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        Pregnancy is an amazing fact of life. Women's bodies deal with extreme changes, depending on the different stages of pregnancy. Here is a description of each stage during pregnancy, and the changes women must bear physically.

        During the first trimester, the first three months, about two-thirds of women experience nausea, vomiting, fatigue and painful swelling of the breasts. Also, women's sexual drives may be altered to either decrease or increase. Mentality of women might change due to the realization of being pregnant.

        In the second trimester nausea and fatigue typically diminish, but as the body begins to grow women may feel self conscious and uncomfortable with their bodies. Emotionally women become more stable because the hard part of a developing fetus has passed.

        Lastly, the third trimester has slightly different symptoms. Since the increase in size has occured rapidly, the cervix becomes swollen and exerts pressure on the organs. Swelling of the face, hands, ankles and feet can also occur. Obviously the size of the belly can cause limited mobility which can be frustrating.

For Nausea:
        -Saltine crackers, pretzels, or dry toast first thing in the morning.
        -Relax in bed for 15 minutes before getting up
        -Eat small, but frequently
        -NO spicy or greasy foods

For Constipation:
        -Fluids
        -Eat high fiber foods
        -Exercise Daily

For Back and leg pain:
        -Wear flatter shoes
        -Use a straight back chair
        -Pillow behind the head when lying down or sitting
        -Warm heating pad
        -A firm mattress
        -When lifting bend from knees not waist

For Emotional changes:
        -Talk to others
        -Join in activities you enjoy

For Heartburn:
        -Eat small frequent meals
        -No hot or spicy foods
        -Eat slow
        -Save liquids for after a meal
        -Sit and sleep with head elevated
        -Don't lie down right after a meal
        -Take antacids

        During pregnancy, not only the mother will experience changes, but the baby as well.
        In the first trimester the baby will begin as just a few cells. The baby will then start to develop eyes, ears, teeth buds, toes, vital organs, and even urine. The baby will form genitals last.
        In the second trimester the baby will form sleeping patterns, move around inside the uterus, ears will form into real ears, baby's bones begin to become denser, and also fine hair will begin to cover the body.
        Lastly, in the third trimester the baby will have completely working vital organs; the baby will start to fatten up and gain weight and also, gets into position for birth.

Labor is an intense process. Many women find it horrifying, but others find a sense of reality from giving birth. Overall, labor is separated into three stages. It starts with the cervix thinning and dilating accompanied with contractions. Like pregnancy, labor occurs in three stages. Stage one can last from 4-16 hours and is normally the longest stage. First, slightly bloody mucus is ejected and no longer blocks the cervix. After that, another fluid is ejected from the vagina, which is known as the "breaking of the water", or the amniotic fluid. The end result of the first stage is increased rate and time of contractions. Also, the baby's head enters the birth canal. The second stage of labor ends when the baby is born. The last stage is when the uterus contracts, expels the placenta, remaining section of the umbilical cord, and the fetal membranes.
Women vary differently from birth to birth and there are several different ways to deliver a baby and each method has its perks for different women.

Hospital Birth: birth is run by a doctor on a table and typically a women is administered an anesthetic.

Cesarean Section: delivery through and incision in the mother's abdominal wall and uterus.

Birthing Rooms and Centers: a place of a homelike center where the mother can choose the lighting, sounds, visitors, and delivery position.

Home Birth: a couple creates their own environment at home. A midwife might be hired (professional who does routine deliveries and some medical emergencies. They do not decide the delivery settings).

Most women strive to be a mother, but other given circumstances can cause women to maybe need other options. This is when women and couples turn to adoption. In some cases this works out for the women who have become infertile. There are many programs which can help you in these situations, whether you are looking to adopt or looking to put a child up for adoption. Some of these include:

http://www.adoption-link.org/
http://www.adopting.org/
http://www.adoption.com/

Another option women can choose if an unwanted pregnancy occurs, is abortion. There are many conflicts between views on abortion, but essentially there are a couple different methods of abortion.
Medical Abortion: three step process which involves stopping the pregnancy in the uterus or the fallopian tubes by blocking the hormone progesterone which would break down the lining of the uterus. The next step involves the uterus emptying and contracting. Lastly, is a following up meeting to assure the abortion took place.
Surgical Method: these can include vacuum aspiration, dilation and evacuation and hysterotomy.

For more information:
http://www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/facts/