Early signs of pregnancy

Early signs of pregnancy, while they will vary slightly from woman to woman, typically include a variety of symptoms. These symptoms will vary in frequency as well as intensity and may be different for women from one pregnancy to another. It is important to keep in mind that your body will go through many changes when you do become pregnant. While each of the preceding symptoms is considered early signs of pregnancy, they may happen for you at different times during your pregnancy or not at all. Keep in mind that the earliest symptoms of pregnancy may be so subtle that you may not even notice them. If you believe that you may be pregnant, taking a home pregnancy test is a good idea just to be certain.

The first early sign of pregnancy that you should notice is a missed period. This is also the most obvious sign of pregnancy. You may also experience your period, but a much lighter version than your regular cycle. Most women will experience breast tenderness during the early stages of pregnancy. Of course, many women experience this symptom while going through their monthly cycle so breast tenderness by itself may not necessarily mean pregnancy. You will likely notice the tenderness much more when you are trying to sleep or when you are getting dressed.

Another very common early sign of pregnancy is fatigue. You may feel as if all your energy is completely gone. You may notice that you get tired much earlier than your normal bedtime or feel the need to nap frequently throughout the day. This symptom is caused by the changes that your body is making in addition to the increased level of hormones brought on by pregnancy. If you know that you are pregnant, rest is very important. Try to lie down or nap for a few minutes every day.

Frequent urination is also an early sign of pregnancy that is brought on by the changes in your body as it begins to make room for your baby. This symptom is also one that may remain with you for your entire pregnancy. If you feel the need to go to the restroom much more often than usual, you could be experiencing a pregnancy symptom. It is important however to point out that if you are not pregnant and you are experiencing much more frequent urination, this could be the sign of a bladder or kidney infection or problem and you should visit your doctor as soon as possible.

You have likely heard about morning sickness. This early morning nausea is a definitely sign of pregnancy and may come on very sudden. You may feel fine one minute and begin to experience queasiness and vomiting the next. While most women experience morning sickness in the morning, hence the name, it is very possible to have this symptom at any hour of the day and many women in the earliest stages of pregnancy experience nausea constantly for several weeks. If you are pregnant and are nauseas to the point of not being able to eat, your doctor can prescribe a medicine to help to calm your stomach. For most women, nausea tends to level off once the second trimester has begun. You can also help to calm your stomach by eating smaller meals or nibbling on saltine crackers when you begin to feel nausea coming on.

Dizziness or fainting may also be experience. This is simply a reaction by your body to the hormonal and physical changes that you are going through. If you experience dizziness, it is important that you lie down until the feeling subsides. Feeling dizzy or faint is very common in early pregnancy particularly if you have not eaten in several hours. This is due to a drop in your blood sugar levels. To eliminate this problem, you should eat healthy snacks throughout the day to keep your blood sugar at a normal level. Things such as apples, grapes, bananas, yogurt and fresh vegetables can help to keep your blood sugar levels normal while not adding on unhealthy weight during your pregnancy.

You may also find yourself very sensitive to certain smells. Women in the earliest stages of pregnancy often report a heightened sensitivity to specific aromas. These may even be smells that you loved before you became pregnant. Your favorite perfume or flower for instance can make you nauseas in these early stages. You may also notice frequent heartburn or constipation. These are also very common symptoms of pregnancy and may decrease after the first trimester. You should keep in mind however that many women continue to experience constipation and particularly heartburn throughout their pregnancies. Your doctor can give you a list of safe over the counter medications for both of these symptoms.

Last updated on Nov 6th, 2010 and filed under Reproductive Health. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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