Pregnancy

Pregnancy Signs

Pregnancy is as unique as every woman in the world is unique, so when it comes to detecting symptoms of early pregnancy, we find that while some women may experience all of the characteristic symptoms of pregnancy, some others may have only a few.

It is a popular belief that a woman is pregnant after a woman has a missing period, however, although this is one of the many signs, amenorrhoea (missed period) or breast changes, can sometimes be caused by other health condition. Besides, an increasing number of hormonal changes can take place while you are trying to conceive, which can trigger a variety of symptoms.

Morning sickness, fatigue or a missing period may be symptoms of early pregnancy or signs of stress. However, women who suspect pregnancy can take a pregnancy test in the comfort of their own home by just testing the urine. Pregnancy tests are accurate as they check for the hormone human chronic gonadotropin (hCG) to determine if a woman is expecting.

Absolute proof of pregnancy is hearing your baby's heartbeat, however this sign only occurs somewhere between weeks 10 to 12 and you must have special equipment to hear the heartbeat or your physician can also use an ultrasound to even view the baby in the womb.

If you are not ill and you are trying to conceive, you can expect common pregnancy signs when your goal is achieved. These signs may include one or several of the following; fatigue, mood changes, food cravings, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, morning sickness, breast changes and missed period.

Something to take in mind when it comes to menstrual cycle is its dual meaning when missed. It may be an irrefutable sign of pregnancy, but it can also be the result of amenorrhoea, caused by factors such as stress, low body weight, hormonal imbalances, morning sickness, breastfeeding, and even excessive exercise.

On the other hand, many women who get pregnant may experience a light bleeding around the time of the expected menstrual cycle but conception may have taken place. Nausea and vomiting are also associated with early pregnancy signs, but once again, these symptoms may be the result of gastrointestinal disorders, food poisoning, or some types of infection.

Pregnancy makes the breasts become swollen, tender and fuller, with veins that are more prominent and darkening of the skin around the nipple. Although these breasts changes are a pregnancy sign, breast changes can be the result of other factors such as hormonal imbalances, oral contraceptive pills, or effects of hormones during the time leading-up to your menstruation cycle.

Every pregnancy sign has a possible secondary factor apart from pregnancy. Fatigue can be the result of a hectic lifestyle, frequent urination resulting from urinary tract infections or diuretic medications, mood changes that reflect your level of stress or a particular life event, food cravings as result of a poor diet, etc…

When in doubt of a pregnancy sign, use a home pregnancy test, or visit your doctor or family planning professional for examination and advice.