A young woman’s awareness that she is soon to become a mother requires a big adjustment in her thinking and acting. Probably she has always looked forward to this prospect and supposed that when it arrived, she would be overjoyed. But the reality of pregnancy may be less thrilling than anticipated. For some expectant mothers, pregnancy can be quite uncomfortable, whereas for some, it passes by with the least discomfort.

The symptoms of nausea and vomiting that occur often during the early phase of pregnancy actually make a mother-to-be quite uncomfortable. Her knowledge that these symptoms are part of the normal experience may give her courage but does not help her to feel better. Morning sickness continues for some till the 4th month and makes it difficult to eat anything, but it can be controlled with certain medication and the doctor’s continued advice.

For a healthful living during pregnancy, a general rule which can be followed with benefit by pregnant women is for them to carry on their way of life, but to do it with moderation. They should avoid all kinds of excesses, even excesses of rest.

Heavy physical work, including stooping and lifting, should be avoided. A pregnant women benefit by a reasonable amount of physical exercise. Walking is one of the best types. At this time of life, doctors usually prescribe special muscle-building exercises for the purpose of strengthening those particular muscles that will be involved in the process of child birth, thus making the procedure less taxing for the mother. It is good for the pregnant women to take fifteen minutes rest twice a day. On such occasions she should lie down and deliberately relax all of her muscles.

A woman’s dress during pregnancy should be simple and comfortable. Any article of apparel that fits so tightly as to interfere with return of blood through the veins should be shunned. Daily baths are even more advisable during pregnancy than at other times, for the glands of the skin are now more active than usual.

Pregnancy cravings; the strange, often unbelievable appetites expectant mothers develop for unusual foods is no joke to the women concerned, but very real and intense cravings that have to be satisfied at the time. According to the doctors, the body develops strong physical or chemical needs linked to the normal growth of the child, be it vitamins, minerals, cereals or whatever. To make sure the developing embryo gets them, nature temporarily endows the mother with a powerful, unusual appetite for them.