Maybe you've always wanted a baby brother or sister and your parents just told you you're going to have one.

Perhaps you've always liked being an "only" and now your parents have announced that you'll have a brother or sister soon.

Either way, your mom's pregnancy will be a time of change for you and your parents. What should you expect?

Hurry Up  . . . and Wait!
One thing you should know about having a baby is that it takes a while! Depending upon when your mom found out she was pregnant, it could be almost 9 whole months before your little brother or sister arrives on the scene. So, what will happen during that time?

Early on, your mom won't look any different, but she may act different. She may be tired more often. Or maybe she'll have trouble with her tummy and throw up a lot - this is called morning sickness because many pregnant women experience it in the morning (although others have it all day long). She may also be more likely to be crabby with you and everyone else. It can be hard to have your mom act so weird, but try to understand - her body's doing a lot of work to bring a baby into the world.

After about 4 months, your mother's breasts and belly will start to get bigger. She'll probably start eating more and will get a bit bigger every day. By the time she's about 6 months pregnant, you'll probably be able to see and feel the baby kicking and moving around. Ask your mom if you can put your hand on her stomach to feel your brother or sister kicking. It's really cool!

By the time the baby's ready to be born, your mother's likely to be pretty big. You can help her by carrying things for her or helping her get up from the sofa or out of a chair.

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