One day you sit in the doctor's office waiting for your turn to be called. In front of you are women with bulging tummies. Not that all of them are obese or overweight; they are expectant mothers. In each of their faces you see varied expressions that convey different emotions.

Some radiate with joy, others stare into empty space and still others project 

anxiety. There are those who just sit there emotionless just waiting to be called. But generally all these women feel happiness within their hearts that sometimes fails to shine out in their faces.

If you are a couple contemplating having a baby, you should follow few rules in order to have a healthy baby and encounter fewer complications during the woman's pregnancy and delivery. It is not only the woman's responsibility but the prospective parents should both attain the desired healthy lifestyle for the welfare of the child; since both will be the source of the sex cells from which the child develops. This should be three or four months prior to conception. The parent's responsibility starts even before the child is born. The preparation commences months before conception.

You should visit a doctor and have both your health assessed. You should be physically fit and healthy. Any recommendations from the doctor regarding how to keep fit should be well taken. You should only take medicines prescribed by the doctor.

You should have a balanced and healthy diet. Good food coming from natural sources is better than food supplements you get from the drugstore.

Alcohol and tobacco is a no no. Avoid taking alcohol and tobacco; Even if you are only the "would be" father and not the mother who will be conceiving the baby. Remember you will also be the source of the sex cells that will mold the child in the mother's womb.

Exercise daily. This will keep your tissues in good condition as adequate exercise promotes blood circulation throughout the body. Take everything in moderation. Avoid excesses. Get enough sleep and eat at regular hours.

When does a woman know she's pregnant? During the very early stages of pregnancy, a woman usually doesn't know if conception has already occurred. Some may not even know until there is a clear physical evidence of the enlarging abdomen. One common clue is the missing of a regular menstrual period. But even so, this is not an accurate evidence of conception. There are a lot of other factors that contribute to a delayed or missing regular menstruation. These include serious illness, excessive emotional strain or endocrinal disturbances.

Another common evidence of early pregnancy is morning sickness. A lot of pregnant women suffer from nausea and vomiting soon after conception. During the third month, this symptom usually disappears.

The hormone that is responsible for pregnancy elicits the gland tissue of the breast making it tender and start to enlarge. This is because the breasts should be developed and prepared to produce milk after the child is born. This is the reason why pregnant women will feel their breasts getting tender and larger.

The most reliable way to tell if a woman is pregnant is through the use of a pregnancy test kit. This is readily available in most drug stores. It has a 95 percent dependability, especially if used two weeks after the first missed menstrual period.

During pregnancy, the woman's body undergoes a lot of remarkable physical changes both within and outside the mother's body. Externally, the mother might exhibit changes in her physical attributes aside from the enlarging abdomen. Internally, the fetus uses the mother's major organs like the lungs, digestive organ and kidneys during the nine months term in place of its own. This is why there is an increase in the function of the mother's organ during pregnancy.

It is said that to bear a child is a woman's ultimate purpose. Motherhood is the crowning act that defines her feminine role in life. It is her biological gift. That is why various emotions are elicited during the very first time a woman knows she is pregnant. This brings a mix emotion of joy, fear and anxiety. But probably the joy of giving life and the fulfillment of maternal desires outweighs all negative emotions.

 * This website does not intend to give medical advice. You should consult a competent physician with important questions about your health.

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