"Darling, I feel a little nauseous this morning." "Don't worry. Must be the oysters you had last night." "I've also missed my period." Klunk! He faints. This is an extremely exciting time for the couple – a missed period, nausea and a positive urine pregnancy test.

The first three months

The first symptoms usually appear at 5 weeks from the first day of the last menstruation. These include a funny taste in the mouth and a change in appetite. This is usually accompanied by a tingling sensation of the nipples as the breasts become more sensitive. Nausea and vomiting is a common experience in most patients and begins at 6 to 7 weeks of pregnancy.

From the fourth month onwards

With the discomforts of the first three months behind her, the pregnant woman begins to really enjoy her pregnancy. She eats well, looks radiant and her eyes sparkle. It’s like being in love all over again. This is especially so for the second trimester (from 12 weeks to 28 weeks) as the womb is not too large to cause discomfort and she is still able to pass through the supermarket turnstiles without too much difficulty.

Looking swell, feeling good at 30 weeks

If you notice some prominent veins on your legs during this period, they are varicose veins and are caused by the pressure which the enlarging uterus exerts on the great veins in the pelvis. For varicose veins and swollen ankles, the following measures are helpful and should be done as often as possible. When lying down, raise your legs on pillows so that the ankles are above the level of the heart. Also, with your legs stationary, flex your feet in circular motion clockwise and then anti-clockwise. If the ankle swelling or varicose veins worsen, then you should wear elastic support stockings when you go out and avoid standing for prolonged periods.

The Happy Event

The onset of labour is more exciting than an FA cup final. Joyful anticipation, butterflies in the stomach, pulses racing…

The pain is hardly dry on the wall of the baby's room when it is time to throw the large pack of nappies into the overnight bag and head for the hospital.

The symptoms of labour include regular painful contractions of the womb, discharge of blood mixed with mucus (the 'show') and the bursting of the water bag ('leaking liquor'). You should call your obstetrician when any of these three happens.

And baby makes three

Most of us look at babies in a far more romantic light. Whichever way we choose to look at them, the truth is, once baby comes home, life will never be the same again.