Pregnancies are a happy and joyful time, but pregnancies can also be an emotional time. Of course, before you can experience having a baby, you have to be sure you are pregnant. Many women don't suspect they're pregnant until their period doesn't arrive. But of course there are other symptoms to look out for these include:

• Sickness and/or feeling of nausea.
• (Some women) experience a strange taste of metallic in their mouth.
• Tenderness of the breast.
• Stomach pains.
• Tiredness.
• Constipation.
• Avoiding certain things such as fatty foods and coffee.

However some women can experience light bleeding. This makes women feel that they haven't missed their period.

So now it's time to discover if you are having a baby or not. One way to do this is with a home pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests can be brought online, in a supermarket or at your local chemist. These should be used two or three weeks after you think you may have conceived. If you use one sooner you may not get a reliable result. Some doctors, family planning clinics and young people's services do offer free tests.

Pregnancy tests are very accurate when used properly, it is of course possible to have a false negative (when the test says you aren't pregnant when you are.) If your period still doesn't arrive you can either repeat the test or see your doctor.
It's also possible that your first pregnancy test will show a positive result whereas a later pregnancy test will show the opposite result. Or it can show a positive but then you receive your period. If that happens then you may experience your period being heavier than what you are used to, this may mean that your pregnancy has been lost. That is a very early miscarriage and is viewed as a way of protecting the body from hanging onto a damaged embryo. It does not mean that you won't conceive again.

If you are pregnant, the next question you may ask is: "When am I due?"
The length of your pregnancy is dated from the first day of your last period. Your baby is likely to be born two weeks either side of the due date. Most women will see their family doctor to arrange antenatal care for the pregnancy, but you can also book directly with a midwife if you would prefer. Also keep yourself informed on how the baby is doing by having pregnancy medicals such as scans and just general good health.

Prenatal care is the medical care recommended for women before and during pregnancies. The aim of good prenatal care is to detect any potential problems early like a pregnancy medical, so as to prevent them if possible. To help achieve the best possible results prenatal care usually consists of.
• Monthly visits during the first two trimesters (from week 1-28)
• Biweekly from 28 to week 36 of pregnancy
• Weekly after week 36 (delivery at week 38-40)

The weeks running up to the delivery date can be a stressful time. Which is understandable, pregnancies don't happen everyday. It is viewed by many as a gift, which in many cases is true. Not a simple thoughtful gift, but more a magical gift that you will love and treasure forever.