| "You are pregnant!" Maybe you are waiting to | | | | baby grows and does things like pushing on your |
| hear these words or you have recently heard | | | | bladder so it's off to the toilet frequently. For |
| them. The whole getting pregnant and being | | | | some finding a comfortable position to sleep can |
| pregnant process is one that brings a huge range | | | | become a real challenge. |
| of emotions and experiences for each individual. | | | | Of course once you get through all this there is |
| Talk to any mother and you get a host of stories | | | | the birth. This is another whole area to get |
| about their experiences both good and bad. For | | | | educated in, the symptoms of labour, the stages |
| the first time parent it can be a time of great joy | | | | of labour, how to prepare and so on. |
| and of anxiety as you try and understand what is | | | | For some pregnancy can be a relatively easy |
| happening to you. | | | | time with little discomfort or complication, for |
| I can remember going shopping for my niece | | | | others one or more symptom can create |
| about a year before I had children. She had just | | | | problems whether it be extreme morning |
| been born and I wanted to buy a present for her. | | | | sickness, fluid retention, heartburn or any of the |
| Now I have to admit I had not had much to do | | | | other multitude of issues that pregnancy can |
| with young children up to that point so going to | | | | produce. In a short article like this I cannot cover |
| the baby section of the shop was a whole new | | | | all the issues or problems that can occur. I |
| world. All the clothes were in different sizes with | | | | thoroughly recommend obtaining a comprehensive |
| choices of zips, buttons or press studs. Then | | | | resource like a book or eBook that you can refer |
| there was all manner of 'accessories' from bath | | | | to instantly as issues arise. |
| seats to chew toys to fluffy toys etc. From | | | | Having this sort of resource behind you helps you |
| memory I think I ended up going for bibs which I | | | | relax, knowing that the answer to your questions |
| thought was a relatively safe choice. They were | | | | is just seconds away, you don't have to wait until |
| still using them with their second child so I guess I | | | | you next see the doctor. |
| did OK. | | | | It is important to not only understand what is |
| Now with two children of my own I am much | | | | happening to your body but also what effects |
| more with it when it comes to baby stuff but I | | | | things like smoking, alcohol or drugs have on you |
| can still remember the ups and downs of being | | | | and your baby during this time and what you |
| pregnant and the value of having a basic guide to | | | | should be eating. |
| what to expect as time goes on. | | | | A comprehensive guide to your pregnancy should |
| In this article I will be looking at some real | | | | include some information on getting pregnant, how |
| pregnancy basics, the type of stuff that by the | | | | to know when you are pregnant, stages of |
| end of your pregnancy you forget that you | | | | pregnancy (including changes happening to you, |
| never knew, like a typical pregnancy is 40 weeks. | | | | fetus development and possible problems), labour |
| Your pregnancy is divided up into three | | | | and birth plus how to look after yourself. |
| trimesters: | | | | Check who the author is and what their |
| Trimester 1: Weeks 1-13. | | | | qualifications are, ideally someone who has had |
| This is where you can suffer nausea, backache, | | | | lots to do with pregnancy and its issues e.g. |
| stress, fatigue and mood swings. It is where the | | | | doctor, midwife, nurse etc. Go with an expert and |
| morning sickness can get you. Some say ginger | | | | ideally one who has been there themselves, that |
| or dandelion tea will help the nausea. | | | | is they have children of their own. |
| Trimester 2: Weeks 14-26 | | | | One ebook that meets this criteria is A-Z of |
| For most this trimester is easier, the nausea and | | | | Pregnancy at Top Line Publications. It is written by |
| fatigue goes and you often experience the 'glow'. | | | | a doctor and mother in a way that is simple to |
| Your abdomen will grow and sometime during this | | | | read and understand. Grab yourself a copy of this |
| time you get to feel your baby move for the | | | | or a similar publication to help you along, also read |
| first time. | | | | my other articles on pregnancy which will be |
| Trimester 3: Weeks 27 - birth | | | | published over the next few weeks. Good luck! |
| Things can start to become uncomfortable as the | | | | |