is one option for these women in many places, but in many areas of the world, pregnancy termination is still illegal and a woman is in an even worse crisis. If pregnancy termination were available to her, she might very well choose it. She may desire it whole heartedly, but it is not a legal option for her. Sometimes, these women opt for an illegal pregnancy termination which can be very dangerous and not only terminates the pregnancy, but can cause the woman to die or to require surgical interventions like hysterectomy. So women living in these areas where pregnancy termination is not legally available, are in essence living under dangerous conditions and their health and well being can be compromised greatly.

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The key to the home pregnancy test is the detection of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin – more commonly known as HCG. HCG will make an appearance in a woman's body at the time that an embryo implants into the uterine wall. This process generally occurs anywhere from six to twelve days after ovulation takes place. During the first few days and weeks of pregnancy, HCG levels will multiply in a woman's body at a rapid rate. The higher the levels of HCG in a woman's system, the easier it is for the home pregnancy test to detect the hormone in a woman's urine.

Because of the time frame involved before HCG becomes easy to read, it is usually recommended that a woman waits to take a home pregnancy test until the time that her menstrual period would normally be due. This will ensure the most accurate reading of the test.

Some home pregnancy tests are developed to be even more sensitive to detecting HCG, and can be performed earlier. Some even advertise a detection of HCG as early as seven days after ovulation. Keep in mind that accuracy of results does go down the earlier in the pregnancy that the test is performed.

How to Use a Home Pregnancy Test

In order to ensure the most effective testing process, manufacturers will recommend following the package instructions very carefully. Some will advise a woman to hold the test stick under the urine stream, and others will work better if the stick is held in a cup of urine for a few minutes.

Most will advise a woman to perform the test first thing in the morning, since HCG levels may be higher at this time. A woman using a home pregnancy test can usually have results as quickly as two minutes after the test is done. A test window on most sticks will show the user that the test has been completed properly.

Once a positive result is read on a home pregnancy test, a woman should confirm the results with her doctor. This ensures accuracy as well as allowing the woman to begin prenatal care as soon as possible.

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It is not to say that a woman experiencing a pregnancy with multiples cannot enjoy her pregnancy. It just means that she will be growing larger, sooner than if she were pregnant with just one baby. And if there are more than two babies, she will have to slow down earlier in the pregnancy and perhaps even be restricted to bed rest at some point to encourage her babies to remain in the womb for as long as possible. Because one of the risks with a pregnancy with multiples is pre-term labor. And with a pregnancy with multiples, it is very likely that the babies will be smaller than they would if they were just one baby being nourished by its mother. the miscarriage rate in pregnancy with multiples is three times greater than a pregnancy with one fetus.

Pregnancy with multiples involves a lot of planning for the care of two or more babies after delivery. There is added expense involved because there are double, triple or even four and five times the number of car seats, beds, diapers, clothing, medical costs and other related expenses that having more than one baby at a time would demand. A family that is expecting to grow in number by one, certainly has some adjusting to do when they hear that mom is having a pregnancy with multiples.

There is a fascination around a pregnancy with multiples because it is not a regular occurrence. In fact, naturally occurring pregnancy with multiples happens in about three percent of all pregnancies. And most of these are pregnancies with twins. So it is normal to be curious and about these pregnancies and about the resulting children. There are theories now that up to twenty one percent of pregnancies actually start out with twins, but due to vanishing twin syndrome, only one baby develops. Very early on in the pregnancy, even before twins can be detected, on is absorbed by the mother's body and therefore these pregnancies are not counted as a pregnancy with multiples.

Often pregnancy with multiples result in surgical births. It is possible for a woman to have a natural vaginal birth at the end of her pregnancy with multiples, but it has become more and more common for the babies of a pregnancy with multiples to be delivered by C-Section. Often if the woman is in the care of a midwife, a natural birth is attempted and only if there are complications will a surgical birth result. Midwives tend to be willing to allow more time for labor and delivery and not refer to an OB for C-Section if it can be avoided. Of course, a midwife would not risk mother or babies to make a natural birth attempt.

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Comfort

Let's talk about comfort. What can a pillow, specifically a pregnancy pillow, do for anyone anyway? During pregnancy there is a tendency for the spine to be an unnatural curve causing soreness and potential chronic trauma. It can show itself in slipped discs or pregnancy related sciatica. Put in plain English – it causes back pain.

In bed it is hard to get comfortable and sleeping on the back is not recommended as it can cut off oxygen supply, especially after five months of pregnancy. The pregnancy pillow is an aid – maybe a god send. The basic idea of the pregnancy pillow is to correct the posture in bed and take pressure off the spine. Women say it's great and hence the appreciation for any relief.

Health

Health considerations beyond what we mentioned above include maintaining a positive attitude, with which the entire nine month term of child bearing might be borne smilingly. Real health, to both mother and child is where the pregnancy pillow earns its wings so to speak. The pregnancy pillow might get punched once or twice, but it's more likely that it will transform from just any pillow to a trusted friend. It's not entirely unusual to see the mother-to-be carrying her pregnancy pillow around the house with her and even to the hospital. It provides balance, security and even a subliminal early opportunity to practice carrying baby!

Sleeping

The value of a few good hours of sleep while pregnant can't be stressed enough. It is also to metaphorically stock up on some sleep before 3AM feedings and 5AM diaper changes begin! The heck with my security blanket; where's my pillow?

Shape

Pregnancy pillows are available commercially and are typically long body pillows that can go between the legs or can be held while attempting to rest on the left side of the body. Actually, any pillow that serves the purpose is useful and makes a great pregnancy pillow.

Chiropractors offer pillows for the neck and spine. After pregnancy it can be burned in the back yard, donated to charity – or stored in the closet for next round!

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Pregnancy magazines will not only have articles written by professionals in the field of pregnancy, birth, childhood and parenting, but they will also contain oodles of ads promoting many types of products that are handy, fun and helpful. Pregnancy magazines will also provide valuable information about product comparisons. Things like car seats and other baby apparatus that you might be considering purchasing. So pregnancy magazines will serve you well in this area.

Pregnancy magazines will also contain personal stories that are written and submitted by other women who either are currently pregnant or who have been pregnant. These types of articles found in pregnancy magazines can be very reassuring and comforting when you are pregnant so that things you are experiencing won't seem so unusual as other women have experienced the same or similar things. The photographs in pregnancy magazines can also be very useful as you will see images of other women who are pregnant and this may help you if you are having any negative body issue feelings about yourself. Sometimes being able to look at other pregnant women objectively helps change your perceptions of yourself and resolve some of those negative feelings.

Pregnancy magazines are found in many places. You will definitely find pregnancy magazines in the waiting rooms of doctors' offices, and clinics where pregnant women are served. You will find pregnancy magazines in bookstores and at news stands. You will find pregnancy magazines in grocery stores and pharmacies. There will be pregnancy magazines that are provided free of charge in some places. There are pregnancy magazines that you can access online. Usually, you can subscribe to pregnancy magazines either for the actual printed pregnancy magazines or for the e-zines that are published online. It is entirely up to you. You can also spend some time in the library looking through the pregnancy magazines they have available or in the larger chain bookstores where they don't mind you relaxing and browsing through the magazines they sell and then not buying them when you are finished. So check out some of the pregnancy magazines out there. You might enjoy some of them and learn some helpful things in the process.

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It would be a relief for many women who are pregnant to know that in today's world a pregnancy calculator is readily available for them to guide and inform them about the day-to-day changes as they occurring during pregnancy.

What A Pregnancy Calculator Does

It is more convenient for women today to understand the changes that are happening through their bodies because there are pregnancy calculators on the internet that they can easily download instead of going to their doctors. With the help of this technology, a pregnant woman could easily track the baby's development and growth from the beginning of the date of conception through to birth.

The pregnancy calculator is usually determined on the last menstrual period, conception date, known week's gestation or weeks of gestation based on an ultrasound examination. And right now, the pregnancy calculators that are readily available online are based on the doctors' findings of what is actually happening on the stages.

Though there are other tools available, like books and publications, about the woman's body's development during pregnancy, it is hard and somewhat confusing to gather all the information needed to track the baby's development and using the pregnancy calculator can be a great help especially in lessening the stress of a pregnant woman.

Week By Week

Every development in the body of a pregnant woman usually changes week by week, but the great and noticeable difference happens after every three months of pregnancy. These three months are referred to as the "trimesters". During the "first trimester" or the 1st week to the 12th week of pregnancy is accompanied by nausea as one of the immediate earliest signs of being pregnant. There may be sudden emotional changes due to hormonal change and also swelling of the breast and nonstop exhaustion.

In the second trimester, that is the 13th to 27th week of pregnancy, the belly of a pregnant woman may already swell and the pregnancy may be obvious. A pregnant woman could expect subtle movements or "kicks" by the baby since the fetus has already developed and most of the features are already visible.

The last trimester, the third one or the 28th week to 40th week of pregnancy, the belly has fully grown and most of the time. Especially when in the last final weeks before delivery, pelvic pain and constipation are likely to occur.

All of these stages may be calculated by the pregnancy calculator and give you more information about what to expect week by week until you give birth.

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Making the Guest List

When it comes to making the guest list things can get a little tricky. Find out if there is anyone that would be upset if they weren't invited. Never leave out close family or friends, at least give them the option of showing up.

Games

Planning games for a shower can be a bit difficult when you have so many fun games and have a few gifts to pass out as prizes. Baby shower games are a lot of fun, here is a quick list.

Mommy's belly- The mom-to-be stand in the center of the room and each guests get to decide how big her belly is using a string or a toilet paper sheets. Find out who guessed the closest.

Guess the nursery rhyme- Give each guest a sheet of nursery rhymes and have them guess the nursery rhyme or finish it. This will help everyone remember them and see who reads those bedtime stories.

Did you say Baby Game?- Each guest is giving small clothespins to wear around their neck on a necklace or on their shirt. Every time someone says "Baby" if someone catches them they get to take one pin. At the end of the party the guest with the most pins wins a prize.

Memory- Using a plastic tin of some sort place a bunch of baby items in it such as, bib, thermometer, baby spoon, diaper rash crme, etc. Anything you'd use on a baby. Let each guest get a chance to look in the bin for a few seconds and take it away. Once everyone is finished have them write down everything that was in the box. The person with the most correct answers wins.

Baby Food Tasting – Have a variety of baby food in jars, take off the outside wrapper and place a number at the bottom of the jar, on a separate piece of paper write the name of each jar. Each guest is dished out a spoonful of baby food to try. Have them write down what they think each one is. The one with the most correct answers wins a prize.

Have a great baby shower and don't forget to bring a gift.

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Any woman who has had children or suspected they may be pregnant is probably familiar with using a home pregnancy test. Many jokes have been made about peeing on sticks at many baby showers. Home tests are typically wand like devices made to be placed in the urine stream or in a container holding urine. After about 1 minute, the results can be clearly seen by a line in the test window. The appearance of a line means a positive pregnancy result, no line means the likelihood of pregnancy is low. These tests work by detecting the presence or lack of hCG, the most common hormone found in pregnancy.

There are a number of different websites giving pregnancy curious women a way to test the probability of pregnancy. Obviously without physical evidence to go on, no online pregnancy test is going to be fool proof. An online test will ask a series of questions relating to last period date, appearance of any symptoms, and any other physical changes. The program then calculates the probability of pregnancy. These tests were designed to instruct the user if there is enough cause to take a home pregnancy test or contact their doctor. A quick web search will yield a large number of online tests to choose from.

The most accurate of all is the pregnancy test performed by a doctor. They may use a urine test similar to a home test in addition to performing a pelvic exam. Certain internal signals like changes in the cervix, tip off medical professionals as to the probability of an existing pregnancy. This is also a good time to receive medical advice pertaining to care and nutrition for a strong, healthy pregnancy. Most of the time, a new mom to be has already taken a home pregnancy test and the doctor's visit is just for confirmation.

Whichever pregnancy test you choose to use, proper medical care and knowledge about your pregnant condition are key in bringing your little bundle home safe and sound.

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If you want to get really creative you can make your own costumes, here are a few costumes that you can make just using your belly and normal clothes are:

The eyeball- This is something my husband created, all you need is a little facial paint and black clothes. This is something even a person that can't draw can have a little bit of fun with. Wear all black clothes on Halloween and paint your belly white, make the center of the eye whatever color you desire and don't forget the red veins. Make it scary or cute, whatever fits your desire. Have a bit of fun and show off that tummy by keeping the shirt up or wear a shirt that shows your tummy. My husband got a kick out of this one and was so excited that he got to do the artwork.

If you want to dress up completely but not stand out, try going as a human pumpkin. Wear a tiny green cap or make one out of felt and all orange, if you can cut a slit in your shirt for your belly to stick out. Now, paint it orange and decorate your pumpkin.

A pea is another simple costume you can make and stay warm. Go find some green jeans or sweats and a green sweatshirt. Keep the shirt up or cut a hole in it to make your little pod stick out and paint it all green.

If you aren't feeling up to having a full body costume, you could always just paint the belly and proudly show it off. After all, how often will you be pregnant? Think of anything that is round: basketball, volleyball, soccer ball, a bowling ball, etc

Don't forget witches were mothers too, so if you've always dressed as a witch for Halloween you don't have to stop the tradition. This year go as a pregnant witch or maybe a witch holding a pumpkin. Use that belly!

A Bun in the oven- Get a medium or small box, cut it out so that you can wear it over your shoulders. Make room for your head to slide through. Decorate it with paints like an oven. Cut open the front of the box so that it will open and close. On the outside of the box write, "Bun in the Oven." Paint your belly a light beige for all to see the little baby bun.

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The style of the chosen pregnancy calendar isn't as important as the information it contains. Mom and Dad to be can record the little things like Mom's weird food cravings and the unusual way her feet got wider. A pregnancy calendar is also a good place to add information about doctor's visits, the baby's estimated weight at various stages, and pictures from ultrasounds and baby showers. There are so many exciting moments and events to record during pregnancy.

Some new moms choose to create a pregnancy calendar in the traditional way. It could be a purchased book with places to write and add pictures designed with week by week details about the normal phases of mom's and baby's development. Another pregnancy calendar option is to create a scrapbook of the parent's memories and experiences during the pregnancy. This choice is special because it is completely designed by mom and truly expresses her thoughts and feelings about the pregnancy. The important aspect of any calendar is its purpose in helping the parents to be keep track of their child's progress and development while making a keepsake for their family.

Another option many new parents are choosing for their pregnancy calendar is to create a digital or online version. Many pregnancy and parenting website offer this service free of charge. Some are equipped to work as a personal web page and allow family and friends to stay current on the latest pregnancy news by visiting online at their convenience. Most can be customized to suit the tastes of the mother to be and can be burned to a CD for safe keeping after the arrival of the little one.

Creating a personal pregnancy calendar in any of the various forms available is a great way to keep the memories of this special time. No matter how hard people try to remember the details they get lost in time and keeping a calendar with all of the special moments is sure to keep them fresh for years to come.

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Telling The Father

Have a romantic dinner for two with candle lights, it may be your last time for a while, between morning sickness and raising your little one. Serve up baby carrots, baby back ribs and anything else you can think as baby. At the end, pour apple juice instead of wine and hand him a present. Inside you can have a tiny baby bib that says, "I heart My Daddy" or a pair of baby booties.

If you can't tell the father right away because he's away on business, or deployed try sending him a care package. Inside the box place a few baby items, everything in blue and pink and a baby naming book in the center. Place a note on top of the book with, "I need a name soon, I'll be here by June." Or whenever the baby is due.

You can also see how long it takes him to figure it out. Go to the dollar store and pick up a bunch of small baby items, a bib, rattle, bottle, booties, etc. For a week, leave an item laying around the house where he is bound to find them. At the end of the week if he hasn't figured it out yet, prepare the big gift. Have a large teddy bear sitting at the dinner table in the seat beside him, make sure there is a bib wrapped around him and maybe a sign that says Hi Daddy.

Telling Family and Friends

Show up to a family gathering wearing a shirt that announces your state. These days there are a ton of shirts out there with clever sayings, "Baby on Board," "A Bun in the Oven," or something related to the pregnancy. The moment you walk in or take off your jacket everyone will figure it out without you ever having to say a word. Now, get ready for the tears and excitement. You'll be answering a ton of questions.

If you already have children you may want to call the grandparents up and tell them that the next Christmas they may want to add one more to the list.

If this is the first grandchild, you may want to get a bracelet link for your mom that reads, "#1 Grandma" or grandparent t-shirts. This will not only be a great present for them but something they will cherish and love forever.

No matter when you spread the news it can be a lot of fun, just think creative and let the pieces fall. You may even want to try catching all of it on video, so think ahead and prepare for the BIG moment, and I'm not meaning the birth.

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Pregnancy Week By Week On The Internet

There are many sites on the internet with information on pregnancy week by week. These sites all offer great information and a parent may want to pick one site to visit each week or may want to look at the information offered at several sites. This is a matter of personal preference. Most of the time the information on the different sites will be very similar but it is communicated in a way that is more understandable to the parent.

One site that has pregnancy week by week information is Pregnancy About. This site talks about each week of the pregnancy addressing the mother's issues, the baby's issues and multiple baby issues. There are ultrasound pictures of baby's in all the various stages of development. The site also has a blog section, group discussion, a buyer's guide for baby products and a lot more helpful information.

You may also want to look at Pregnancy Guide Online.. This site is a very nice looking site and offers information covering trying to conceive to childbirth. This site also offers a newsletter with updated information that they send to anyone who signs up on the mailing list. Another great feature is the bed rest survival guide that will help anyone facing bed rest to prepare for either home or hospital bed rest and provide ideas for what will be needed and wanted.

One really neat site for pregnancy week by week information is Pregnancy Baby Gaga. This site not only provides great information but has a humorous touch to it. There are a lot of funny things that go on with pregnancy and this internet site addresses them. There is also a pregnancy community site where expectant mom's can communicate with each other about all that is going on.

There are several other sites with great information. These three are just a few to give a pregnant mom an idea of what to look for to meet her needs.

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Plus when you are tired and just feeling a little blue, just by exercising you actually increase your energy.

Here are a few quick things you can do to stay fit during pregnancy, without really having to break out a sweat. I'm sure by now you've heard of yoga, this is a very good thing for you to practice, especially if you haven't always been in the best of shape. Not to worry, there are beginning levels here, you don't have to jump into the human pretzel right away. Try purchasing a set of small weights that you can use throughout the house, like hand weights or wrist weights that can use while walking. Instead of just laying on the couch while you rest you can be lifting small weights.

Get a chair and try doing a couple crunches, 5 to 10 in the beginning to make sure you don't pull anything. Don't worry you can always add to it as the weeks go on.

Try running, walking or jogging outside. Not only will this boost up your energy but it'll also help get your spirits up, especially if you've been inside all day. Remember, if you are going for a walk to always bring a drink with you. You don't want to dehydrate out there. Always make sure that you are wearing comfortable shoes, before you leave the house. If you didn't always run, ask your doctor if you can. Sometimes a doctor may suggest you walk around the block at first and increase it from there, if you didn't always do it before you were pregnant.

If you can you may want to try going for a swim or try bicycling. However, if you find that you are accident prone you may want to stay away from the bike. A bike accident is something that can easily happen, even when you've always road a bike. Swimming can help you relax and stay cool. Take a dip in the pool near you, they may even have a swim class for pregnant women in your area. This would be a great way to meet other moms.

Whenever you are doing exercises, make sure you aren't overdoing it. If you believe you could be stop immediately and take a break. You never want to do anything that'll harm the pregnancy.

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How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?

Basically a typical pregnancy test works by looking for the presence of the beta subunit of HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the urine, and a pregnancy test is usually performed after a missed menstruation, or 2-3 weeks after ovulation. Basically, HCG is able to be detected in urine or blood almost immediately after implantation, which occurs six to twelve days after fertilization.

As a matter of fact, some pregnancy test can even detect HCG as early as 4 days before the next expected period, and whether that statement is correct or not basically depends on the length of the women's luteal phase and also on how soon that individual embryo implanted.

How do You Use a Home Pregnancy Test?

Although for the most part every pregnancy test is the same, some have differences. Basically the most popular home pregnancy tests work in a similar way, as they tell the user to hold the given stick into their urine stream, while some others involve collecting urine in a cup and then dipping the stick into it.

After the urine has connected with the stick, you then have to wait a few minutes, and once that time has passed, the user should inspect the results window, where usually if a plus sign appears it means that you are pregnant, and if not, you are thus not pregnant.

Most tests also have a control indicator in the result window, and this line or symbol typically shows whether the test is working or not, so that you can be sure that the test is working as it should.

The actual accuracy of home pregnancy tests depends on several factors, such as: how you use them, when you use them, who use them, the brand of the test, and more. These are all incredibly important because if you use the test improperly for example, it could show up as saying that you are not pregnant when you really are.

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Another form of surrogate pregnancy involves a woman who will carry the fertilized egg from a couple where the mother, for some reason, cannot be pregnant or carry a baby to term. Then there are surrogate pregnancies where the father of the baby supplies the sperm, but it is used to fertilize the egg of a woman other than his partner. This other woman is the surrogate mother and gestational mother, but will not parent the child after birth.

Any of these arrangements have their pros and cons. On one hand surrogate pregnancy is a means for a couple, who otherwise would not be able to have a baby that is whole or partly of their genetic material. These surrogate pregnancies are an answer to prayer for the couples involved, but there are potential problems of all sorts involved when you start a family by way of surrogate pregnancy. First of all, there are often failed attempts at fertilization and/or implantation. This can mean an emotional roller coaster for all involved. In addition, there are the huge expenses involved in just the medical aspect of surrogate pregnancy to consider. Each attempt, no matter what approach you are using, costs a lot of money.

Then, another potential problem with surrogate pregnancy is that the surrogate mother might become too attached to the child she is carrying for another woman to raise. There can't help but be issues of separation, grief and loss involved when this surrogate mother gives birth and is then expected to turn over the child that she has carried for nine months to another person. And in some cases, will never see that child again. Even if the baby resulting from a surrogate pregnancy is not genetically related to the surrogate mother, she has physically and emotionally nurtured it during its time in the womb and that creates an enormous bond, not one to dismiss as though it will go away just because the two are separated at birth.

Entering into a surrogate pregnancy is a very delicate and expensive matter and should not be taken lightly. It is under very special circumstances that an arrangement like this will be successful for everyone involved. And even under the best circumstances, things can go unexpectedly wrong and end up with heartache, physical complications and possible lawsuits. So thing long and hard before you proceed with a surrogate pregnancy.

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