Pregnancy is an exciting yet intimidating time for any expectant mother. Mothers often wonder, "What would I do differently next time?” Here are some suggestions for surviving pregnancy:

1. ENJOY YOURSELF
You are creating the greatest miracle right inside your own body. With all of the prenatal tests and worry involved it is hard to just lay back and accept what is happening to you and realize that you are creating another human being inside of your body. Is there anything more special than this? Try to relax and have faith that your child will be just fine. It will be over before you know it. Too many moms stress out during their entire pregnancy. They thought something would go wrong and they missed out on such a wonderful experience. So, please try to enjoy this miracle of life.

2. GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
With all the hoopla on what to do and what not to do, you are bound to drive yourself crazy. Have faith that you are smart and you know what things are not good i.e. drinking and smoking. However, if you indulge in a small piece of blue cheese or a sip of champagne you need to not beat yourself up about it. Most importantly, this is the perfect time to pamper yourself and not feel guilty about it!  Get that pregnancy massage, mani/pedi or eat that donut!  You deserve it!

3. ENJOY THE PREGNANCY LIFESTYLE
Let people wait on you. Enjoy the special attention every pregnant woman deserves!  Let someone give you that seat in the waiting room, open that door for you or take your groceries to your car. Enjoy lying in bed eating pizza and ice cream. Remember, you are special because of what is growing inside of you!

4. STAVE OFF NAUSEA
This is a big problem for many pregnant women. This should hopefully subside after the first trimester but in the mean time remember that you cannot just eat three meals per day like you used to. You should try to have a snack every hour or two to avoid an empty stomach. If you wait until you get hungry, that is when the nausea usually hits. Also, drinking ginger ale and lemonade may help.

4. ENDURE THE ACHES AND PAINS
A lot of woman endure some pain and suffering during their pregnancies. From back pain and acid reflux to hemorrhoids...this is simply not fun. Just remember that in 9 months it will all be over and you will have your new bundle of joy in your arms. There are a lot of remedies out there for all of these problems and talking to other moms and your OB will help. Heating pads and warm baths are usually lifesavers for aches and pains. Also, after the baby grows and shifts, a specific pain may subside. Consult your OB before trying anything new.

5. MANAGE WEIGHT GAIN
This may be the biggest worry for woman who are pregnant or who want to become pregnant. If you suffer from nausea you should eat what ever sounds good. You should always take your prenatal vitamin but relax if you can't stomach certain foods. Your body will crave what it needs. Your growing baby needs all types of foods. You need the fats and carbs, which help brain development. Eat what you crave and if you feel good then eat as much fruits and veggies as you can.

6. DO NOT COMPARE YOUSELF TO OTHERS OR THE "BOOK"
Every pregnant mom wants to compare her pregnancy to "the book". This can create a lot of stress. Each pregnancy is different and if your OB says you are progressing just fine, you should try to believe it. The "book" is a guideline only. Each woman has a different experience, which may or may not be similar to yours.

7. LABOR/C-SECTION WORRIES
Most women are scared about the pain that will be endured during the birth of their baby. This is normal due to all the stories and media surrounding these events. The truth is that modern medicine has been perfected in this area and most moms have a very pleasurable experience during birth. In certain circumstances, there is pain involved but after you have your little baby in your arms, this should only be a distant memory.

From one mom to the expecting, please enjoy this special time and good luck!

Author: Kristen is a mother of twins and a frequent contributor to Lilypad Baby.