So you and your partner have just discovered that you are going to be parents. You realize that not only are you thrilled with the prospect of becoming a parent; you are also terrified of the road that lies ahead. If this is your first baby you are probably wondering what life has in store for you and exactly what changes are going to occur along the way.

The early signs of pregnancy will quickly be replaced with the later stages of pregnancy. Those nine months do go by very quickly. You will go from first learning the results of your pregnancy test to delivering a bouncing baby boy or girl.

One of the most important things to consider when you first find out you are expecting is medical care. Healthy babies are born to healthy mothers. You want to ensure that you are doing everything in your power to give your child the best foundation for a healthy life. Your doctor will initially run some tests to determine if everything is in order.

The doctor will also chart your progress through the different stages of pregnancy. They will explain in detail the different stages of fetal development and what is happening with your baby during each month. The doctor will also routinely weigh you and measure your stomach to determine the size of the baby. An ultrasound test will probably be in your future and the doctor may even tell you the gender of the baby.

When your friends and family discover you are pregnant they will have many pregnancy tips to offer. Everything from where to learn Lamaze techniques to what foods you need to be eating will be offered. Although all well-wishers want to believe you will follow their advice when it comes to a diet for pregnant women, you are best off to ask the advice of your doctor or nutritionist.

With the arrival of your new bundle of joy comes a whole host of things you’ll need to buy. The first are actually for you and no doubt you’ll want maternity clothes that reflect your own personal style. You can find maternity clothes that are appropriate for almost any occasion. There are even bikinis for expectant mothers to wear as they exercise in the water. If you are too shy for that consider a one piece but don’t forego the exercise, it’s an essential part of a healthy pregnancy.

Get ready for everything to change once the baby arrives. Three am feedings and days without a shower will become the norm. No longer is your life your own, instead you’ll feel compelled to tend to that wonderful new member of your family. Enjoy each and every moment of your pregnancy. You will be happy when the baby arrives and you will also have all of the memories of the months spent getting ready for the most important day of your life, the day you become a parent.

When most of us think of pregnancy tests we immediately think of at home pregnancy tests. These are the tests that are sold at local pharmacies to women when they suspect that they may be pregnant. A woman purchases the test and can take it home and administer it herself. Although this hardly seems scientific, the results are very accurate, in some cases even 99.9% accurate.

When a woman takes one of these at home tests and the results are positive she is in store for a whole host of additional tests. The first being a laboratory administered pregnancy test which will be ordered by her doctor. Even though you may be certain you are pregnant, your doctor will want his or her own proof. The test will be either a urine test or a blood test. The results are usually available within minutes and the doctor may ask you to wait in his or her office until the results are available.

Once the doctor is convinced that you are indeed pregnant, he or she will order some additional blood work. These tests are seen as a baseline accounting of your present state of health. Depending on your personal situation the doctor may give you an HIV test, and a blood type test. They will also run a series of tests to determine your blood count. This is very important as it can show them if you are prone to illness.

Most doctors will want to perform an ultrasound as the pregnancy progresses. The ultrasound allows the doctor to see not only the size of the baby but whether there are any noticeable birth defects or concerns. The ultrasound can also help the doctor to pinpoint a due date. In the case of a mother who seems to be expanding faster than she should be, an ultrasound will reveal whether there are twins or triplets present.

In addition to an ultrasound an amniocentesis may also be ordered. This pregnancy test can be a bit scary to a new mom as it involves the insertion of a needle into the uterus to extract fluid. The needle is very fine though and the procedure is conducted by a person very skilled in this area. Many women will ask about pain relief but it’s believed that during the entire pregnancy it’s wise to avoid any type of medications. This is true during the amniocentesis as well, since it’s nothing more than a small pinch.

The results of the amniocentesis will tell the doctor a great deal. It will reveal if there are any major concerns with the fetus including Downs Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis and Muscular Dystrophy. Although hearing that your unborn child is affected with any of these conditions is devastating it does offer the expectant parents the opportunity to prepare to welcome their special child into their lives. They can study information and do research on the condition if they are unfamiliar with it. This affords them the chance to begin their parenthood experience with a wealth of knowledge.

As the pregnancy progresses the expectant mother will need to take a blood glucose test. This is usually done somewhere between the 24th and 28th weeks of the pregnancy. For this test the mother will need to refrain from eating for a set period of time and will have to drink a glucose solution. This test helps the doctor to determine whether the mother is prone to gestational diabetes, a very serious condition that requires special monitoring.

It’s important to remember that all the tests performed during pregnancy are necessary. They need to be done for the developing baby. Although they aren’t all pleasant, it’s wise to think about how wonderful it will be to hold your new baby in your arms. This will make any test seem like a walk in the park.