"We know that birth takes a woman from one place in her life to another. The birth of a child certainly does change her viewpoint of herself and I believe her viewpoint of the world." - Sameerah Shareef

You made it through your wedding and that honeymoon in the Bahamas. But just when you thought you were already in the middle of the best years of your life --- you get the news that you're pregnant!

For your, this is surely the very highlight of your married life. The love you have for one another has now come to fruition right in your own womb.

But soon enough, you learn that pregnancy is not all about celebration and anticipation....it can also be a time of physical and emotional strain. For the first time, you get to experience morning sickness and all the discomfort, nausea, and vomiting that it entails. The sickness can start just before you miss your first period and it is caused by the sudden increase in hormones during pregnancy. Pregnancy is also a time for learning, not only for the mom but for the dad as well. Any expecting couple should know that conception takes place in three basic stages: ovulation, fertilization, and the division of the fertilized egg. Fertility varies significantly between couples, as it can take one couple only a few weeks before the woman conceives, while with others have to wait many years before they have a child. There are several factors that may delay conception which may include drinking, smoking, taking certain kinds of medications, obesity, drug use and exposure to heat and chemicals among others. Morning sickness is also very common but is usually gone by the second trimester. Aside from morning sickness, a pregnant woman should also expect to feel fatigue, swelling of the breasts, increased sensitivity to odors, frequent urination, and abdominal bloating.

To help you have a safe pregnancy, you may want to consider the following tips:

l Avoid foods with smells that bother you
l Eat a lot of carbohydrates like rice
l Try gelatin desserts, sugared decaffeinated or herbal teas
l Avoid rich fatty foods
l Fruit is better at preventing nausea than sweeter snacks
l Ginger was proven to be safe to use and help relieve sickness
l Keep dry crackers by your bed and eat or two before getting up in the morning
l Don't let your stomach remain empty for more than a couple of hours
l Trying acupressure
l Take vitamins prescribed by the doctor
Carrying a baby should be the most amazing event in your life. Taking care of yourself should be top priority which means you always need to get a health check-up. Regular visits to your doctor will help ensure the progress of your pregnancy. Eat a well-balanced diet as you are now "eating for two." Take folic acid and ample amounts of vitamin B-12, which is found in fish,milk, eggs, and meat.

Being pregnant is a wonderful event and will affect your body for 9 months. Having a baby doesn't mean you have to give up a lot of enjoyable activities. Make sure you get the proper prenatal care and it is also alright to do light exercising during your pregnancy. Adapt a relaxation technique that will allow you to be more prepared especially for the labor.

As your baby grows. Take time to pamper yourself and bond more with your husband. Better yet, get beautiful maternity clothes that enhance your appearance. Having a baby doesn't meant you should stopped paying attention to yourself and while you're in such a stage, explain to your husband that is part of being pregnant that sometimes you have mixed emotions. Although, your husband might not share with you the pains of having a baby. He may understand your emotions and give the loving support you need. After all, a happy Mom is also a happy baby. Celebrate motherhood while it lasts. It is really something to look forward too.