Pregnancy 411: Facts Expecting Mothers Will Value

A few months after my wedding, my husband and I decided that we wanted to start having a baby. So, of course, I did some research, because I had learned that a woman can only get pregnant a few days out of the month. So I wanted to target when those days were for me. I did a Google search and found a Web site that predicted the days to get pregnant. I can't remember the name of the Web site, but there are several out there. So, armed with this information, my husband and I made sure to be together during the days that they recommended.

After those specific days passed, I had a slight feeling that maybe I was pregnant. I felt different already. For one, I felt really tired. A couple of times I felt light headed after eating spicy food. I recognized that those things were not like me, and I knew that they were signs of pregnancy. I never had to vomit, but I had a slight queasy feeling for a couple of days. I couldn't wait to see if I was pregnant or not, and anxiously awaited the right time to purchase a pregnancy test. A few weeks later, I learned that I was pregnant!! I was so excited. Following are things that I experienced while pregnant, and helpful tips for you.

Always eat, even if it is just a small portion.

When I would wake up in the morning with a slightly queasy feeling, I immediately ate an apple, to put something on my stomache. I later learned that it's important to eat or nibble on something as soon as you get up in the morning to ward off morning sickness. Make sure it's something that agrees with you. For some mothers, they vomit whatever they try to eat in the mornings. For them, it is helpful to nibble on some crackers or something, drink some juice. Just make sure you eat something, however small. It will help you feel better and less queasy.

Also, if you do not have the appetite for 3 large meals throughout the day, try to eat six or so smaller meals. I had to do this, because my appetite disappeared for the first three months of my pregnancy. I rarely got hungry. So, I snacked on a lot of fruits, and yogurt throughout the day, and ate small meals. That helped to keep my energy up and me meeting my nutritional needs. Of course, you need to try to eat as healthy as you can.

Rest.

I slept so much during my first pregnancy. I'm expecting again, but I don't sleep as much because I have one child to look after. But, I nap whenever my child naps. Getting enough rest cannot be stressed enough. You need every bit of strength to carry a healthy baby.

Prenatal care

Make sure that you find a doctor that you feel comfortable with, and keep up with your appointments. Take the prenatal vitamins that are prescribed to you.

Exercise

I didn't exercise too much with my first pregnancy, just out of laziness, I suppose, but it is recommended. My friend told me that she walked about half a mile every day, and she thinks that is one of the reasons why she had a natural and uncomplicated birth. I ended up needing a c-section, so maybe the exercise does help you have a better delivery. Just make sure that it's not a strenuous exercise. Things like walking, yoga, and swimming, are all great ways to exercise while pregnant.

Read and Research for yourself.

When you're not sure of what to expect, you should always try to research for yourself what to expect and what to do for optimal outcome. I devoured every pregnancy book that I could find. It eased my fears and curiosities about the many mysteries of pregnancy and childbirth. So, go out and read all you can and talk to as many mothers as you can to get an idea of what to expect, and how to handle it.

Happy pregnancy!!