You're pregnant!

Finding out you're pregnant is both exiting and scary.

As soon as you receive a positive pregnancy test, it's natural to feel nervous, anxious, even scared, but there's no need! Here's an overview of what to expect.

You're pregnant! It doesn't matter if it's your first time or if you've given birth before, finding out you're pregnant is exciting and scary all at the same time.

Once upon a time, you could eat and drink what you wanted, indulge in bad habits, and sink into a hot tub without worry. But now, you're going to want to pay attention to everything that goes into your body and avoid doing anything that might place your tiny guest at risk. You'll start worrying about soft cheeses, the beer you had before you realized you were pregnant, and whether or not you should be eating tuna. It's natural to feel a little anxious when you think about the really remarkable thing going on inside you. But slow down! Pregnancy is a life-changing event, it's true, but with a little information to guide you and good prenatal care, you might find pregnancy to be one of the most satisfying and exciting periods of your life.

Just the facts

Pregnancy begins when your egg, fertilized by your partner's sperm, becomes attached to the lining of the uterus (womb). In most cases, you'll begin to suspect you're pregnant when you miss your period. By the time that happens, you will have already been pregnant several weeks. That's why it's a good idea to get your body in shape and develop healthy habits before you even get pregnant. It's particularly important to quit smoking and eat a healthy diet.

A missed period is one early sign of pregnancy. Other indications you might be pregnant include tender or swollen breasts, feeling nauseated or queasy, urinating more often than usual, and feeling bloated. You might feel more moody or tired. Sometimes, you might have a period, but it will be very light (perhaps just spotting).

The stages of pregnancy

A typical pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, or 280 days. Your due date is calculated based on that length of time. Few women deliver on their due date, however, as each pregnancy is different and a "normal" pregnancy can last anywhere from 37 weeks to 42 weeks.

Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. Each trimester lasts about three months. Every pregnancy is different, but here are some general things you can expect each trimester.

First trimester: 0-13 weeks
Quite a bit goes on in the first trimester. You might have difficulty adjusting to all the changes taking place. You might have swollen breasts and have to urinate often, even at night. Pregnancy hormones circulating throughout your body cause these symptoms. You may have morning sickness–a feeling of nausea that can actually last all day.

You most likely won't "show" or appear pregnant right away, so some women choose to wait until after the first trimester to share the news with friends. The risk of a miscarriage is greatest in the first trimester.

If you could peer inside your uterus, you'd see that the fetus is just starting to develop. The major organs and nervous system are forming. The heart starts beating. The lungs and brain develop. The head and limbs and eyes and ears start forming too. The first trimester is, understandably, a critical time for the fetus.

Second trimester: 14-28 weeks
Many women describe the second trimester as the easiest. If you had morning sickness, it most likely has disappeared. You may feel more energetic and sleep better.

If you could look inside, you'd see that the fetus is looking more human. Eyebrows, eyelashes, fingernails, and hair have started to grow. The organs are developing further and starting to function. The genitals develop and if you have an ultrasound test, you might learn whether you're carrying a boy or a girl. The fetus begins to move and kick (this is the time of "quickening" when you first feel the baby move inside your abdomen).

Third trimester: 29-40 weeks
The third trimester can be both terribly exciting and terribly long. On the one hand, you're getting closer to the day when you will hold your precious baby in your arms. On the other hand, you may be so big you can't see your feet or roll over in bed easily. (This is worse than it sounds, as you will most likely be rolling out of bed several times a night to use the bathroom!)

This is the home stretch. You may have swollen ankles and a belly so huge you waddle. You might be short of breath when you climb the stairs and have heartburn after you eat. (Your baby is so big now that your uterus is crowding out your other organs, such as your lungs and stomach.) Inside, your fetus is growing big enough to survive on its own, outside your body. You might notice less movement now, as the fetus grows and space in the uterus decreases.

An exciting time

Remember, pregnancy is natural and quite a lot of women have done it and things turned out just fine. Every pregnancy is different, just as every baby and woman is different, but with proper prenatal care and a positive attitude, pregnancy can be one of the most special times in your life.