AIR TIMES: • April 18, 2008 7:30 AM EST

A Great Pregnancy (102)
Once upon a time, being pregnant meant plenty of rest, binging for two, and a peaceful nine-month wait for the stork to arrive. But today, juggling a career, family and hectic social schedule while feeling nauseous, chubby and tired makes pregnancy highly demanding. So, those who are pregnant and those who know someone who's expecting, get ready to turn what could be a rough time into the best of times. From the best exercises for a short labor to tips on looking fashionably fabulous, here are five steps to a great pregnancy.

Baby Facts

• A baby is born every three seconds.
  
• A fetus in the womb can hear. Tests show that fetuses respond to various sounds and react to loud noises even if Mom's ears are muffled.
  
• A four-month old fetus will startle and turn away if a bright light is flashed on its mother's belly.
  
• Children born in the month of May are on the average almost a half pound heavier at birth than children born in any other month. Nobody quite knows why — it's just one of those maternal mysteries.
  
• Aside from medical costs, new parents in the U.S. typically spend $7,000 in a baby's first year on everything from diapers to formula to day care.