Pregnancy
Signs of Pregnancy
For each woman signs of pregnancy are a unique experience. During pregnancy women experience varying degrees of signs and symptoms of being pregnant. This is one reason why some women report knowing they were pregnant almost immediately after conception, whereas other women report having no idea they were pregnant until the last moments of their pregnancy.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of pregnancy is the best way to prepare for early pregnancy recognition so that you can begin to receive prenatal care and make any necessary lifestyle changes early on.
Of course, there are the well-known signs of pregnancy that are experienced by a significant number of women including delayed, abnormal or missed menstrual periods and morning sickness; however, the list of signs of pregnancy goes far beyond these two common symptoms.
Additional early signs of pregnancy include fatigue, frequent urination, cramping, spotting, swelling and tenderness in the breasts, lower back pain, headaches, food cravings, and darkening in the coloring around the nipples. As the pregnancy progresses, additional symptoms will occur, such as a growing abdomen, stretch marks, bloating and constipation, increased food cravings, mood swings and physiological changes caused by the influx and changing of hormones.
Morning sickness is one of the telltale signs you may be pregnant, but women should keep in mind that morning sickness doesn’t always happen in the morning. If you are experiencing unexplained nausea at any time of the day or night, this could be a sign that you are pregnant. While many women are fortunate enough to not experience morning sickness during their pregnancy, this single pregnancy symptom is perhaps the most easily recognizable sign of pregnancy and certainly the most talked about.
If you are experiencing any of the early signs of pregnancy, or just feel pregnant, a pregnancy test conducted at home or in a doctor’s office is your best next step. Finding out conclusively whether or not you are pregnant as soon as possible after conception allows you to better determine your due date, begin prenatal care and healthy pregnancy habits, and embark on planning and preparation for your nursery and bringing your new baby home. Feel free to join our forums and discuss your signs of pregnancy
