Pregnancy Facts: Guide to Expecting Mothers from First-Time Parents

Your pregnancy is unique.
More than food, you will crave information and you will find no shortage of it in books, online, or from friends and family. For every relevant tip and resource, you will discard several others, because they are contradictory or do not apply you. This is equally frustrating and reassuring. But absorb as much information as you can early on. You won't remember everything as the pregnancy progresses, but it'll ring a bell when you need it.

A general awareness of the ins and outs will help prepare you for whatever may come your way. For the nuts and bolts, you can't go wrong with "What to Expect When You're Expecting," by Heidi Murkoff. If you're at all interested in natural birth or alternative birthing plans, a helpful workbook is "Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation," by Pam England and Rob Horowitz. If nothing else, it'll get you thinking about your delivery, the expectations and the fears. For guidance on other side of it all, you'll find some help in the "Happiest Baby on the Block," by Harvey Karp.

Trust your doctor.
If you don't, find one you do trust and listen to them. Your friend who is pregnant likely is receiving different advice that may not be meant for you. Although medical information on the internet is abundant and helpful, experts abound on both sides of many issues. Without a guiding voice, you can feel lost. Dad, a friend, or family member should come to every doctor's appointment. It's nice to have the extra support there and a second set of ears is always great, especially if there are complications or special instructions. You won't remember everything they tell you.

Some things you can count on.
You will be tired.
You will feel fat.
You will swell.
You will have a hard time sleeping.
You will be uncomfortable at times.
You will love feeling a baby inside you.
You will feel special.
You will feel nauseous, whether due to morning sickness or an aversion to certain foods. No matter what your friends tell you, you will gain weight in your face. The degree to which you will experience these things will vary.

Not everyone will experience morning sickness.
A lot of people are just waiting to puke, but it never happens. If you don't experience morning sickness, take your vitamins in the morning, because they will help your overall energy levels.

Your sense of smell will increase.
Sometimes this leads to the morning sickness, but mostly it means that everything will be really potent.

Some woman don't show right away.
Don't expect to look pregnant for at least 5 months, depending on your size. You may be yearning for that time when everyone would know you are pregnant and not just getting fat, but it can some time.

Eat smaller meals more often.
In the beginning you can experience heartburn, and you'll definitely get hungrier more often. It's best to plan many small meals, up to 6-8 per day, rather wait until you're famished. ALWAYS carry a snack and some water along. Stash some water and granola bars in the car. Expect to wait at every doctor's appointment, so be prepared and have a snack handy.

Slow and steady progress on the to-do list.
Start planning early: the nursery, baby necessities, birthing plan, the household fixes, and all the breastfeeding, CPR, and safety courses the hospital offers. If the doctor orders you to remain on bed rest, you could lose valuable time in getting everything just the way you want it. You will be fine if something doesn't get done or you miss a class you wanted to attend, but there's enough anxiety as it is. The fewer things you have to stress about, the better.

Sleep whenever you are tired.
A 10 minute nap will do wonders to replenish your body and spirit.

Read to the baby.
Regardless what the medical profession says about its affects on the baby's IQ or their ability to remember the stories when they here them outside the womb, it's great for you and dad to connect. And it makes you feel like a parent.

Enjoy it.
Likely you'll hear this from many people, and just as likely, you'll feel too overwhelmed and busy to listen. Try.