I'm only five days late for my time of the month, but usually I start at least two days after my last b/c pill. I'm still very young &although I know my husband &I will make great parents... well, we weren't planning on starting our family for at least another 3 years. - What is the best way to prepare myself mentally? (I want this to be a happy thing, but I'm not feeling to happy at the thought just yet... ) -- Also, what are some of the very first signs that some of you had before you tested positive? --- I have a phobia of needles, if you may. I was planning to get over that before I ever got pregnant... what do I do? 

Well first off, CONGRATS!! if you are pregnant :) Have you taken a test yet? I had no idea I was pregnant either ( mine was on birth control). But the symptoms I had before I took the test, were 3 days late on my period. I had some side pains that only lasted a couple of days, I actually had a bloody nose (which I thought was weird) since I hadnt had one for like 10 years. Not sure if that helps, because everyone woman is different! Your body is going to go through lots of hormone changes, so one day you will be happy and the next you wont... as soon as you see or hear the baby's heartbeat, your heart will melt :) As far as the needle part, with my experience, I think I only came into contact with a needle 3-4 times. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask! Congrats again :) Katie 

I never had any signs until I get to be about 2 months along. I start getting very nauseated and it doesn't go away. I've always been irregular so I couldn't tell it I was late or not. As far as preparing yourself you do what you can but in the end it is wonderful having your first baby. It's not all easy but it is worth it. If you are pregnant congrats and if you are not then you will have much more time to prepare yourself. Good luck :) 

Jessi- In my opinion, the best way to prepare is to learn as much as possible. If you are pregnant, I highly recommend the What to Expect When You are Expecting Book. It takes you through month by month and lets you know what to expect. Also, although I don't think you are at Holloman yet, here they offer trimester classes that you and your husband can go to together. I think being educated for yourself and your baby is super important. Some first signs of pregnancy are tender breasts, being late on your period, potential cramping, nausea, vomiting. But like Katie said, every woman is different so you may have only one or none of these symptoms. I don't know that anyone ever gets over a fear of needles......but honestly, while you are pregnant, you should only have to get stuck a couple of times. Just grit your teeth and look away while they are sticking you and remember that it is all for the health and well-being of yourself and your child. Congratulations........my children are the best thing that have happened to me, and although were both planned, I would accept another one in a heartbeat. I work on the Labor and Delivery unit here and taught last trimester childbirth classes if you have any other questions.........you can always message me privately. 

I would take the longest naps and still feel like I could sleep some more. I never got sick but I when I got hungry I would be desperately HUNGRY and feel like if I didn't get something to eat RIGHT NOW then I would be sick or pass out. But as soon as I ate I would be good...for a while. And you just have to give yourself time and like Christy says "learn as much as possible." If you are with child then in time you will see it is the most special blessing you can have for your entire life. And don't think too far ahead or that will drive you crazy. Just concentrate on the immediate future and everything else will take care of itself. 

And as far as the fear of needles I can't tell you because I lost that a long time ago, I guess because I have had shots in some of the worst places you can get them (bottom of foot, knee, gums for dental work) so I just learned how to deal with them without the fear. I don't grit my teeth as Christy says (I know it helps some people) but I try to intentionally slow my heart rate and try to find something else in the room to look at or put a picture in my mind that I like. Intentionally doing these things over time has helped me to just go in, have it done, and not even have to think about it. When I got a shot in my knee one time I even had the doctor look at me and tell me he was surprised I didn't cry because of the lack of tissue in that area and I told him I just think of other things. It really does help. But if your fear is really bad you need to practice calming techniques that work for you. And do it well ahead of time. And ask yourself "how long does the pain REALLY last?". It is usually only for a split second if at all if you have the right person doing it. 

I had the same thing happen. I was on the pill when I got pregnant. I wasn't truely happy about the whole thing until the moment the mid-wife placed my daughter on my stomach. For me it was hard because there was a lot of rumors going around on my mom's side of the family about me possibly being prego before I got married (A HUGE no no in my family) So I had to deal with that up until I was 3 day's past my due date. Now that I am on the other side of the pregnancy I think the best way I could have gotten through it would have been to embrace every little thing. take all the belly bump pictures, go look at all the baby stuff you can. Just make piece not war. For me I had morning sickness from a few day's after we concieved, tender boobs and crazy mood swings( I cried for 10 mins cause my hubby took a bite of my blueberry muffin) 

After 8 days, my period finally came. Kind of weird, but all the tests were negative too. At least now I know all the signs. Everyone's stories made me feel much better to the point where I think I would have been okay with being pregnant (minus the financial part.) I was kind of happy, but then my time of the month came. I just want our children to have a good life and I at least want a house with furniture to start them off, we won't have any of that until we're at Holloman. If we can ever find a decent house that is. Thank you everyone! 

Jessi- I'm glad everything worked out okay. You will know when you are ready to have a baby. If the time comes before, you can deal with it, but having a plan is a good thing. I'm glad that we were able to help!