Early Signs of Pregnancy. You haven't missed your period yet, but something seems different. Are there other clues that you're pregnant? What is the best pregnancy diet? We look at the nutrition tips and what to eat during pregnancy as well as what to avoid. Learn more here. Some women notice changes in their energy level, mood, or breasts - - a lot like having PMS. Other signs might take you by surprise, like fainting, a shift in your sense of smell, or more bathroom visits. Your changing hormones kick into gear, even before you take that pregnancy test. Tender Breasts. One of the first signs is often achy, tender breasts. They may feel fuller and heavier. You might even notice the area around your nipple getting bigger and darker. Most early pregnancy symptoms, including tender breasts, are related to rising levels of the hormone progesterone, says Treesa Mc. Lean, a licensed midwife. Another reason your breasts swell is that your body keeps more water during pregnancy, which can make you feel bloated, too. Conry, MD, Ph. D. At this point, it's the extra progesterone that's making you feel wiped out. You can look forward to a bit of an energy boost in your second trimester, but expect the exhaustion to creep back as you enter the home stretch, she says. The best thing to do is go with it: Head to bed earlier, and steal the chance to snooze when you can.
Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens first. Do you know the early symptoms of pregnancy? From nausea to fatigue, know what to expect. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Get information on pregnancy testing and pregnancy symptoms, take pregnancy quizzes and explore ways to break the news from the editors of Parents magazine. Busting common diet myths about acid reflux. Five natural foods to curb heartburn is also discussed. Information about how can cranberry juice treat or aggravate your kidney stones whether it is helpful or not. You might be pregnant if you have early symptoms of pregnancy, such as nausea, fatigue, light bleeding, sore breasts, bloating, and mood swings. Mood Swings. Those hormone changes that make you emotional during your monthly cycle stick around for early pregnancy, too. And once you know you're pregnant, you might get stressed out about the idea of becoming a parent. If you don't, bring it up with your OB or midwife. She can recommend someone to provide support through the pregnancy and after. Continued. Feeling Lightheaded. Some women get very lightheaded or dizzy during early pregnancy. Some even have fainting spells. It could be hormones, or it might low blood pressure, Mc. Lean says. See your OB or midwife to get a better idea of what's going on. If your blood sugar is low, try eating smaller meals more often throughout the day. For many women, the spacey feeling gets better after the first trimester, she says. Nausea and Vomiting. Queasiness can start early on, although full- blown nausea and vomiting usually don't usually show up until 7 to 9 weeks, Conry says. Small, frequent, protein- rich meals can help control your uneasy stomach. Staying hydrated can, too. To help fluids go down easily, Mc. Lean suggests adding cucumber slices or strawberries to water. Diluted fruit juice, ginger tea, or a basic pregnancy tea (they usually contain red raspberry leaf and nettles) are also good options. Mint tea can help with nausea, but she warns it can make heartburn, another common pregnancy symptom, worse. A snack before bed, like a small piece of cheese and some nuts, can help steady your blood sugar overnight so you don't wake up feeling very sick. Nausea usually disappears by 1. Check in with your doctor or midwife if you're vomiting so much you're not keeping anything down or you're losing weight, Mc. Lean says. There are medications that help extreme morning sickness. Disgusted by Specific Foods. Can't stand the smell - - much less the taste - - of certain foods? Some women find that one of their first signs of pregnancy is a heightened sense of smell. It makes scents they were OK with before absolutely sickening. Other women develop a funny taste in their mouth that they just can't get rid of, Mc. Lean says. If whole groups of foods are literally off the table because they make you feel like you're going to heave, don't worry about the baby. It's the mom that suffers, not the fetus. Drink lots of liquids, too. As long as you avoid getting dehydrated, you should get through this phase just fine, she says. You'll likely lose your disgust as you head into your second trimester. Continued. Peeing Often. Your kidneys have to process more urine during pregnancy. Plus, your uterus getting bigger puts pressure on your bladder. Together, that's a lot of trips to the bathroom. You need extra fluids to keep enough water in your body. Spotting and Cramping. Cramping or a bit of blood starting a little earlier than you expect your period may be a sign that the fertilized egg is getting attached in the uterus. Even bleeding that continues to your sixth or seventh week can be normal. At that point, Conroy says, your doctor can do an ultrasound to make sure the baby is developing normally. Sources. SOURCES: Mayo Clinic: . Conry, MD, Ph. D, assistant physician in chief, Kaiser Permanente, Roseville, CA; associate clinical professor, OB/GYN, University of California, Davis. All rights reserved. Early Signs That You Might Be Pregnant. Are you wondering if you might be pregnant? The only way to know for sure is by taking a pregnancy test. But there are early symptoms of pregnancy that may point to the possibility. Here's what to look for. Do All Women Get Early Symptoms of Pregnancy? Every woman is different. So are her experiences of pregnancy. Not every woman has the same symptoms or even the same symptoms from one pregnancy to the next. Also, because the early symptoms of pregnancy often mimic the symptoms you might experience right before and during menstruation, you may not realize you're pregnant. What follows is a description of some of the most common early symptoms of pregnancy. You should know that these symptoms may be caused by other things besides being pregnant. So the fact that you notice some of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. The only way to tell for sure is with a pregnancy test. Spotting and Cramping. After conception, the fertilized egg attaches itself to wall of the uterus. This can cause one of the earliest signs of pregnancy - - spotting and, sometimes, cramping. That's called implantation bleeding. It occurs anywhere from six to 1. The cramps resemble menstrual cramps, so some women mistake them and the bleeding for the start of their period. The bleeding and cramps, however, are slight. Besides bleeding, a woman may notice a white, milky discharge from her vagina. That's related to the thickening of the vagina's walls, which starts almost immediately after conception. The increased growth of cells lining the vagina causes the discharge. This discharge, which can continue throughout pregnancy, is typically harmless and doesn't require treatment. But if there is a bad smell related to the discharge or a burning and itching sensation, tell your doctor so they can check on whether you have a yeast or bacterial infection. Breast Changes. Breast changes are another very early sign of pregnancy. A woman's hormone levels rapidly change after conception. Because of the changes, her breasts may become swollen, sore, or tingly a week or two later. Or they may feel heavier or fuller or feel tender to the touch. The area around the nipples, called the areola, may also darken. Other things could cause breast changes. But if the changes are an early symptom of pregnancy, keep in mind that it is going to take several weeks to get used to the new levels of hormones. But when it does, breast pain should ease up. Continued. Fatigue. Feeling very tired is normal in pregnancy, starting early on. A woman can start feeling unusually fatigued as soon as one week after conceiving. Why? It's often related to a high level of a hormone called progesterone, although other things - - such as lower levels of blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and a boost in blood production - - can all contribute. If fatigue is related to pregnancy, it's important to get plenty of rest. Eating foods that are rich in protein and iron can help offset it. Nausea (Morning Sickness)Morning sickness is a famous symptom of pregnancy. But not every pregnant woman gets it. The exact cause of morning sickness is not known but pregnancy hormones likely contribute to this symptom. Nausea during pregnancy may occur at any time of the day but most commonly in the morning. Also, some women crave, or can't stand, certain foods when they become pregnant. That's also related to hormonal changes. The effect can be so strong that even the thought of what used to be a favorite food can turn a pregnant woman's stomach. It's possible that the nausea, cravings, and food aversions can last for the entire pregnancy. Fortunately, the symptoms lessen for many women at about the 1. In the meantime, be sure to eat a healthy diet so that you and your developing baby get essential nutrients. You can talk to your doctor for advice on that. Missed Period. The most obvious early symptom of pregnancy - - and the one that prompts most women to get a pregnancy test - - is a missed period. But not all missed or delayed periods are caused by pregnancy. Also, women can experience some bleeding during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, ask your doctor what you should be aware of with bleeding. For example, when is bleeding normal and when is it a sign of an emergency? There are reasons, besides pregnancy, for missing a period. Hormonal problems, fatigue, or stress are other possibilities. Some women miss their period when they stop taking birth control pills. But if a period is late and pregnancy is a possibility, you may want to get a pregnancy test. Continued. Other Early Symptoms of Pregnancy. Pregnancy brings changes in your hormonal balance. And that can cause other symptoms that include: Frequent urination. For many women, this starts around the sixth or eighth week after conception. Although this could be caused by a urinary tract infection, diabetes, or overusing diuretics, if you're pregnant, it's most likely due to hormonal levels. Constipation. During pregnancy, higher levels of the hormone progesterone can make you constipated. Progesterone causes food to pass more slowly through your intestines. To ease the problem, drink plenty of water, exercise, and eat plenty of high- fiber foods. Mood swings. These are common, especially during the first trimester. These are also related to changes in hormones. Headaches and back pain. Many pregnant women report frequent mild headaches, and others experience chronic back pain. Dizziness and fainting. These may be related to dilating blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and lower blood sugar. A pregnant woman could have all of these symptoms, or maybe have only one or two. If any of these symptoms become bothersome, talk with your doctor about them so you can make a plan to offset them. Sources. SOURCES: American Pregnancy Association: . All rights reserved.
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