If you always want to remember what your belly looked like while you were pregnant, consider making a pregnancy belly cast. A plaster cast of your baby bump will serve as a one-of-a-kind pregnancy memento. After your pregnancy belly cast is complete, you can decorate it and hang it on your baby-to-be's nursery wall or store it away to show your baby when he is older. Regardless of what you do with it, it will be a keepsake you will treasure.

A healthy pregnancy begins before conception. Careful planning can help smooth the way to a healthy and enjoyable pregnancy. Having a baby can affect your current lifestyle, finances, emotional health and physical well-being. Good preparation before pregnancy will help you to provide the best possible environment for your baby's first nine months of life. The Centers for Disease Control recommends preparing for conception at least three months before getting pregnant. If you are even thinking of beginning a family, now is the time to incorporate some healthy changes.

Most women are naturally good at nesting; it is a primal urge, after all. Just as birds prepare a literal nest for their young, mothers-to-be strive to get the house and the baby's room ready before the arrival. At no other time is the nesting urge as strong as when a woman is expecting a baby. Pregnancy planning, on the other hand, does not come quite as naturally, but it is very important for the health of the baby, according to MedicineNet.com.

As your pregnancy progresses, the idea of giving birth may be both exciting and a little scary for some women. Women may decide early on in their pregnancy where they plan to give birth. Options include a home birth, a birthing center or a hospital. Depending on where you want to give birth, your preparations may be slightly different. However, there are some general ways to prepare both your mind and body for giving birth.

The nursery is finished, the tiny outfits are washed and folded and the house is neat as a pin. What's left to do to prepare for your new arrival? Packing for pregnancy is not too complicated, but it's a wise decision to do it ahead of time in case your little bundle of joy decides he has his own agenda. Once your bag is packed you can keep it by the door and be ready to roll when the big event finally arrives.

This article addresses basics about the Lamaze method of childbirth. The history of Lamaze is provided, as well as information about the Lamaze method, when to take a Lamaze class and how to locate a class near you.

You're at that "any day now" point in your pregnancy, and you're ready to pack your hospital bag. These days, most hospitals provide essentials like diapers and formula, but it's comforting to know you have the brands or types of items you prefer.

"A general rule is to minimize stress in this situation," notes Catherine Ruhl, CNM, MS, associate director for women's health programs at the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

The birth of a child is an exciting and highly anticipated time for new parents. Before the big day arrives, several important tasks should be considered. By handling these tasks before the birth of your baby, you can enjoy the birth and the time with your newborn. The hormones of pregnancy combined with the excitement of the impending birth may cause you to overlook these important tasks.