As you enter into your third trimester of pregnancy, you are well aware of pregnancy discomforts. Some discomforts that disappeared in the second trimester may now return, and some new discomforts are likely to develop. However, the third trimester of pregnancy is the last trimester before delivery and, before long, you will be holding your baby.

Although delaying pregnancy until you are older may be a good idea for security and financial reasons, it may also carry considerable health risks to you and the baby. It is known in the obstetrical field that mothers who are over the age of 35 are considered to be of advanced maternal age. While the risks for some conditions become higher as you get older, most older women are still delivering healthy babies.

There is no doubt that pregnancy can be an uncomfortable time. Aside from the occasional bought of nausea, dizziness and fatigue, muscle pain can also be a problem. As you gain weight and your growing belly puts more stress on your body, sore muscles are to be expected. MayoClinic.com explains that while a warm bath or gentle massage can help, a heating pad can also apply targeted relief to the affected muscles.

By the time you're a few months into your pregnancy, you'll know whether you're one of the lucky few who have the legendary pregnancy glow or whether you'll spend the next six months battling acne, like you did back in high school. If you're plagued with pregnancy breakouts on your back and shoulders, they'll most likely disappear a few months after your baby's birth, but a few basic steps will help you avoid unsightly spots.

By the fifth week of your pregnancy, your future son or daughter is officially an embryo, according to the MayoClinic.com. Embryos are comprised of three layers of cells, skin, organs and tissues; the scientific names for these layers are ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. As your pregnancy progresses, the embryo will shape into a fully formed baby ready for a safe and healthy delivery.

If you have upper abdominal pain during pregnancy, it's not necessarily to automatically switch into panic mode, according to the March of Dimes. But any severe and long-lasting stomach pain or discomfort accompanied by dizziness or bleeding is considered a medical emergency; prompt medical help is essential in such circumstances to protect you and your future son or daughter.

Pregnancy comes with its share of aches and pains. Adding in the sniffles, sneezes and coughing of the common cold makes you even more uncomfortable. Beyond the discomfort of a cold, the pregnancy means you won't be able to take as many cold medications as you would normally. At least part of your pregnancy will likely fall during cold season, putting you at risk for the illness. Focusing on cold prevention leaves you healthier without the worry of which over-the-counter medications you can take.

Miscarriages are difficult enough to endure without having to worry about hair loss as well. It is not uncommon to lose hair after a miscarriage, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Hormone levels in the body rise during pregnancy. The higher levels of estrogen in your body slow the normal loss of hair. This results in thicker, more luxurious hair. Once hormone levels return to normal, such as after a miscarriage, the hair that was "on hold" suddenly falls out, returning your hair thickness to normal levels.

During pregnancy, you'll need additional nutrients to help your baby grow and develop. In fact certain vitamins, like folic acid, can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord when taken before and very early in pregnancy. For this reason, the March of Dimes recommends that all women of childbearing age take a multivitamin that contains at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.

Prenatal care is an important first step on your journey to parenthood. You should make an appointment with an ob/gyn as soon as you know you are expecting. Throughout your pregnancy you will be asked to have regular appointments and have testing performed to make sure that both you and your baby remain healthy during this wonderful journey together. Understanding what appointments you can expect will help you prepare for the nine months ahead.