Before you fall pregnant for the first time, there is only so much you know about the changes to come, especially if you are first of your friends to go through pregnancy (otherwise you may hear or even see some of pregnancy affects on the body). Even if you did your research before and are better informed about what changes to expect, you may still be surprised throughout this journey.

What changes does your body go through during pregnancy?

Other than your belly growing, which is one thing you must have expected will change (…), you may find that your body is behaving differently than before, reacting in new ways (such as morning sickness, sensitivity to smells) to just about anything, and aching or developing sensitivities you were not used to before the pregnancy.

You may notice changes to your skin. While pregnancy glow is the more common skin change during pregnancy, other, less attractive skin changes during pregnancy include acne in earlier stages and stretch marks in later stages.

In earlier stages of the pregnancy, before the belly starts to grow and the pregnancy is apparent, most women experience their waist widening and breasts growing. Some women notice their keep waist and breasts keep changing throughout the pregnancy, while other may experience these change in the beginning, and then after childbirth again, when the milk comes in.

Another unpleasant, but usually temporary change is swollen feet and sometimes varicose veins. Some women find that their shoe size grows during pregnancy. That may or may not change back after childbirth.

Though you may not welcome the affects of pregnancy on your body, remember it is temporary, and when you hold your baby in your hands you will feel it was all worth it.

While you know and understand that pregnancy will bring about changes to your body, you may not expect your breasts to change so dramatically or to be effected by your pregnancy to such an extent. You may be expecting changes closer to the end or after the birth, when your body will be getting ready for breastfeeding, but you may not be aware that your breasts will start changing as early as your first trimester.

Some women report tenderness and hypersensitivity so early, that this was the first clue to their pregnancy. Other women suspected they were pregnant due to a darkening of their nipples and areolas (the skin around the nipple.) This change in color is caused by hormones which effect the skin’s pigmentation. At the same time, many women notice these types of changes to their breasts much later in the pregnancy or not at all.

Other changes to your breasts, other than their growing size, may include the appearance of green or darkened veins (due to the larger volume of blood in your body during pregnancy.) You may find that your nipples are leaking. This clear/yellow thick liquid is called colostrums and is extremely nutritious for your baby. You may also notice that your nipples stick out more and/or the areolas and nipple areas are larger in size.

These changes are caused by hormonal changes due to the pregnancy and effect different women differently. To handle some of these changes better and avoid being uncomfortable, get a good supportive bra, with an adjustable closure and no underwire.  Do not get a nursing bra before you give birth, as you will not know your final cup size. It is better to wait with this purchase, until about a week after childbirth, when your milk comes in and your breast size has reached its maximum.

After childbirth, if you choose to nurse, you will experience more breast related changes including the difficulties and challenges of breastfeeding, as well as, the joys and satisfactions like giving your baby the best, most suitable nutrition. You should know and accept, now, that your breasts will most likely NEVER return to their original shape. Who said being a mother is easy?

Braxton Hicks, also referred to as false labor or practice contractions, is usually a painless tightening or hardening of your belly. It may be quite uncomfortable, but is your uterus’s way of preparing for true labor. Braxton Hicks contractions may cause thinning and dilating of your cervix. They usually first appears during the second trimester, around 20 weeks, though they may come earlier (and be more intense) if this is not your first pregnancy.

As your pregnancy progresses they may become more frequent, but before the last month of your pregnancy they are likely to remain irregular and somewhat painless. If you are not sure if you are experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions (false contractions) or true ones, which may be hard for you to determine especially if this is your first pregnancy, call your healthcare provider and ask to be seen and evaluated. Playing it safe and going to get checked out is always better than misdiagnosing your condition, yourself.

If you are less than 37 weeks pregnant and are experiencing more than four contractions an hour, call your healthcare provider immediately. After 37 weeks you may experience more intense and frequent contractions, which may also cause discomfort. These contractions are likely to be true ones, which also help your cervix ripen, by gradually leading to its softening and thinning out, and maybe even dilation.

Braxton Hicks are different from true contractions in that they do not grow longer, stronger and closer together like true ones do. They may trick you into thinking you are in labor, for they may feel frequent and painful. If you are not sure whether you are experiencing true or false labor, call your healthcare provider and get checked. You will likely be connected to a monitor at triage to determine your condition.

To overcome Braxton Hicks contraction discomfort:

• Change your position or activity – true contractions will persist regardless of what you try.
• Draw a warm bath to let your body relax.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Try breathing techniques from your birth preparation classes.

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.

Nine months, or forty weeks as they calculate pregnancy, can seem like a very long time when you are expecting your first child. Excitement levels are high and time passes slower and slower with the added weight and increased inconvenience to your changing body. But nine months are really not that long of a time span for all there is to do in preparation for your newborn.

First time moms can find it overwhelming to deal with it all at the same time, therefore planning ahead and researching in advance can make your life that much more pleasant and stress free after your baby is born.

What is there to research and plan for? Here are a few things you may want to think about before you meet your bundle of joy:

• Finding the right Pediatrician for you and your baby can take time. If you have friends with kids, start interviewing them for recommendations. You can also speak to your OBGYN and see if he/she can recommend a good doctor. It is important to find someone you see eye to eye with. After all, they will be caring for your child and be recommending treatments and approaches that affect your child’s health directly.

• Breastfeeding or Formula – Consider your choices and learn about them. It is a personal choice and you are the one who needs to feel confident about it, so don’t let others steer your decision. Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding. Talk to your friends who have breastfed; it will give you an idea if it is for you or not. If it is not, there are other options. In that case, research the different brands and kinds of breast milk supplements that are available to you.

• Some expecting moms spend hours if not days designing their baby’s Nursery. While it is not a must, it is good to know what is out there to make your choice about your baby’s environment. You may choose to co-sleep, in which case, you will not need a crib or bassinet right away. If you plan to breastfeed, you may want to consider purchasing a rocking chair. And the list goes on and on.

• You may decide to wait for the baby shower to see what Clothes + Toys + Accessories you will get before you go out to the store. Or maybe you want to go to the store first and explore the endless designs available and create a registry so you will get exactly what you want.

• Daycare. It is never too early to research daycares if you plan on sending your baby to one. By regulation they are allowed a specific number of babies per teacher, and the good ones fill up faster than you can imagine. Call up the ones you are considering and ask about registration, their schedule (to see that it leaves you enough time to get to and from work), ratio of babies to caregivers and anything that will put you at ease leaving your little one there.

And the list goes on and on.  So, are nine months really that long?

When you are expecting and are anxious to meet your baby, nine months may seem like a long time. But time flies between work, doctor visits and preparing for both the actual pregnancy and the arrival of your newborn.

Here are a few things to put on your to do list:

• It goes without saying that once you find out you are pregnant, you need to find an OBGYN or a Midwife to be your caregiver throughout the pregnancy. If you are not sure which is best suited for you, this is the time to learn the differences and make your educated choice.

• You will not need Maternity clothes right away, but when the time comes, don’t resist it. The weight gain is normal and healthy (unless otherwise noted by your caregiver) and there is no reason not to embrace and celebrate it. The beautiful curves of pregnancy can be enhanced with the right fit maternity clothes and make you feel and look better about the changes your body is going through.

• During your first prenatal visit, you will be asked about your work environment to determine if it is safe for you and your baby to continue what you do during your pregnancy, or if you need to make adjustments at work. This is for the health and safety of both you and your unborn baby.

• Deciding when to tell your employer about your pregnancy is up to you. There is no law requiring you to share your news at a specific point in the development of your pregnancy. Telling your employer can result in a sympathetic attitude, leading to better terms or more leniencies toward your situation. At the same time, your employer may not be so understanding. Make your decision based on your situation at work.

• You may want to consider seeking a Photographer to commemorate this special time in your life. It is usually best to have your maternal photo shoot between the fifth and seventh month of pregnancy, when you look and feel best. Earlier than those months, you may not be showing, and later, you may feel too heavy to do anything like this.

• Learn about Maternity leave in your state. It may look like you have lots of time before you will need to know the facts about maternity leave, but time flies and it is always smart to do your research in advance. This way, if you are not eligible for maternity leave, you’ll be prepared and make the necessary arrangements.

Revise your list to reflect the things you would like to get accomplished before your life will change completely…and for the better!

As soon as you suspect you are pregnant, or after you have taken a positive home pregnancy test, call to make an appointment with your obstetrician or midwife. You will first be sent to have your blood drawn to confirm your pregnancy, and after the good news have arrived; you will have an appointment scheduled with your doctor/midwife to start your prenatal care.

The first prenatal visit is usually scheduled between 6-10 weeks of pregnancy unless you have a medical condition and have had high risk pregnancy before. If you are experiencing any vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, or severe nausea and vomiting, contact your doctor to discuss these symptoms and whether you need to be seen earlier. Also contact your doctor / midwife if you are taking any medications or think you may have been exposed to a hazardous substance.

Expect this to be a long visit and prepare any questions you may have. During this first prenatal visit, you will be asked many questions about your and your partner’s medical histories as well as your families’ medical history. So call your parents and in-laws if you are not sure about chronic and/or other diseases you may have in the family.

You will be asked:

• If your menstrual cycles are regular and how long they are.
• What was the first day of your last period (this will determine your due date).
• Whether you had any symptoms since your last period.
• What (if any)gynecological problems you have now or have had in the past.
• Details about previous pregnancies, if any.
• If you have any chronic conditions and what medications you taking.
• Whether you have any drug allergies
• About your smoking and / or drinking habits as well as drug use, if any.

After you have answered all questions, you will have a thorough physical, including a pelvic exam, Pap smear (unless you’ve recently had one) and blood tests to determine your blood type, Rh factor, and whether you are iron-deficient. You will also be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, immunity to German measles (rubella), and ethnic-specific genetic diseases.  A urine sample (get used to peeing into a cup, you will be asked to do so at every prenatal visit from now on) will also be taken to test your levels of glucose, protein, red and white blood cells, and bacteria.

You will also have your first ultrasound and you will get to hear your baby’s heartbeat. You will also find out if you are having twins at this visit. Consider brining Daddy-to-be for this visit to help him start to bond as well.

An ultrasound, or sonogram as it is sometimes called, is a noninvasive diagnostic test that uses sound waves to create a visual image of your baby, placenta, and uterus prior to birth. It allows your doctor to collect important information about the progress of your pregnancy and your baby’s health.

During the test, an ultrasound technologist, also called a sonographer, transmits high-frequency sound waves through your uterus that bounce off your baby. A computer then translates the echoing sounds into video images that reveal your baby’s shape, position, and movements.

Early on, an ultrasound may be used to estimate the age of your pregnancy, especially if your menstrual cycle is abnormal or much grater than 28 days. You may have an appointment for Nuchal Translucency, which is also done by ultrasound, checking your baby’s risk for Down Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities.

Between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, you will be scheduled for a level 2 ultrasound exam. During this hour long ultrasound exam, the baby is measured from head to toe, to check if the gestation age of the baby is within a normal range. The functioning and development of the vital organs is also monitored during this ultrasound. The sex of the baby can be determined during level 2 ultrasound, so if you wish NOT to know the sex of your baby pre-delivery, tell the technician right from the start.

Depending on the development of your pregnancy, your doctor may decide whether or not you need more ultrasounds. You may have one towards the end of your pregnancy to determine if there is a need to induce labor.

After an active period of having lots of sex in pursuit of conception, now that you have achieved the goal, you must be wondering if it is safe to continue sexual activity, for how long, is there anything you should avoid doing and other questions.

The good news is you don’t need to make any adjustments to your sex life as long as your pregnancy is low risk, with no complications. This is true up until your water breaks. As for your sexual drive, that is a different question.

Some women find that they are aroused more than usual, while others are so consumed with the excitement of the pregnancy, or affected by fatigue to such an extent that sex finds its way to the back burner.

Don’t be surprised if your partner’s sex drive is affected as well. You may find that he is more aroused by your growing belly, or that he has reservations and fears of hurting the baby or even you. While your baby is safe and is not involved in any way in your sexual activity, you will want to resolve these issues if they interrupt your sexual relations. Talking about both your fears and feelings is a good way to do just that.

With the development of your baby and your growing belly, you will have to adjust your sex life and find the right positions for the both of you. Missionary position will be an impossible one for a while, but instead of being discouraged, experiment and try new positions that will be more comfortable and doable.

If you are not interested in sex, that is OK too. Speak to your partner about how you are feeling and find other ways to show affection. Cuddling, kissing, trading massages, or even just spending the evening together in or out, can be a temporary solution. If you have concerns about your lack of sexual desire, you can always consult your doctor.

Remember your hormones levels are different and things can get back to the way they were after childbirth. Don’t be too hard on yourself, and make sure to keep communications between you and your partner open and honest. Together you will find the right path for you.