Pregnancy Symptoms and Signs
EARLY PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS
Although a lot of women experience pregnancy
symptoms, and find signs of being pregnant, other’s don’t "feel" pregnant.
Certain signs and symptoms of being pregnant can be confused with other
illnesses. The following list are some telltale symptoms of pregnancy. Morning
sickness is one of the most common signs of being pregnant, but you also might
be one of the lucky ones who never experience this pregnancy symptom. Missing
a period is another sign and symptom of being pregnant. We’ll go into greater
detail below, and you can read below.
MISSING A PERIOD
One of the most common signs and symptoms of being pregnant, missing a
period can also be caused by other reasons. Although missing a period is one
of the most common of the pregnancy symptoms, stress, illness, weight
fluctuations or coming off the oral contraceptive pill can also be the cause
of this. Irregular periods are a common symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome,
a condition in which periods can occur several months apart. If you still feel
like you are experiencing other pregnancy symptoms, continue reading the other
signs of being pregnant.
TENDERNESS OF THE BREAST
Another sign and symptom of pregnancy is the changing of size and feel of
your breast. As early as a few days after conception, this pregnancy symptom
may occur. Your breast is beginning to enlarge, as it gets ready for
breastfeeding. Many women claim that their breasts are very sensitive and that
they experience a very sharp, tingling sensation as well. Being one of the
signs and symptoms of being pregnant, the tenderness of the breast often
disappears a few weeks later.
NAUSEA AND VOMITING
Considered another one of the classic sign and symptoms of being pregnant,
nausea and vomiting, (aka morning sickness) has become one of the most feared
of all pregnancy symptoms. Feeling sick is a common complaint and is
experienced by most women from weeks 5 to 6 of their pregnancy. However,
morning sickness can also be felt as early as two weeks after conception.
Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day, and can vary from an
occasional faint sensation to overwhelming vomiting and nausea. By and large,
morning sickness is one of the pregnancy symptoms that tends to disappear
towards the end of the first trimester.
TIREDNESS
Many women experience fatigue as one of their pregnancy symptoms. Although
this might be a sign of being pregnant, it can also indicate other things as
well.
DARKENING OF THE AREOLA
Being one of the first physical symptoms of pregnancy, the darkening of the
areola can occur throughout your entire pregnancy. If you notice the darkening
of the areola, this could be considered one of the signs and symptoms of being
pregnant.
FREQUENT URINATION
If you experience that you are urinating more frequently, this might be
another of the pregnancy symptoms that confirm that you are pregnant. As early
as two weeks after conception, you might find yourself experience this
pregnancy symptom. The pressure of the literally reducing size of your bladder
is the cause of this. Your uterus beings to rise up into the abdomen, and this
annoying pregnancy symptom is the result. Rising levels of the pregnancy
hormone progesterone stimulate the bladder muscles, so that it feels full,
even though you might not need to urinate. Of all of the pregnancy symptoms,
and signs of being pregnant, women sometimes find this to be the most
annoying.
CHANGES IN TASTE AND SMELL
Don’t be surprised if you experience this pregnancy sign and symptom. Many
women claim that certain foods make them feel queasy – while others experience
a craving for other foods. Another sign of this pregnancy symptom, is a
strange metallic taste.
CONSTIPATION
Another of the annoying signs and symptoms of being pregnant, constipation
occurs.
CONFIRMING YOUR PREGNANCY
Two weeks after conception, your baby is no bigger than a pinhead,
comprised of a few balls of cells. As it begins to develop in the lining of
the uterus, the placenta begins to form and produce necessary pregnancy
hormones. Below are some ways to confirm that the pregnancy symptoms and signs
of being pregnant that you have noticed are accurate, and that you will be
having a baby.
HOME PREGNANCY TESTS
Being very accurate, these tests can be purchased at a local drugstore, and
can confirm pregnancy by detecting the level of HCG in your urine. Your health
care provider may rely on this test, and may only repeating testing if
complications arise. If you receive a positive result, you may want to make an
appointment with your doctor so that they can confirm you are pregnant and
begin follow-up.
OFFICE URINE TEST
Similar to that of a home pregnancy test, and office urine test confirms
pregnancy by also detecting the level of HCG in your urine. Being nearly 100%
accurate, this test does not require you to urinate first thing in the
morning. This type of test also can determine that the signs and symptoms of
being pregnant hold true, and that your pregnancy symptoms are right.
PREGNANCY BLOOD TEST
In order to assist dating your pregnancy, your healthcare provider may also
perform a pregnancy blood test. This particular pregnancy test can give you a
positive or negative result, and once again detects the level of HCG. This
time, it detects that level in your blood, and depending on your pregnancy
symptoms, helps them determine what kind of care to give you. Pregnancy blood
tests are useful if there are any concerns about miscarriage, or if there are
indications that an unusual pregnancy is occurring.
INTERNAL EXAM
Four to six weeks after conception, your doctor can receive indefinite
proof by examining you internally. Certain signs like the thickening of
vaginal tissues and the softening of your uterus will confirm that the
pregnancy symptoms are right on!
By:
Brian Gardner