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Labor – Labor is typically broken down into three stages, and begins when you start to have regular contractions, and ends when you pass the placenta.

The Baby Blues – This is the happiest time of your life, right? This is what you've been waiting for...so why do you feel so sad? You may have heard people mention The Baby Blues, which refers to a state of heightened emotion after you give birth, in which you may cry more easily than is usual for you, or you may have trouble sleeping, or you may feel irritable, sad, or on edge. More than 80 percent of women report feeling blue immediately after birth; so if you feel this way, you aren't alone and you're not a bad person, a weak person, a bad mother, or any other negative thing you could possibly tell yourself.

Even though this may be the first week a home pregnancy test confirms your pregnancy, it is incredible how many changes your little one has already gone through. By week five, the embryo, now securely nestled in your uterine wall, will begin the neural tube, which will eventually form the spinal cord and the brain, will begin to develop this week.

Chances are that by week four, you may already feel pregnant! Some women experience more fatigue than usual, tender or swollen breasts, and nausea or mood swings. This week, you are able to find out if you are pregnant by using a home pregnancy test! The most accurate results will be from pregnancy tests taken at the end of this week. If your home pregnancy test is negative, you may want to take another test during week five, because sometimes they just aren't sensitive enough to detect your pregnancy hormones by week four.

You may also have been experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions for weeks now, but how do you know when it's time to call your healthcare provider? If there is a change in the frequency of contractions, it's probably a good idea to call. You might also notice some brown, pink, or red discharge signaling the fact that you have lost your mucus plug, and your water may also break. These are all signs that labor is starting and it's a good idea to let your partner, and your healthcare provider, know that it's time!

Is your vaginal discharge heavier now? This is normal, as your body has more cervical mucus and is preparing for labor.

What is Group B Strep? Practitioners often screen for Group B Strep because it is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns. It can cause pneumonia and meningitis. Group B Strep is a bacterial infection that may be found in a pregnant women's vagina or rectum. 15 to 40 percent of all healthy, adult women carry these bacteria in their vagina or lower intestines.

If you have been noticing that you need more bathroom breaks than usual, it may be due to the fact that your baby has dropped. As your due date grows near, your little one will settle deeper in your pelvis. This reduces pressure on your rib cage, allowing you more room to expand your diaphragm, but now there may be more pressure on your bladder.

Are you thinking of breastfeeding? Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than formula, and your milk has the perfect amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein needed to grow and develop. Your breast milk can even protect your baby from bacteria and viruses, because it is rich in antibodies. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General even recommends that babies be fed only breast milk for the first six months of life.

The bones in his or her skull are formed, but aren't fused. They actually don't fuse entirely until early adulthood, allowing room for his or her brain to grow throughout childhood. Because they aren't fused, the bones in his or her skull will be able to overlap, helping him or her to fit through the birth canal during delivery.

Do you have leg cramps keeping you awake at night? This is common, and there are a few things you can do to prevent them. Take breaks throughout your day to rest, and get off of your feet. Continue to drink lots of water (in case your muscles are just dehydrated), and eat a banana – your calcium and potassium levels might be low.

Is there any leakage from your breasts? This is called colostrum, or premilk. You can place nursing pads in your bra to absorb this fluid. Even if you don't see anything, your breasts are making colostrum, and you also may find that your bra is fitting a little more snugly than usual. You might want to get a nursing bra, but be sure to get one a size larger than you need now. Trust me; you'll be thankful for the room later.

By 30 weeks, his or her eyelids open and close. He or she will keep his or her eyes closed for most of the day though. When his or her eyes are open, he or she will be able to track light inside of your womb, though his or her vision isn't perfect or 20/20. Lanugo, or fine hair that once covered his or her body, will start falling off this week.

How to do Kegel exercises... Keep your abdomen and leg muscles relaxed Try not to hold your breath Tighten your vaginal muscles like you are trying to interrupt the flow of urine Think about squeezing and lifting your pelvic floor Hold for about 8-10 seconds, release. Repeat 10 times for one set. Work up to three or four sets, three times per day.

Below you will find some questions that your birth plan may address: Do you want a routine IV, a heparin/saline lock, or nothing at all? Do you want to listen to music? Did you bring any music? Do you want access to a tub or shower? Do you want pain medications? Do you have a preference for which pain medications you want? Do you want an episiotomy? Is there a position in which you would prefer to give birth?

As you approach your third trimester, you may want to consider registering for childbirth classes. These are generally offered by your hospital, although if you have a specific interest, such as the Bradley Method or Hypnobirthing, you may want to ask your obstetrician, or experienced friends, for recommendations.

It's possible that your back might be feeling a little achy. Again, you can attribute this partially to your hormones. By 26 weeks, your pregnancy hormones are loosening up your joints and ligaments. Your changing center of gravity is also to blame. Here are some tips to help your aching back...Try taking a warm bathApply a cool compressSchedule a massage with a therapist trained in prenatal techniquesSleep with a pregnancy pillow to support your back and abdomenPay attention to your posture – this will help reduce any strain on your back.

Are you aware of the signs of preterm labor? They are: Menstrual-like cramps DiarrheaLow, dull backache Pelvic pressure Abdominal cramping Increase, or change in mucous vaginal discharge Uterine contractions, five contractions per a one-hour period

By week 24, you may begin to feel brief contractions in your uterus. You may have heard your healthcare provider mention that you might experience these Braxton Hicks contractions. Usually, these contractions are nothing to worry about. They are commonly felt in the third trimester as they help your uterine muscles prepare for childbirth.

Have you started a baby registry? A fun distraction from all of this is to start your baby registry. Most online shopping sites allow you to create a wish list. Not only is it a fun way to browse all the cute baby products out there, it's a great way to let your friends and family know exactly what you need for the baby. Though you may want to select mostly toys or clothing for your wish list, you may want to include supplies like diapers or baby wipes. You'll be amazed at the amount of diapers your little one goes through!

Your baby continues to grow and develop inside of you. She is now about the size of a large banana, measuring roughly 7 1/2 inches long, and can weigh up to 15 ounces. In the coming weeks, your baby will continue to grow and mature at a fast rate. By week 22, her pancreas, a key player in hormone production, is developing steadily. Her skin may appear wrinkled at this point, but in the coming weeks, she will be gaining enough weight to fill it out.

He or she is waking and sleeping in regular intervals, which you may be able to tell from his or her movements. He or she is also swallowing amniotic fluid to help his or her digestive system mature for life in the outside world. His or her intestines also start slowly relaxing and contracting this week.

Your baby can also hear sounds. At 20 weeks, he or she can cover his or her ears with his or her hands if the sounds are too loud, and he or she may even jump inside your womb if any sounds startle him. The hair on his or her scalp is also growing.

Are you feeling dizzy? Another cause of dizziness – Your uterus can also place pressure on two large vessels, which supply blood to your body: the aorta and the vena cava. When these vessels are compressed under the pressure of your growing uterus, it slows the circulation of blood throughout your body and can cause hypotension. Lay on your side! Typically, you can relieve this symptom by lying on your side, not your back (and it doesn’t matter which side). Either side that you lay on will relieve the pressure on those large vessels and increase the blood flow back to your heart. You should be feeling better soon.

At this point, you are probably anxiously awaiting an upcoming doctor appointment. Usually, doctors will schedule an ultrasound between 18 and 20 weeks. For some women, this will be the only ultrasound they will have. You may be able to bring your partner, or another person, with you. You also may be able to get photos and/or video from the procedure. Check with your doctor to see what the policies are regarding the ultrasound.

What does it really feel like? The first few times you feel movement, sometimes referred to as quickening, you may be unsure of what you have felt, or pass it off as indigestion. Those early movements are often described as feeling like flutters, bubbles, or popcorn. As you start to feel them more regularly, you'll have a better sense of them and it will become easier to recognize it as your baby moving.

Your baby continues to be busy, growing and developing inside of you. He or she is now about the size of an avocado, measuring approximately four and a half inches and weighing roughly three ounces. His or her heart is now pumping 25 quarts of blood every day, and his or her bladder is emptying every 45 minutes.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI's) – Pain when urinating, abdominal discomfort, blood in your urine, and a frequent urge to urinate with little production, are all signs of UTI's. UTI's are easier for women to get during pregnancy because important muscles in your urinary tract relax and slow the flow of urine. When this happens, bacteria have a better chance of growing, leading to an infection. If you suspect you may have a urinary tract infection, it is very important to report your symptoms to your physician because untreated UTI's can lead to complications during pregnancy.

Are you starting to look pregnant? Week 14 is when most women pop, or begin to show. This occurs because your uterus is atop your pubic bone, which may be pushing your belly out a bit. Unfortunately, week 14 may also bring another unwanted symptom: constipation. Pregnancy slows your digestive system, and your regular dosage of prenatal vitamins contains iron. Though iron is vital to preventing anemia, it can also contribute to constipation.

Treat yourself! With the first trimester behind you, it's time to celebrate! Find a unique way to do something special for yourself. Chances are by week 13 your libido may be lifting a little, thanks to hormonal changes and a decrease in symptoms, like fatigue and/or morning sickness. Maybe some new lingerie for your increasing cup size is just the thing!

You may begin to notice some skin changes by week 12, like darker freckles, more freckles, or even a dark line about a centimeter across, that runs vertically down your stomach. This line is called the Linea Nigra (Latin for black line).

Starting with this week, the baby is now officially called a fetus. Your baby has continued to grow. Now almost two inches long, your little one has been engaged in some heavy acrobatics, kicking, and stretching inside your womb. Remember, even though he or she is getting bigger, it may be some weeks before you feel any movement.

Your baby continues to grow steadily, gaining around half-an-inch in the last week! Now, about the size of a prune, your baby has reached an important developmental milestone. Week 10 is the beginning of the fetal period, in which your baby's organs rapidly mature.

Even if you don't feel like you are showing, by week nine you may have already experienced morning sickness, fatigue, and mood swings. Mood swings are common at this stage, so don't beat yourself up if you feel elated one moment and terrified the next. You are not alone! Fluctuating emotions are normal at this stage in the game, but there is hope! Many moms report that their mood swings usually lighten up during the second trimester.

Can you believe your baby has doubled in size since last week? By week seven, your little one measures approximately one-third of an inch long! Also during week seven, your baby's arms and legs are developing, and teeny, tiny hands and feet are beginning to appear. They also have an appendix, intestines, a pancreas, and a liver. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing. Nasal pits are forming. Overall, it's a big week for growth!

Though you might not feel it, your baby, now about the size of a kidney bean (8-11 mm), is moving inside of you! Your baby’s facial features become more obvious this week because lips, tongue, nostrils, and buds for teeth have developed. Arms and legs are growing, elbows and knees develop, and fingers and toes, though still webbed, become visible.

Can you believe your baby has doubled in size since last week? By week seven, your little one measures approximately one-third of an inch long! Also during week seven, your baby's arms and legs are developing, and teeny, tiny hands and feet are beginning to appear. They also have an appendix, intestines, a pancreas, and a liver. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing. Nasal pits are forming. Overall, it's a big week for growth!

An electroencephalogram (EEG) can detect and monitor your baby's brain activity this week. An ultrasound would also be able to detect your baby's heartbeat! With the circulatory system well established, your baby’s digestive and respiratory systems will also begin to form this week.

Chances are that by week four, you may already feel pregnant! Some women experience more fatigue than usual, tender or swollen breasts, and nausea or mood swings. This week, you are able to find out if you are pregnant by using a home pregnancy test! The most accurate results will be from pregnancy tests taken at the end of this week. If your home pregnancy test is negative, you may want to take another test during week five, because sometimes they just aren't sensitive enough to detect your pregnancy hormones by week four.

Chances are that by week four, you may already feel pregnant! Some women experience more fatigue than usual, tender or swollen breasts, and nausea or mood swings. This week, you are able to find out if you are pregnant by using a home pregnancy test! The most accurate results will be from pregnancy tests taken at the end of this week. If your home pregnancy test is negative, you may want to take another test during week five, because sometimes they just aren't sensitive enough to detect your pregnancy hormones by week four.

The advice maven, Cynthia “Sugar Mama” Jenkins, is back and giving some great insight on our community questions. Should your child’s punishment fit the crime? And, what do you think of Mommy and Me Groups??

Cutting your kid’s hair can be a scary proposition. Curly hair is more forgiving than straight hair, but bangs and straight edges are pretty challenging. Trey Burnette gives us some tips on how NOT to butcher your kid’s hair.

Total Woman Gym & Day Spa Trainer and Supervisor, Jeannette Rizzi, is back. This time, she shows us which exercises to sneak in for a quick upper-body workout when the kids are napping or out of the house. The perfect power push-up will really give “the girls” a lift!

Our good friend, dietitian Kim Shapira, is back, and she’s raiding Leigh’s pantry! Check out what she tosses in the trashcan and what she gives her stamp of approval!

An actor, writer, musician, and dad, David Koechner sits down with Leigh (who happens to be his wife) to share his regrets about raising his voice with his kids, and how he plans to change his approach!

Emily Kaufman The Travel Mom is back with some more advice on traveling with kids. Would you let your baby crawl down the aisle of an airplane?

Actress / Supermom, Beth Littleford shares the emotional and amazing experience of adopting her baby girl. It will make your heart all warm inside!

Author and actor Bill Lloyd helps us answer some of our community questions that screamed for a dad’s perspective. From the Disinterested Father-To-Be to leaving your newborn home alone with Daddy for the first time…listen in to what Bill has to say.

Master Of Science & Registered Dietitian Kim Shapira is back answering our Mom On The Street questions! This time we get some tips on getting kids to eat their veggies and an answer to the age old question, “Is there a healthy alternative to chips?”

Craft maven Beth Callaghan gives Leigh a hand with creating her first scrapbook page. Starting a scrapbook can seem like a really overwhelming project and Beth has some good advice about keeping it simple so you can move past the “big project” feel and just dive right in. Let’s get Scrapping!