It's difficult for a first-time mother to know what to expect in pregnancy. It has been said that during pregnancy, a women almost becomes a different species. This is because of the many changes and adaptations the body goes through during the nine-month cycle. The following short list of what to expect in pregnancy will answer some of your questions...

1. The most common symptom of pregnancy is the so-called "morning sickness". This usually begins around six weeks after conception, and is not, unfortunately, confined to mornings! Each woman will differ in the effects; some will hardly feel a thing, while others will be sick regularly throughout the entire time. Some things that help are, eating smaller meals, avoiding greasy foods, avoiding strong smells of any kind, and avoiding highly seasoned foods.

2. It's during the third month that you will start to "show". This is the time when your jeans and other clothing will feel tighter. It's about this time that you need to start looking at maternity wear.

3. As your abdominal area increases in size, so will your stability suffer. The baby's growth will make your center of gravity change, and you will experience the occasional "clumsiness". Be sensible and don't wear silly things like high heels. You will slowly adapt if you stay aware of why it happens.

4. It's the feet and ankles that take all the strain. As a result they often swell during pregnancy. You should elevate the legs regularly during the day, especially after activity.

5. Strange food cravings is another of the common side effects of pregnancy. This can mean that you are iron deficient, and correcting the deficiency can reduce the craving. However, if you still feel an urge to eat strange things, make sure that it will not harm you, and try to limit the number of times you give in.

There are many other things that you will experience. It's quite normal to be apprehensive and wonder what to expect in pregnancy too, but as long as there is no obvious cause for concern, enjoy this special time. Be sure to avoid harmful things like cigarettes and alcohol, and always think first of your baby's health.