When you find out that you're pregnant, it's natural to feel nervous  and excited. If you're a pet owner, you may feel more anxious than other  expectant parents if you're worried about how your pet will get along  with your baby.

Luckily, with a bit of planning, you can help even the most pampered cat or dog make a smooth transition from living in a baby-free household to  residing in a home that's focused on a crying, demanding newborn.

“Many dog and cat owners say of their pets,  'This is my first baby,'” says Vicki Mendiratta, MD, professor in the  division of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington  School of Medicine in Seattle. “Pregnancy is time to reflect that your  life is changing, and most pet owners can't focus the same amount of  time on a pet when they have to take care of a child.”

A study of nearly 600 dog and cat owners, which was presented at the 2010 meeting of the American  Sociological Association, confirms what most people believe to be true:  Pet owners who have children spend less time with their pets.