There is nothing quite like testing positive and knowing that you have become a vessel for new life.  You stand at the beginning of a miraculous journey that will last a lifetime.  Enjoy every step of the way!

Feeling Pregnant

The symptoms of early pregnancy vary from woman to woman.  While one woman may  "feel pregnant" in the first weeks after conception, another may not even know until a few months into the pregnancy.  The most common symptoms that may indicate a pregnancy are:

A missed period.  Many women experience light spotting or bleeding around the time of their period, and some experience light spotting and bleeding throughout the first trimester.    Any spotting or bleeding should be reported to your doctor to rule out ectopic pregnancy and other complications.

Morning Sickness.  The infamous symptom of early pregnancy, morning sickness is often not limited to a certain time of day.  Nausea and sensitivity to particular smells and foods, and in severe cases vomiting, usually ease or disappear completely after the first trimester.

Other symptoms may include fatigue, breast tenderness and craving specific foods.  If these symptoms persist, take a home pregnancy test and visit your doctor. If the test is positive, congratulations, you are going to be a mom! 

An Emotional Joyride

Joy, elevation and a great sense of awe are common emotions that run through the mind not only at the beginning of your pregnancy, but throughout each amazing step closer to birth, and after! On the other hand, these feelings may be accompanied by fear, anxiousness and total shock. It is good if you have someone to talk to about your feelings, because these feelings are common and it is not healthy to let them take over your life. Decide on the right time to tell your family and friends and when to tell your boss. Every woman has her own acceptance period, weather it is telling everyone you know right away or getting away to the country to contemplate.

Related Readings:
Pregnancy in the work place – adjusting to your new situation 

Choosing your doctor and midwife

If you have a doctor or a midwife that you trust: your childhood doctor, your partner's doctor or your mother's midwife (in some cases the doctor who delivered the mother also will deliver her baby) go with him or her. Trust is most important. You need to feel that your doctor is acting on your behalf and is patient with your questions, no matter how trivial they sound. Information is crucial for you to feel safe and relaxed.

If it is a doctor you don't know, here are a few important issues you should ask before deciding to choose him or her:
How much experience do they have and where they were trained. Don't be shy and ask for references. Inquire about his or her approach to pregnancy and birth. If you are planning a home birth and the physician does not treat outside of the hospital, you are better off with somebody else. If it is a physician, ask him or her for their schedule. Make sure that there is enough time for you; doctors tend to overload their days. Ask if they deliver the baby themselves and what their approach is if you hire a midwife.
Remember, no question is too trivial or stupid. Your and your baby are what is most important.

Tests that make you go mmm...

The first month is filled with tests, which could make you feel like a Guinea pig. Needles, swallowing, and urinating into cups – in short, a real joy ride. But these early tests, or as they are called prenatal tests, are intended to ensure that the first critical moments are safe for your newly expected. Here are some of the common prenatal tests: Screening Tests, The Triple Screen, Chorionic Villus, Glucose Tolerance Test, Urine Test, Blood Tests, AFP (Alpha-Feto Protein) Screen and Amniocentesis.

Complications

As in any case in life, complications might arrive. Here is a list that hopefully you will not need, but being aware is essential in order to manage these problems as early as possible: Ectopic (Tubal) pregnancy, Gestational Diabetes, Rubella and the worst of them all – miscarriage.

For more information about miscarriage see:

Miscarriage – symptoms, causes and ways to handle the loss

The first month is an action filled, emotionally charged month. Try to relax when you can, and accept all that is happening in a relaxed state. You have eight more months to go!

Related Articles:

Second Month - Symptoms Galore

Pregnancy Weeks 1-4

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