When you are pregnant your body and mind work somewhat differently than when you are not. Your mind may be occupied with the health and development of the baby, life changes to come after childbirth or fears of the unknown. Your body is also busy, growing your little one and providing for his development, which takes a lot of energy and nutrients from your body.

One of the changes in your daily routine caused by pregnancy is usually manifested at night, when you are laying down and ready for a much needed good night’s sleep. You will find that throughout your pregnancy sleep becomes harder and rarer. Maybe it is nature, designed to prepare us for sleepless nights after the birth, but the fact is, when you need it most, sleep becomes harder to get.

Night time urination is usually the first cause of sleepless nights during pregnancy. Next are the dreams, which may be caused by fears, concerns and other thoughts that come with becoming a parent.  Veteran moms also report strange dreams during pregnancy, so you are not free of these in subsequent pregnancies.

As the pregnancy progresses, and your weight and belly grow, you will find that you cannot sleep on your back or belly comfortably anymore. It is also suggested that you completely refrain from sleeping on your back after the 20^th week.

Some woman suffer from hip pain, and wake up repeatedly due to it, or experience pain when rolling over, which can be challenging to do. Further along in your pregnancy you may find it hard to get out of bed at all and may need to devise strategies to get yourself up. Funny as it may sound it is not pleasant and may be frustrating, at times. But you can find comfort in the fact that it is all temporary (until the next pregnancy) and will go away after childbirth.

Believe it or not, but Hubby may find it hard to sleep too, during your pregnancy. Whether or not you used to snore, before the pregnancy, you are likely to do so now, especially during the third trimester. Snoring during pregnancy happens due to an increase in the amount of blood in your body and blood vessel expansion, which leads to swollen nasal membranes. You may also suffer from sleep apnea, which much like the other night discomforts, will dissolve after childbirth.

If you are feeling that your memory is betraying you during your pregnancy, you are not imagining things. Research shows that elevated hormone levels during pregnancy affect the brain and can cause forgetfulness.

Forgetfulness is most common in the first and third trimesters. If you think about it, it actually makes sense: during the first trimester your thoughts are occupied by many factors. You may worry about the health of your baby, the future of your family and how your lives will change, the pregnancy and how it will affect your body and so on. In your third trimester you will be anxious to meet your unborn baby and may be worrying or even fearing the near birth. You may also be exhausted if you have had trouble sleeping or discomfort carrying the baby weight. It is only logical that your mind is ‘not all there’ when it comes to other matters.

Forgetfulness during pregnancy is more evident with new tasks, such as trying to memorize new information. It will be harder to memorize new information while pregnant, but old information will not be forgotten.

To overcome this obstacle, come up with strategies to help you remember what is important. Do not be hard on yourself when you cannot remember something, like a phone number or a task you where just about to do. Instead, make yourself a list of your tasks or carry your phone book with you in your purse. Find ways to make your life easier while you go through this temporary phase of forgetfulness.

It may also be a cue that you are asking too much of yourself. After all, you are pregnant, and whenever possible, you should give yourself a break or try to slow things down. Prioritize and realize you cannot do it all, even if you really want to. You do not have to wash all the new baby clothes you have received or paint the nursery, today. Remember that your health affects your baby’s health directly. And while it may not feel like it, this pregnancy is only temporary.

One of the highlights of pregnancy is when you feel your baby move. It is unlike anything else and can certainly be described as one of the miracles of creating life. So when will it happen? Will it be a full on kick the first time you feel it? Or will it be more subtle?

You baby started moving around at about week 7 or 8, and you may have even got to see her acrobatics in an ultrasound if you had one. However, it will take a little while longer before you will feel these movements where they will be readily apparent. Most women feel those first flutters and kicks sometime between 16 and 22 weeks. This also depends on your size. Slimmer woman may feel baby movement earlier.

If this is not your first pregnancy, you may feel your baby earlier than first time moms, mainly because you know what to expect and can recognize them as baby movement, something that the first time mom may not recognize yet.

When you first feel your baby move, women describe it being like a fish swimming around, popcorn popping, butterfly flutters and bubbles. You may mistake these first movements to be gas, or hunger pangs in the beginning, but will soon learn the difference once they become more frequent. You are more likely to feel these first movements when you are resting, as opposed to when you are active (say when you are walking) and your hips movement put baby to sleep.

Later in your second trimester, your baby’s gentle movements will become stronger, and you will feel them more frequently. At that point you will need to pay closer attention to his kicks and let your healthcare provider know if movement has decreased. During the third trimester your doctor may ask that you devote up to an hour a day to monitor your baby’s movement (usually after a meal).

Your baby’s movement will change in character and intensity over time with your baby growing bigger and the space in your uterus growing smaller. Later on in your pregnancy you may even see a small hand or foot pushing your belly in his attempt to stretch or move.

Enjoy this amazing experience while it lasts. There is no feeling like it!

Pregnancy is not an illness, yet your first trimester may feel more like an illness than not. While there are no known ways to eliminating or avoiding morning sickness, vomiting and fatigue, there are ways you can help your body feel more refreshed as well as some tricks to feeling better overall.

No method is full proof or guaranteed. But if you feel yourself struggling to stay awake and alert throughout the day or morning sickness is lingering past the A.M., these tips may help you regain some control over your body and will hopefully make you feel better, even if it is a little bit.

So what can you do?

To get over fatigue, exercise is the name of the game. You’ll be surprised what a 30 minute daily workout can do. Besides it being healthy, working out will help get your body stronger to carry the weight of your growing baby thoughout your pregnancy. Exercising stimulates your energy, as well as strengthens your cardiovascular system which in turn helps you feel less tired.  Exercise also releases endorphins, which can help you feel relaxed. Working out can also help with body aches (like the ones that keep you from sleeping) and it can actually help with falling asleep if you frequently experience discomfort throughout the night hours.

Overcoming morning sickness may be a bit trickier than minimizing fatigue. Still, there are things you can do. For starters, eat five smaller meals though the day, rather than the typical three meals a day. Drink plenty of water (about 8 glasses a day) and avoid caffeinated drinks such as soda, tea and coffee. If you are not too keen on water, try adding a slice of lemon or orange to your water for flavor, or try carbonated water.

Keep crackers handy. Eating something first thing in the morning can help prevent nausea caused from an empty stomach.  Avoid greasy and spicy foods, which are more likely to cause nausea. Eat foods that are high in protein and carbohydrates. Also avoid strong odors or any familiar smells that induce your nausea.

If you find that you are vomiting excessively, speak to your doctor about it. Sometimes morning sickness can turn into a severe condition that poses a risk to both you and your baby. If you experience a combined lack of appetite and excessive vomiting, you should be monitored by your healthcare provider, since it can result in malnourishment and dehydration. A short hospital stay may be required.

And remember, at about 13-14 weeks, you should be feeling much better!

You may have given thought to the lack of sleep you will experience when your baby arrives, but did you expect your sleep to be interrupted while expecting your baby? Most women don’t think of this scenario. But sleep problems during pregnancy are actually fairly common.

During the first trimester, you may find that you sleep more than usual. And while you sleep more, you may be confused as to why you are still so tired throughout the day. Fatigue is a common symptom of pregnancy during the first trimester. This is due to hormonal changes and fetus development that uses up most of your energy. Usually women get a second wind after the 14th-16th week.

You may also experience numerous waking throughout the night due to an increased need to use the restroom. Sleep may also be disrupted due to physical and emotional stress associated with the pregnancy.

The second trimester is typically associated with improved sleep, mainly due to less frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom. This is due to reduced pressure on the bladder as the fetus moves above it. Physical and emotional stresses are still factors that affect the quality of your sleep.

The third trimester is when most sleep problems arise. At this point, discomfort may keep you from sleeping. Your growing belly, the fact that you can only sleep on your side and other pregnancy pains can keep you up. Heartburn, leg cramps, and sinus congestion are a few other reasons that may also cause sleep deprivation. And on top of it all frequent nighttime urination returns, as your baby’s position changes and puts pressure on the bladder again.

For a better night sleep, use extra pillows to support both belly and back. A body pillow can provide you with proper support. They are specialty pillows designed specifically for pregnancy and support both your belly and back.

If stress is keeping you up, try yoga or deep breathing for relaxation. Regular exercise throughout the pregnancy promotes physical and mental health and can help you sleep more deeply. Talk to your healthcare provider to see what type of exercise is appropriate for you.

While pregnancy is not an illness, it may have various affects on your body. Not every women experience pregnancy related problems, and you may very well be lucky enough for these problems to never arise. Like with your delivery, you want to plan for the best, but be open to whatever comes your way, for you do not control it (or most of it) and more reassuringly, whatever problem(s) you are experiencing, it will be gone with the arrival of your baby or shortly after.

Even the most fit women may experience common pregnancy problems. A healthy lifestyle may help prevent some issues, but genealogy is always a factor as well as the nature of each individual pregnancy (even in the same women). Even though not avoidable, many of the common pregnancy problems can be treated for relief.

Nausea, also known as morning sickness, doesn’t always occur in the morning. Some women experience nausea or vomiting during different times of the day or its entirety. You can take comfort on the fact that this usually disappears after 14-16 weeks.

Fatigue is common in the first and third trimesters. During the first trimester your body is undergoing many changes, which affect your energy levels. Fatigue during the third trimester is due to the baby’s size and weight, which are grater now and harder to carry.

Mood changes are common during pregnancy. This is cause both by hormone level changes and the stress that may come with the realization of the responsibility that comes with parenthood. If you are concerned, talk to your healthcare provider.

Constipation is caused by a hormone that relaxes the intestinal muscle. To avoid constipation drink plenty of fluids and eat foods that are rich with fiber.

Gas is on the embarrassing side of pregnancy problems. It is caused by much higher levels of progesterone, a hormone that relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation slows down your digestive processes, which can lead to gas, bloating, burping, and flatulence and generally create miserable sensations in your gut, especially after a big meal. To overcome it, eat smaller, more frequent meals. You can also try Simethicon..

Heartburn is caused by the hormone progesterone that is produced by the placenta. It relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach, allowing gastric acids to seep back up, which causes a burning sensation. To prevent heartburn, avoid carbonated drinks, chocolate, caffeine and acidic foods. Speak to your doctor to see what medication you can take for it if you experience chronic heartburn.

Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in the lower portion of the
rectum or anus; they are usually a result of constipation (which is common during pregnancy). They can be treated with a cream. Consult your healthcare provider for a cream or other solution.

Oedema is swelling in your ankles, feet and hands. This happens due to fluid retention and more blood in your body during pregnancy. Try to rest with your feet elevated, and know that it will disappear after your delivery.

These are some of pregnancy’s common problems; most of which are treatable or will disappear shortly after the delivery. Other problems include headaches, diarrhea, vaginal discharge and Sciatica pain. You may or may not suffer from any pregnancy problems. If you are one of the lucky ones, enjoy your problem free pregnancy while it lasts.  For the rest of you, take care of the problems that do show up to avoid discomfort. And remember, it is only temporary.

A pregnancy takes its tall on your body in different ways. One of which includes the changes in your skin. Some of which include acne, melasma (also known as “mask of pregnancy”), pregnancy glow, Varicose veins, Spider veins, Linea nigra, stretch marks and other more or less pleasant changes. Not all women experience changes to their skin, but it is likely to occur, more so to lighter skinned women.

Stretch marks, also called striae gravidarum, are caused by excessive stretching of the skin accompanied by hormone changes. The hormone relaxin, that causes collagen levels in skin fibers to drop, makes the skin more vulnerable to getting stretch marks. The type of extreme stretching of the skin mostly happens during the third trimester, though it can happen earlier.

Pregnancy related stretch marks will usually develop on the abdomen, though it is common to get them on the buttocks, hips, breasts and thighs as well.  Therefore, if you choose to use lotion / butter / other products in attempt to avoid getting them, make sure you ‘attack’ all the above areas at minimum.

Will lotions and the like make a difference?

It is said that cocoa butter, vitamin E and alpha hydroxy acids lotions and other products are helpful in preventing the appearance of stretch marks. As of today, no method is medically proven to have a direct effect on the appearance of stretch marks, so don’t expect miracles. At the same time, it never hurts to try – at a bare minimum (no pun intended) these lotions may help relive the itchiness of the skin caused by the excessive stretching.

Who will get them?

Your genetic make up is key in knowing weather or not you should expect stretch marks, and if so, how sever they may be. However, your lifestyle and diet may have an impact on the elasticity of your skin as well.

If all else fails, you can be comforted by the fact that with time your stretch marks will fade to some degree. Tanning will help conceal them as well. But simply accepting them as a part of the changes you had to go through on your way to motherthood is the best approach..