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A healthy pregnancy is healthy both physically and emotionally. You owe it to yourself, your partner, your family and your unborn to be physically, emotionally and spiritually ready to make a happy, healthy baby. So, let's go through the list to ensure you're ready.

Your spirit. This one is usually easy. In fact, you've had this one covered for some time. For some moms, their spirits have been ready from the day they committed to their husbands. After all, knowing a man will make a great dad is one of the top reasons women choose a man. For others, their spirits become ready when they reach a certain age. Or, when their friends have babies and the joy that those close friends experience is so moving that a woman just knows she wants that experience, too. Or, you look out the window, see a mom and baby passing by and you just know that something is missing in your life. And then there are some who have been ready (at least in the hearts) since they were very little girls.

If you can't imagine life without babies, your spirit is ready. If you peek into every carriage that passes by, your heart is ready. If every time you look into your husband's eyes you imagine the beautiful baby you'll love together, your marriage or relationship is ready.

But what about the rest of you?

Your mind. Do you know what it means to be a mom? Have you thought about the daily impact a baby will have on your life? About what it will be like to go to work pregnant and feeling woozy when you do? What about childcare options? Do you understand the commitment you're making? Once you are a parent, you are always a parent - for the rest of your life. You'll worry about your kids when they're old and gray. And what about the sacrifices parents make? The financial sacrifice is enormous, costing over $180,000 to raise a child from birth through college. And don't forget the down payment for his first house. Oh yeah, you'll be chipping in some dough. Time, energy, lifestyle, finances - in fact every aspect of your life changes with the birth of a baby. Can you get your mind around this rather significant concept? If so, you've thought about the good, the bad and the ugly. Read on.

Look, you don't need all the answers worked out. You just have to be asking yourself and mate the right questions. Your spirit and your logical, pragmatic mind will work together on most of these questions once baby is a reality. It's not a bunch of well-considered "solutions" that indicate you're mommy material. It's the fact that your taking the time to consider these questions that indicates you're thinking like a mom. Already.

Educate yourself. When preparing the logical, nuts-and-bolts you, gather information. Talk to pregnant friends, relatives and coworkers. Other great sources: new moms and dads, veteran moms and dads, people in obstetrics, pediatrics and child development. Read about pregnancy and childbirth, about caring for babies and children, about financing a family. Read, reflect... then discuss. Talk to the dad or dad-to-be ASAP. This is not a decision you should make on your own. These are not choices to be made independently. It takes two to conceive and two to prepare for the changes ahead.

When Is The Perfect Time to Have a Baby?
Sometimes couples say that they're not at the right place to have a baby in terms of housing, career or savings. There will never be a perfect time to start your family (or to add to it). There will always be the dream of a new car or a larger home. If you're healthy, in love, have a roof over your head, and the means to feed and clothe baby (and then later, a toddler, child, teen and 30-year-old rebound baby) then this may be the perfect time. You just might not realize it yet. A baby needs loving happy parents, enough to eat, a warm home, a dry bottom and lots of attention. It does not need a luxury mini-van, designer baby togs, a top-end stroller or trendy toys.

If you can wrap your mind around that, you're ready to be wrapped around a baby's little finger.

Your body.
If you're going to grow a happy, healthy baby, you've got to provide it with a healthy environment in which to grow. Preparing that environment should begin as soon as you start thinking about pregnancy. After all, the longer you make healthy choices, the healthier your body will be. If you've been surprised by baby (and what an amazing surprise that is) then preparing your body should begin as soon as you learn the happy news.

We're talking lifestyle changes here. Eat right, exercise, take vitamins, get a check-up, stop smoking or using other substances which may harm you and your baby. In a nutshell, make yourself as healthy as you can. Your doctor is eager to help with this.