Advice for a happy and healthy pregnancy

This is one of the few times when the description life changing is truly an understatement. Having a baby changes the course of your life forever and being pregnant is the first step along that way.

Its a time of high emotion and tears at everything from the joy of seeing those images at the first scan to the sheer frustration of not being able to fit into your favourite clothes or back the car out of the driveway.

Its a jaunt into the unknown and a time when you will be bombarded with information and advice from the experts, your Mum and every well-meaning person who notices your bump as you wheel your trolley through the supermarket. They will all feel compelled to share their experience.

With this in mind we have compiled our online Go Yellow baby planner, a no-nonsense guide of useful information and triggers to help you get through your pregnancy. Its not intended to be a medical or expert path - more practical tips, like the ones that follow, to make this journey an easy and enjoyable one for you and your partner.

We begin at week 11 by which time you will be ready to believe this is actually going to happen. If you havent already done so now is the time to sort out who is going to provide your maternity care. To find out about the options in your area check out the Health Funding Authority info line phone 0800 MUM 2 BE (0800 686 223). Its also a good time to book into antenatal classes through your local hospital, medical clinic or maternity centres. They will not only give you and your partner a wealth of practical information but also often lead to lifelong friendships with other expectant parents.

For many the second trimester is the time when you feel best, awash with hormones and you may well be sporting that pregnant glow. So we suggest you make the most of it by laying the foundations for healthy eating> and exercise. Being fit will help you through not only the pregnancy and delivery but also the recovery, but don't forget to indulge yourself as well! It wont hurt to buy some of that baby paraphernalia or to get Gran busy on her knitting needles. Make the most of this time too with your partner. Dine out and go to the movies without having to think of babysitters!

The second phase of our attention is the 20-36 week period which sees you entering the third trimester. This is a period of enormous change. About this time you should feel your baby move for the first time and as the baby grows so do you. Feel as comfortable as you can and make the most of your expectant mother look. Shop for properly fitted underwear and take advantage of the gorgeous new maternity wear ranges available these days.

Now more than ever you will benefit from exercise. Swimming not only adds to your fitness but adds a rare and welcome feeling of weightlessness. Take time too for some me time: beauty therapy, hairdressers or massage. Get serious about the things your baby will need; baby accessories and furniture, baby buggies, child seats and nappies. Now is probably also a timely moment to give a little thought to budgeting, credit card blowouts are not what you need at this point (see our baby budgeter for some help with this biggie).

Our final focus is on those last four weeks when your baby will finally weigh in at around the 3kg mark and make its entry into the world. This is a time when many women have finished work and ideally will have only a few last minute things to take care of. In reality most have a long list (recording tasks is a really good idea as that infamous nappy brain can well set in prior to giving birth, see our task list). Make sure you have all those odd jobs taken care of around the house and give a thought to how you can make life a little easier when you finally get that little bundle home. Is your car ready to make that journey to hospital? And have you worked out the most efficient route there?

With all the preparation done it can seem like an endless wait. Appreciate it, it will be a while before you have it again. Have lunch with your girlfriends, spend time with your partner, put your feet up with a good book or revisit that favourite movie. It might be helpful too to share your experiences at this time, who knows what gems people might have on relief for the aching back (visit our Go Yellow baby forum).

This is one amazing adventure and we hope we can help you along the way.