AM I PREGNANT One of the most comment questions asked by a woman who is trying to get pregnant is, “Am I pregnant?&
PREGNANCY CALCULATOR Being pregnant is an exciting time in life for most women. There are pregnancies that occur when the woman
PREGNANCY STAGES There are different ways to split up the stages of pregnancy. There are the well-known trimesters in which
When a woman is pregnant, her body starts to create what is known as the pregnancy hormone, otherwise known as hCG. This hormone starts to build in the body upon conception and continues to build throughout the pregnancy. It is this hormone that pregnancy tests detect in order to get a positive result. If there is no hCG found in the urine, the test results are negative.
Common signs of early pregnancy not only vary in their intensity, frequency and duration but also from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy. One experiences a number of physical and emotional changes during pregnancy, this may include a few or all the pregnancy symptoms, earlier or later, as listed below.
EARLY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PREGNANCY
1. Increase in basal body temperature
An increase in the body temperature by ½ to 1 degree Fahrenheit, when the body is at rest, indicates ovulation and if this rise continues for over 18 days after ovulation, then it should be presumed as the first sign of pregnancy. The first task daily in the morning is to check and record the BBT (basal body temperature) using a digital thermometer, for a number of menstrual cycles, to predict the exact date of ovulation.
2. Implantation bleed (the fertilized egg reaches the uterus and embeds into its wall)
A little vaginal bleeding may occur at this stage, somewhere close to the 24th day of the cycle, which can be miss-interpreted as the beginning of the next cycle especially if one experiences irregular periods. Sometimes this implantation bleeding may go unnoticed. Most sensitive urine tests can detect pregnancy at this stage (12 to 15 days after fertilization) however blood test for pregnancy are more accurate than urine test at this stage.
3. Missed period (Amenorrhea)
Perhaps the most reliable early sign of pregnancy is when you miss your period and start looking for more details about other pregnancy symptoms. Here it is advisable to get your first ultrasound, to detect if any complication may have risen. The fertilized egg might implant itself elsewhere instead of the uterus for example in the fallopian tubes, the cervix, ovary or in the abdomen causing an ectopic (abnormal) pregnancy.
4. Morning sickness (feel like vomiting)
Most women feel nauseating sensation to a particular aroma either in the morning while brushing their teeth or evening or the whole day (contrary to its name) generally till the fourth month. Few may vomit intensely; whereas fortunate ones do not ever.
5. Breast changes
One of the most evident sign of early pregnancy is the darkening of nipples and areolas (area around nipples) which starts as early as the first few weeks of pregnancy. In addition, naturally sensitive nipples become hypersensitive. The body starts preparing the breasts to produce milk, so during the fourth-fifth week of pregnancy one begins to feel breast tenderness and enlargement, during sixth-eighth week of pregnancy one may also find their nipples get larger and the veins in the breasts appear clearly. While itching is common in some women others develop white scratch marks on their breasts and leaking of pre milk (colostrum). Hence, good supporting bar is necessary, keeping in mind the need for increasing cup size.
6. Increased frequency of urination
Frequent trips to the rest room, particularly during the night, start happening as early as the 6-7th week, because of the increase in the blood flow. In the later stages starting from the 12th week onwards , the uterus begins expanding gradually (20 times its normal size) exerting pressure on the bladder, which in turn reduces the bladder capacity so a woman often has to go to the bathroom. Water intake should be maintained whereas stimulants like tea, coffee and alcohol to be avoided.
7. Headache
Due to changes in hormones and need for more calories many women suffer from headache in the early stages of pregnancy or throughout pregnancy. So one should eat more fruit, vegetables and water to offset this symptom.
8. Desire for certain food
Pregnancy and craving compliment each other. Most women develop craving for certain food stuffs like pickle, ice-cream, fruits while others do not get such feeling at all.
9. Fatigue
Due to an increase in the physiological load, this includes an increase in the production of hormones, as well as increased blood flow. The heart starts pumping faster and harder to accommodate this additional blood flow right from the early stage of pregnancy. The body starts adjusting, but a quick fifteen minutes nap will help.
10. Sensitivity to smell
A peculiar first month pregnancy sign is, increased sensitivity to odor. Some particular odors may give rise to nauseating sensation. If in doubt, one may confirm pregnancy by taking OTC (over the counter) urine test kit available at any pharmacy. Remember not to take any drug in order to phase off this feeling because this could be harmful for the baby
11. Heartburn
This symptom appears in the later part of pregnancy as the height of the increasing uterus reduces the room for the stomach, eating stomach full may lead to frequently throwing up. You should eat small amount but more frequently to counteract and adjust to the changing needs of the body.
12. Mood swing and irritability
Pregnancy is the emotional adjustment period to your new responsibility. Your world will changed even if your pregnancy is carefully planned, it is normal for your mind to suddenly be filled with questions about the timing, your career, finances, insurance, labour and delivery, motherhood, even the future costs of bringing up.
