Top 5 Signs of Pregnancy

It is commonly believed that women instinctively know when they are pregnant. That's only part of the truth. The onset of pregnancy is marked by a series of changes in their bodies. Women who are sensitive to these symptoms-especially if they have been pregnant before-correctly interpret them as signs of pregnancy.

# 1. Nausea. Symptoms of nausea are a very common sign of pregnancy. Popularly termed 'morning sickness,' the symptoms may be felt at all times of the day. Many women also develop an intense aversion to certain smells or tastes, of food items for instance, that they liked earlier. Symptoms of nausea may continue to be felt even into the second semester.

# 2. Abdominal bloat. Soon after conception, hormonal changes cause the abdomen to feel distended. Your spouse may complain that her clothes are getting tighter. This pregnancy sign is similar to the feeling of bloat she experiences when she has her periods.

# 3. Tender breasts. If your spouse complains that her breasts pain when you touch them, you may have reason to rejoice. Tenderness or soreness of the breasts is another obvious sign of pregnancy. The pain is similar to, but usually more intense than, what women experience during periods. A related pregnancy symptom is a feeling of fullness in the breasts. The appearance of the breasts may also change with veins becoming visible under the skin.

# 4. Montgomery's tubercules. Somber as the phrase sounds, it simply refers to the wart like projections that form around the areolas-the dark area surrounding the nipples- of the breasts.

# 5. Missed periods. A very likely sign of pregnancy is when your spouse misses a period. The scanty menstrual-like flow that sometimes appears at the time of implantation-around ten days after conception-is not a period, and, in fact, indicates a pregnancy.

Taking a Home Pregnancy Test

If you and your spouse are trying to conceive a baby, you may want to know if your wife is pregnant. The best and earliest method to that is to use a home pregnancy test.

What does a home pregnancy test do?

The way a home pregnancy test works is simple. The test measures the amount of a pregnancy hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your spouse's urine. A woman's body starts releasing hCG only after a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus wall and the placenta begins to form around it. All this happens within the first 10-15 days of a pregnancy.

The placenta stimulates the release of hCG in a woman's bloodstream but some amount of the hormone passes out through her urine, which is detected by a home pregnancy test. Most kits can detect anywhere between 15 to 100 mIU/ml of hCG in the urine.

What are the different types of tests available?

A home pregnancy test comes in three main forms and is most accurate when the first morning urine sample is used.

• The most common home pregnancy test consists of a test stick your spouse can dip into her urine. The stick changes color if hCG is present and confirms a pregnancy.

• A second pregnancy test includes a urine collection cup and a testing mechanism (like a dipstick), with a well in it. A few drops of urine are put in the well or the well is dipped into the urine collected in the cup. If hCG is present, a specific part of the test device changes color.

• A newer pregnancy test available involves mixing a urine sample with a special substance (in powder or liquid form) to produce a chemical reaction. This reaction will occur only if hCG is present in the urine.

Is a home pregnancy test accurate?

A home pregnancy test is reasonably accurate. hCG takes around 2 weeks or more after fertilization to start being detected in the urine so a pregnancy test performed within this period will yield a negative result. For better accuracy, your spouse should take a test at least one week after the first day of her missed period.

The accuracy of a home pregnancy test also depends on your spouse's menstrual cycle, the exact day of fertilization, and the sensitivity of the test itself. Remember that even if your spouse's test is positive, she still needs to have her doctor confirm her pregnancy.

Top Tips for Cheap Holiday Gifts This Year

We may or may not be in a recession, but every year things get tight in January if we're not careful in December. Here are some tips for more careful spending through the holidays.

1. Plan early. Make a list, figure out a budget and stick to it. You can save money, not necessarily just by buying cheap holiday gifts, but by taking advantage of early-bird sales and avoiding last-minute shipping premiums.

2. Bake your own. There are literally thousand of things you and your kids can bake that are often better than store-bought items, especially when it comes to baked goods and candy.

3. Make your own. FamilyFun.com has lots of kid-friendly crafts projects for holiday gifts. We especially like the House Keys holder (http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/feature/famf117gift/famf117gift2.html) It's simple ideas like these that can really make both kid-giver and recipient beam.

4. Have family make a gift list. There's nothing that wastes money faster than buying useless items you find in the check-out aisle just so you have a present on Christmas. Everyone would rather get something they really want, even if it's not a surprise, than an item they have to return, or worse, throw away a few weeks after the holiday.

5. Recycle. Wrappings and ribbons costs add up. 2008 will be the year that reusing wrapping paper doesn't look stingy, but smart and energy-conscious.

Even with cost-cutting, there's no reason to eliminate holiday giving entirely but there are simple ways to make it cheaper this year.

Best 5 American Cities to Bring Up Your Kids

What are the important factors that go into creating an ideal situation to bring up kids? Well, the role of the mom and dad-essentially, good parenting skills-is crucial. However, other things, such as the environment, education, and community too play a role.

We bring you GreatDad's list of the five best cities to raise your kids in:

5. Boston, Massachusetts: This largest city in New England is especially known for its excellent standards of higher education. Forbes magazine rated the Boston public school system, the oldest public school system in America, as the best in the world. Music, arts, sports, and a world-class urban environment make this a great city to raise your kids in.

4. Miami, Florida: Think about sun, surf, and cosmopolitan bustle and you think Miami. But there's much more: this city has the largest school district in the world, an active sporting culture, and a beautiful climate year round. Your kids can nurture a love for nature through their visits to Parrot Jungle, Monkey Jungle, and Fairchild Tropical Gardens.

3. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Located on the banks of the Mississippi, this is the largest city in Minnesota. With a flourishing art scene, Minneapolis enjoys the presence of a community of musicians, artists, writers, and actors. Its residents love the outdoors and rate sports highly. All in all, this city with its lakes and parks is one great place to bring up your kids.

2. San Diego, California: Blessed with a sunny beachside atmosphere, this city has much more than water sports on offer. With a high per capita income, San Diego also offers good education opportunities-it has a medical school and at least three accredited law schools. And this is a city that almost knows no crime. Besides, special attractions for children abound, such as San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, and Legoland.

1. Denver, Colorado: This scenic city, situated at the foot of the Southern Rocky mountains, is the capital of Colorado. Denver is home to the sprawling Denver Performing Arts Complex. Besides, the city has also spawned eight professional sports teams. Denver also has a pleasant natural environment all the year round, with winter sports such as skiing in the winter. All this makes it the best place to bring up your kids.

Interactive Pregnancy Calendar

The presence of early pregnancy symptoms is an indication that your spouse needs to undergo a pregnancy test. If positive, it means your spouse is on her way to give birth to your baby.

However, pregnancy-divided into three trimesters-remains a mysterious period for most women. And as for the men, most expectant dads go through these months without a slightest clue as to what is expected of them. Here is a pregnancy calendar to prepare you on what to expect from your spouse and how best to help her.

Pregnancy Calendar: First Trimester

What your spouse will experience:

The sudden hormonal rush during this phase may lead to a host of uncomfortable symptoms and sensations for your spouse. Nausea (commonly referred to as morning sickness) and an aversion for certain foods items may become apparent. Weakness or fatigue is another common symptom at this stage.

What you can do:

As the full import of the pregnancy starts to sink in, you can discuss the baby with your spouse. You could also accompany her during her visits to the obstetrician. Make use of this relatively relaxed period by spending quality time together, at home and outside.

Pregnancy Calendar: Second Trimester

What your spouse will experience:

The initial distressing symptoms such as nausea will now subside. However, your spouse's belly will continue to expand throughout this stage. This will restrict her movements considerably. Bleeding from the nose and gums, heartburn, indigestion, and the appearance of varicose veins or hemorrhoids are the other symptoms that she will have to bear with.

What you can do:

Her pregnancy will increasingly impede your spouse's capacity to live a normal life. You can help by taking over at least some of her domestic duties. This is also a good time to help her plan her pregnancy in detail.

Pregnancy Calendar: Third Trimester

What your spouse will experience:

The developing baby will make further demands on your spouse's body: her weight will continue to increase and may lead to back and hip pain. Swellings on the ankles and face may also be present. Besides, even mild exertion during this period may leave her gasping for breath.

What you can do:

In this final stage of pregnancy, your spouse may become increasingly housebound. Try to find ways to make her feel comfortable and keep her spirits high-an occasional gentle massage will be highly appreciated. This is also the time to finalize arrangements for the birth of your baby.

Top Celebrity Dads List

Which celebrity would you trust your children with? Definitely not Michael Jackson. With constant media scrutiny on every parenting decision they make, celebrities who are dads definitely have it tough. Here's GreatDad's unofficial list of top celebrity dads.

Celebrity Dad #6: David Beckham
Even Beckham's worst detractors in the media cannot fault the handsome football champion for his parenting skills. Praised by everyone as a model dad, Beckham is also known to be a devoted father to his sons, Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz.

Celebrity Dad #5: Johnny Depp
The wild Hollywood rebel known for his eclectic (and often weird) roles is surprisingly protective and caring of his children, daughter Lily-Rose and son Jack, from girlfriend Vanessa Paradis. Choosing to raise them in the healthy French countryside, Depp even 'wears' their names as tattoos.

Celebrity Dad #4: Peter Andre
Recently, more than 2000 mothers across the UK voted in a poll to vote in Andre as the father of the year. Describing himself as "over the moon", the pop star did confess to having wanted this kind of recognition. "For the last couple of years I've been saying that if there's any kind of award I could win it would be dad of the year," he has revealed.

Celebrity Dad #3: Matt Damon
The Academy Award-winning screenwriter and actor plays loving father to Alexia, wife Luciana's daughter from a previous marriage, and Isabella, the couple's first child. A second child is also on the way.

Celebrity Dad #2: Will Smith
The acclaimed actor is a complete family man, happiest when he is with his wife and kids. The doting dad has even shared the screen with his kids: son Jaden has acted with him in The Pursuit of Happyness and daughter Willow in I Am Legend. Treyball Development Inc., the Beverly Hills-based company that Smith co-owns with his brother, is named after his first son, Trey.

Celebrity Dad #1: Brad Pitt
If there ever is an Academy Award for the best performance as a father, Pitt would be nominated, simply for his parenting style. Pitt, already father to four kids, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, and Shiloh, is keenly awaiting the birth of the twins wife Angelina Jolie is carrying.

Funny Parenting Story

Here's a funny story for dads and kids to enjoy.

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard; I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious I pinned a note to his collar: ' I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'