Pregnancy is a miraculous time in a woman‘s life, but that does not mean only bells and giggles. It can be uncomfortable at times, and you may find yourself longing for pleasures from your pre pregnancy life you may not have appreciated before. Some you will get back after childbirth, others you will get back with time, and a few you may never see again, depending on different variables.

Here is a select list of things you can kiss goodbye for a while…

Alcohol is off limits for the expecting mom. While it is not the end of the world to give up booze for nine months or so, it can be frustrating for some. There is no way around it other than childbirth. The good news is that it is temporary and your ‘dry’ spell will be over soon.

With pregnancy comes a list of forbidden foods, like sushi, raw meats, soft cheeses and more. It is interesting how our cravings can be for just what we cannot have. Every expecting mom misses one type of food or another. It is important to curb your crabbings and avoid those forbidden foods for the health of your baby. Keep telling yourself it is only for nine months or so…

During the first and third trimesters, you will most likely miss having a good night sleep.

During the first trimester, you will find that you wake up a few times a night to go empty your bladder, or are awakened by leg cramps. Even if you do get a good night sleep, you may find that you are tired ‘for no good reason’. Well, there is a good reason growing inside you that makes your body work around the clock helping your baby develop.

During your second trimester, when you may get some better night sleep, but in the third trimester you will find it even harder than the first trimester to get good night’s rest again. Now you cannot sleep on your back or belly, and it is harder to find a comfortable position to sleep in. Night time trips to the bathroom are back and you may also have strange dreams that will interrupt your sleep.

It may be unpleasant, but there are ways to help you get comfortable and help you get the rest you need. A maternity pillow can help you find a comfortable position. Not drinking right before bed will minimize your need to urinate. And talking to your partner about your dreams, fears and concerns as well as other feelings will help resolve them so they don’t take over your dreams. You will still not get the sleep you used to pre-pregnancy, but at least you will get the rest your body needs.

A normal sense of smell is not something you will enjoy during your pregnancy. Most woman experience a heightened sense of smell due to elevated level of hormones while pregnant. Thankfully, this sensitivity to smells is temporary and will subside after the delivery. In the meantime try to avoid smells that bother you, especially ones that lead to nausea.

Weather you dreamed of being pregnant since you can remember or it caught you by surprise, at some point during these nine months, you will find yourself looking at other women and missing your pre pregnancy body. Some of the changes to your body, other than your growing belly, may surprise you. Expecting moms find that their body is changing in ways they did not expect. Swollen feet, larger breasts, and changing belly button are just a few changes you can expect.

To feel better about yourself and your changing body, make sure to exercise. You will be surprised what a moderate workout can do to both your body and feeling. Dress the part, and enjoy the wanders of makeup. Maternity clothes can make you look sexy, believe it or not. Don’t hide your bump, show it off. Use whatever makes you feel good about yourself.

What are some things / activities you miss now that you are pregnant?

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!

How is your partner dealing with your pregnancy?

When you are expecting your first baby, especially in the beginning, excitement levels (or any emotional reaction) can be intense and your partners’ feelings can be pushed aside in the chaos of your emotional rollercoaster. You may want to check in with your partner to see how he is dealing with the pregnancy as well. It is true he is not physically pregnant, but emotionally, he is impacted almost as much as you are. After all, both your lives are changing.

Pay attention to see how your partner is reacting to the upcoming change in your lives. If he is concerned about what type of a Dad he will be, reassure him that when the time comes, he will be a wonderful Dad and he will know what to do. You may also be sharing similar fears. If that is the case, discuss them openly. It can be easier to overcome them together.

Throughout the 9 months, your baby will take up most of your time and attention.  But this is a great opportunity to devote time to just the two of you. Go out on dates, watch a movie together on the sofa, and just spend time together. You both need it, even if it is for slightly different reasons.

While you are growing with the development of your baby, make sure to include your hubby in the loop. While he is not the one physically carrying the baby, he is certainly a part of the miracle growing inside you. Help him take part in the pregnancy by taking him to doctor appointments, especially ones that include an ultrasound. This is a great way to help Dad-to-be to bond with your unborn child.

When the time arrives, go to birth preparation courses and other classes together to get ready for your baby and learn the basics. When you start feeling you baby kicking, make sure to include your partner in this exciting experience.

This is a special time in your lives, don’t forget to share and enjoy it with your partner!

“Birth preparation course” sounds like the most impossible combination of words, doesn’t it?! In other words, how can you prepare for something when you have no idea what to expect? How can you prepare for an event you can’t control, or foresee how it will start and develop? And if it is such a natural process then all you need to do is listen to your body, right?  What else is there to prepare for?

Well, even though you really cannot foresee how and what your birth experience will be like, learning about your options and possibilities is the greatest variable in the mystery of what is to come. Simply stated, knowledge is power.

When you conceive, there is an excitement of anticipation and not much thought is given to the child birth experience that is unavoidably to come. However with time, thoughts, wonders and fears may start to creep in.

If you have already researched your options, you are ahead of the game. Otherwise you may find it helpful to know what types of childbirth methods are available to you today.

No matter what type of birth experience you are planning, you should know the basic facts about other options in case you will be forced to abandon your original plan for medical reasons such as risk to the health of yourself or your baby. Try to stay open minded about the possibility that your birth plan will not be executed as you dreamed. If you remain flexible, the disappointment you may experience could be lessened.

Birth preparation courses usually take place at the hospital where you plan to give birth. In most courses, you will take a tour of the hospital and get familiarized with procedures and facilities available to you.

You will learn about types of childbirth and techniques to help yourself handle labor and the process of childbirth. Most courses should cover: signs of labor, the normal progress of labor and birth, techniques for coping with pain, ways your partner can help you during labor and recognizing when to call your doctor or midwife.

For more information about birth preparation courses, contact your hospital for scheduling.

While indoor and outdoor seasonal allergies are fairly common, the idea of an allergy to sperm may cause is often thought to be rare. But it not only exists, it is also more common than you think.

Also called seminal plasma hypersensitivity, it can cause an allergic woman to develop hives, swollen eyes, diarrhea and even breathing difficulties and/or loss of consciousness within thirty minutes after unprotected intercourse. A mild sperm allergy may include itchiness, redness, irritation and skin swelling, usually in the outer genital area. Infertility can also be a symptom of sperm allergy; in the sense that a woman’s immune system is attacking and disabling sperm cells when they get inside her as a means to protect her body from the allergy.

Semen allergy can contribute to fertility problems in two known ways. The first is the woman’s wish to avoid the allergic reaction by refusing unprotected sex (the traditional way to conceive). The second is the internal reaction of an allergic woman to the sperm cells, which can reduce her chances of conception quite significantly. Her immune system will produce antibodies to attack the proteins in the sperm, as if the proteins were germs that are harmful to her body. These antibodies can damage the sperm cells’ mobility, restricting them from making their way to the fallopian tubes where they might stand a chance of fertilizing an egg.

Mild sperm allergy can be ‘treated’ with desensitization treatment. This type of treatment involves going to the doctor several times over a period of weeks, each time having a small sample of her partner’s sperm placed inside her vagina. The doctor will increase the amount gradually until the woman is able to tolerate having unprotected sex with her partner. The goal is to allow the couple to conceive naturally without experiencing too much discomfort for the woman.

A woman with a severe sperm allergy will require a more radical treatment. That includes women who experience severe allergic reactions to sperm or whose antibodies attack sperm cells. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) are two methods of artificial insemination used to help such women to get pregnant. Both fertility treatments involve sperm washing before inserting the sperm into the uterus. Sperm washing removes the proteins from the sperm cells, which causes the allergic reaction.

Allergy to sperm is more common than imagined, therefore if you believe to have symptoms that may indicate this sort of an allergy, consult your physician for more information.

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.

If you are actively trying to conceive, you may want to consider avoiding some activities in advance to help increase your chances. Once you are pregnant, there are also activities to avoid for the health and safety of both you and your baby. While you have not met your baby yet and may not feel like a mother, this is the time to start acting like one and caring for your expected child.

So what are some activities you should avoid during those 40 weeks?

Some Amusement Park rides are not safe for expecting moms. These rides are usually marked clearly with warning signs for you. Water slides should also be avoided since a forceful landing or sudden start or stop could be harmful for your baby.

Soaking in hot tubs / Jacuzzis or sitting in a sauna can be dangerous to your developing baby because overheating has been linked to birth defects.

Gymnastics in a no no! because it puts you at risk of falling and there is an increased chance of trauma to your abdomen.

Bicycling should be avoided while pregnant, unless you are an experienced rider, in which case you may be able to continue throughout your first trimester. Talk to your OBGYN for more information regarding this issue.

Horseback riding is a bad idea even if you are an experienced rider. The risk of falling is just not worth it.

Scuba diving is an absolute forbidden activity now that you are expecting. As you surface, air bubbles can form in your bloodstream, which can be very dangerous for both you and your growing baby.

If you are not a runner, now is not the time to take it up. From your second trimester on, the risk of falling increases and you should run with caution. As with all forms of exercise, avoid becoming overheated, and drink plenty of water.

These are just a few activities to avoid while pregnant. Speak to your healthcare provider for more specific information regarding activities you should avoid and the ones that put you or your baby at risk. Stay safe and avoid strenuous activities that could cause injury or involve serious risks. Remember, even if you do not “feel pregnant”, you are carrying your child and are about to become a mother.

Sometimes after you find out you are pregnant, possibility of having twins may have crossed your mind. It usually takes 8-10 weeks before you find out if your nurse hears one or more heartbeats at your first ultrasound.

In the mean time you are left to wonder. So what are your chances?  This usually depends on the biological history of twins in your family.  So if you are a twin, already have one set of multiples or have twin relatives, your chances of having twins are higher. Also if you have undergone fertility treatments, you have a 10% chance of having multiples.

Possible signs that you could be carrying more than one baby include:

Uterus measurements are large for dates.

Excess weight gain.

Amplified pregnancy symptoms including severe morning sickness, extreme fatigue or a strong metallic taste in your mouth.

An AFP blood test result that is inconsistent with a singleton pregnancy.

The above signs may or may not mean you are carrying multiples. Also, you may have no unusual symptoms at all, even if you are carrying more than one baby. Though it is not the perfect solution, waiting for your first ultrasound and hearing from you OBGYN is the best way to know for sure how many babies you are expecting. So try to be patient and whatever is in your future will be revealed soon enough.

Deciding how and when to share the news of your pregnancy is a big deal. Once you discover you are pregnant, you will find it hard to keep the news to yourself even if you decided not to announce it yet. This is an exciting time in your life as your pregnancy becomes your top priority.

“Why wait…when to tell, how to tell and who to tell first”, are all things you and your partner want to decide about together. There are different reasons to share or keep the news private in the beginning. Some people just want to take a minute and enjoy this exciting time with each other, or digest the big change ahead before announcing the news to the world (family, friends, employers, etc.). Some couples choose to keep the pregnancy private until the end of the first trimester for fear of miscarriage, and avoid the hassle of re-informing those of the sad news. Some wait for signs of pregnancy such as a growing belly.

Others may rush to tell right away to enjoy family and friends’ support dealing with this thrilling, yet overwhelming news. Sharing the news early can also lead to getting advice throughout the pregnancy right from the start, as well as help choosing between an OBGYN and a midwife, finding a good book about pregnancy and other resources such as possible methods of childbirth, and more.

Sharing with your employer is another thing to consider, depending on your job description. If you work with hazardous materials you may need to share the news with your employer right away so you can be stationed appropriately. Also if you are a flight attendant, you may need to share your news early, so you can be assigned a land post.

Regardless of when you choose to share the news, make sure you are content with your decision, and change it if need be. Remember once your news is made public, you cannot reverse it and it may spread faster than you anticipated.

When you decide to announce you are pregnant, or once you are showing, you will find that people around you may start giving you ‘advice’ as to what to do or not do while pregnant. So what should you really avoid while pregnant?

A warm bath is great for relaxation—pregnant or not. The danger is when the water temperature is too hot. In the first trimester, very hot water can cause developmental problems in the fetus and later in pregnancy it can cause preterm labor. When pregnant you should avoid anything that raises your body temperature above 102 or 103 degrees.

There is no need to quit caffeine altogether. One cup of coffee or tea a day will not do any harm to you or your baby if you are enjoying a normal pregnancy. Speak to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.

Drinking alcohol should be avoided while pregnant, especially during the first trimester when so much of the baby’s nervous system is being formed.

You don’t have to sleep on your left side, the right side is just as good, but you will most likely find that sleeping on your side, left or right, is the only comfortable position after around the 20^th week of your pregnancy. Sleeping on your belly will be technically impossible, and sleeping on your back can cause dizziness or make you sweaty from too much pressure put on the vena cava.

Most research does show that it is safe to dye your hair while pregnant, as the chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes are not highly toxic. If you are concerned, dye your hair only after the 12th week of pregnancy, when the risk of chemical substances – hair dye or otherwise – harming the baby is much lower. If you color your hair yourself make sure to wear gloves and leave the dye on for the minimum time. Also work in a well-ventilated room.

In general, if you are concern that something may be harmful for you or your baby during your pregnancy, speak to your OBGYN to get answers. Don’t let people scare you out of your personal lifestyle and activities.

You may also like:

• Am I Pregnant?
• Common Pregnancy Problems
• The Pregnant You