The instructions read: "Drink 800 ounces of water, then wait 45 minutes and don't use the bathroom prior to your scheduled ultrasound. You must have a full bladder." Say what?! First the baby is already kicking your bladder, and then you're supposed to drink, drink, drink and then hold it? That must be some kind of sick joke.

Unfortunately it's no joke. Any woman who has endured the experience of getting a baby ultrasound picture will tell you that's the real deal. Apparently your innards need to be extended in order for the sonographer to better view your unborn baby. Notwithstanding the first time you see your little miracle moving, sucking her (or his) thumb and sometimes waving, you will forget all about the fact that your teeth are floating.

In fact, what you will be feeling and thinking is an indescribable experience. As soon as you get home, you will want to journal as much as you can remember: What were you initial impressions? Was it what you thought it would be like? Did seeing your baby somehow make you love your child even more than you thought possible? Even though you knew you were going to be a mom, did seeing your baby on the screen solidify that fact? Did you find out the gender? Did baby cooperate? Or was junior shy?

You will be given a couple of different photos documenting your child's first film appearance. Don't let your baby's first promo pictures end up in a drawer. Put them in your Ultrasound Scrapbook. Depending on an array of variables, you may have more then one set of baby ultrasound pictures to add to your scrap book. If you have your first set taken at week 21, and then another ultrasound done at week 38 you'll have an excellent comparison to show how much your baby is developing. Years later your child will love looking at his skeleton.

Try to wait long enough to put your latest baby ultrasound pictures into a scrap book before you show off the most recent installment in your pregnancy saga. Your coworkers will be more apt to give your photos more than simple a cursory glance.

Even if you create journal entries and a scrap book merely for your own benefit, you will be glad you did. Most mothers will tell you that they had a touch of "pregnancy brain" (aka forgetfulness). You want to make sure you don't omit any chapters in this beautiful journey.