So, you’re pregnant! When you first found out, you probably went through a series of emotions: shock, excitement, maybe a little bit of anxiety. You told everyone you know, went to all the check-ups and now you’re playing the waiting game. But then the question popped into your head: how exactly do you prepare for a baby?

If this is your first child, chances are you have a lot of questions going on. How many diapers does a baby need? What are normal changes for your body to go through? How exactly does breastfeeding work? All of these questions are a completely normal part of the process for moms—especially first-time moms. The truth is, there’s no real way to ever be fully prepared for what to expect when you’re expecting. But, there are a few ways to be as close to prepared as possible. To start out, we’ve put together a quick list of some of the most important things to know when preparing and expecting when you’re expecting.

First and foremost, expect for your body to go through some changes, and prepare for them as much as you can. You are literally growing another human inside of you, which means your body is bound to have some weird things happen. Expect for these changes to happen, and be prepared by talking to your doctor beforehand about any questions or thoughts you might have. Get helpful insights and tips on normal body changes you can expect, and then prepare for them by trying useful items.

For example, sleep can be a big issue for many women during pregnancy. With all the new changes, it’s tough finding a comfortable position that doesn’t hurt every time you roll over. Be prepared by checking out full-body pregnancy pillows that allow you to sleep comfortably in any position. Do research and consult your physician throughout your pregnancy on other things to expect while your body changes, and prepare to meet the needs before they even occur.

Another aspect to expect during your pregnancy is all of the attention. Everyone loves when new babies are in the picture, and will want to celebrate you throughout your pregnancy. From a baby announcement, to gender reveal, to baby shower, all eyes will be on you every step of the way. This can get pretty stressful—after all, much of this involves a certain amount of planning—but not if you know what to expect and take steps to prepare.

For instance, think about and decide early on whether or not you want a baby announcement, gender reveal or baby shower. If you do, great! If not, that is perfectly okay too. Then consider what you want and who you want to take charge of everything. If you want to plan yourself, that’s a wonderful option. However, allowing others to also play roles during the pregnancy is a good way to sit back and let things be taken care of without feeling stressed out. Start preparing early by putting together an invite list, coming up with decoration ideas or considering fun post ideas.

Of course, in addition to the parties that will be thrown for you, get prepared for some unwarranted attention. This could mean anything from random strangers touching your belly without permission, to close friends and family giving you every piece of advice they can think of—all without actually asking if you want it. Consider these occurrences before they even happen and prepare for how you want to respond. Having a plan in place will make it easier to have a gentle, yet firm response for any attention, whether that be warranted or unwarranted.

Of course, one thing to expect when going through pregnancy is a baby. While you can never be fully prepared for a baby, there are steps you can take to be as prepared as possible. Check out needs lists online or from trusted sources to learn about things like how many diapers you need, what size clothing to buy, what other items a baby might need, etc. to get prepared beforehand. Babies are a lot of work, and filling all of their needs can be a challenge. But, taking it day by day is a simple way to prepare for all of your baby’s needs without feeling stressed. For some ideas on what and how to prepare during your pregnancy, check out our Pinterest boards, where we share on things to expect when you’re expecting, and how best to prepare for them.

If there’s anything we know for certain, it’s that pregnancy is definitely a rollercoaster ride of emotion, with lots of uncharted territories. Consult with your doctor, friends and family to get to know your expectations early-on, then learn more about the best ways to prepare. Whether it’s coming up with solutions to ease your changing body, planning for all the new attention you’ll be receiving or getting ready for the new little bundle of joy, the more prepared you are, the better you’ll feel throughout pregnancy and into motherhood.