Did you miss your period this month? Are you feeling nauseated every morning since the past few days? Are you experiencing an increase in the frequency of urination? There is a possibility that you have conceived. Wow! It's a great experience for you! Isn't it? The early signs of pregnancy may bring joy to you, but it can also cause some levels of discomfort for a new expecting mother.
The earliest symptoms of pregnancy can be felt after a few weeks of conception. The early signs of pregnancy can vary from one woman to the other. For example, a woman can have sore breasts while the other woman may experiences sensitive nipples. Both are normal signs, but can vary in different women.
Here are some early symptoms that a woman may experience:
1. Missed Periods
Missing a period is the best known symptom of pregnancy. A missed period can, however, be caused by other reasons like excessive stress, hormonal changes, changes in weight and illness.
2. Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy. There is a feeling of nausea in the mornings usually, but it can extend for the whole day as well. It is common in the first trimester. Morning sickness fades away at the arrival of the second trimester. It can start as soon as you take a pregnancy test and find that you have conceived. Most of the women experience it in the early mornings when the stomach is empty.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, around 75 percent of pregnant women experience morning sickness, but only one percent suffers from the extreme HG (Hyperemesis gravidarum), a severe form of morning sickness that can require hospitalization. Nausea as well as vomiting are highly unpleasant conditions. Morning sickness can also lead to dehydration as you are unable to eat or drink anything.
Combating Morning Sickness:
- Try sucking on hard candies, especially the sour ones like lemon or lemon flavored candies.
- Have small frequent meals throughout the day so that you can maintain your blood sugar levels.
- Try eating ginger, tea, cookies or even spices that can drive away the nauseated feeling.
- Practice deep breathing. This will not be able to drive away the nausea, but it can definitely allow you to keep food in your stomach! It will also relax your mind and keep you away from worries.
- Ginger has been suggested as an alternative treatment to control nausea and vomiting, but data on its efficacy are limited. In one study, ginger was found to be superior to dimenhydrinate, a medicine commonly used in reducing motion sickness. In another study, ginger was found to significantly reduce postoperative sickness.
3. Tender and Enlarged Breasts
Tender breasts and an increase in the breast size are the notable signs of pregnancy. As soon as you conceive, hormonal changes take place within your body. Your body will take some time to adapt to these changes. You may find your breasts heavier and fuller. You may also feel a slight pain when you wear a bra. Your nipples tend to become darker and larger as your pregnancy progresses. Near the areola region you may notice pimple like white developments. They are called Montgomery's tubercules.
4. Frequent Trips to the Bathroom
The frequency of urination increases during pregnancy and you will feel the urge to visit the bathroom quite often. Due to hormonal changes some women may also feel the urge to urinate even before they miss a period. When the embryo implants, a hormone known as the human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is produced. One of the side effects of this hormone is frequent urination. Later, frequent urination will be caused by the weight of the uterus exerted on the bladder.
Reducing Frequent Trips to the Bathroom:
- Instead of drinking fluids or water during the bedtime, try drinking it throughout the day so that your sleep is not disturbed.
- Coffee, tea and other caffeinated drinks tend to increase your need to urinate frequently. So cut down on them!
- Towards the end of pregnancy as your baby drops into the pelvis region in preparation for labor, you may also experience more pressure on your bladder. While urinating, you can lean forward to ensure that your bladder is completely emptied.
5. Fatigue and Tiredness
Fatigue as well as tiredness rank high as pregnancy symptoms. Many women feel lack of energy in the early months of pregnancy. It can occur as a result of hormonal changes in the body and also due to other conditions like nausea and morning sickness which can leave the stomach empty. Pregnancy fatigue can start right from the time you take a pregnancy test and it then begins to go away by the beginning of the second trimester. But some women may also feel tiredness even at the end of the third trimester.
Preventing Fatigue and Staying Energized:
- Try taking short naps in between the day, but make sure you don't sleep for long hours disturbing your sleep patterns in the night.
- Try going to bed at the same time every night.
- Wake up at the same time every day.
- Try exercising daily, but not after the meals.
- Avoid caffeine completely.
- Keep a track on your diet. Eat healthy meals and drink water and fresh fruit juices that will help you to restore energy.
6. Some Just Know that They are Pregnant
Many women after conception feel that something is very unusual or different. It's strange, but true. Some may feel heightened emotional levels such as weepiness or excitement. Some may find it overwhelming.
7. Food Cravings
Food cravings are also very common and most women would sniff around in the kitchen for particular foods that they feel like eating. The list may include coffee, fried foods or anything else that a person likes! These cravings can also result from the hormonal changes in the body. It is better if you have a cook at home or your mother staying along with you to satisfy these cravings and pamper you during your pregnancy.
8. Cramping
Cramping is another common and one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Some women may experience cramps as early as seven days after ovulation. If they are pregnant, then this cramping is called implantation cramping and this is the cramping that occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the walls of the uterus. Not all pregnant women will experience cramps!
Ways to Ease out the Cramping:
- Take a heat pad or an electric heat pad and try applying it on the areas in which you are experiencing the cramps. These regions may be your lower back, abdomen and legs.
- Try taking hot shower baths but it is better to avoid very hot water. Very hot water may actually burn the skin and will not be beneficial for your baby.
Apart from these main signs of pregnancy, you may get other symptoms like mood swings, headaches, bloating, dizziness and enlargement of the uterus. Consult your doctor or gynecologist for your pregnancy tests and schedule your appointments. Ask the experts about the changes in your body and the steps that you need to take to take care of yourself during pregnancy. Stay updated with information and increase your awareness levels. Ask your friends and family members who have experienced pregnancy - they may be of big help!
