Welcome to Gaia! ::

On the drinking fluids thing, make sure to drink lots and lots. I ended up in the hospital, after having major headaches and feeling sick all day. I almost went into preterm labor there, at 30 weeks. It turned out it was because I was severly dehydrated. Come to find out, even though I was drinking lots of water, I was still losing more when I went to the bathroom, then what I was taking in. They told me to keep a cup of water next to the bed, and drink a full cup when I got up at night to go to the restroom, and to have a cup of water or juice full with me all day. You might not have to be that extreme about, since I had to do that much to avoid having my baby too early, but be sure to keep hydrated.

Oh! Oh! Don't wait!!! xd
Ok, here's my 2 cents....

1) Definately tell everyone!This is your first baby! xd Enjoy the moment, don't worry about what may come.

2) If your local grocer has a refillable gallon jug of water you can buy, buy it and aim for one gallon of water a day. (We shop at Biggs and you buy a full gallon of water for $1.50, and can take it back anytime and refill it yourself for $.49. They also have 3 gallong and 10 gallon (I think)sizes) Water is going to be your best friend while you're pregnant. It helps reduce swelling caused by water retention (ironic, I know), it will prevent any possible complications with dehydration (like someone else here, I was in the hopital 2 months early due to some painful braxton-hicks contractions brought on by dehydration), and water is just plain good for you! biggrin

3) REST! I can't tell you how important it will be for you to get plenty of rest! If you don't do it now, you'll be kicking yourself later when you're up every 1 1/2-2 hours those first few weeks.

4) Try to get backrubs and foot massages. They feel sooooooooo nice when your pregnant.

5) Exercise. If nothing else, just walk for 30 minutes a day. It'll help later when you need to shed those baby lbs.

6) ...foo...I can't remember #6! stressed I know I had a #6...I'll look around for it, and when I find it, I'll get back to you. xd

Re: moodyness: Wow, I think my husband was ready to send me off to my in-laws during my last pregnancy. I was so moody it was horrible. Crying one second, angry the next, happy as a lark after that. stressed Therefore, I'm not even going to try going that route. sweatdrop

Re: miscarriage: On a down note, having had a miscarriege myself, it is hard to break the news to everyone, yes. Luckily, my husband was understanding and he gave the bad news to everyone. When I became pregnant with my third, naturally I was very concerned about this happening again. The doctor however, told me my chances were just the same as everyone else, about 1 in 10. That may sound like bad odds, but in truth, it really isn't. I know way more women who haven't had miscarriages, than I do women who have had them.

I definately wouldn't worry about miscarriages unless there's some medical reason for you to.
This is your first baby! Let others share in the joy of it, and get excited with you!
...and lastly...

I would have to go against what was said about a gallon of water a day( that's 16 glasses of water on top of having to pee so much), that's a tad bit too much. Actually 64 ounces would do just fine. At walmart they used to sell this cup that is 64 ounces and you could keep your water in for the day and such. It also had good facts about water and such. In all actuality, drinking that much water isn't good. In fact, you can lose a lot of essential electrolytes with too much water. My husband says a lot of his patients have electrolyte imbalances from that.

I have to say I tried to drink that much water when I preggo and it just made me throw up. sweatdrop

I had to drink about that much a day, but it was doctor's orders. Mainly because I was becoming extremely dehydrated for no apparent reason at all, even with having to go to the restroom more often. If I hadn't drank that much, I would have probably gone into preterm labor. But I definately wouldn't recommend drinking that much either, unless it was absolutely necessary, as was my case.

Good call! I never really needed one for my first pregnancy since I stayed pretty small. For my second daughter though, I REALLY wish I would have bought one of those.
I would also suggest a coco butter based lotion. I've heard it helps alot with preventing stretch marks. Again, I didn't use any...and I think I should have at least tried. xp

(You don't need the expensive ones they sometimes sell at maternity shops, any coco butter lotion will work, I've heard)

Congrats Geisha!!! Your body is going to be going through alot of changes, my advice is to try to recognize and appreciate these changes for what thay are, preparations for the miracle you are carrying! Also, make sure you share these changes with your hubby.....he doesn't get to share/feel most of them and besides making him feel like he is an active part of the pregnancy....he will also know how you are feeling and being more aware might make him deal with the not so easy times alot better! I knew when I was pregnant with my daughter, that my hubby loved me very much, because he cleaned up more vomit than any one person should EVER have to clean! domokun There are ups and downs.....but the ending result will be one of the most incredible things you will EVER be a part of! I am so glad for you both...please keep us posted! *big hugs and tummy rubs*

congrats and good luck with everything. I hope all goes well for you and you have a happy healthy baby ^^