Some women swear they knew the moment they fell pregnant whilst others are not even sure that they are indeed pregnant.

The first clue is the missing of your menstrual period though this does not always indicate that you are pregnant. Women miss their period for various reasons. This may include an illness, emotional strain, or disturbances of the endocrine organs.

The second indicator that you may be pregnant is morning sickness. About half of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting soon after falling pregnant. For most women these symptoms disappear after three months but in some cases this is not so. Some women experience vomiting right throughout the pregnancy and though called morning sickness the vomiting may well continue throughout the day.

In some extreme cases the sickness is so severe that the pregnant women may be hospitalized as she could dehydrate rapidly causing harm to herself and her unborn baby.

Once you think you may be pregnant it is best to consult your doctor. He will do tests to confirm if you are pregnant. They are reliable about two weeks after you miss your first period. Both blood and urine samples can be done.

Another indication of pregnancy is tenderness and enlargement of the breasts.

The key to successful child bearing is to follow a programme throughout pregnancy that will ensure the mother’s health and that of her unborn child.

As soon as you suspect that you are pregnant make that appointment to see your doctor. Then after that, visit your doctor every month for the first six months. Then every two weeks for the following two months, and every week for your ninth month.

At your first visit, the doctor should do a full physical examination to determine if there are any special problems. He will enquire about the date of your last period and will calculate from this the approximate time when the baby is due.

Usually, conception occurs about two weeks after the first day of your last menstruation period. From conception to delivery, the average time is 266 days. Adding to this the two weeks between the beginning of the previous menstruation and the probable day of conception we have 280 days from this first day of your period to the date of childbirth.

The easiest way to arrive at the probable date of childbirth is to count ahead nine months from the first day of your last period and then add seven days.

At around 16-18 weeks you will start to feel the baby move. Expectant mothers find it a thrilling experience and describe it as a flutter inside their stomachs. The movements and kicking of your baby will grow stronger as your delivery date approaches.

It is extremely important that you report any exposure to your doctor of any infectious diseases, especially German measles otherwise known as Rubella. It is best advised to stay away from places where there have been any infectious diseases ensuring that you protect yourself and your baby as best you can.

But no matter how well you look after yourself you will suffer from certain discomforts.