| Whether you are trying to get pregnant, or | | | | HCG levels, very high progesterone levels and |
| think you may already be pregnant, it can be | | | | a higher than normal body temperature. |
| extremely frustrating waiting to find out one | | | | Combine all that with frequent toilet trips |
| way or the other! Lots of women cannot bear | | | | and nausea and trying to hold down a job and |
| the wait between ovulation and menstruation | | | | it is no wonder pregnant women feel |
| and want to find out if they are pregnant | | | | exhausted! |
| sooner rather than later. | | | | |
| | | | ·Missed Period/ Cramping/ Backache/ |
| Fortunately many over-the-counter pregnancy | | | | Headaches |
| tests can be taken on or after the day that | | | | |
| your period was due - and some newer | | | | For most women this can be the first |
| generation tests can even be taken a few days | | | | indication that they are pregnant but for the |
| before menstruation. But, if you are really | | | | first few weeks of pregnancy you may |
| impatient to get results, you may be | | | | experience cramping and have a feeling your |
| surprised to know that your body can be an | | | | period will arrive at any moment. Often the |
| excellent indicator if you monitor yourself | | | | cramping is accompanied by back pain. |
| carefully! | | | | |
| | | | Obviously, any cramping and bleeding, even if |
| Many women experience some signs of pregnancy | | | | it is light, should be reported to your |
| in the week before their period is due. | | | | doctor. Pregnant women also often experience |
| Although these symptoms can mimic | | | | more headaches than normal and again this can |
| pre-menstrual symptoms, sometimes they are a | | | | be a result of massive hormonal changes. |
| little more severe. So you may feel you have | | | | |
| a particularly bad dose of PMT and later | | | | ·Light Bleeding/ Spotting |
| realise that you were in fact pregnant! | | | | |
| | | | About 8-10 days after ovulation some women |
| Some women experience pregnancy symptoms | | | | experience some light bleeding which |
| within just a few days of conception; others | | | | coincides with the time a period was due. |
| experience nothing at all until a few weeks | | | | Sometimes this can be mistaken for a light |
| into the pregnancy. | | | | period. This bleeding is often implantation |
| | | | bleeding which is a result of the egg |
| Conception usually occurs within 8-10 days of | | | | implanting in the uterus. |
| ovulation and at this point your body starts | | | | |
| to react to HCG (Human Chorionic | | | | ·Dizziness/ Fainting |
| Gonadotropin), the pregnancy hormone. This is | | | | |
| the hormone that pregnancy tests detect in a | | | | Because pregnancy affects the sense of taste |
| positive test. And it is the rapidly rising | | | | and smell lots of pregnant women |
| levels of HCG which cause the symptoms of | | | | unintentionally avoid food and skip meals. |
| pregnancy. | | | | This causes low blood sugar levels which can |
| | | | lead to dizzy spells and fainting. |
| If you do suspect that you may be pregnant | | | | |
| and are suffering from some or all of the | | | | If you are standing for a long period of time |
| symptoms outlined below, see your GP as soon | | | | the increased pressure of the uterus pressing |
| as possible. It is important to receive | | | | on major arteries in your legs can lead to a |
| medical care and to get a booking in | | | | fall in blood pressure which can also make |
| appointment at hospital so that you can | | | | you feel dizzy or faint. |
| receive appropriate ante-natal care. | | | | |
| | | | ·Constipation |
| So what are the early signs of pregnancy? | | | | |
| | | | In order to absorb all the nutrients that |
| ·Nausea/ Vomiting | | | | your developing baby requires, pregnancy |
| | | | hormones slow down your metabolism and this |
| Otherwise known as "Morning Sickness", this | | | | can lead to constipation. Try eating plenty |
| can occur very early on in pregnancy, even | | | | of fresh fruit and vegetables and drinking |
| before you realise that you are pregnant. | | | | lots of water to help avoid constipation. |
| Many women think they may have a touch of | | | | |
| food poisoning or are coming down with a | | | | ·Irritability |
| cold! Although called morning sickness, it | | | | |
| can occur at any time and can come in bouts | | | | With lots of pregnancy hormones raging |
| or last all day and night! Eating little and | | | | through your body, as well as coping with |
| often can help relieve it and you might find | | | | sickness and tiredness, is it any wonder |
| that dry crackers are very effective. The | | | | pregnant women get easily irritated during |
| nausea often gets worse when you are hungry | | | | early pregnancy? If you find yourself getting |
| so it can be useful to keep some snack food | | | | stressed and losing your temper try to take |
| with you at all times. The gag reflex is | | | | some gentle exercise, more rest and eat a |
| often easily triggered and simple acts like | | | | healthy, balanced diet - if you can face it! |
| brushing your teeth can leave you hanging | | | | |
| over the toilet bowl! | | | | ·Heartburn/ Indigestion |
| | | | |
| ·Enhanced Sense of Smell and Taste | | | | Although heartburn and indigestion are |
| | | | usually associated with the later stages of |
| Lots of women become more sensitive to | | | | pregnancy, they can also occur early on for |
| everyday smells and common foodstuffs, such | | | | some women. HCG slows down digestion meaning |
| as tea, coffee and toast, can trigger nausea. | | | | that your stomach remains full for longer. |
| Your sense of taste may change dramatically | | | | Stomach acid can then make its way into your |
| and you may find you can no longer bear to | | | | oesophagus and even to the back of your |
| drink or eat foods that you would normally | | | | throat causing discomfort and even nausea. It |
| enjoy! You may also notice a metallic taste | | | | can often be relieved with medication, so ask |
| in your mouth. | | | | your doctor for some antacids suitable during |
| | | | pregnancy. Avoid eating heavy or spicy meals |
| ·Frequent Urination | | | | late in the evening as these can aggravate |
| | | | the problem! |
| This can happen as early as 1 week into the | | | | |
| pregnancy. You may find you are running to | | | | ·Changes in Complexion |
| the toilet a lot more often than normal and | | | | |
| maybe even during the night. As the uterus | | | | You might notice your skin breaks out in |
| rapidly enlarges after implantation, it | | | | spots as a result of all the pregnancy |
| presses on your bladder making you feel like | | | | hormones coursing through your body but this |
| you need to urinate. Often you will rush to | | | | often settles down by the second trimester! |
| the toilet only to pass a tiny trickle of | | | | Any moles or liver spots may also darken due |
| urine! | | | | to increased skin pigmentation. |
| | | | |
| Urine may also darken and have a stronger | | | | ·Increased Cervical Mucous |
| smell than normal so you should try to drink | | | | |
| plenty of water. If you are concerned or | | | | Many pregnant women notice that they pass |
| experiencing pain speak to your GP in case | | | | more cervical mucous than normal and that it |
| you have a urinary tract infection. | | | | is thick and white. This is normal in |
| | | | pregnancy. But if you notice an unusual smell |
| ·Breast Tenderness | | | | or itching alongside it, consult your GP as |
| | | | Thrush is also a common pregnancy complaint! |
| It is very common for women to report that | | | | |
| their breasts enlarge and become extremely | | | | ·Weight Loss |
| tender very early on in pregnancy. Nipples | | | | |
| also become very sensitive and enlarged and | | | | Perhaps surprisingly you may lose weight |
| will darken in colour. Breast veins also | | | | during the first trimester of pregnancy. |
| become more noticeable - all in preparation | | | | However, considering that most women try to |
| for breastfeeding! Little bumps, Montgomery's | | | | eat more healthily, cut out alcohol and eat |
| tubercles, also appear on the areola (the | | | | less due to a decreased appetite, it is |
| area surrounding the nipple) that will help | | | | completely normal! Couple that with a bigger |
| to lubricate the breast during breastfeeding. | | | | bosom than usual and you may be complimented |
| | | | on how wonderful you are looking - often by |
| ·Tiredness | | | | unsuspecting individuals who are unaware of |
| | | | your pregnancy. Make the most of it while you |
| You may feel absolutely exhausted very early | | | | can! |
| on in pregnancy and throughout the first | | | | |
| trimester. This is a result of rapidly rising | | | | Enjoy your precious nine months! |