Pregnancy Education » Pregnancy Symptoms

Early Pregnancy Symptoms Discharge, Heartburn, Nausea and More

Edu — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:30:41 +0000

There are many common early pregnancy symptoms. Discharge from the vagina is almost universal in the early weeks of a pregnancy. This increase in the discharge is due to the increase in the growth of the cells lining the vagina. The walls naturally start to thicken as soon as the egg is fertilized and this thickening can cause you to have a discharge of a white, milky fluid. The medical term for this fluid is leucorrhea and is harmless so it doesn’t need any treatment. This discharge may actually continue throughout the pregnancy.

If you notice that the discharge has a foul odour, then this could be the symptom of a bacteria or yeast infection. Other symptoms of this that will require you to have medical treatment in the form of creams and vaginal suppositories include itching and burning sensations. Douching will not have any effect on the normal discharge you experience during pregnancy.

Other early symptoms of pregnancy that you can watch for in addition to missing your normal menstrual period include:

Morning Sickness. This is common in the first trimester of pregnancy and the name comes from the fact that most women have nauseous feelings early in the morning. Nausea and queasiness can occur though at any time of the day or night. You may also develop an aversion to foods you once loved to eat or to the smell of certain foods being cooked. These food aversions and the nausea are not harmful and are a normal part of carrying a baby in the womb. The sick feelings tend to abate at about the 13th or 14th week, although some women continue to feel sick all through the pregnancy. Some helpful hints include having dry crackers ready to settle your stomach and eating small meals more often so that you don’t feel hungry.

Constipation. This complaint affects a large proportion of pregnant women. It is largely due to an increase in the body production of progesterone which decreases the colon ability to absorb water from the food you eat. Drinking more milk than you usually do can also cause bouts of constipation. This problem tends to worsen just after the first trimester. You can help ease the problem by making sure you drink plenty of water, getting plenty of exercise and including foods high in fibre in your diet.

Dizziness or Fainting. Many pregnant women first find out they are pregnant after they faint and then go to the doctor to try to determine the cause. It is also more noticeable in the second trimester when you get up or move suddenly. During pregnancy the blood vessels dilate at a dramatic rate and the amount of blood may be too much for the vessels. This is what causes the dizzy or fainting spells.

Fatique. Feeling more tired than usual is a very common early sign that you may be pregnant. The blood is carrying more oxygen to the fetus in the womb, which causes your heart to beat faster and in turn causes you to feel fatigued. Take naps during the day or if this is not possible start going to bed earlier at night. Eating foods that are rich in protein and iron can also help to reduce the feelings of tiredness.

Anemia in Pregnancy – Symptoms and Causes of Anemia in Pregnancy

Edu — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 16:05:32 +0000

Anemia is a condition of too few red blood cells, or a lowered ability of the red blood cells to carry oxygen or iron. Tissue enzymes dependent on iron can affect cell function in nerves and muscles. The fetus is dependent on the mother’s blood and anemia can cause poor fetal growth, preterm birth, and low birth weight. In pregnancy, a woman’s blood volume increases by as much as 50 percent. This causes the concentration of red blood cells in her body to become diluted. This is sometimes called anemia of pregnancy and is not considered abnormal unless the levels fall too low.

Iron requirements go up significantly when you’re pregnant. Iron is essential for making hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to other cells. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in your body expands until you have almost 50 percent more than usual. And you need more iron to make more hemoglobin for all that additional blood. You also need extra iron for your growing baby and placenta.

Symptoms of Anemia in Pregnancy

The usual symptoms are breathlessness, tiredness, weakness, fainting, or paleness. Less frequently there are palpitations, loud heartbeat, inflamed tongue, nausea, headache, forgetfulness, jaundice, and abdominal pain.

Early symptoms are usually nonexistent or nonspecific (eg, fatigue, weakness, light-headedness, mild dyspnea with exertion). Other symptoms and signs may include pallor and, if anemia is severe, tachycardia or hypotension.

Nausea and vomiting: Even if the woman who is pregnant experiences what seems like an abnormal amount of nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), it probably will not affect the baby’s health, particularly if the woman is still gaining weight at the expected rate.

The body also has a remarkable ability to compensate for early anemia. If your anemia is mild or developed over a long period of time, you may not notice any symptoms.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency: Having an Omega-3 deficiency during pregnancy can be harmful to the mother and baby. Omega-3’s are polyunsaturated fats that support the growth and development of a fetus and help reduce the risks of pregnancy complications. It is recommended women consume 300mg of Omega-3’s daily during the course of pregnancy, which can be found in cold water fish, eggs, walnuts, and dark green leafy vegetables.

Causes of Anemia in Pregnancy

Anemia during pregnancy can be caused by a variety of reasons. They may include: iron poor diet, lack of folic acid, blood loss due to hemorrhoids or gastrointestinal bleeds, destroying iron and other nutrients in food by excessive cooking. During pregnancy, anemia may be present even with iron and folic acid supplements because pregnancy alters the digestive process and the unborn child consumes the nutrients normally available to the mother.

Sickle cell anemia is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. This means it occurs in someone who has inherited hemoglobin S from both parents. Sickle cell disease is much more common in certain ethnic groups, affecting approximately one out of every 500 African Americans. Someone who inherits hemoglobin S from one parent and normal hemoglobin (A) from the other parent will have sickle cell trait.

Blood loss: This is a common reason for iron deficiency anemia in adults. Heavy periods may cause anemia. Blood loss can also be caused by internal bleeding, usually in the digestive tract. A stomach ulcer, ulcerative colitis, cancer, or taking aspirin or similar medicine for a long time can cause bleeding in your stomach or intestines. That’s why it’s important to find the reason for a low iron level.

What Signals are Sent by your Body During Early Pregnancy Symptom

Edu — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:48:53 +0000

During early pregnancy symptom, many signs are sent by your body as its reactions to the dramatic hormonal changes. Level of fertility hormone get increased radically and leads to several symptoms to be noticeable. Usually, these signs typically do not appear until and unless you miss your period. After one or a couple of weeks, these symptoms begin to signal that you are getting pregnant. However, a fetal movement cannot be detectable before 16 weeks after conceiving.

Common Symptoms Of Pregnancy

Some common symptoms that are noted within the duration of 3 to 10 weeks of after conception are cramps in lower abdomen, cravings for typical foods, nausea or a feeling of vomiting, morning sickness, fatigue and tiredness, heartburn and constipation, breasts getting tender, swollen and sore. Many may notice their areas around nipples to turn darker and larger. Specialists suggest to keep track of the menstrual cycle to identify a missed period. But, during early pregnancy symptom, if you start experiencing other changes like the following, you should consider a pregnancy test to confirm it –

A small amount of vaginal bleeding can be possible about 11 or 12 days after implantation of eggs, and this is why, this symptom is known as implantation bleeding. This bleeding usually result from fertilization of eggs into lining of the Uterus. During implantation, embryo adheres to the lining of uterine wall, due to which some vaginal spotting is quite normal. Spotting usually appears lighter in color than regular menstrual bleeding.

A bit elevated basal body temperature or flu can be expected when you have missed your period during early pregnancy symptom.

Presence of some hormones in your body during pregnancy can relax the intestines; as a result, your digestion process reduces its speed. For this reason, you may experience constipation as a sign of pregnancy.

As the uterus develops, it starts compressing arteries in your legs and causes your blood pressure to drop and makes you feel dizzy. In the early stage of pregnancy, you may feel fainting after going a while without eating. Fainting at the early stage of pregnancy is caused by low blood sugar that is the source of embryo’s source of food. Keep consuming healthy snacks to keep up level of your blood sugar.

Heightened sensitivity to aroma is another strong sign of pregnancy. Even the most favorite aroma of your perfume may choke you. Smells of gas, mowed grass, different types of foods, cigarette smokes etc., may arouse a sensation of nausea as side effect of estrogen hormones flow in your body.

Make a checklist of signs and signals indicated by your body during early pregnancy symptom and take a test to determine your pregnancy.

Very Early Pregnancy Symptom – How to Cope Up Cramping

Edu — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:58:40 +0000

A very early pregnancy symptom – cramping reduce joy of conceiving with its acute pain in the abdomen. Though, most of the women complain about the discomforts of abdominal cramps, but as per medical professionals, this pregnancy symptom is completely harmless. Doctors ascertain that women who are expecting motherhood must consider cramping as a positive indication of pregnancy. Cramps can be experienced as a pain in your back and that means you are just at the primitive stage of primitive stage of pregnancy. Because this cramp in the back indicates the woman has just conceived so it is considered as a very early pregnancy symptom – cramping. Now, lets us discover what bodily changes lead women feel cramping during the earliest stage of pregnancy. Understanding causes of the very early pregnancy symptom – cramping can help women adopt tactics to cope up with this symptom better.

Causes Of Cramping Symptom Of Pregnancy

As the fertilized egg gets implanted at the inner lining of the uterus, the size of the uterus starts blooming. Increase in the size of the uterus is considered to be the main reason behind pregnancy cramping. Medical professionals presume cramping as an indicator of successful conceiving. Because your body is on the verge of bring forth and accommodating a new life into it, expecting mother’s body experiences drastic changes. Due to the implantation of the fetus to the uterus, you will notice this very early pregnancy symptom – cramping to accompany slight vaginal bleeding, that is termed as implantation bleeding or common to many women as vaginal spotting. Compared to normal menstruation periods, this vaginal spotting is light. Vaginal spotting can be observed with the following features –

Can be perceived within 7 to 15 days after conceiving

This spotting does not continue for more than a couple of days

Implantation bleeding is pink in color unlike normal menstruation periods

If you notice this short-term period to team with cramping sensation, you should be certain of your pregnancy. To confirm about the pregnancy, get a home pregnancy kit after you have undergone this combination of very early pregnancy symptom – cramping and slight vaginal bleeding. Home pregnancy kits are useful to women to test pregnancy at your own space and privacy of home. Once the tests return positive results, consult your physician through other pregnancy tests. However, in order to reduce discomforts of cramping, women may undergo hot or cold compresses or may dip into their bathtubs for warm soaking treatment.

When Cramping Is Serious?

Apparently, this very early pregnancy symptom – cramping gives no reason to be apprehensive about, rather gives positive indication of successful conceiving, instead. Doctors suggest women who are anticipating pregnancy to look for this symptom to arrive. However, cramps felt during the normal menstruation resembles cramping sensation felt at the onset of pregnancy, therefore, some women find it difficult to detect pregnancy through this symptom.

Although, cramping is considered harmless and natural after conceiving, however an increase in the degree at which cramping is felt may signal pregnancy complications. Following features of vaginal bleeding requires medical attention –

If you experience heavy bleeding

If the bleeding is dark colored

If the cramping pain does not reduces even after taking rests for sometime.

If you have a previous records of miscarriages

If you detect something negative through your very early pregnancy symptom – cramping, without any delay, call for your gynecologist immediately.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms Revealed

Edu — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:56:09 +0000

There are specific early pregnancy symptoms that in most cases cannot pass unnoticed. And by saying this I refer to morning sickness, smell sensitivity, headaches, pelvic discomfort, extreme and extended tiredness, sore breasts, and the list would go on. I didn’t include the absence of period as an early pregnancy symptom, as that is usually the way to find out whether you’re pregnant or not. Now let’s take these above mentioned early pregnancy symptoms one by one and see how they can be dealt with.

Morning sickness as an early pregnancy symptom can be reduced if you don’t get out of bed abruptly in the morning. Take your time before getting to your feet, and you will see that a lot of your sickness will disappear. If this early pregnancy symptom appears again during the day and it is accompanied by vomiting, try to eat as slightly as possible. It would be a good idea to have some toast, fruit, fresh orange juice or lemonade. Nausea can be caused by some odors you find unpleasant.

Smelling sensitivity is another early pregnancy symptom that appears usually in association with the morning sickness. Common smells like those of food, perfume, soap or detergent may become unbearable for a pregnant woman. The good news is that nausea and smells sensitivity disappear as the pregnancy advances. They are considered early pregnancy symptoms and decrease in intensity after the first one or two months of pregnancy. However there are women who experience vomiting and morning sickness till the second and even the beginning of the third trimester.

Headaches and pelvic discomfort are the early pregnancy symptoms that are usually mistaken for pre-menstrual symptoms. The confusion is normal and it is due to the fact that the same kind of hormones is secreted by the woman’s body during pregnancy as well as before period. The difference appears in the hormone level. Pelvic discomfort as an early pregnancy symptom is due to baby implantation within the uterus. It is very often associated with slight bleeding or spotting that is very often taken for a period.

Tiredness and sore breasts as specific early pregnancy symptoms can also be very misleading. As they can be determined by other causes such as stress or PMS. Very often, women that have no suspicion of being pregnant are concerned there may have some health problems, or they simply expect their period. There are other early pregnancy symptoms that vary from one woman to another. The above mentioned symptoms are general, but there may be cases when they don’t apply. Each body is unique, and so is the reaction to pregnancy for every woman.

Pregnancy Symptoms & How to Tell if You`re Pregnant – It`s Risky Being Frisky Without a Condom

Edu — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:40:15 +0000

Do you think you`re pregnant after a one night stand? Are you paying the price through an act of stupidity brought on by lust? Are you worried sick what your partner, if he is still around, or what your parents will say. Have you been a naughty girl and regret not having been good? Well it happens to the best of us at times to be a stupid so you`re not alone. First we have to be definitely sure that you are pregnant. Positive results will mean you have to tell your parents or partner so you have the support you need when making any decisions. These can include your position in life, and is it enough to support and bring up a baby. Other considerations are abortion and adoption. These options do not come with pleasantries, but absolute necessary issues. Speak to your parents as soon as possible so you can talk about your pregnancy. They may not be happy, but what mom and dad ever are at a time like this, and why would you expect them to be any other way.

There is no true determined age for first time sexual intercourse, but if you`re under the age of what the law states, as to what it sees the reasonable age for sexual intercourse, it can seriously change matters. The legal age does make you ready for sex, and we have proof of this after you falling pregnant. Readiness would have had you prepared for the outcome of unprotected sex. Age of consent for having sexual intercourse in most states of US ranges between 16 and 18. In the UK it’s 16. If you`re reading this and not pregnant, but fear it maybe on the cards if you don`t act responsible, then below are irresponsible statements you need to ignore if uttered by your partner

But I thought you loved me

All your friends are doing it so why not you

I will love you more

You’ll have to do it sometime, so no time like the present

I’ll only put it in for a second, “we’ve heard that before”

Your first sexual experience can have you anxious about losing your virginity but more so when it’s lost, and you find your pregnant. If you are not sure that you are pregnant then first we need to clarify this.

You miss a period (menstruation)

Feeling tired and don’t have much energy

Vomiting (morning sickness)

Food cravings

Weeing often

Tender or swollen breasts

These signs do not necessarily mean you are pregnant. There may be other reasons why you are experiencing them so have you doctor examine you. If you’re GP has brought back positive results that you are pregnant then your head maybe in a spin, sit down and relax and think of what you need to do, or better still ask the doctor. If you haven`t seen a doctor yet and still not sure if you have conceived, then there are other ways to tell if you are pregnant.

A home pregnancy test can be purchased from a chemist. Results are instant. A positive result is more likely to be correct than a negative one. It may well be in you and your unborn baby’s best welfare to call into a family planning centre/clinic, Yes it may seem like it is too late to speak to these people “now” but nonetheless not too late to easy matters and know what lies ahead. Medical advisors are able to talk to you about the best way to look after yourself during the pregnancy. Any uncertainties regarding your pregnancy will be assured by these people telling you of your options. Your local phone directory or yellow pages should list the doctors and family planning centre/clinic in your area. If your concerns are not in relation to pregnancy and to a sexually transmitted disease then the earlier it is treated the better. Untreated sex diseases can have serious consequences.

British statistics on STIs are based on analysis at genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics.

UK research showed 10.8% of males and 12.6 % of females aged 16-44 were treated for sexually transmitted infections.

Over twelve months ago a report stated, 397,990 new sexually transmitted infection diagnoses at GUM clinics in Great Britain showed an increase of 63% in 1998.

There was a 6% rise between 2006 and 2007. A little number maybe, but a number nonetheless with huge affect.

The Genital Chlamydia infection scarily rose the highest in numbers. Between 1998 and 2007 genital Chlamydia increased by 150%, genital herpes by 51%and syphilis by 1,828%.

Gonorrhea

The male can differ from the female if they have this disease (no symptoms.) Nevertheless in them that do have symptoms they normally appear 2 to 5 days after infection. Discomfort includes a burning sensation when peeing, or a white, yellow, or green discharge from the penis. Gonorrhea can cause painful or swollen testicles. For women the symptoms can be easily confused with a bladder or vaginal infection. Typical signs include pain and burning feel when weeing, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection. Symptoms of rectal infection in both genders may include discharge, anal itching, soreness, bleeding, or painful bowel movements.

Genital warts

If you are infected then you can expect to see pinkish/white small lumps or clustered cauliflower-shaped lumps around the genitals. Remember not to panic till your condition has been determined by a GP as you may well be worrying over little or nothing. Warts are known to form on or around the penis, the scrotum, the thighs or the anus. Female genital warts usually grow around the vulva or inside the vagina and on the cervix. If a woman has warts on her cervix, this can cause slight bleeding or, less commonly show, an unusual colored vaginal discharge. Although not a regular known condition for pain, it however brings itch.

Genital herpes

Symptoms usually appear 2 to 7 days after exposure and last 2 to 4 weeks. Both sexes can have one or more symptoms, including:

Itchiness or tingling around the genitals including the anus.

Small fluid-filled blisters and when burst leaves painful sores.

Pain when urine stream oozes over open sores.

Headaches.

Lower backache.

Swollen glands or fever.

You have to be careful if you find you carry both baby and an infection. STDs can cause cervical and other cancers, chronic hepatitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and other complications. Genital infections can be passed from a pregnant woman to the baby before, during, or after the baby’s birth. Some STDs (like syphilis) cross the placenta and infect the baby while it is in the uterus (womb). Other STDs (like gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and genital herpes) can be transmitted from the mother to the baby during delivery as the baby passes through the birth canal. These are frightening issues, however not as scary as bringing up a baby alone.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms: What are They?

Edu — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 07:13:54 +0000

There are several early pregnancy symptoms that catch the pregnant woman unawares. Is this your second or third pregnancy? If yes, then you may easily tell that you are pregnant since you’ve gone through the experience of pregnancy before. If it is the first, then you may be a little uncertain.

What are these early pregnancy symptoms? They may range from swollen, tender or sore breast/nipples, to fatigue, to frequent urges to urinate, to morning sickness and delayed menstruation. You may experience all or none of them.

The first physical symptom of pregnancy could be swollen or tender breast or nipples that hurt. Many women in fact rely on this sign to inform them that they are pregnant. Why are breasts and/ or nipples often sore, swollen, or tender during early pregnancy? It is because the breasts are undergoing changes to prepare for breastfeeding. An increased production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone cause this tenderness, and it can be particularly painful if you are pregnant for the first time.

Another early pregnancy symptom is fatigue or unusual tiredness. A woman’s body is working very hard to keep up with the changes that occur in early pregnancy. She experiences increased hormone production in the form of the tiredness, when her heart is pumping harder and faster due to an escalating blood flow, to bring the necessary nutrients to the growing fetus. Increased progesterone production is the primary reason for the extra fatigue most pregnant women experience early in their pregnancy. Progesterone is known to cause sleepiness and is a natural central nervous system depressant. This is a period when the pregnant woman also experiences emotional extremes, and her tiredness nay result from that too. You may be well advised to go to sleep as often as you can before your baby arrives when you’ll need your energy to care for your newborn baby.

This is the phase when you might miss your period and this is often the first sign that makes you suspect pregnancy. You will need a pregnancy test followed by a pelvic exam, to tell you positively whether you are pregnant. At the same time, you may experience a small spot of blood to throw you off track that this may be menstruation. It is known as implantation bleeding, occurring when the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining, about 14 days or so after conception. You might also experience cramping similar to menstrual cramps when your uterus begins to expand to make room for your embryo to grow into a fetus.

Nausea is an early pregnancy symptom and can happen with or without a bout of morning sickness. It is caused owing to rapid estrogen levels in the blood produced by the fetus and placenta, or owing to odors that may be difficult to breathe in for you. From household odors, to foods, to smoke and perfume, anything can trigger off a bout of nausea. Their may be another reason to increase your frequency of bathroom trips, sudden urges to urinate caused by the growing uterus, and this too may well be an early pregnancy symptom that lasts well into the first trimester.

Acquaint yourself With Symptoms of Pregnancy – Health Related Concerns

Edu — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:49:58 +0000

Symptom of pregnancy can be easily and mistakenly related with other illness and disorders. It is impossible to lay down an ultimate list symptom pf pregnancy but there are some tell tale symptom of pregnancy which is bound to occur during pregnancy. There are few but lucky ones who will never experience any of these early pregnancy symptoms but generally one symptom or the other is bound to occur among pregnant mothers.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms:

Tough stress, illness and weight loss and so on can be attributed to missed period, but generally a missed period is generally an early sign of pregnancy. If you experience other symptom of pregnancy along with missed period, it is advisable that you acquaint yourself with signs of being pregnant and also consult a doctor to confirm the fact. Tenderness of breast is another symptom of pregnancy. Normally few days after conception, this symptom of pregnancy occurs. As your body prepares itself for breastfeeding, your breasts begin to enlarge and also become tender. Tenderness of breast is usually a temporary symptom of pregnancy and usually disappears after a few weeks.

Nausea and vomiting are usually considered to be one of the hallmark symptoms of pregnancy. Usually referred as morning sickness, vomiting and nausea are one of the most common complaints among would be mothers during the fifth or sixth week of their pregnancy. Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day and can be quite severe sometimes resulting in overwhelming vomiting and even nausea. You will feel tired and exhausted during pregnancy and this is mainly due to the fact that you need much more energy to support another life system inside you.

Darkening of areola is also considered to be one of the foremost symptoms of pregnancy and can prevail throughout pregnancy. If there is continuous darkening of areola then it can well be considered one of other early sign and symptom of pregnancy. Frequent urination as a result of reducing size of bladder during pregnancy is another symptom. Frequent urination is one of the most annoying symptoms of pregnancy that would be mothers’ experience. Strong sense of food, craving for food and constipation are also other symptoms of pregnancy. Changes in the emotional and mental setup of mind are something very much associated with pregnancy. Since you are preparing for motherhood, you tend to become overprotective and sometimes take the role of motherhood too seriously. Mood swings during pregnancy is perfectly normal and those near you should be well advised not to take anything personally.

Today, pregnancy tests are the best way to confirm your pregnancy. Pregnancy blood tests, home pregnancy tests, office urine tests and so on are some of the most recommended methods to confirm your pregnancy. Your can always consult your doctor to confirm the fact and also acquaint yourself with some pregnancy health related issues.

5 Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Edu — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:05:36 +0000

Do you think you are pregnant? You won’t know for sure – until you take a home pregnancy test. Some women experience symptoms before a missed period! Here are five of the most common pregnancy symptoms others have experienced.

Fatigue: Many women experience fatigue in early pregnancy. Your body is preparing itself for the new life forming inside you, it’s also producing progesterone and high levels of this hormone may make you sleepy and more tired then usual.

Sore Breasts: Not all women experience sore breasts, but this is another early pregnancy symptom. They may not only feel sore, but fuller and heavier. This can occur as early as two weeks after conception as your breasts begin to prepare themselves to produce milk.

Frequent Urination: Your uterus is enlarging and pressing on your bladder, thus intensifying your urge to run to the restroom more frequently. If you have pain, or are uncomfortable you may have a urinary tract infection, please make an appointment with your doctor.

Constipation: The increase of progesterone causes the digestive tract to slow down, so food passes more slowly through your gastrointestinal tract and therefore causing constipation.

Slight bleeding: Also known as implantation bleeding. This bleeding can occur about 10-14 days after fertilization. Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus lining. Implantation bleeding can also be mistaken for a light period.

The above symptoms are generally common in early pregnancy – but this does not mean you are pregnant. The only way for you to know for sure is to make an appointment with your physician.

If you suspect you maybe pregnant or you have taken a HPT (Home Pregnancy Test) and it is positive, please make an appointment with your physician.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Edu — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:54:57 +0000

If you have been trying to get pregnant, or think you might be as they say “in the family way”, there are many ways beyond missing your period to start detecting early symptoms of pregnancy, and they all depend on listening to your body.

Early pregnancy symptoms can be both physical and emotional, and most occur to women early on in pregnancy, usually within the first couple of weeks. Usually pregnancy is signaled by a missed period, but you could already be three or four weeks into being pregnant by the time this happens. A better method for the early detection of pregnancy is to listen to your body. More often that not, symptoms will start to occur as early as a few days after conception, and will more than likely imitate the signs of menstruation. You might start to feel tired all the time, or maybe even nauseous, or you might feel like you have to urinate more than normal.

With most women, the early stages of pregnancy are noticeable by the fact that their breasts might feel swollen or tender, the expecting mother might also have a constant headache, or might bleed a little, as well. Mood swings are also common and this is why women usually rely on a missed period as a pregnancy indicator, since these symptoms usually occur monthly during a period cycle, which is why they’re often overlooked as a sign of early pregnancy. In other cases some women might also feel like they’re coming down with the flu.

Bleeding happens as part of the early stage known as Implementation, or when the egg becomes fertilized and attaches to the lining of the uterus. But this early bleeding usually stops within a shorter time than a normal period, and it is usually spotty. This spotting can be as early as ten days after becoming pregnant, but not all women bleed and not all women miss a period. For that reason, if you have been trying to get pregnant but are still having periods, it’s a good idea to get tested anyway regardless of nagging thoughts, just as a precaution.

Another subtle sign of early pregnancy might be an aversion to certain types of food or smells that trigger nausea, or a sudden craving for certain types of food, especially sweet or salty types of foods should be noticed and taken under consideration. Constipation can also occur early on in pregnancy, and is often the result of an increased level of progesterone which makes food digest more slowly through the intestines.

If you think you might be pregnant, review whether or not you’ve been having any of these symptoms within the last week or two. The body often changes in ways that are just subtle enough to be missed by women that are used to menstruation symptoms and its cycle, so it is important to raise your awareness of early pregnancy symptoms by focusing on these warning signs. Getting tested for pregnancy at the first signs can ensure that a consistent program of prenatal care is put in place for the health of you and the baby.