First of all, let me say congratulations! Now the only thing left is to make sure you are indeed pregnant. The following list describes ten symptoms that most women experience when they are pregnant. Not every woman experiences these with every pregnancy, but this is a good general guideline from which you can determine your own "pregnancy symptom" checklist.
The first few weeks after conception may be very hard for some women because they cannot test their urine yet and don't know whether or not they are actually expecting.
Many women believe they might be before taking an actual test and confirmation. For those people who do not know they are pregnant yet, here is a list of the most common symptoms that women experience when they really are.
Are the symptoms unique for each woman?
Pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman and they can be difficult to detect if it's your first child; however, there are some early indicators that you should keep an eye on.
If you find yourself experiencing any of these early signs of pregnancy, then chances are you will have a baby at the end of nine months! It is important not to ignore these because they could be signals of something more serious like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.
Keep in mind that each trimester comes with its own set of early pregnancy symptoms.
Morning Sickness
This very common early sign for most pregnancies begins in the morning and may last throughout the day. It's also referred to as "nausea" and "queasiness." Symptoms can get increasingly worse if you go out in public or if everyone around you doesn't maintain proper hygiene standards! There are ways to help ease the sickness such as eating crackers or ginger ale.
Tender Breasts and Darkening Areolas
During pregnancy, your body goes through many hormonal shifts which causes an increase in blood flow and changes of its own tissues. One interesting side effect that results from these changes is that many women experience pain and discomfort in their breasts which can range from mild to severe.
Another interesting symptom of pregnancy is that your areolas (the dark area around the nipple) may get darker and larger as well.
Fatigue and Exhaustion
You might already know this one, but for those of you who don't; pregnant women sometimes become extremely exhausted because of all the work their body has to do to grow a child! If you feel like you cannot keep your eyes open at any point during the day, chances are good that it's due to exhaustion caused by pregnancy hormones?!
Frequent Urination
Due to hormonal changes throughout early pregnancy, many women increase their water intake and become very thirsty. This could result in frequent urination (every hour or less), and it does not matter whether or not you feel like having to go, your body is forcing you!
Cramping and Backaches
Backaches and cramps are also referred to as round ligament pain which can become quite debilitating during the first trimester (first three months). If this symptom occurs, don't panic quite yet because that's totally normal for pregnancy.
This type of pain usually starts around six weeks after conception and may continue for six months throughout pregnancy(depending on what individual woman experiences).
Food Cravings and Aversions
This is one of those symptoms where either you love it or hate it all together! A lot of women experience food cravings early on, but at the same time, some pregnant women cannot stand certain foods.
Some common pregnancy cravings include sweet things, apples, oranges, and bananas while avoiding maybe pickles or meat! Remember that not all pregnancies are alike so don't take this symptom too seriously if you do not have it.
Mood Swings
This symptom is definitely one of the most difficult symptoms to deal with because it can range from feeling happy and elated one minute to irritable and angry in an instant! This shift in mood also impacts your relationships (especially romantic) which makes it even more complicated. The good news is that once the baby arrives (and hormones stabilize), this symptom will go away; so be patient with yourself!
Headaches and Dizziness
It's very common to experience headaches when you are pregnant, but it's also possible for pregnant women to experience dizziness. Headache can happen at any time of the day, while dizziness usually occurs when you get up too quickly or if your blood pressure is low (which can result in feeling faint).
Food Aversions and Cravings
This symptom is one that only some women experience where they may develop an aversion towards certain foods (mainly meats) or crave them like crazy (sweets like cake). It is important not to ignore these cravings/aversions because they could actually impact your health in a negative way; so try not to get too carried away!
Mood Swings
This symptom is one of the most difficult to deal with because it can range from feeling happy and elated one minute to irritable and angry in an instant. This shift in mood also impacts your relationships, so be patient with yourself when this happens. The good news is that once the baby arrives (and hormones stabilize), this symptom will go away so be patient with yourself.
Heartburn
Heartburn typically happens during late pregnancy where a burning sensation in your chest might occur after eating or even when you breathe in deeply. It is caused by the uterus pressing up against the stomach which compresses it, resulting in food going back up into the soph instead of down into the stomach.
Constipation
Early pregnancy symptoms can be difficult to determine especially when it comes to dealing with constipation. Many pregnant women experience constipation during the first trimester, but this symptom typically goes away after you have been pregnant for a while.
This is due to the hormones that help open up your bowels, so if you are experiencing other side effects along with this one, then there might be other solutions! The good news is that being constipated while pregnant does not mean anything bad at all!
Bloating and Gas
Bloating and gas go hand in hand, so it's hard to mention one without mentioning the other. It is basically a build-up of the stomach which causes a woman's abdomen and stomach to look visibly distended. Many pregnant women experience bloating earlier on in the pregnancy, but then it goes away after the second trimester.
Unfortunately, there is no way to avoid this symptom since heartburn can contribute to gastrointestinal problems which cause gas.
Backaches and Cramps
Backache and cramping are two other early pregnancy symptoms that many women experience during their first few weeks of gestation. Tenderness around the uterus is what causes these pains so if you experience them consistently, it's best for you not to ignore them because they could be a sign of something serious!
If you do notice these early signs of pregnancy, then your doctor may need to take blood or urine samples; however, chances are that everything is just fine!
Tips on how to make these symptoms easier to deal with
- Eat more fiber - this will help you to poop better which means your intestines are moving food along, so it's harder for cramps to happen!
- Drink plenty of water - dehydration can make cramps even worse because there is less fluid in the body which results in feelings of heaviness and fullness.
- Exercise regularly - exercise does more than just help you lose weight. It ensures that your abdominal muscles are toned properly, therefore making digestion easier! So if heartburn has gotten the best of you, then go ahead and give exercising a try before seeing a doctor!
Conclusion
There are many other early pregnancy symptoms that women experience throughout their gestation period, but the most problematic ones are those that are also accompanied by other symptoms. You don't want to deal with confusion, so make sure that you consult with your doctor about these early signs of pregnancy!