Pregnancy is a time of new experiences

For most people, pregnancy is something to look forward to and celebrate with family and friends. It’s also a time of wondering how a new baby will change your life.

Here are some of the things that mums-to-be can expect.

·         You (or your partner) may be very interested in the way your baby is growing inside you. Understanding your baby's physical development in utero, called fetal development, is a first step in bonding with bub. You can see images of fetal development from fetal development from conception to 12 weeks on the Australian website www.birth.com.au.

·         You are likely to develop a fascination with your own physical and emotional changes during pregnancy. Knowing what you might experience will help you understand these changes and deal with concerns that naturally crop up during pregnancy.

·         You might feel deliriously happy and deliriously tired and even deliriously grumpy, all at a moment’s notice (particularly in the first three months). Your body is zinging with hormones to help your baby grow. This can make you feel sick, tired and maybe more emotional than ever before. Or it might make you feel like you have loads of energy. Either way, lots of emotional swings are normal when you’re pregnant.

·         Some of your physical and emotional experiences will also affect your partner and family, often with great joy at what you're going through.

·         If you’re about to be a dad, you might be worried about the new responsibility you’ll have, thinking about how it will affect your work life, and wondering if your social life is about to go out the window.

·         You and your partner may be surprised that you also have some conflicting emotions: amid all the excitement, there could be concern or worry about how your relationship may change and how the two of you and your family will cope with the changes that a new baby brings. Talking about how you’re feeling and what the future might bring is a major part of preparing your family.

·         If you already have children, you'll be keen to know the best way to prepare them for the new baby. Explaining the pregnancy in a way children understand is a good start. The details you give them may depend on the questions they ask.

·         You will want to make some physical changes to your home to prepare for bub’s arrival. Creating a new space and collecting the things your new baby will need can help you and your family feel ready for bub's arrival.