Common Pregnancy Symptoms

• The first question about pregnancy that most women have concerns what type of symptoms are common in early pregnancy. Many women look for pregnancy symptoms even before they take a pregnancy test, and those that don't will certainly be curious about what symptoms to expect after they discover they are pregnant. Common pregnancy symptoms include morning sickness, frequent urination, sore or swollen breasts, a darkening of the areola, fatigue and food cravings or aversions.
  
  

Due Date

• Figuring out when to expect the little bundle of joy is another top question about pregnancy. At the first prenatal appointment an Ob/Gyn will give a due date based off of the woman's last period, and this date will probably either be confirmed or adjusted slightly after an ultrasound is performed in the weeks that follow. A simple way to determine the approximate due date at home is to subtract 3 months from the last menstrual period and add seven days.
  
  

Miscarriages

• After the initial elation over discovering they are pregnant, many women start to worry about the complications of pregnancy, including miscarriage. Unfortunately, miscarriages are common in pregnancy---it is estimated that 15 to 20 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage. There is usually nothing that can be done to avoid miscarriage and having a miscarriage does not mean that the woman will not go on to have future healthy pregnancies.
  
  The majority of all miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and may be accompanied with symptoms like cramping or bleeding. Some miscarriages, known as missed miscarriages, are not discovered until an ultrasound or fetal doppler reveals the absence of a fetal heartbeat. In these instances pregnant women are usually given the option of either waiting and miscarrying naturally or having a surgical procedure, known as a D & C, to remove the fetus.
  
  

Weight Gain

• While pregnant moms may feel at times like eating for two, that's definitely not a good idea. Current obstetrical guidelines advise women who began their pregnancy at a normal weight to gain between 25 and 35 lbs. over the course of their pregnancy. Women who were underweight before conceiving should aim to gain between 28 and 40 lbs., and women that were overweight before pregnancy should gain between 15 and 25 lbs.
  
  

Exercise

• It's normal for pregnant women not to feel like exercising, especially when battling the morning sickness and fatigue that comes with the first trimester, but regular exercise is a major component of a healthy pregnancy. Pregnant women should try to engage in 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week. Low-impact exercise like walking, aerobics, dancing, swimming and yoga are ideal types of pregnancy exercise and will help give pregnant women energy and prevent excess weight gain.
  
  

Sex Safety

• Many pregnant women feel embarrassed asking their health care provider questions about pregnancy and sex, but maintaining a healthy sexual relationship with her partner helps a pregnant woman stay emotionally and physically connected with her partners as they await the birth of their child. While pregnant women may have fears about sex harming their fetus, in most cases this is entirely false. According to the Mayo Clinic, the majority of pregnant women can continue having sex as normal during the course of their entire pregnancy. Exceptions include women experiencing unexplained bleeding, a threatened miscarriage or placenta previa, women with a history of premature labor, or if the woman's water has broken.
  
  

Foods and Activities to Avoid

• There is a long list of do's and don'ts for women during pregnancy, leaving most expectant moms with plenty of questions about pregnancy and the foods, drinks and activities they should avoid. The pregnant woman's veritable bible, "What to Expect When You're Expecting," states that pregnant women should not drink alcohol, use drugs or smoke during pregnancy. Additionally, pregnant women should avoid excessive caffeine, soft cheeses, uncooked or undercooked meats, seafood high in mercury and excessive intake of artificial sweeteners. Pregnant women should also avoid high-impact activities, high-risk activities like water-skiing or horseback riding and overheating themselves.