Pregnancy Information Digest » Early Signs & Symptoms

Unique Early Signs of Pregnancy

Editor — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:15:14 +0000

Many women of childbearing age have had moments in time when they began to wonder if a little bundle of joy was on the way. In some cases, the thought occurs before a missed period and becomes a nagging thought in the back of her mind. Other times, it may be a fervent wish to be pregnant or an equally strong hope that she is not pregnant. Even before a late menstruation cycle, early signs of pregnancy can be detected if you know what to look for.

Missing a period is one of the classic early signs of pregnancy. However, interestingly enough, in some cases, a new mom to be may have a light period shortly after conception. It isn't an indication that anything is wrong necessarily, it just throws the progression of normal symptoms off and mom may not realize she is pregnant from this event alone. If the possibility of exists, an unusual period may be reason enough to explore some other pregnancy signs and take a home test just to be sure.

One of the lesser known early signs of pregnancy is a sudden sensitivity to scents. Maybe while getting ready for work one morning, you apply your favorite perfume and immediately are hit by a wave of nausea. Maybe you normally hate the smell of gasoline, but when you fill your car's tank, for some reason the scent isn't as unpleasant as before. Experts attribute this sign of pregnancy as a result of high levels of estrogen in a newly pregnant woman's body. This symptom can show up even before a missed period.

Just like scent sensitivity, food cravings and aversions can be early signs of pregnancy. Strange food combinations eaten at weird times aren't uncommon in the beginning stages of pregnancy. Some women report suddenly developing extreme aversions for foods or specific types of food that they used to love. While this pregnancy sign can be humorous due to its unpredictable nature, it can be an early indicator of future joy.

Many times when a woman claims that she just feels pregnant, people discount the validity of the statement. Often though, she is ultimately proven to be correct. A variety of small, seemingly insignificant feelings can add up to early signs of pregnancy. No one knows how a body feels better than the person who resides in it. A little nausea, a bloated feeling, and tender breasts may not sound like much at first, but the woman who is experiencing it may be on the right track to confirming a pregnancy.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms To Know About

Editor — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:00:10 +0000

From the moment that a woman becomes pregnant symptoms start to affect her. There are pregnancy symptoms that are nuisance and there are those that are potentially harmful to the mother and the baby. Knowing what symptoms are common will help a pregnant woman to decide just how to react, when to call the doctor, and what can help alleviate the symptoms. A pregnant woman should take the time to look at what common pregnancy symptoms are.

First Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms

The first symptom that most woman notice when they become pregnant is that their period stops. Sometimes a woman will have very light bleeding that will stop within a couple of days. These are both normal symptoms of successful conception. If a woman knows she is pregnant and has heavy bleeding she should consult her doctor as soon as possible. Other common early trimester pregnancy symptoms include nausea and vomiting (morning sickness), breast tenderness and swelling, headaches, mood swings and frequent urination. These symptoms are all the result of the hormonal changes in the woman's body and the body's efforts to adapt to the pregnancy.

Second Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms

As the pregnant woman enters the second trimester she should see an end to any morning sickness. The second semester a woman will begin to put on weight and start to show in the abdomen that she is pregnant. Her breast will become larger and she will need to wear a more supportive bra. Baby movements will be felt by the mom but are not seen by others. A thin dark line on the lower abdomen may appear and a woman may have a darkening pigment to her face. Sometimes there is still some heartburn and indigestion which can be relieved by Tums. The pregnant woman may start to have some swelling to the legs and hands. If she notices rapid severe swelling she should contact her physician.

Third Trimester Pregnancy Symptoms

The third trimester is an exciting time but also a very uncomfortable time. The pregnancy symptoms are as obvious as the pregnancy itself. The weight gain will start to increase quickly as the baby is growing rapidly. The baby's movements will be visible and the kicking will become stronger. Small contractions will be felt periodically. Backaches and shortness of breath are quite common but if they become very uncomfortable the doctor should be consulted. As the end of the third trimester approaches the pregnant woman should look for signs and symptoms of labor and prepare for the delivery of the baby.

Recognizing the Early Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

Editor — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:45:05 +0000

There are certain signs and symptoms that a woman is able to recognize during the early pregnancy stages, and these signs and symptoms should be taken greatly into consideration, as learning about and understanding them will help you to recognize earlier on if you are pregnant.

What are the Early Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms?

In regards to the most common early pregnancy signs and symptoms, this would include such things as nausea, heartburn, fatigue, bloating, weight gain, and breast and nipple soreness, for example. Early pregnancy certainly has its share of discomforts, some of which are almost universal, such as that of mild nausea and fatigue.

Basically what happens is that soon after you conceive, your body begins going through a series of minor and major changes, of which will enable it to sustain your baby through the required amount of growth time. The glands of your endocrine system and placenta, for instance, begin to step up the hormone production and your blood volume increases and your uterus expands as well.

Generally, by about the fourth month of pregnancy you will probably be beginning to feel much more like your old self, as many of the early pregnancy signs and symptoms will have weaned off by now, and because your body has at least somewhat adjusted to these dramatic changes that are taking place both inside and outside of your body.

There are certain methods that you can use in order to help relieve some of these symptoms, such as in regards to morning sickness, which is one of the most commonly reported; in order to manage morning sickness you can: munch on a few crackers before getting up in the morning, eat several small meals a day so that your stomach is never empty, avoid anything that causes nausea, drink plenty of liquids, try wearing a motion sickness band, suck on hard candy, or try ginger as it has proved effective in combating morning sickness.

Constipation is another commonly reported symptom of pregnancy, and there are ways that you can manage this as well, including: try to eat on a regular schedule, drink plenty of liquids, get some exercise every day, eat high-fiber fruits and vegetables, and try fiber supplements such as psyllium powder or Metamucil.

Although some of these methods may not work perfectly for you, at least attempting them will surely help you overall at least a little bit, and the more help you can get the better.

Your Life Is About to Change – Early signs of teen pregnancy

Editor — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:15:08 +0000

The early signs of teenage pregnancy are obviously the same as early signs of pregnancy for all women. The difference lies in the reaction that the adolescent may have to the suspicion of pregnancy, one of fear and shame more often than not. Despite these feelings, it is critical that pregnancy is detected early in a teenager, in order to provide options and adequate prenatal care. Indeed, inadequate prenatal care is the major cause of higher pregnancy complications in women aged 15 to 19.

In any case, early signs of teenage pregnancy can include:

Missing a period. This is often the first sign which makes women suspicious of a possible pregnancy. In order to confirm pregnancy, you should do a pregnancy test followed by a pelvic exam.
Swollen or tender breasts. This is yet another of the early signs of teenage pregnancy, due to the fact that the breasts are undergoing changes to prepare for breastfeeding. Increased levels of progesterone and estrogen are responsible for these changes.
Feeling tired. Early in your pregnancy, your body is working hard to prepare to support a baby. Your heart pumps faster to increase blood flow in order to bring nutrients to the growing fetus. Also, increased levels of progesterone, which causes sleepiness, contribute to the feeling of fatigue, as do the emotional extremes you will most likely experience.
Vaginal spotting and cramping. You may see a spot of blood on your panties as another of the early signs of teenage pregnancy; this is due to implantation, when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine lining (about 10 to 14 days after conception). Cramping occurs early during pregnancy and is due to the expansion of the uterus to make room for the growth of the baby.
Morning sickness. Nausea and/or vomiting can actually occur at any time of the day and is mostly due to the rise in estrogen; certain triggers, like odors, can also cause nausea. Most women experience morning sickness during weeks four and eight, while many experience it about two weeks from the date of conception.
Frequent urination. The growing uterus pushes on the bladder and this causes the urge to urinate more. Most intense frequent urination occurs in the first and third trimesters.

There are other early signs of teenage pregnancy, but the ones mentioned above are the most common. Remember that symptoms often don't occur until roughly two weeks after you've missed your period; this varies, however, from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy.

If you suspect you are pregnant, you can do a home urine test (using the first urine of the day) which can give reliable positive results as early as 10 to 14 days after ovulation; these tests, though, may not be able to detect a pregnancy until one week after a missed period. False negatives do occur, however. If you "just have a feeling" got to your doctor and have a blood test or a pelvic exam done.

Understanding and Recognizing an Ectopic Pregnancy Symptom

Editor — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:15:11 +0000

An ectopic pregnancy is an extremely important and possibly intensely dangerous subject, and so this is why it is so incredibly important to understand about and recognize what an ectopic pregnancy symptom is, especially if you are or are planning to get pregnant. Acknowledging yourself on the vital information is crucial, as this way you will be informed and will know what to look for in your own pregnancy.

What is an Ectopic Pregnancy Symptom?

An ectopic pregnancy symptom can refer to many different things in fact, such as the most common ectopic pregnancy symptom, which is that of abdominal pain or cramping in one or both sides. Other things to look for include: missed period, abnormal vaginal bleeding, breast tenderness, nausea, and lower back pain.

As well, if any of these signs and symptoms are ignored and left mistreated, or even if they are not experienced at first at all, they can get worse, and this could include: severe, sharp, and sudden pain in the lower abdominal area; feeling faint or actually fainting; and referred pain to the shoulder and surrounding area.

Another extremely commonly reported ectopic pregnancy symptom is that of extreme pain near and around the pelvic area, and this could be caused by many things in regards to the pregnancy, including that of internal bleeding, which can lead to shock, and this is in fact the first symptom of nearly 20 percent of ectopic pregnancies.

In regards to the treatment that is used for ectopic pregnancies, basically there is no way that the baby would be able to continue to full term as the mother would die, and so the developing cells must be removed in order to save the mother's life. However, it is also important to know that emergency medical help is needed immediately if the area of the ectopic pregnancy is ruptured, and treatment for this caused shock may include anything from keeping the woman warm and raising her legs to giving her oxygen or a blood transfusion.

Although there is obviously no for sure way to prevent ectopic pregnancies, there are certain things that medical personnel believe you can do in order to try and prevent them as best as possible, and this includes: avoiding risk factors for pelvic inflammatory disease, early diagnosis and treatment of STDs, as well as early diagnosis and treatment of salpingitis and PID.

Misleading Signs of Pregnancy

Editor — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:15:06 +0000

There is no doubt that many things related to the human body are baffling and confusing. Almost everyone has had moments of wondering exactly why their body did something so gross, mysterious, smelly….(fill in the blank). Things can get really confusing when the person in question is a woman who may be wondering if she is pregnant. The signs of pregnancy are just as confusing, if not more so, than any other medical condition. To hopefully help clear things up, here are a few common pregnancy symptoms, their causes, and reasons other than pregnancy for why they may be occurring.

One of the most famous signs of pregnancy is morning sickness. It is described as various degrees of nausea in which some women even experience vomiting. It is thought to be caused by a surge of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin in a newly pregnant woman's blood. Morning sickness may also be a result of the expanding uterus pushing on the stomach and creating an excess of stomach acids. If a woman is not pregnant a virus, gall bladder disease, or other medical problems may cause this nausea feeling.

Another well known sign of pregnancy is unusual food cravings. This usually occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy and is thought to be caused by hormone changes. In cases of no pregnancy food cravings may be a sign of poor nutrition, early signs of impending menstruation, or a stress coping mechanism.

No wonder it is often difficult to recognize the signs of pregnancy. For example, breast tenderness can begin as soon as 2-3 days after conception. There hasn't been time for a missed period yet and breast tenderness is often a symptom of the beginning of the menstruation cycle. It is easy to mistake this symptom for a normal occurrence in the monthly cycle. When the woman is pregnant, tender and swollen breasts are a result of the high levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body.

No woman who is pregnant or suspects that she may be wants to experience vaginal bleeding. But to stay in the theme of confusing body symptoms, bleeding can sometimes actually indicate pregnancy. Among the many signs of pregnancy, break through bleeding in early pregnancy is a sign of the egg implanting itself inside the uterus. The color is usually pink or brownish instead of vivid red. If the woman is not pregnant this bleeding is probably the beginning of her period or a result of taking birth control pills.

These signs of pregnancy are just a few of the many misleading events that can happen when a woman is trying to conceive. While home pregnancy tests are fairly accurate, the only real way to know for sure if conception has occurred is to visit the doctor for a blood pregnancy test.

Very Early Pregnancy Symptoms – Cramping

Editor — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:15:06 +0000

Occasional, short-lived abdominal discomfort is commonly found among the very early pregnancy symptoms; cramping signals hormonal changes and the enlargement of the uterus. It can be associated with many "normal" causes, though it can also be a sign of something more serious.

Harmless abdominal pain is one of the very early pregnancy symptoms. Cramping can be caused by gas and bloating, constipation, and Braxton-Hicks contractions. If the pain doesn't subside, and/or it is accompanied by spotting, bleeding, fever, chills, vaginal discharge, faintness, discomfort while urinating, or nausea and vomiting, it may indicate a problem.

Abnormal abdominal pain could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a fertilized egg implants anywhere outside the uterus. A woman will usually feel the symptoms of this condition around six or seven weeks after the fertilization, though they could present earlier, along with other very early pregnancy symptoms. Cramping or pelvic pain or tenderness, vaginal spotting or bleeding, pain that gets worse during physical activity or while moving the bowels or coughing, or pain in the tip of the shoulder are all symptoms of ectopic pregnancies. If left untreated, ectopic pregnancies could be fatal.

Abdominal pain can also be caused by a miscarriage, or the loss of pregnancy within the first 20 weeks. Usually vaginal spotting or bleeding appears first, which can be light or heavy, and may be confused initially with one of the more common very early pregnancy symptoms; cramping then follows, which could be sporadic or persistent; furthermore, the pain could be mild or sharp and may actually feel more like low back pain or pelvic pressure.

Preterm labor, or contractions that dilate your cervix before 37 weeks of pregnancy, can also cause abnormal abdominal pain. Symptoms include an increase or change in vaginal discharge, vaginal spotting or bleeding, abdominal pain, cramping, or more than four contractions in one hour, an increase in pelvic pressure, low back pain.

A serious condition which can cause cramping is placental abruption, when the placenta separates from the uterus, partially or completely, before a baby is born. Symptoms of this condition include sudden bleeding (though bleeding may be absent or light), uterine tenderness, back pain, prolonged uterine contraction, and decrease in activity of the baby.

Preeclampsia is another disorder which can lead to abdominal pain; in this condition, blood vessel changes occur and this can affect many organs such as the liver, kidneys, brain, and the placenta. Though one of the important signs of the condition manifests itself among the very early pregnancy symptoms – cramping – high blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy are the definitive diagnostic symptoms of the disorder. A women suffering from preeclampsia may show swelling in the face or puffiness around the eyes, swelling in the hands, and excessive and sudden swelling of the feet and ankles. When the condition is severe, intense pain or tenderness in the upper abdomen, a severe headache, visual disturbances, and nausea and vomiting could be felt.

Quick- Before the First Signs of Pregnancy Tell On You

Editor — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:15:19 +0000

Because most women are by themselves when they discover the happy news that they pregnant, it is up to them to decide how to impart this information to their partners. Over the years there have been announcements that were poignant, silly, and just plain matter of fact. Some new moms to be have even let the appearance of the first signs of pregnancy tell the news for them. Whether the pregnancy is attributed to the first child or the sixth, methods for letting dad in on the big secret should fit the couple and have meaning for the two new parents.

In one case, the mom was expecting the couple's first child. Her first signs of pregnancy hadn't been obvious, as occurs from time to time, and they had been trying for a baby for awhile. When the home pregnancy test came up positive, it was time to spring into the action. By the time the unsuspecting new dad arrived home from work, the entire house was decorated in light blue and pink streamers. The new daddy was also surprised by a card from his baby to be and a Mylar balloon weighted with mom's home pregnancy test. This is just an example of one way to make the pregnancy announcement to the one who will most closely share in mom's joy.

Another way to break the news before the first signs of pregnancy give it away, is plan a special at home dinner around the news. Hubby comes home and dinner is all laid out. On the menu this evening will be baby peas, baby carrots, and new potatoes. The entre will be baby back ribs. The meal is rounded out with a dessert of miniature tarts or petit fours. See the theme here? If the new dad is being a little dense this evening and doesn't pick up on the not so subtle hints or the ambience of excitement, it may be necessary to present the new dad with his choice of a pink or blue bubble gum cigar to enjoy after dinner. That should get his attention.

Unlike the example above, some men are keenly observant when it comes to noticing the first signs of pregnancy. In these cases, the announcement may not even need to be made. The new mom will just need to confirm his suspicions. This scenario has its own merits in terms of the instant togetherness the couple feels. It would be fun to go out for a celebration dinner and finish off the evening giggling over baby clothes and products in a department store.

In whatever manner mom chooses to announce her pregnancy to dad the important thing is to make the moment meaningful for both her and the new dad. But hurry, those first signs of pregnancy may beat you to it.

Early Pregnancy Signs And Symptoms – How To Know

Editor — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:15:06 +0000

While the early signs of pregnancy vary from one woman to another, one of the most common early pregnancy signs is that of a missed period. However, it is important to understand that not all women miss a menstrual cycle until later in their pregnancy, and some spot throughout the entire pregnancy. It is important to be able to recognize early pregnancy signs, because many symptoms mimic those of other conditions besides pregnancy.

Each woman will experience pregnancy symptoms almost immediately after conception, while others may not experience the most common pregnancy symptoms until later in their pregnancies, if at all. Remember if there is any chance that you may be pregnant, and you begin to experience any of the early pregnancy signs, it is important to call your doctor to find out if you may be pregnant as soon as possible. Early prenatal care is vital to ensuring that you have a healthy baby.

Signs That You May Be Pregnant

There are many common early pregnancy signs. While only a doctor can diagnose pregnancy with absolute certainty, some of the following symptoms can help you determine whether or not you may be pregnant.

Spotting can be an early pregnancy sign. Usually, shortly after conception, a woman will spot as the embryo attaches itself to the uterine wall. Many woman who experience this will mistake it for their normal period, because it can also be accompanied by cramping, and usually occurs around the same time as their normal menstrual cycle.

We already discussed the most common early pregnancy sign – a missed period. Un-fortunately, if your period is irregular to begin with, you may not notice if you are late. Another common sign that you may be pregnant, is swollen or tender breasts. This usually occurs within just a few weeks of conception. Your areolas may also become enlarged or discolored shortly after conception.

Another early pregnancy sign is feeling more tired than usual. While fatigue is very common during pregnancy, it is important to note that fatigue can be a symptom of many illnesses, and you should always contact your doctor whenever you are feeling more tired than usual.

And then, of course, there is everyone's favourite early pregnancy sign – morning sickness! I know that there are some very luck women who never experience any sort of nausea during their pregnancies, but I was certainly not one of them. It is possible for a woman to begin to experience nausea immediately after conception, but this sign typically does not show up until between two to eight weeks into the pregnancy.

Be sure to contact your doctor as soon as you experience any signs of pregnancy. You can help to ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy and delivery by knowing the early pregnancy signs.

You Don't Look Pregnant: Earliest Possible Signs of Pregnancy

Editor — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:45:07 +0000

Is it possible to know you are pregnant before missing your cycle? For women who have been trying to conceive, and are familiar with taking their basal body temperature, they may notice fluctuations in their basal temperature at the time of ovulation. When the temperature remains high after ovulation and remains high when your period should arrive again could be one of the earliest possible signs of pregnancy. Learning how to chart your Basal body temperature is quite simple and can accomplished with many over the counter products.

Are your breasts tender and enlarged? Some women notice a change in the fullness of their breasts right away, even before missing a period or any other symptom, which would lead them to believe they are showing the earliest signs of pregnancy. Frequent trips to the bathroom also are another big giveaway. What many women don't know is that the frequency issue is related to an increase in hormones and not a direct result of pushing on the bladder, which doesn't happen until the baby is much larger. In the first week to month of pregnancy the embryo is less than an inch long. It is the levels of (Hcg) or human chorionic gonadotropin, which causes the need for excessive visits to the bathroom.
Ironically, the first thing your doctor does at a prenatal visit is send you to the lab where you take will be tested for this exact hormone when they administer your lab work.

Some women may experience cramping at the moment of conception and for the first several weeks of pregnancy. Ligaments need to make room for the impending embryo to grow to full size. While some women do not feel these pains at all, others have been known to experience a few weeks of periodic cramping and tightening in their uterus. Many women report this as their first indication or earliest possible sign of pregnancy.

Naturally, if one actually misses a full period she might suspect pregnancy. There are several reasons a woman could have irregularities in her cycle. Simple stress or changes in the level of exercise can trigger missed periods. However, missing a period would be a good time to buy a reliable home pregnancy test kit. If the period was significantly short or consisted of spotting the advice is the same. Take a test. Once you verify your results or if you aren't sure about whether your missed cycle or spotting, constitutes the definitive answer you need to know if you have detected one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, simply seek medical attention with a qualified doctor.

Once your pregnancy has been confirmed you may wish to celebrate. Remember a few basics: smoking should be ceased upon your glorious news as it could lower the birth weight, as should your caffeine consumption. Eat right and follow the instructions of a qualified doctor.

Are you having Pregnancy Symptoms?

Editor — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:45:05 +0000

Some women claim that they get a 'feeling' when they are pregnant and do not need to rely on detecting a pregnancy symptom. For others, however, they need to have some type of clue to point out to them that maybe there might be a bun in the oven. For this group of women, they count on a pregnancy symptom or a series of them. This article outlines common and some not so common, things that can help to notify a woman that she is pregnant.

First Trimester

For many women, a common pregnancy symptom in the first trimester manifests in changes to their body and its usual functions. One example of this is in alterations to a woman's menstrual cycle. She may experience a lighter, or in some cases, a heavier flow. Or, perhaps, she may find that she needs to urinate more frequently than usual.

Another common first trimester pregnancy symptom is in a woman's increased tendency toward queasiness, or more commonly termed morning sickness. While morning sickness can be a misnomer in that it does not always occur in the morning, this general feeling of malaise strikes many pregnant women and is perhaps the most telling pregnancy symptom of all.

Breast tenderness is another tell-tale symptom of pregnancy which many women notice and the discomfort that may cause can make them reach for the phone and make an appointment with their doctor.

Second Trimester

In the second trimester morning sickness is less likely, but there are certainly many more body changes which count as a pregnancy symptom. For instance, if pregnant, a woman's nipple size, tenderness and even the areola surrounding the nipples change in appearance, sometimes getting darker.

While in the second trimester, a common pregnancy symptom is the dreaded heartburn attacks and most pregnant women wisely keep a stock of antacids nearby. Another pregnancy symptom in this trimester is the appearance of varicose veins. These are not usually a medical concern but definitely often a cosmetic one. Who wants green or blue lines running across their legs?

Third Trimester

Even though determining pregnancy is no longer an issue, there are still many pregnancy symptoms that show their heads in this phase. In this trimester, a pregnancy symptom is demonstrated when observing the woman's belly: usually one can actually see the baby moving from the outside! Also, at this point, the woman's belly button will often poke out and transform an otherwise normal belly button into an 'outie'.

How to Deal with Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

Editor — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:00:11 +0000

When a woman is pregnant, her body undergoes a number of changes to allow it to support an entirely new life inside the uterus. These changes are not unfelt in the woman and can bring about various pregnancy signs and symptoms, most of which are uncomfortable.

The majority of women experience nausea and vomiting as one of the pregnancy signs and symptoms, thought to be linked to hormonal changes. Some experts say that taking ginger capsules, ginger tea, or ginger biscuits can help. Some women also suggest eating dry crackers before getting out of bed in the morning. A woman should go see her doctor if the nausea and vomiting continue for an extended amount of time; in this case, she could have a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, which interferes with nutrition and causes dehydration and could require hospitalization.

As another of the pregnancy signs and symptoms, a woman could experience a more frequent urge to urinate; this symptom is most common during the first three months and last month of pregnancy. Throughout most of the pregnancy, a woman will have an increased risk of developing a urinary infection because hormones and the growing uterus could slow the passage of urine out of the body. Women must drink plenty of fluids and make sure to go to the bathroom as quickly as possible when they feel the need to urinate. Drinking cranberry juice is also recommended.

The extreme tiredness a woman feels during pregnancy is another of the very normal pregnancy signs and symptoms, due to the new stresses placed on her body; fatigue is especially felt during the first 12 to 15 weeks. Women must take care of themselves, taking naps whenever possible and going to bed early. Women must be careful, however, to make sure that the tiredness they feel is not symptomatic of anemia, which is often the case for women who do not experience adequate prenatal care. Any woman suspecting anemia should contact her doctor.

Another of the pregnancy signs and symptoms is itchy skin, which is present in about 20% of pregnant women. Often, it occurs over the abdominal area and is simply a result of the skin stretching as the uterus expands to accommodate a growing baby. Hormone levels, however, could also cause itchy palms and soles of feet. Experts suggest simply applying a common moisturizer, such as aqueous cream, to relieve the itchiness. Women again should be careful because in very rare cases, itchiness in the third trimester can be symptomatic of the liver condition, obstetric cholestasis; again, any woman with generalized itching over her entire body should consult her doctor.

Do You Have an Early Sign of Pregnancy?

Editor — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:45:09 +0000

Before a woman confirms that she is actually having a baby, she may rely on an early sign of pregnancy. There are many signs and every woman has varied experiences, yet here are some of the common early signs of pregnancy.

Changes in the Period

One oft-cited early sign of pregnancy is the change in a woman's period. There are many ways in which a woman's period can change. For instance, a woman may find that she does not get her period at all. If a woman tracks her menstrual cycle religiously, this can be a surefire early sign of pregnancy.

In lieu of a missed period, however, a pregnant woman might learn that she is pregnant if the flow of her period seems to suddenly differ from its usual level. Her period may seem to flow heavier than she usually observes. Or, perhaps, she might discover that the flow of her period seems much lighter. Whichever the case, a change in a woman's period can be a strong and early sign of pregnancy.

Changes in her Body

Most women will gain weight during the duration of their pregnancy. However, a surprising and unplanned bout of weight gain can be an observable early sign of pregnancy for many women. Another body change that could be taken as an early sign of pregnancy can be seen in a pregnant woman's new tendency to feel sick to her stomach. Morning sickness, an affliction which attacks many pregnant women, will cause her to feel nausea and, in many cases, lead to vomiting. However, morning sickness is a very reliable early sign of pregnancy.

Another tell-tale sign can be increased breast tenderness which often leads unsuspecting women to head to the drug store and grab a pregnancy test stick.

Changes in Eating

It is commonly observed and reflected on that pregnant women will find their food cravings and dislikes change in pregnancy. An early sign of pregnancy may be found in a woman's sudden change in what she will or will not eat. Many pregnant women will find that foods that they once liked they now cannot stand.

Others may discover that food that they usually wouldn't touch they now need every single day! You might see a pregnant vegetarian suddenly craving a side of ribs and a usually hardcore carnivore may find that she feels nauseous when she so much as catches a glimpse of a steak!

A missed period is one of the most reliable first pregnancy signs symptoms

Editor — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:15:04 +0000

There are quite a few first pregnancy signs and symptoms that can serve as a clue that you have become pregnant. These signs and symptoms include nausea, food craving, frequent urination, mood swings, fatigue and breast tenderness. Such signs and symptoms are not unique to pregnancy and actually may be caused by other factors. But one of the first pregnancy signs and symptoms that is a reliable pointer towards your possibility of being pregnant is the missed period, also known as amenorrhoea, or the absence of menstrual periods. If you have missed a period, you should watch for other first pregnancy signs symptoms.

Spotting is one of the most common first pregnancy signs or symptoms and may be mistaken for a period. Spotting is a result of implantation bleeding that occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. This type of bleeding will be different from your normal period in that it will be lighter and shorter. Implantation bleeding usually occurs 10 to 14 days after fertilization and may happen once or continue over the course of a few days.

A good way to monitor for first pregnancy signs symptoms is to keep track of your menstrual cycle. Mark the first and last days of your periods on a calendar so that you can quickly and easily determine if you have missed a period. If you are trying to get pregnant or visiting a fertility doctor, monitoring your periods is a good way to keep your eye out for first pregnancy signs symptoms. If you often have irregular periods, you may not notice right away that you have skipped ovulation. For women with sporadic menstrual cycles, the first pregnancy signs symptoms they notice may include things other than a missed period such as tender breasts, nausea, mood swings, headaches or bloating.

Once you have determined that you have missed your period, it is time to take a home pregnancy test. Some women may miss a period due to reasons other than a pregnancy such as illness, stress, low body weight, hormonal imbalances, or discontinuing birth control. Following up a missed period with a pregnancy test will give you a definite answer to the question if you are experiencing first pregnancy signs symptoms Pregnancy test usually require that you have already missed a period before you take one. Remember, if you take a home pregnancy test too early then you may get a false result. After testing positive with a home pregnancy test, it is a good idea to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.

The Advantages of an Early Pregnancy Test

Editor — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:30:05 +0000

If you are worrying about possible early symptoms of pregnancy, you can rest assured in knowing that you can put your mind at ease with an early pregnancy test. Quite simply, what an early pregnancy test does is it enables you to see whether or not you are pregnant days and often even longer than that of the more standard pregnancy tests.

There are many different types of an early pregnancy test that are available today, and you can generally find them available at any local drugstore. Also, an early pregnancy test may be a bit more expensive as compared to other types of pregnancy tests, but not by much.

What Other Signs Should I Look for?

Besides an early pregnancy test, there are other ways that you can use in order to tell you whether or not you may be and/or are pregnant. Remember that pregnancy symptoms can also vary in their intensity, frequency, and duration, and that the common signs and symptoms are truly only a guideline, as some women may experience more or different signs, while some may experience none at all.

Missing your period is one of the most commonly reported and obvious symptoms of pregnancy, whereas some women might only experience a much lighter period compared to their usual, and many women do not experience any of the other signs and symptoms until after they have missed their period.

Breast tenderness is another common sign of pregnancy, and you may notice this pregnancy sign particularly at bedtime or when you are trying to get comfortable and go to sleep, or even when showering, exercising, or getting dressed. The reason that this happens is because when you become pregnant, your body begins preparing your breasts for the act of producing milk and breastfeeding, and so hormones start increasing in your body.

As well, in addition to breast tenderness and swelling, you may also experience soreness in your nipples or they may even darken in color.

Another one of the earliest signs of pregnancy is that of fatigue, and you may notice that you start going to bed sooner, or that it is harder to get out of bed in the morning, and that you generally more tired than normal throughout the duration of the day. This early pregnancy symptom is caused by all of the changes that your body is now going through, plus the fact of the increasing level of hormones in your body.

Another symptom of pregnancy that you may notice is that of more frequent urination, as pregnancy causes extra body fluids to be processed by your kidneys and bladder, and this therefore means more trips to the restroom.

Knowing Your Getting Pregnant Symptoms

Editor — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:00:00 +0000

Advice about getting pregnant can be conflicting to say the least. Women are bombarded with information about living a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, and staying as stress free as possible. Sometimes all of the advice can be a major stressor all by itself. We all know ovulation is the key time to conceive a baby, but determining when that will happen can be a little daunting. Some experts recommend charts, others kits, and still others will swear by using an ovulation calendar. What very medical professionals tell women is that ovulation, like pregnancy has its own set of symptoms. These getting pregnant symptoms can help a women determine the right time in addition to the use of charts, kits, and calendar.

For most women, certainly not all, ovulation occurs roughly 14 days after the first day of your period. This is a good point to start with; individual determination can be made with other ovulation indicators. One of those is the basal temperature. The best way to utilize this getting pregnant symptom is to monitor it for a few months to establish a pattern. Be sure to keep a daily record of this temperature. How this assists in pinpointing ovulation is on the day of ovulation you will notice a slight temperature increase. The only way to distinguish this from any other temperature increase is that the following two days will gradually get higher. The temperature will stay at this level until after your period when the cycle starts all over again. This is why it is important to chart the basal temperature for a few months to adequately determine the day of ovulation.

Another one of the getting pregnant symptoms to pay attention to is to monitor your cervical mucus. This substance is always present in the vagina, but during ovulation, the consistency changes. Actually this mucus is in a constant state of change, but ovulation has its own special lubrication. During ovulation, the mucus becomes more copious, almost transparent in color, and may remind you of egg whites. This form helps to encourage sperm in making its way to the egg. During other times of the month, the cervical mucus is thicker and more opaque in color.

Some women experience this getting pregnant symptom, while others don't. And if they do, it may be easily explained away as a temporary twinge. It is called Mittelschmerz and what it is a lower abdominal pain or discomfort that can last from a few minutes to a few hours. It is common during ovulation and the pain is usually located in the lower right abdominal region.

Paying attention to your getting pregnant symptoms, or to be correct, ovulation symptoms will be very beneficial in timing the conception of your little one just right.

Knowing The Early Signs Of Pregnancy

Editor — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:30:03 +0000

There are many early signs of pregnancy that are important to know about. They are important because they will give a woman the chance to prepare herself for the potential arrival of a newborn baby, a huge life altering responsibility. It is also important so that a woman makes sure to take care of herself properly as soon as possible. With all the potential complications of mismanaged pregnancies, being aware early to ensure healthy risk preventative measures is imperative.

Early signs of pregnancy run the gamut. A woman can experience everything from nausea to swollen and tender breasts. The early signs of pregnancy can look very similar to the signs of pre-menstrual symptoms. Many women experience cramping, feeling bloated, back aches, headaches and even mood swings that can leave them feeling happy one moment and sad the next. Experiences felt from the increase of hormonal levels most probably.

Some other early signs of pregnancy can include an increased sensitivity and aversion to certain odors. This can cause a woman to either crave new foods that she has never craved before and it can also cause her to abhor others feeling nauseous just by the very mention or smell of the food item.

Missing one's period is one of the most obvious early signs of pregnancy. This of course can happen for other reasons, i.e. stress, but it is something that most often is a sign of pregnancy. To confirm whether one is truly pregnant or not, taking a home pregnancy test one week after the missed period is a great way to double check. If the test comes out positive, then the next step would be to consult a physician.

Some women also experience an increase in urination due most typically due to an increase in food and liquid intake. In addition, if a woman's basal body temperature remains high for over 18 days, this too can be on of the early signs of pregnancy.

Early signs of pregnancy can also show in the enlargement of the breast size as well as the areolas or the nipples of the breast. The areolas often take on a darker color during this time as well.

Though some women may never experience any of the early signs of pregnancy, the majority of others experience at least one or more of the many different symptoms. Therefore, it is good to be aware of what they are, to know that they are normal natural symptoms, and that they might just be indications that you are pregnant! They are great to know because they can give you a heads start into preparing yourself for one of the most incredible new journeys in your life!

Some Confusing Very Early Signs of Pregnancy

Editor — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:00:08 +0000

Most women are familiar with feeling tired or bloated around the time of their period. A lighter than normal cycle may be misconstrued as a period when in fact it the implantation period of a fertilized egg. The point is that the very early signs of pregnancy can be easy to miss. It doesn't help that each woman and pregnancy is different. Just because a woman has had a child or two before doesn't mean she will necessarily know the second a new life is started. For this reason it is important for women of childbearing age to be aware of the early symptoms of pregnancy for their health and the health of their unborn baby.

One of the most overlooked very early signs of pregnancy is a feeling of just knowing something is different. Since there usually isn't a clear symptom to report other people may chalk such a statement up to wishful thinking or attention seeking. However it is well documented that this phenomenon does occur and some women just instinctually know that they are pregnant. This certainly isn't the norm, but there is no reason to discount the feeling either.

Often the very early signs of pregnancy can be mistaken for the beginning of a menstrual cycle. Frequent urination can happen during a period, so it may be overlooked. The same thing may occur with breast tenderness and the light bleeding associated with the fertilized egg implantation period. Many women may not be aware of their pregnancy until they are several weeks along. In many cases, the pregnancy isn't obvious to mom until the second period is missed because of implantation. This is especially true when no other symptoms present themselves.

Another one of the lesser known very early signs of pregnancy is related to sex. Some women are turned off by the idea of having sex in the first trimester due to the discomforts that often come along with it. Of course there are others who find that their sex drive dramatically increases with early pregnancy. The reasons cited for this increase is due to hormonal changes and a greater blood flow to the breasts and genitals creating more intense sensation. Either response is normal and both types of symptoms will probably decrease over the course of the pregnancy.

The truth is the very early signs of pregnancy can be confusing and misleading especially to the woman dealing with them. Paying close attention to even the most insignificant change in how the body behaves can make all the difference in how quickly the new mom to be becomes aware of her baby to be.

Signs of Pregnancy

Editor — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:54:47 +0000

There are many signs of pregnancy. Some of them are noticeable in the first few days after conception. Some are only detected with special tests and equipment, but eventually, most women will recognize the many signs of pregnancy. Probably the first sign of pregnancy is a missed menstrual cycle. This does not always necessarily mean a woman is pregnant, but it is a sign that, when it happens, raises the suspicion of pregnancy to almost every woman of childbearing age who might possibly have conceived in the previous weeks.

Another sign of pregnancy is tender or swollen breasts. This sign of pregnancy usually manifests in the first two to four weeks of pregnancy. If this symptom coincides with the missed period, a woman is likely to want to either do a home pregnancy test or go to her doctor for confirmation of pregnancy or for tests for other possibilities unrelated to pregnancy. As a pregnancy progresses, this sign becomes more pronounced with the breasts enlarging and the area around the nipple darkening and eventually, possible slight leaking of colostrum close to the due date of the baby.

During early pregnancy, another common sign is nausea or "morning sickness". This sign of pregnancy is not universal, but does occur in up to 80% of pregnant women. Again though, nausea alone, may be a symptom of something else and does not always indicate pregnancy. A woman also may have signs of pregnancy like loss of appetite and then increased appetite, headaches or backaches, and mood swings due to hormonal changes in her body.

Some physical signs of pregnancy that are visible, besides the darkening around the nipple, are thickening of the waist and weight gain, in most cases. Some women can actually go through a complete pregnancy and lose weight if she was grossly overweight when she became pregnant. Around the third month on, another sign of pregnancy will occur. And that is feeling the sensation of "quickening" or "fluttering" when the embryo moves around in the amniotic fluid. Sometimes this feeling is hard to discern although most women are anxiously waiting that first feeling of movement. Later on in the pregnancy this early sign turns into a very noticeable feeling of baby movement of arms and legs and full summersaults in her uterus.

Although most women are well aware of the fact that they are pregnant by the last few months before the birth, on rare occasions, they are not. And perhaps the first sign of pregnancy that the woman notices is contractions of the uterus either with Braxton Hicks contractions which are the practice contractions that the uterus has in order to prepare for labor and birth, or actual labor itself. There have been cases of women going to the hospital with pains in their stomach, only to find out they are in labor and about to give birth without ever knowing they were pregnant. So although there are many signs of pregnancy, not every woman pays attention to them….

Is heartburn an early sign of pregnancy?

Editor — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:01:24 +0000

There is no doubt that heartburn is an early sign of pregnancy.
Heartburn in pregnancy is caused by pregnancy the hormone called progesterone. Heartburn often goes hand in hand with gas and constipation in a pregnant woman, making it all the more uncomfortable.

Heartburn is caused by the stomach acids flowing backwards into the esophagus due to the fact that the sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach is relaxed. In pregnant women there can be a second cause of heartburn. That is when the uterus is expanding it can move your stomach away from its regular spot, leading to a sensation of heartburn.

It is actually more common and noticeable to develop heartburn in the last trimester of pregnancy rather than in the early stages, however there are still many women who have reported heartburn as being an early pregnancy sign.

Heartburn during pregnancy can be managed bye eating smaller than normal meals; however you should eat more often to make up for the small meals. Small meals are easier to digest and are less likely to cause heartburn. Also take note of how slow you eat and how much you chew each bite – these two things along can be significant factors in you developing heartburn after a meal.

Although heartburn can be an early pregnancy sign, it is still generally treated the same as regular heartburn, with the exception that antacids should be kept to a minimum and prescription drugs are usually not advised unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will be able to advice you which antacids are safe to take while you are pregnant.

Other things that can lead to heartburn in the early stages of pregnancy are smoking and alcohol (which should be avoided while pregnant anyway), stress and caffeine. You should avoid caffeinated drinks and go for water instead. That includes soda drinks as these can cause severe heartburn.

Heartburn during early pregnancy can be uncomfortable, but there are plenty of natural remedies and lifestyle changes you can make to relieve or cure your heartburn.

When You Want To Know The Signs Of Pregnancy

Editor — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 06:15:03 +0000

There are many signs of pregnancy that can help prepare single women and couples for the preparation necessary of bringing a new child into the world. They are very important to know so that one can take early precautions and begin early healthy regimens, i.e. cutting out certain harmful foods and taking healthy vitamin supplements, going to regular doctor appointments to monitor the progression of a pregnancy; all these factors help ensure the successful and healthy delivery of a newborn baby.

Some of the signs of pregnancy are universal affecting almost every woman, while others can occur once and never show up again. Some signs of pregnancy can look very similar to the symptoms most women have suffered from pre-menstrual and menstrual cycles. Bloating, backaches, fatigue, headaches, swore or tender breasts, cramping and even mood swings are common signs of pregnancy as well as common signs of menstrual symptoms. Some of these symptoms can be due to increased hormone production.

Of course one of the most obvious signs of pregnancy is missing one's period entirely. Most typically, this is the most accurate indicator and can be confirmed with a home pregnancy test taken at least a week after the missed period. If the test results indicate a positive pregnancy, then the next steps to confirm the pregnancy should be to consult one's physician. Taking care to act quickly after a period has been missed ensures the best outcome for the entire pregnancy period for reason explained above.

Other signs of pregnancy can be the darkening or enlarging of the areola or the nipple of the breast. Women can also suffer from nausea, an increased sensitivity to smells and increased urination. This can cause women to steer clear from some foods and crave others that they may never have craved before. And the increased urination can often be due to increased intake of foods and fluids that come with new hunger cravings and nutrition needs for the unborn child.

Some women have also felt fetal heart tones and the palpitation of fetal movements which are sure signs of pregnancy. Some women experience changes in their skin, libido, and even an enlargement in their breast size.

It is also possible for some women to not experience any other signs of pregnancy besides a missed period. Some speculate this might be due to an already healthy lifestyle or a regimented closely monitored and healthy pregnancy management. Whatever the true cause is, in any case, hopefully, you are all so lucky or at least in a lesser degree that you only have the more unpleasant signs of pregnancy very few and far between!

Symptoms of Pregnancy

Editor — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:55:44 +0000

Symptoms of pregnancy are classic, but actually vary from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy. There are early symptoms of pregnancy and there are symptoms of pregnancy that occur throughout the duration of the pregnancy. And there are still other symptoms of pregnancy that manifest periodically or not at all. Some of the early symptoms of pregnancy are well known. Missing a period is the first clue to possible pregnancy and is the symptom that most women recognize right away.

Another symptom is commonly called "morning sickness". This pregnancy symptom can range from a queazy feeling in the stomach to violent nausea and vomiting. This pregnancy symptom occurs usually during the first and early second trimesters. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) occurs in approximately 75-80% of pregnant women. And although this pregnancy symptom is referred to as "morning sickness", only about 17% of women experience the symptom only in the morning. It can be experienced during any time of the day or night.

Another early pregnancy symptom is tenderness and swelling of the breasts. This pregnancy symptom usually begins to occur one to two weeks after conception. At this same time, another pregnancy symptom that is often experienced is fatigue or tiredness. Pregnancy symptoms may also include headaches and backaches or the need for frequent urination. But it is important to remember that any of these symptoms may be caused by other conditions other than pregnancy so it is important to confirm a suspected pregnancy early so that if these symptoms are present and pregnancy is not, there may be other medical conditions that need to be diagnosed and treated.

If none of the early symptoms of pregnancy are noticed or present, then later in the pregnancy weight gain and thickening around the middle will be some symptoms of pregnancy that appear a little later on. There are cases where a woman never suspects she is pregnant and even goes so far as going into labor and never recognizes her pregnancy symptoms, or for some reason blocks them out of her awareness and is then actually surprised to be giving birth to a baby she was not expecting at all. These cases are uncommon, but do occur.

But for women who are actually planning a pregnancy or who are in tune with their bodies, the symptoms of pregnancy will be fairly obvious. And the wonderful thing about symptoms of pregnancy is that they do not necessarily have to be unpleasant at all. Some women experience many symptoms of pregnancy and enjoy them all.

Knowing The Signs Of Pregnancy

Editor — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:34:20 +0000

Any woman who is sexually active and able to bear children will go through months where she wonders if she is pregnant. Sometimes women have false alarms and sometimes they are not false. How does a woman know she is pregnant and what are the signs of pregnancy? There are some very obvious signs and then some that aren't so obvious. There are possible signs and then there are definite signs of pregnancy. Women should become familiar with these signs so they can make good health decisions and know when to consult a doctor.

Possible Signs Of Pregnancy

Most false alarms are the results of possible signs of pregnancy. The most common possible sign is a missed or light period. A woman will miss her period or can have a light period at the beginning of a pregnancy but other things can cause either of these signs to occur. Other possible signs of pregnancy include sore or enlarged breasts, frequent urination, moodiness, nausea, vomiting, and sensing fetal movement. All these signs may very well mean a woman is pregnant but none of them is conclusive. A woman with these symptoms should hold off on buying baby clothes and furniture until the pregnancy is verified.

Verifying Possible Signs Of Pregnancy

When a woman suspects she is pregnant and has had some of the possible signs of pregnancy she will want to act quickly to verify if she is truly pregnant. The next thing for her to do is to take a pregnancy test. Over-the-counter tests can be purchased and are usually pretty reliable but the woman will want to consult a doctor for more conclusive testing. The doctor can do a urine pregnancy test, a blood pregnancy test and can check for signs in the uterus that will work to verify the signs of pregnancy. For absolute verification the baby can be seen on an ultrasound or the fetal heart can be heard. Of course, with the pregnancy tests that the physician does they will be pretty sure if a patient is pregnant before the baby is heard or seen.

For a woman who has signs of pregnancy and suspects she is pregnant there are several important things to do. The first few weeks of a baby's development are very important and the baby requires good nutrition during these times. Women who might be pregnant need to eat a well balanced diet and start taking prenatal vitamins as soon as possible. It is also important that these women avoid alcohol, tobacco and other drugs to prevent birth defects and addiction.

Earliest signs of pregnancy result from hormone changes

Editor — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:00:09 +0000

By keeping an eye out for the earliest signs of pregnancy, you can learn to distinguish between false alarms and when it is really time to visit the doctor or purchase a pregnancy test. The most common and reliable sign of a positive pregnancy is the missed period, but the earliest signs of pregnancy may be noticeable in some women before a missed period occurs. There are a few common earliest signs of pregnancy that are experienced by a wide range of women as soon as a couple of weeks after conception. These include:

* Tenderness or swelling of the breasts and nipples
* Cramping
* Fatigue
* Headaches
* Mood swings
* Spotting

Many of these earliest signs of pregnancy are physical symptoms that occur in response to changes in hormone levels such as estrogen and progesterone. Pregnancy symptoms resulting from hormone changes are most noticeable during the earliest stages of pregnancy since this is when the increased production of hormones first occurs. For example, hormones that are increased in your body during the early pregnancy stages can cause you to have sudden mood swings. Also, headaches may become more frequent as a result of increased blood circulation as hormone levels rise.

Some or the other earliest signs of pregnancy that are more likely to occur after a missed period include:

* Food cravings or food aversions
* Nausea or vomiting
* Increased urination
* Changes in libido
* Constipation

One of the earliest signs of pregnancy are different responses to food than you is normal for you. Cravings or aversions for certain types of food are also caused by changes in hormone levels. Does the smell of a food suddenly cause you to feel sick to your stomach? This is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy reported by the experts. Some of the most common foods and drinks avoided by pregnant women include meat and dairy products, coffee, and spicy food. Food cravings are also common as your tastes for certain foods are slightly modified due to increased hormone levels.

Another of the earliest signs of pregnancy for some women is frequent urination. This is caused by the enlarged uterus that can put pressure upon the bladder. Some women may experience constipation as one of the earliest signs of pregnancy as the increased presence of the hormone progesterone causes digestion to slow down.

Keep in mind that there are many alternative explanations for some of these earliest signs of pregnancy. The signs may be a clue that you are pregnant, or they may also have another cause and do not serve as proof of a pregnancy. If you feel you may be pregnant, be sure to take an at-home pregnancy test and make an appointment with a doctor.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms Can Be Misleading

Editor — Sun, 11 May 2008 08:15:02 +0000

For many women who may become pregnant, the early pregnancy symptoms vary. Some women may experience common early pregnancy symptoms while not really being pregnant at all. Some women may not experience any symptoms at all, except for the delay or missing of their menstrual period, and soon found out that they are on the way to giving birth.
There are many early pregnancy symptoms that are misleading and may be caused or related to other biological sources making it important for every woman to understand the immediate signs and symptoms of pregnancy.

There May be Other Possibilities

Probably, one of the significant early pregnancy symptoms is the delay or difference in menstruation. When one is pregnant, it is expected that the next menstrual cycle should be missed until after weeks of giving birth. But sometimes, the delay or difference in menstruation can be just a side effect of malnutrition, excessive weight gain or loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, stress, or forgetting to take birth control pills.

The swelling of the breast or darkening of the areolas is also considered to be an early pregnancy symptom. But sometimes, it is just caused by hormonal imbalance, PMS, or may be caused by birth control pills. Nausea or what is known as "morning sickness" can also be the effected by stress, food poisoning or other stomach disorders and may not immediately confirm that you are pregnant.

Pains such as headaches and backaches may also be considered an early pregnancy symptom. However, there may be other causes why you feel certain pains and it may be because of impending menstruation, stress, other back or mental problems, dehydration, withdrawal from caffeine, eye strain, and other possible.

Some women also experience strong food cravings during pregnancy and these cravings may or may not be an early pregnancy symptom. Others would have a penchant to eat unusual kinds of food and unusually funny food combinations such as, ice cream and pickles, mangoes with ketchup. There may be other explanations why one experiences these kinds of cravings. It can either be caused by of poor diet, lack of a certain nutrients that the body needs, stress, depression or it may just be because of an impending menstruation.

The only way to be certain if you are pregnant is to conduct your own test or have yourself tested by your doctor so that you can manage these early pregnancy symptoms and take care of yourself and the baby.

Early Pregnancy Signs – How to Cope

Editor — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:30:07 +0000

Besides the most common signs of pregnancy, women can experience other early pregnancy signs.

During pregnancy the uterus and breasts increase in size and weight; furthermore, hormones released during this time loosen ligaments that attach the spine to the pelvic bone. Because of this, back pains are frequent early pregnancy signs. These pains can be relieved by resting, warm baths, and/or massages; if the pain is severe and persistent, doctors may be able to prescribe painkillers. Women should not take anything before first checking with their doctors.

Another consequence of the extra weight being carried around during pregnancy is the occurrence of leg cramps; some experts claim that leg cramps could also be due to changes in the blood circulation in the legs. These cramps are felt most often in the second and third trimesters and can be relieved by stretching, walking, warm baths, and/or massages.

The growing uterus also puts pressure on the veins that come up from the legs, causing the accumulation of fluid around the ankles. This accumulation leads to edema (swelling), which can often be relieved by elevating the ankles while seated, wearing waist-high support tights and/or exercising.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is also one of the early pregnancy signs. Essentially, a woman feels "pins and needles" in her hands, accompanied often by pain, numbness, and weakness in the fingers. What is actually happening is that fluid builds up around the wrists and the nerves that run to the hand muscles and skin become compressed. If the pain does not go away, a doctor may suggest a molded wrist splint.

Another of the early pregnancy signs caused by the growing uterus is varicose veins, which are enlarged veins in the legs. Pressure is put on the veins in the pelvis and legs and hormones cause the walls of blood vessels to relax, thereby causing the development of varicose veins. Women can prevent their development by gently exercising on a regular basis, not crossing their legs while seated, putting their feet up often, and putting on support tights or stockings as soon as they wake up. More often than not, varicose veins disappear after the birth of the baby.

Hemorrhoids can also be one of the early pregnancy signs, occurring as a result of constipation, caused by changes in the circulation of blood around a woman's body. Women can try to avoid getting hemorrhoids by trying to avoid getting constipated. Relief can come from over-the-counter creams and/or taking warm baths. More often than not in this case as well, hemorrhoids will disappear after the birth of the baby; it may be necessary, however, to surgically remove them.

First Month Pregnancy Symptoms

Editor — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 02:45:07 +0000

Many women are not exactly sure what to consider "normal" during the first month of pregnancy and many women begin to get worried if they do not experience the "typical" first month pregnancy symptoms and signs. Women must keep in mind, however, that each woman's body will react differently to pregnancy and not all women will experience all pregnancy symptoms.

The main culprit behind first month pregnancy symptoms is the hormone human gonadotrophin hormone (HCG), released into the mother's bloodstream by the fetus once it fully implants within the uterine lining. The level of this hormone starts off low, but its concentration rapidly increases; this is why pregnancy symptoms do not become noticeable until roughly 12 to 14 days after conception. In any case, the woman will not notice symptoms until the HCG levels are sufficiently high to affect her body.

Progesterone and estrogen are hormones that also increase during pregnancy and contribute to first month pregnancy symptoms. Also, women who are pregnant with twins or more may have symptoms that are noticeable earlier or are more intense because higher levels of HCG are released. Women who are not carrying twins or more and feel first month pregnancy symptoms earlier are those women who have had babies before, so their bodies are more sensitive to the hormones.

Around the end of the first month, blood flow increases by roughly 50% in a woman's body; this has various effects. The extra blood flow in the skin can lead to nose bleeds and bleeding gums. The pregnant woman feels warmer, and sweats more, especially in her hands and feet. Metabolism also increases, increasing body heat even further; this is why pregnancy is often accompanied by an increased basal body temperature.

Many women experience ptyalism, or increased production of saliva. Often, ptyalism is associated with morning sickness and relief from ptyalism comes with the same methods used to deal with nausea and vomiting. More often than not, the ptyalism will disappear around 14 weeks into the pregnancy.

Among first month pregnancy symptoms are dizziness and fainting. Again, hormones are the culprits. Due to the action of progesterone, a woman's blood vessels relax and dilate, and this causes blood pressure to decrease.

Headaches are also first month pregnancy symptoms, again caused in part by hormonal changes. Headaches may also be due to an increase in blood volume in the pregnant woman's blood vessels. Furthermore, pregnancy can also obviously be a very stressful time for a woman, and so headaches caused by tension could occur.

Lastly, first month pregnancy symptoms also include food cravings and aversions; indeed, a woman may find that foods she previously enjoyed are now repulsive to her. This aversion may come and go during the entire pregnancy. A woman may also experience a heightened sense of smell; again, smells that a woman normally found pleasant may be completely unacceptable to her during pregnancy.

Controlling Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Editor — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 06:45:06 +0000

Pregnancy is one of the most exciting and anxious times in a woman's life. She contends with alternating feelings of joy and feelings of fear. The changes taking place in a mom to be's body are often confusing and sometimes uncomfortable. Early pregnancy symptoms can be lessened using some tried and true methods used by mothers for generations, not to mention some of the more modern methods for feeling normal during a very unusual period in life. The important thing to remember is that like everything else, this too shall pass and the result is a beautiful new member of your family.

Morning sickness that often includes nausea and vomiting is one of the classic early pregnancy symptoms. This symptom's name is a little misleading as morning sickness can and does occur at any time of the day. Some methods to try to alleviate the discomfort are eating saltine crackers and drinking lemon lime soda and drinking peppermint or ginger tea may help. Another idea is to eat a small snack high in protein before bed. Fortunately morning sickness usually fades after the first trimester.

Another one of the early pregnancy symptoms that affects many pregnant women is fatigue and a lack of energy. The reason this occurs is because of all of the hard work the new mother's body is doing to support the growing life inside her. Normal hormonal changes attribute to this symptom as well. The only real fix for fatigue is to get plenty of rest. It sounds easier than it is and mom will need the help and support of her partner and other family members to get the rest she and the baby needs. Even a 20-minute nap or down time can do wonders for getting more rest and energy.

Luckily this symptom of dizziness is less common than some of the others, but still affects a large number of women. Of all of the early pregnancy symptoms, new moms need to watch carefully for this one. A dizzy spell could result in a fall or even fainting. The biggest reason dizziness occurs is due to a shortage of sugar in the blood. This is baby's primary food source and a pregnant woman uses it more quickly than in a non-pregnant state. Eating regular, healthy meals and not skipping meals and snacks is the best way to protect against feeling dizzy or faint.

Focusing on what a pregnant woman's body needs to stay healthy is key in controlling many early pregnancy symptoms. With the symptoms controlled, the new mom to be can focus on what's important, having a healthy, happy pregnancy.

The Very Early Signs Of Pregnancy Are Important In Prenatal Care

Editor — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:30:28 +0000

A woman is usually pregnant several weeks before she realizes it herself. But if she knew of the very early signs of pregnancy, she could start getting the proper nutrition and rest that her body requires during this dramatic transformation. There are some very early signs of pregnancy that are quite obvious and some that are not so obvious. Some of these symptoms are so close to other ailments that missing the connection to pregnancy is very easy to do.

The Pregnancy Symptoms

A missed menstruation is one of the very early signs of pregnancy, as well as, one of the most obvious. That is why when most women have a late period they normally start to panic or rejoice. As soon as a woman becomes pregnant she is suppose to miss her period. This is one of the most traditional forms of discovering that you are pregnant. Some women will spot after becoming pregnant and may interpret this as having a period. This spotting is another very early sign of pregnancy and unless she is aware of the other symptoms, she may not seek prenatal care when it is first necessary. Swollen and tender breasts are another very early sign of pregnancy. This symptom can occur within 1-2 weeks after conception. Some women's breasts will also unnaturally itch within the first few weeks of conception. Fatigue and tiredness are other very early signs pregnancy. Fatigue sets in for the pregnant woman within one week of conception. Nausea and morning sickness will occur between 2 and 8 weeks after conception. Morning sickness may also follow some pregnant woman throughout most of their pregnancy.

One very early unusual sign of pregnancy are headaches. The sudden rise of the hormonal level in the body can cause headaches in early pregnancy. Frequent urination occurs around 6-8 weeks after conception. One of the other very obvious early signs of pregnancy is the darkening of the areolas. This is where the skin around your nipples gets darker. This is an extremely obvious symptom of early pregnancy. While it is normal for you to hear of a pregnant woman's food cravings, what is not well known is that they start about one week after conception.

So if you are planning to become pregnant, keep this list on your refrigerator and monitor yourself accordingly. If pregnancy is not in your immediate future plans, then you might keep this list in your purse right next to the condoms.

What to look for in Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms

Editor — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 06:30:03 +0000

Although an ectopic pregnancy is not an overly common thing, there are still enough cases and it is a serious enough issue that it is incredibly important to take into consideration and learn about, regardless of whether you are planning on having children in the near future or not, so that you will be prepared and be able to notice the Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms if they occur for you.

What an Ectopic Pregnancy is

Whereas in a normal pregnancy the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus, with an ectopic pregnancy it is instead outside of the uterus, as the egg settles in the fallopian tube roughly 95% of the time, and this is why ectopic pregnancies are so commonly referred to as being 'tubal pregnancies'.

However with an ectopic pregnancy the egg can also implant itself in other areas of the body, such as the ovary, abdomen, or the cervix and so you also may see these as being referred to as cervical or abdominal pregnancies, but they may be called ectopic pregnancies as well.

Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms and Signs

One of the good things is that there are certain Ectopic Pregnancy Symptoms that you can watch out for in order to see if your pregnancy might be ectopic, and for instance, this can include nausea, missed periods, breast tenderness, and vomiting. However, because these sorts of symptoms mirror those of a regular pregnancy, a lot of the time women have an ectopic pregnancy but do not know about it.

This is why it is so important to check with your doctor if you have any sorts of pain or bleeding and if you simply feel as though something is not right then see if you can get an ultrasound so that they can check and make sure that the egg is properly implanted in the uterus.

After all, pain is considered as being the first red flag, and you might tend to feel pain in your pelvis, abdomen, or in extreme cases even in your shoulder or neck. Most women typically describe the pain as being sharp and stabbing, and although it most likely will concentrate on one side of the pelvis, this is not always the case and so either way you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible, or even go into the hospital.

Keep in mind that ectopic pregnancies are rare, but it is still crucial to be aware of them and watch out for any ectopic pregnancy symptoms, as ectopic pregnancies are so harmful that they are actually life threatening.