Article: Tina Otte from Your Pregnancy magazine
Image: Ablestock

The first trimester: No U-turn
You have just had your pregnancy confirmed at your first antenatal visit. There is no turning back as you embark on your journey – in fact, you are already 6 weeks down the road. You've been feeling sluggish, tired and nauseous and now you know why. Your doctor will take a full history from you, as well as blood and urine samples.

Stop in the name of love
If you haven't already done so, now is the time to stop smoking and avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine. Be sure to step up your nutrition and take no medication or substances that could be harmful to you or your developing baby.

Second trimester: Right of way
You are pregnant. That means you are special and your decisions regarding your care need to be taken seriously. Be sure to ask your caregiver plenty of questions and read, read, read. You will start to feel a lot better as your body moves into second gear.

Emotionally, you will be a lot less wobbly and life will feel good as the niggles of the first trimester settle down. Constipation may start to bother you and you will slowly gain weight. If you feel you need guidance regarding your weight, speak to your caregiver or midwife, or consult one of the well-known weight control organisations.

As your breasts grow larger, be sure to wear a supporting bra and stick to cotton underwear. You may feel as though you are on a long and winding road, but do not lose heart as your body shape changes and sculpts a new look all of its own.

Exercise caution
By 5 months you are over halfway. You now look pregnant and not just fatter. Now is the time to enroll in a prenatal fitness programme. Your appetite is increasing. Keep up the good nutrition: eat from all the food groups and drink plenty of water. Carbohydrates are important for you to keep up your energy levels.

You may suffer a little heartburn and backache at this stage, so lifting and carrying heavy objects should be avoided. Be sure to contact your caregiver should you experience any warning signs such as excessive swelling, severe headaches, constant vomiting or visual disturbances. Do not miss any of your antenatal visits.

Spoil yourself
You may have started to prepare for your new baby, which is a lot of fun. Wallpapering, painting and cleaning can exhaust you, so take it easy. As you head for the sharp curve that the third trimester brings, slow down and treat yourself.

Try a new hairdo or have a manicure. If you enjoy listening to classical music, turn up the volume slightly and let your baby enjoy it as well. Remember that you can stimulate your unborn baby in many ways, especially by using sound and music. Don't forget to have a dental check-up soon, especially if bleeding gums have been a problem for you.

Third trimester: Crossroads ahead
As you change down into third gear and you feel as though you should be travelling in the bus-only lane, take heart. You are now on the final lap, approaching a very important crossroad in your life: making decisions about labour and delivery. You should be starting childbirth education classes soon, and you'll learn a lot from them.

Learn to say no
You need your rest and comfort at this stage: too many women go into premature labour because they are overworked and try to please everyone. Start saying 'No' to things that are difficult for you to cope with. Proceed with caution.

Gearing up for the big day
Your baby's stay in the uterus is slowly coming to an end and she starts to engage for her journey into the world. You will start to feel heavier in the pelvic area as your baby moves down, but you will also feel relief from heartburn and breathlessness as your baby descends.

You should have more frequent antenatal checkups at this point – moving from once every 4 weeks to once every 2 weeks, and then eventually once a week. Your baby continues to grow rapidly and you may find your spirits sagging as you deal with the realities of a body that is gearing itself for the big day.

Visit your labour ward
Remember that your body is the vehicle that will bring your baby into the world, so look after it. Now is a good time to visit the labour and maternity wards of the hospital where you hope to give birth. Knowing where to go when you are in the throes of labour will save a lot of unnecessary tension and trauma.

Set aside some time to write your birth plan and pack your bags for the hospital. Keep telephone numbers of family and friends handy for your partner once the birth is over.

What to expect on labour day
As you go into labour, yield to your body's cues and allow yourself to proceed unhindered. You will encounter many sharp ascents and steep descents as the contractions become stronger, longer and closer together. Some strong crosswinds may unbalance you, but with focus and determination you will get through.

You will be working very hard to birth your baby, so conserve your strength by relaxing and let nature do most of the work. Don't be disappointed if there are some unexpected turns along the way or if you have to take a detour from the the original route you planned to take. What is vital in any birth is the safety of mother and child. Celebrate as you venture onto a new highway on the roadmap of life.