You just found out, you suspected, but now, for better or for worse, you know.  You are pregnant.  Suddenly you are flooded with fear, apprehension and questions.  What do I do now?  What can I expect?  How will my life change?  You are overwhelmed with questions, but there is no turning back.  Now is the time to start preparing for the most exhilarating ride of your life.  What to expect when expecting

So what can you really expect when your’e expecting your first baby?  Well, the list is long, and the resources available to help you to learn about the process are plentiful.  However, the entire process has been pretty well established and with minor exceptions, you can expect a bit of nausea for your first trimester.  Morning sickness is a misnomer as the nausea can hit you at any time and for a few unfortunate moms, all of the time.  You can expect some pretty dramatic mood changes as well and some very dramatic changes in your tastes and food preferences.  For some mothers, they will notice a change in their hair, while others will experience extreme sensitivity to strong flavors or smells.   Let’s face it, during your first trimester, your sensitivity to everything is going to go through the roof.

What about weight gain?  Unfortunately, within as soon as eight weeks, your skinny jeans may need to be shelved for a while.  The changes will be subtle at first, and if you are like most moms, you will spend every morning in front of the mirror staring at your profile trying to detect the subtlest of changes.   Keep in mind those changes are gradual so your eyes may initially be playing tricks on you.  Don’t worry, the changes come all too soon.

For your diet, you need to be taking a prenatal vitamin.  Just know that many moms are just like you and have trouble choking them down.  If swallowing pills is no longer an option, there are chews and other prenatal options that can give you the nutrients that you need. 

During this time, many mothers start amping up their calorie intake, and a few choose to overdue it.  While it is true that you are eating for two, your baby should only need about 400 extra calories per day which when you think about it is a side dish of something nutritious.    I know that your changing figure is a concern, but it is best not to over eat and certainly not under eat or starve during this time.  Just give your body plenty of healthy and nutritious foods. 

There are too many changes and experiences to list when your expecting, but just know that there are numerous resources to help you manage expectations.  From books such as what to expect when you’re expecting and girlfriends guide to pregnancy, to online resources such as thebump.com.  Tap into these resources and know that you are by no means the first person to have this experience, and hopefully you will not be the last.