Learning that you are expecting can be wonderful and exciting. It can also be confusing. The signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman and even from pregnancy to pregnancy in the same woman. To make recognizing the early signals of pregnancy even more confusing, many signs can be explained away by other conditions or even the stress of daily life. Here are some classic signs of early pregnancy experienced by expectant moms.
Missing Your Period
A missed period, or even two, is often the first sign of pregnancy that a woman may notice. If the pregnancy is unplanned then she would not be on the lookout for other early symptoms of pregnancy, such as breast tenderness or nausea. Many women experience irregular menstrual cycles, or menstrual cycles that vary in length from month to month. This makes predicting pregnancy based on menstrual cycles alone confusing and unreliable. If a woman suspects that she has missed her period, a home pregnancy test should be taken.
Breast Tenderness
As estrogen and progesterone levels increase, blood flow to the breasts also increases. This causes swelling and tenderness to both the breast tissue and to the nipples. The surface veins on the breast may become enlarged and more noticeable as well. This infusion of blood and hormones helps prepare the breasts for breastfeeding.
Nausea
Women who are trying to become pregnant are often on the watch for pregnancy-related nausea, often referred to as morning sickness. However, morning sickness can occur at any time during the day. In many cases, vomiting alleviates the condition temporarily. Fatigue and low blood sugar can aggravate this condition, so expectant moms should eat regularly and plan to get plenty of rest.
According to Dr. Mohammad Eman, 90 percent of women experience pregnancy-related nausea during their first 16 weeks of pregnancy. The direct cause is still unknown, though the nausea experienced in pregnancy can follow the rise and fall of certain pregnancy hormones. This is a self-limiting symptom of early pregnancy, which means it usually resolves by the early weeks of the second trimester with no long-term effects on the mother or the fetus she is carrying.
Frequent Urination
The urge to urinate frequently is not reserved solely for later pregnancy. As soon as the fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining, it begins to secrete hCG, the pregnancy hormone. This hormone is notorious for triggering frequent urination. The increased size of the uterus in the later stages of pregnancy is responsible for the near-constant urge expectant mothers may feel.
Fatigue
Progesterone, the hormone the uterus utilizes to maintain a healthy lining, is to blame for fatigue. As levels of this vital hormone increase, so does the urge to take a nap.
Dizziness
Changes in maternal circulation can leave an expectant mother feeling light-headed, dizzy and fatigued. To decrease the risk of falls associated with dizziness, expectant mothers should be encouraged to get plenty of rest, and to plan to rise slowly after prolonged sitting or lying.
Heartburn and Constipation
The gastrointestinal tract dramatically slows during pregnancy. This allows the mother's body more time to absorb precious nutrients. It can also cause heartburn after meals and chronic constipation. Eating small meals, drinking plenty of water and incorporating regular exercise into the day can help minimize these symptoms. Women should consult their health care provider if they cannot eat or are unable to have bowel movements.
Positive Home Pregnancy Test
You have followed the instructions; you see the plus sign, the extra line or the digital readout that says you are that you are pregnant. Now what? Call your health care provider. Depending on your medical history, she may want to see you in the office immediately, or she may decide you can wait a few more weeks before your first prenatal office visit. Either way, she will want to clarify your medication history and will likely get you started on a regimen of prenatal vitamins to get your pregnancy off to the best start possible.
