Beginners Guide to Pregnancy and Keeping Related Costs Down

Article by Anna Bailey

Motherhood is a huge step for any woman, and while pregnancy is one of the most special times in a female’s life, it brings a significant amount of changes and complexities.For those who are experiencing maternity for the first time, there are many new things to learn. The following guide will give you an overview of what to expect if you’re pregnant, and it also explores the ways to keep costs down while preparing for the arrival of your baby.

How to Recognise When You’re PregnantApart from the tell-tale signs of missing your period, here are some of the primary indicators that you’re pregnant:. Feeling nauseous.. Breast tenderness and enlargement.. The small bumps on your nipples, called ‘Montgomery’s tubercules’, becoming more pronounced.. An odd ‘metallic’ taste in your mouth.. Finding yourself suddenly ‘off’ certain foods, such as fatty foods or caffeine.. Tiredness.. Constipation.. Needing to urinate more frequently.. Increased vaginal discharge.

When to Take a Pregnancy TestModern women have the benefit of being able to buy an easy over-the-counter pregnancy test. They are generally very accurate if you use them properly and you can take the test as soon as the first day of your missed period.How it works to indentify whether you are pregnant or not is by detecting the hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in your urine. The test stick will change colour when it comes into contact with this hormone by being dipped it into your urine.

Be advised however that it is possible to have a ‘false negative’, meaning the test says you aren’t pregnant when in fact you are. For this reason many women take the test more than once, and if in doubt, your GP will be able to tell you for sure.Tests can also be taken free at certain places, such as at family planning clinics, young people’s services, some pharmacies, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service and Marie Stopes International clinics.If your test is positive, always tell your doctor so they can ensure you’re aware of the right pregnancy care to follow. They can also do an ultrasound scan to find out the size of your uterus and the embryo, so that the birth due date can be confirmed.

Delivery DateThe normal pregnancy duration is nine months. Your pregnancy term is dated from the first day of your last period, even though you might actually have conceived two weeks or so after this time as it all depends on the length of your menstrual cycle. Your baby will be expected to arrive two weeks either side of the due date.

Preparing for Your Baby Within BudgetAfter the initial elation of confirming your pregnancy, you and your partner will want to look at the more practical side of things – finance. Especially in the current tough economic climate, adding up costs can be daunting.Here are some top tips to cut costs when buying all the things that your new baby will need:. Friends and family who have already experienced maternity are valuable sources of information – ask them what they found really useful and what was a waste of money.. Spread your costs by delaying purchases of pricey items that you won’t need immediately, such as highchairs and full-size cots. Pillows are not safe for babies until they’re a year old, so you can cross that off the list of priorities too.. When it comes to clothing, four or five full outfits (including outdoor wear) will be enough to start with. It’s important to realise that babies grow very quickly, so splurging on a massive wardrobe isn’t really worth it. You might even want to consider going second-hand, especially if your friends or family have kept their children’s baby clothes.. Babies get through six to eight nappies a day in the early weeks. If you opt for re-usable nappies, you’ll need 12 – 24 of these so that you have enough time for washing and drying between uses.

ConclusionThe experience of pregnancy is both unforgettable and to a degree unique for every expectant mother. Be sure to read as much maternity information as you can so that you’re fully prepared for this wonderful event in your life.