With all the preparations that need to take place before your special new arrival, it can be easy for some women to focus on the less-than-stellar side effects of pregnancy: swollen feet, puffed-up ankles, upset stomachs and weird food cravings. So we've put together a list of our best pregnancy advice, as told by health care professionals and women just like you to help guide you through this important time in your life.

Learn how to plan the first couple weeks with the baby before his or her arrival for a smooth transition to life as a new parent. Do you know the difference between the level of care a family doctor, obstetrician and midwife can offer? You'll learn which health professional could be best for you in the article below. You'll also find five do-anywhere stressbusters for women who are pregnant along with personal stories and advice from new moms.

Photo gallery: Planning your babymoon during your pregnancy

Advice for making your post-pregnancy life as stress-free as possible.

While it's widely accepted that newlyweds need a little time to themselves after they say their "I do's", new parents are rarely given that same sort of breather. But according to British childbirth educator Sheila Kitzinger, there's a case to be made for enjoying some time alone as a family during the early days and weeks after the birth. You probably won't want to "babymoon" alone indefinitely (and you may actually want to include a few low-maintenance friends and family members in your babymooning plans), but it's nice to have a bit of a timeout before the stampede of visitors begins.

Pregnant women: What pregnant women wished they knew before they got pregnant

Get the most out of your prenatal period and the early stages of your pregnancy with these easy tips.

Pregnancy is one of those few situations in life that will fill you with a fluctuating hormonal stew of dread, happiness, anxiety, bliss and – to top it off – a heaping helping of physical discomfort as the nine months wear on.

So, before all of that happens, try to get the most out of the prenatal period and early stages of pregnancy with tips from moms like me who have been there before.

Which health practitioner is right for your pregnancy?

Find out what a family doctor, obstetrician or midwife can offer you.

Whether in the planning stages, or already pregnant, choosing the right healthcare provider for you and your baby can seem like a daunting task. How do you know whether a family physician, midwife or obstetrician is best for you? When should you start seeing one? And how often?

5 pregnancy stressbusters

Healthy ways to manage stress during pregnancy

In a perfect world, you would automatically be granted an exemption from stress for the entire nine months of pregnancy, but since that's not likely to happen any time soon, you're going to have to come up some strategies for managing stress. Here are your five best bets.


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