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• As your last period starts you are not pregnant.
• After ovulation, the egg and sperm join and begin the journey to the uterus.
• As you miss your first period, or even a few days before, you may begin to suspect you are pregnant.
• Take a pregnancy test.

Emotional Mom

• The two week wait from ovulation until you can take a pregnancy test may be emotionally draining.
• If you have been planning a pregnancy, you may feel slightly bewildered that your emotions fluctuate between joy and fear over the up coming pregnancy.

• A positive pregnancy test by blood or urine is possible as soon as you miss your period.
• In the beginning many women experience nausea and vomiting.
• You may feel really, incredibly tired.
• You may feel like you're about to start your period, even down to the mild cramping.

Emotional Mom

• You can't really believe you are pregnant - this is normal.
• You might feel quilty because there are times where you forget you are pregnant.

• Your pregnancy will continue to have symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, and a decrease in your desire for sex.
• Your belly doesn't really show right now, but as you reach the end of this month your uterus will be slightly above your pelvis.
• Your breasts may increase in size, they may also feel fuller and be more tender. You may notice that the aerola gets darker during this month.
• Some symptoms of the first trimester leave you as you head towards the second trimester, like the fatigue and morning sickness.

Emotional Mom

• Feeling anxious about the health of the baby is a common feeling at this point in pregnancy
• Your partner may or may not also share concerns about the pregnancy.

Physical Changes in Pregnancy

• You are enjoying feeling better than you did last month.
• Because your placenta has taken over the production of the pregnancy hormones, you may feel a bit better in the second trimester.
• Some women will begin to have their bellies show at this point, though most women do not yet need maternity clothes.
• Because of the extra blood volume your body needs during pregnancy, your heart will be beating more rapidly.

Emotional Mom

• You may be frustrated that you don't outwardly look pregnant to strangers on the street.
• The acceptance of the pregnancy is easier for you at this point.

• You may begin to feel your baby move, this is called quickening.
• As your uterus reaches your navel or belly button, you will begin to show more.
• You are going to the bathroom more often because your kidneys work harder in pregnancy.
• You are still enjoying your pregnancy at this point with few symptoms that plague you.

Emotional Mom

• You are anxious to learn about babies and birth.
• As your partner begins to feel the baby move, it brings a whole new dimension to how he sees the pregnancy.

• Your baby's movements become easier for you to feel. You may feel your baby move more frequently or with more regularity.
• If heartburn plagues you, try smaller, more frequent meals and avoid offending foods.
• Are you having practice contractions, known as Braxton Hicks contractions?
• Many women tell you to really enjoy this month before the fatigue and symptoms of the third trimester slip in...
• Do you know the symptoms of premature labor?

Emotional Mom

• You are probably throughly enjoying your pregnancy at this point.
• Dreaming strange dreams is fairly common in pregnancy.

• The symptoms of the last trimester may begin to set in. This include back ache, inability to sleep and other not so fun symptoms of late pregnancy.
• Your belly is growing rapidly! It changes shape and you may even see your baby kick through your abdomen.
• As your body prepares for birth you will notice that your joints feel more loose, this is from the release of relaxin. It makes you waddle.

Emotional Mom

• Continue learning all you can - take a breastfeeding class, a childbirth class, and learn about baby care.
• You may start to wonder about the birth process - talk to mothers who have had positive birth experiences to hear their thoughts on having a positive birth.

• You may tire easily as you come down this final stretch. Some women report that they could sleep all day but have trouble sleeping at night. Some say that this is to help prepare you for the sleepless nights ahead. Nap whenever you can.
• You may find that you are simply uncomfortable. Try yoga, swimming and light exercise to help relieve some of the pain you experience.
• As your baby drops further into your pelvis, you may need to urinate more often.

Emotional Mom

• As the birth draws closer, you may worry about your ability to parent.
• Talk to your partner about ways to handle the upcoming birth emotionally and physically.

• Can you believe how big your belly has gotten? Typically your uterus will measure about 40 centimeters from your pubic bone.
• You may notice many contractions as you prepare for labor.
• Your breasts make their final preparations for breastfeeding, this may include leaking.
• Do you often wonder if you are in labor?

Emotional Mom

• Build your confidence in breastfeeding.
• Remember that parenting is one day at a time. Enjoy your baby each day and go slowly.