The Hyperink Team - Guide To Pregnancy: What To Expect When Youre Expecting Your First Baby

"Making a decision to have a childit's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body."

Elizabeth Stone

Whether this is your first pregnancy or youve been there and done that, if you are expecting a baby, you're in good company. According to the American Pregnancy Association , there are approximately four million births every year in the U.S. alone.

Having a baby is one of life's most monumental and life-changing events. You are bringing a new life into the world, a helpless baby who will be dependent on you for their safety, happiness and well-being for many years to come. It's a big responsibility, but also one of the most rewarding things a woman can do in her lifetime.

This guide seeks to offer women advice on the topic of pregnancy. It covers how to properly prepare for pregnancy and how to get through those all important nine months. It looks at first and second pregnancies and what you might expect from labor.

Pregnancy is an exciting journey, and one which will provide memories that will last a lifetime.

If youve decided to take the plunge and become a parent, there are a number of steps you can take to maximize your chance of enjoying a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy and ultimately give birth to a healthy baby. By the time you are able to confirm that you are expecting you will already be at least two weeks into your pregnancy, so its better to start preparing before you try to conceive.

• Preconception Visit

A visit to your doctor is in order to check you are fit and well. A preconception visit is also an opportunity to discuss issues like health problems and social support concerns.

• Visit the Dentist

Oral health can be affected by pregnancy . The hormonal changes your body is about to go through can result in an increased risk of gum disease. Since the dental procedures that can be carried out during pregnancy are limited, its important to get your teeth checked out before you conceive.

• Folic Acid

Women should ensure that there are adequate stores of folic acid in her body, both before and during pregnancy. Taking 400 micrograms daily from preconception through to the twelfth week of pregnancy helps to prevent major birth defects in a baby's brain and spine.

• Stop Smoking

Not only is smoking bad for your health in general, it can also reduce fertility and increase the risk of premature birth and cot death. It is highly recommended that you stop smoking when preparing to conceive. If your pregnancy is a surprise, you should stop as soon as you find out you are having a baby.

• Quit Drinking

Like smoking, the consumption of alcohol can affect fertility and is strongly advised against while trying to conceive and during pregnancy. Alcohol consumed in the first few months of pregnancy can be particularly damaging to your baby's forming brain and cause them to be born with a condition known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

• Existing Medication

Some types of medicines can affect fertility and may harm your baby if you become pregnant. You should always check with your healthcare provider as to which medicines are safe to use both before and during pregnancy.

• Existing Medical Conditions

If you have a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes, asthma or epilepsy, its important that you speak to your healthcare provider. They can provide useful advice when trying to conceive and help you manage any conditions effectively throughout the course of your pregnancy.

• Financial Considerations

Theres no getting away from it; having a baby is expensive. Not forgetting the costs associated with pregnancy and the birth itself, raising a child is likely to cost up to $300,000. Carefully considering the potential cost of raising a child and how you will prepare for that expense before you actually conceive will reduce stress later.

• Healthy Weight Being either underweight or overweight may lead to problems with conceiving. When preparing for pregnancy, you should be aiming for a BMI (body mass index) between 18.5 and 25. If you need to lose weight, do it before trying to conceive, since dieting in pregnancy is not advisable. You can check your current BMI online .

Image via EverythingHealth .

• Healthy Eating

Healthy eating should be a top priority. Ensure your body has sufficient stores of vitamins and minerals when trying to conceive and throughout your pregnancy. A healthy diet should consist of at least five portions of fruit and vegetable every day, starchy foods like potatoes and whole grain bread and cereals, protein from fish and lean meats, and dairy foods that supply calcium. It is preferable to avoid salty, sugary and fatty foods. There are also certain foods, such as liver, soft cheeses and sushi, that should be avoided during pregnancy .

Conceiving your Child

About eight in ten couples having regular sexual intercourse without contraception will be successful in their attempts to conceive within the first twelve months of trying for a baby. When you stop using contraception such as condoms, contraceptive pills, implants and coils, you can expect normal fertility levels to resume very quickly, but if you have been using contraceptive depot injections, it may take up to 12 months for you to become fertile again. This is something to be aware of when trying to conceive.

You may decide to help things along by tracking your periods and symptoms to determine your ovulation calendar . Remember that trying to time sex in line with ovulation can put you under undue stress and make lovemaking seem like a chore. To increase your chances of success, and have a lot more fun in the process, you should just aim to have sex every two to three days. Visit your healthcare provider for advice if you have not conceived within a year of trying. Women over the age of 35 or those with infrequent periods should seek advice sooner.

Common Pregnancy Complaints

Women often appear to 'bloom' during pregnancy. Some women do indeed enjoy thicker, shinier hair and brighter skin during pregnancy, but others will suffer from one or more common pregnancy complaints. These are entirely normal and there are some excellent treatments available to help you manage some of the more unpleasant effects of pregnancy.

• Nausea

The most common complaint in expectant mothers is that of nausea. It is commonly referred to as morning sickness , but in reality it can strike at any time of the day. This common condition is thought to affect some 75% of expectant mothers and will usually pass by the 14th week of pregnancy.

• Gas and bloating

During pregnancy, there are increased levels of progesterone in your body. This serves to relax smooth muscle tissues and slow down the digestive process, leading to gas , burping and flatulence.

• Bleeding gums

Pregnancy gingivitis is a common complaint affecting around 50% of pregnant women. Bleeding gums when you brush or floss are also caused by higher than normal levels of progesterone.

• Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are simply swollen blood vessels. During pregnancy, they're likely to appear in the rectal area, making the area itchy and painful during a bowel movement. Those who have previously had the condition are more likely to be affected in pregnancy than those who haven't.