Early signs of pregnancy

Pregnancy is a magical moment in every woman’s life. Pregnancy is all about several mixed emotions and feelings. This momentous time is filled with a medley of excitement, immense love, and anticipation. Every woman is different. So are their experiences of pregnancy. Not all women have the same symptoms or even the same symptoms from the first pregnancy to the next.

The early symptoms of pregnancy often mimic the symptoms you might experience during menstruation. The sooner you know you’re pregnant, the sooner you can begin taking the necessary measures to care. If you think you might be pregnant, here are some most common signs of early pregnancy below-

 

A missed period

If more than a week passed, without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. However, this symptom can be misleading in case of an irregular menstrual cycle. Once implantation is complete, the body will begin making human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which helps the body maintain the pregnancy. The hormones stop releasing mature eggs each month from the ovary. After conception, you are likely to miss your next period of four weeks. In case of an irregular period, pregnancy tests are done to confirm. Most tests detect hCG levels in urine as soon as 8 days after a missed period and show if you are pregnant. If it’s positive, consult a doctor to schedule your first prenatal appointment. If the pregnant lady is going through some medications, it is better to ask the doctor whether they pose any risks to the pregnancy.

 

Swollen breasts

Breast changes are another early sign of pregnancy as hormonal changes might make breasts swollen, sore, or tingly a week or two later. The levels of estrogen and progesterone rapidly change after conception and are responsible for this early pregnancy symptom. The discomfort will likely decrease after a few weeks, once you get used to the new levels of hormones. Breast tenderness is pain that is a part of the body’s preparation for the milk-making to come. The areolas may get darker, increase in diameter, and have tiny bumps growing in size and number on areolas. These bumps, called Montgomery’s tubercles, were always present. But during pregnancy, they’re gearing up to produce more oils that lubricate the nipples. 

You can relieve breast tenderness by purchasing a comfortable maternity bra such as cotton, an underwire-free bra that gives the most comfort. Bra with varying clasps that give more room to “grow” in the coming months is recommended. Purchase breast pads that fit into the bra to reduce friction on the nipples.

 

Nausea

Morning sickness or nausea can occur anytime during the day or night. This symptom often begins one to two months after pregnancy. During the first trimester of pregnancy, many women experience severe morning sickness. It may become more intense toward the end of the first trimester, but fortunately, the symptoms lessen at the beginning of the second trimester. Hormones, mainly increased levels of progesterone can cause the stomach to empty more slowly, resulting in nausea. 

It is advised to keep a package of saltine crackers and eat a few before getting up in the morning to help settle morning sickness. Be sure to have a healthy balanced diet so that you and your developing baby get essential nutrients. Drink plenty of water and consult a doctor if you cannot keep fluids or food down.

 

Spotting and cramping

After conception, the fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus, which causes spotting and, sometimes, cramping as early signs of pregnancy. The fertilized egg creates a blastocyst that will develop into the fetus’s organs and body parts. About the fourth week after conception, the blastocyst will implant in the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus. This causes implantation bleeding and occurs anywhere between six to twelve days after the egg is fertilized.

Cut off smoking or drinking alcohol, which can be associated with heavy bleeding. If you think you may be having implantation bleeding, then do not use a tampon. Using a tampon can cause a high risk of infection.

 

Indigestion

Hormones can cause the valve between the stomach and oesophagus to relax. This allows stomach acid to leak, resulting in indigestion and heartburn. For many women, this symptom can appear sometime around the second month of pregnancy. The hormones progesterone and relaxin, relax smooth muscle tissues throughout the body, resulting in food moving more slowly through your gastrointestinal tract.

Stick to a healthy diet and have several small meals a day instead of larger ones. Sit upright for at least an hour after eating to help your food digest. Seek doctor advice about what may be safe during your pregnancy.

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