Keep in
mind that pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman.
Probably
the most significant pregnancy symptom is a missed menstrual
period or delayed period.
Understanding
pregnancy symptoms is important because each symptom may be
related to something other than pregnancy. Some women experience
pregnancy symptoms within a week of conception. For other
women, symptoms may develop over a few weeks or may not be
present at all.
Below
is a list of some of the most common pregnancy symptoms, but
of course these can vary from woman to woman and even from
pregnancy to pregnancy.
A
missed period (menstruation):
This is the most common reason a woman tests for pregnancy.
When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed.
Some women can bleed while they are pregnant, but typically
the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period.
This symptom is commonly explained by other reasons. If
you have been sexually active and have missed a period,
it is recommended that you take a test: Buy a pregnancy
test.
* Other
explanations for a missed or delayed period: Excessive weight
gain/loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, ceasing
to take the birth control pill, or breast-feeding.
Swollen
and or Tender Breasts:
Swollen or tender breasts are a pregnancy symptom that may
begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Women may notice
changes in their breasts; they may be tender to the touch,
sore, or swollen. Some say their breasts feel “tingly”.
Fatigue:
Feeling fatigued or more tired is a pregnancy symptom that
can also start as early as the first week after conception.
* Other
Explanations: Stress, exhaustion, depression, common cold
or flu, or other illnesses can also leave you feeling tired
or fatigued. Many women get very tired prior to their periods.
Nausea
often called Morning Sickness:
This well-known pregnancy symptom will often show up between
2 to 8 weeks after conception. Some women are fortunate
to not deal with morning sickness at all, while others will
feel nauseous throughout most of their pregnancy or for
the first trimester.
Frequent Urination:
Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may find yourself
making a few extra trips to the bathroom. It's not from
the pressure of the uterus, it is hormonal.
"It's
a truism that pregnant women constantly need to urinate.
Most people assume that the cause of this problem is the
pressure of the growing uterus against the bladder. This
is certainly true some months into pregnancy, after the
uterus has begun to expand. But frequent urination can be
a problem even early in the first trimester, because of
the high level of the hormone progesterone in the mother's
body."
Progesterone
relaxes the bladder muscles, sparking signals to the brain
that you "need to go."
(I have
this in quotes as it is from an old pamphlet I had on pregnancy,
from 1978).
Darkening
of Areolas:
If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get
darker.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance unrelated to pregnancy
or may be a leftover effect from a previous pregnancy.
.
If you are experiencing these symptoms? buy a home pregnancy
test.
Unplanned
pregnancy? Call 1-800-230-PLAN in the United States. Go to
Planned Parenthood’s web site to find the clinic nearest
you.
Pregnant or trying to get pregnant? Order prenatal Vitamins
and make an appointment with your obstetrician.
For more details about weekly
pregnancy symptoms, and what might be causing that
symptoms besides pregnancy, go there.
To find out how home pregnancy
tests work, go
there...
To learn more about your menstrual
cycle go there...
