Having a baby is an amazing experience, and never more so than when you are pregnant with your first. While all your babies will be special and unique, your first pregnancy will be the only time in your life you ever experience the first kick of a baby. It will be the first time you plan a nursery, the first time you shop for nappies and the first and only time you just have no idea what is coming. It is a time of magic, as well as nerves and anticipation as you wonder what your next trimester will be like, how hard your labour and birth will be, and what it will be like to have a new little member that truly makes you a family.

When pregnant for the first time, you will have a lot of questions and planning to do. Below is a list of resources that will help get you started.

1. Baby Progress

First and foremost, you are going to want to know what is happening to you and what progress your bub is making. And if you’ve never seen a baby’s growth before, it is almost impossible to imagine the magic that is happening inside your growing belly. There are a number of sites that track your pregnancy, with you, week by week, following your changes and baby’s transformation.

2. Preparing You

Maternity wear can be a tricky thing — getting that balance right between comfort and something still feminine and sensual can seem impossible. But remember, most pregnancy clothes are roomy, so fit is not really an issue. This means online is the perfect place to buy. Jump onto Queen Bee to find outfits for all occasions.

3. Preparing Your Nursery

Nursery preparation is almost a rite of passage for pregnant mum and dad to be — it’s a nesting technique. You want to pick the perfect theme, colour scheme, furniture, accessories and toys to make the room a place of beautiful dreams and calm sleep for your first child. Sites like project nursery at www.projectnursery.com are the perfect place to get started with insights, ideas and tips.

4. Tips

Of course, one of the toughest things about your first pregnancy is that feeling of being a little out of your depth — of not quite knowing what’s going on. The online communities supporting mums — and mums supporting each other — are growing all the time. A great one, ‘real mums’ is a fantastic spot to get advice, talk to other mums and read articles written by honest, real mums. Visit www.realmums.com.au

5. Baby Clothes

Finding baby clothes, knowing what will fit and having everything ready can be tricky. Sites like Something for Kids at www.somethingforkids.com.au offer a beautiful range of clothes, all available online and delivered to your door.

6. Photos

Finally, sharing your pregnancy and your new baby with loved ones can be difficult with family and friends all around the world. Try sites like flickr.com where you can create great albums of your beautiful photos.