So you’re thinking about trying to conceive? Congratulations! That exciting ‘blue line’ moment could be here before you know it! When it comes to preparing for pregnancy, we’re here to help you with all the advice you need for getting your pregnancy plan sorted. Whether it’s diet, timings or real support along the way, there are thousands of mums here at Karimums who understand the wonderful journey you’re about to embark on – so get excited!

Pre-pregnancy diet and lifestyle

Getting your body ready to carry new life doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful, which is good news. It’s about looking after yourself, living a healthy lifestyle and making nutritious food choices pre-pregnancy ... that goes for your partner too! It’s not really a diet for pregnancy as such; just making sure that you’re both getting a well-balanced variety of all the food groups, and doing some sort of exercise every day – even if it’s just a brisk walk.

Trying to quit!

Speaking of healthy habits, if you (or your partner) are smokers, now’s the time to take that leap and quit. Smoking can reduce your chances of conceiving, so what better incentive to quit than helping you make a little baby?

Signs of ovulation

When you’re feeling healthy, fit and fine, that’s the best time to get pregnant. It’s also good to understand your ovulation cycle. There are ways that you can work out when you ovulate and calculate your fertile window, as well as other signs of ovulation – such as the cervical mucus method, the basal body temperature method, and using ovulation predictor kits (or OPKs).

Congratulations, you're pregnant! Your big moment is finally here and you must be thrilled to bits. If you're not sure how many weeks pregnant you are, our pregnancy calculator can help you work out your due date - and of course, we're here to help you too, with all of our first trimester information. Don't stress if you don't know your pregnancy dates yet, you usually have a dating scan at 5-8 weeks to confirm your due date.

If you’d like to track your baby’s progress and your body’s changes throughout pregnancy week by week, make sure you sign up to our weekly pregnancy emails. Sharing the journey together is a whole lot of fun!

• 7 weeks, i miss my flat tummy! - by jessiehoran95
• 12 Weeks and 2 days - by Nomoko

Your first trimester baby

Your little one will grow from the size of a tadpole or lentil bean to the size of a ripe plum (around 5cm long) in the first trimester, graduating from an embryo to a foetus. Its heart will begin to develop and it will start to look a lot more human too ... you'll even get your first snapshot at 12 weeks pregnant.

Early pregnancy symptoms

As for your pregnancy symptoms, they're not all bad! Your period will be gone but there'll be a little fatigue and possibly moodiness ... you might notice sensitive breasts, a shrinking bladder, nausea and even the infamous morning sickness. What are you experiencing in your first trimester? Do you have any remedies or tips? Remember to add a post to share and get support from other mums, or ask our Careline of mums, midwives, dietitians and a nutritionist.

Visiting your doctor

Most importantly, visit your doctor straight away. They'll take you through a series of blood tests to check your blood group, antibody levels and all-important iron levels. They will also do blood tests called Antenatal Screening tests and will give you a referral for your first dating ultrasound.

Welcome to the middle part of your pregnancy, the second trimester! This is said to be the most energetic and comfortable trimester on the pregnancy calendar for mums-to-be, so if you’re between 13 and 26 weeks, we’re here to help you enjoy the ride. It’s time for healthy, glossy tresses and that enviable pregnancy ‘glow’ ... how are you feeling? If you’re going through it right now, make a post and tell us all about it.

Don’t forget, if you want to track your baby’s progress during pregnancy week by week, make sure you sign up to our weekly pregnancy emails. You’ll find out all about this trimester, and the next!

• Bub at 19 weeks and 1 day - by power16
• 16-week baby bump - by jessiehoran95

Your second trimester baby

Your little one is busy getting much bigger. At 13 weeks pregnant, it’ll be the size of a peach and grow to the size of an iceberg lettuce by week 26 - wow! There’ll be many milestones for baby in the second trimester. Its lungs will take shape, it’ll develop tastebuds and its tiny little fingernails and toenails will form ... even fingerprints can be taken by the end. He or she will develop a fine hair called lanugo that covers all over its body, and by the end of the second trimester, you should be feeling baby kicking about. Have you felt any kicks or ‘butterflies’ yet?

Second trimester pregnancy symptoms

Your pregnancy symptoms should tend to ease off a little and you’ll probably find you have a lot more energy to play with ... yes! You might be salivating more and prone to an irritated, stuffy nose, which is common. There’s also the big 20-week scan to look forward to, so remember to share your scan photos with us here on Karimums.

It’s time for a big round of applause ... you’ve just hit your third trimester - the final one! Needless to say you must be thrilled to bits about meeting your little one soon. We’re here to help you nut out your third trimester pregnancy symptoms, as well as fill you in on your baby’s progress during this last stage of pregnancy week by week. How big is your belly? Are you ready to pop? Share your bump photos with us along the way.

If you’d like to keep tracking your baby’s progress and the changes to your body in the third trimester, remember to sign up for our weekly pregnancy and post-birth emails.

• 31-weeks, big healthy boy! - by Afina15
• 10 and a half weeks left - by Jacinta23

Your third trimester baby

What starts off around the size of an eggplant at 27 weeks pregnant, may well end up being bigger than a watermelon at birth! We’re talking about your baby, of course, who in the third trimester will open its eyes for the first time and often triple in weight. The finishing touches are being put on the lungs and digestive tract, while all other organs are fully formed.

Third trimester pregnancy symptoms

As for your pregnancy symptoms, you might be feeling tired, so it’s important to rest every minute you can. If sleep isn’t happening, try lying on your side with three pillows – one between your knees, one behind your back and one under your head. Or have you got any tips to share for getting a good night’s sleep? Things like muscle and leg cramps, swelling, heartburn and acidic tummy pains are all fairly normal now too, but if you have any concerns, always check with your doctor just in case.

Giving birth

The big day has finally arrived. You’re nervous, excited and ready for anything ... then again, you’re not feeling ready at all! So what is giving birth actually like? We’ve got thousands of mums who’ll tell you all about their own labour and birth experiences - just add a post and ask! Of course, we’re here to help take away your worries about childbirth too, from the first signs of labour to the joy of having your baby.

• Our very first family photo - by SuzieS
• Welcoming little Kobie-Henry - by MrzBreeza

First stage of labour

The first stage of labour is divided into two phases: ‘early’ and ‘established’ labour. Early labour can last from 6 hours to 2+ days, and your cervix dilates up to 4cm (don’t be scared, it does sound like a long time!). It might start when your ‘waters break’, but this isn’t always the case. Early labour is characterised by irregular cramping and mild contractions that slowly increase in strength, length and frequency, until you’re in established labour. In established labour, your cervix dilates from 4cm up to 10cm - and you won’t be able to talk through your contractions anymore!

Transition stage

Before the next stage starts, there’s a period called the ‘transition’. This is usually between 8-10cm dilated and it’s quite common for you to feel overwhelmed, like you can’t go on, or want more pain relief ... quick, give me everything, now! Hang in there, because before you know it, you’ll be onto your second stage of labour.

Second stage of labour

This is the ‘pushing’ stage - when you’re 10cm dilated and it’s time for baby to come out. You may notice that the contractions are less painful because you’re too busy focusing on pushing!

Third stage of labour

The third stage of labour means your baby is now born! You’ll be happy and so in love beyond words, but you still need to deliver your placenta and membrane sack. Don’t worry - there are no bones or body so it isn’t as hard as birthing baby. There are two ways to do this: the natural or physiological method, or the active management method. Make sure you discuss these options with your midwife and include it in your birth plan before the big day.

Hello cutey! Your little bundle of joy has arrived and is getting used to the ‘outside’ world. Don’t be surprised if all your month-old baby wants to do is sleep all the time ... they have just spent the last nine months snuggled up inside your peaceful womb, after all.

• Smiley, happy babies - by pregnantbronnie, logansmummy, Muscle_Mummy

Your baby’s development

In the first six months, you’ll get to witness your baby’s first beautiful smiles! Your little one will most likely lift its head, start to track objects with its eyes, laugh and giggle – even start ‘gooing’ at you in full baby conversation! Then, before you know it, they’ll be endlessly on the move...

Newborn baby routine

The important thing to establish early on is settling your newborn baby into a feed-play-sleep routine, usually between six and eight weeks old. This can often be easier said than done, but keep persisting and above all else, remember that it’s always ok to ask for help.

Breast feeding your baby

Although we mums seem perfectly designed for breast feeding, it can take a little while to get the hang of. You might be wondering things like whether your baby’s getting enough milk and how to increase your milk supply, so make sure you read our breast feeding ‘how to’ guide to help get you started. Then by the time your baby is around six months old, it’ll be time to start thinking about introducing solids ... oh how they grow!

Bonding and tummy time

In the first six months, bonding time with your baby is one of the greatest joys as a new parent. Things like getting as much skin-to-skin contact as possible and sharing lots of cuddles with your baby is an amazing feeling! Giving them plenty of supervised tummy time from the start is also important to strengthen your baby’s muscles and help them gain head and body control.

By seven months old, your little baby isn’t so little anymore! For starters, they’ll most likely be on big boy (or girl) food, having three small meals per day, followed by their milk feeds. If you’re still breast feeding, that means around four feeds a day, or if you’re bottle feeding, it may be time to get your baby used to a sippy cup.

• Say cheese, mummy! - by Kristalv, deb_daly, ashgrave

Your baby’s development

Where have the past six months gone? It’s hard to believe how fast they grow, and your baby is getting stronger by the day. We bet they’re having fun bouncing up and down on your lap and laughing with you! In the first 12 months, your little one will most likely go from being able to sit without your help, to shuffling around the floor, to crawling, to standing – to saying their first real words!

Introducing baby food

How are you going with weaning your baby? Introducing solids and finger foods can be a messy adventure, but there are two important things to remember: take things slowly, and just keep trying. When it comes to baby food, try your hand at some wholesome homemade meals and you can always freeze them for later too! Make sure you browse through our favourite recipes for some inspiration for your baby!

Games to play with baby

Lots of playtime is essential for their development, and has been since birth. Little things like reading to them every day and playing endless games of peek-a-boo will work wonders to capture their attention and help them to learn ... plus, anything to catch that gorgeous smile!

Baby’s on the move!

Between seven and 12 months old, your baby is awake more than ever before and most likely, on the move. Yes, it’s officially time to childproof the house and make sure that it’s safe for your rolly-polly cuddly bundle to get around.

Over the last 12 months, you’ve laughed, you’ve cried, you’ve cuddled and you’ve watched your little one blossom into a fantastic tiny person ... and now, it’s time for the birthday parties to start. As of your baby’s first birthday, it’s officially time to start calling them “my toddler”. In fact, if you’re stuck for first birthday party ideas, you can read up on other mums' ideas!

• Time for cuddles and playtime - by myphuong, bobbiesehra, jacburnham

Your toddler’s development

Becoming a toddler sees many major developments in your child’s body and mind. While they seem like a mini adult on the outside, they still have lots of basic skills to master. You can help their hand-eye co-ordination by giving them finger food to hold and eat by themselves – but always stay with them while they eat, in case they bite off too much.

Toddler games

As they grow, they’ll become increasingly active too, meaning it’s playtime every day. Sit and roll a ball back and forth with them, or start to draw pictures together. The more your toddler plays with others, the more they’ll learn how to interact, communicate and share their toys too.

Toilet training and tantrums

Now’s the time for food fights, toilet training, tantrums – you name it. Toddlers often have no control over their emotions during a tantrum, and sometimes there’s just nothing you can do to calm them down. The best thing you can do is stay calm yourself, let it run its course, and be ready to cuddle them once it’s over.

Toddler recipes and fussy eaters

And did you know that approximately half of all toddlers have fussy food habits? It’ll seem like your toddler’s tastes are changing every day, but it’s important to hang in there and persevere to give them a balanced, nutritious diet. Have a look through our toddler recipes for some tasty new inspiration, even for the fussiest of eaters!