Pregnancy Milestones ...

Your baby starts as an egg, a sperm and a gleam in your eye. In the forty weeks of pregnancy she grows into a complex and unique human being, ready to begin the journey that will bring her into your arms.

Month 1
You've missed a period, your breasts grow and veins are more prominent under the skin. Could it be . . .? Time to use a home pregnancy test.

Month 2
Visit to your GP. You're extra tired, feel sick or out of sorts and go to the loo more often, but it's a whole new world and it's exciting.

Month 3
You meet your midwife who takes your details, discusses antenatal care and foetal testing, arranges a scan or other tests. You hear your baby's heartbeat.

Month 4
Nausea stops, you feel more settled and at last you look pregnant! If you haven't already seen your baby on a scan, now's the time.

Month 5
That fleeting fluttery feeling inside becomes more definite - soft kicks as your baby flexes tiny muscles. Time to book antenatal classes and improve your fitness by walking or swimming regularly.

Month 6
You tell your employer that you'll be taking maternity leave, and start to prepare for your baby's arrival. You decorate the nursery and shop for equipment.

Month 7
You see your midwife more frequently. Entitlement to maternity leave begins and you start antenatal classes.

Month 8
You pack your bag ready for the birth. Your baby settles into a head down position and moves less vigorously. You slow down too as sleep becomes elusive: it's hard to get comfortable and you wake frequently and dream more.

Month 9
Your baby's head engages (drops into your pelvis) ready for birth. Your breasts leak colostrum and your abdomen tightens more frequently. Is this labour - or just practice contractions? Then one day, the waiting is over.