pregnancy symptoms

Some women knows immediately when they are pregnant, whereas others find out with some surprise. Pregnancy symptoms are different for everyone, but there are a few definite signs to look out for.  These include

• A missed period
• Spotting
• Tender or sore breasts
• Feelings of overwhelming exhaustion
• Mixed emotions
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Food cravings or food aversions

And of course, there is that ‘feeling’when women just know they are pregnant.

Pregnancy can come with delight, surprise or shock. It can also come with mixed feelings. There are no hard and fast rules and not all women are delighted or ‘maternal’when they realise they are pregnant. The important thing is to go with your own feelings. As soon as you know you are pregnant, or even before, make an appointment with your gynecologist. It’s okay if you are three days pregnant or three weeks, but it is better to get medical help, assurance and advice from as early as possible.

If you have been trying to fall pregnant for a while, you will be delighted (and perhaps a little scared) to find out that you are pregnant.  You might also be nervous at the odd symptoms you may be experiencing.  We are going to go over these symptoms, one by one, to give you some reassurance.

A missed period

 This is usually the first sign of a pregnancy.  If your period is a day late, relax. If you are two days late, or three days late, and your periods are usually fairly consistent, you may want to do a home pregnancy test. You can buy these from the local chemist and they are pretty accurate. As soon as you know the answer – yes or no – make an appointment to see your gynecologist.

Spotting

Any kind of spotting during a pregnancy can induce fear in a woman, but early on, spotting can also be a symptom of pregnancy. Spotting is different to a period. The blood is lighter in color, and the spotting should not last very long. Spotting happens when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterus. Spotting should not be extreme, and at any time you are worried about your spotting, go to the gynecologist.

Tender or sore breasts

This is a tricky one because most women experience tender breasts before their period anyway. If however your tender or sore breasts continue for a while, you may well be pregnant. If your breasts feel larger than usual, look or appear swollen even sore, and if they come with a missed period, you may well want to do a pregnancy test. If you have gone up a bra size, and it come as a surprise, this too could be a symptom of pregnancy.

Exhaustion

 Most women feel utterly exhausted during pregnancy. If you are having a normal day but want to go to bed, and stay in bed, by 5 pm, you may be pregnant!  Again, look at your periods and your breasts, and see if things are starting to add up. The thing about pregnancy is that there are things you can be doing to ease that exhaustion – afternoon naps, less work, healthy eating, longer walks or more hydrating – so if you are feeling oddly tired, get yourself checked out. In pregnancy your progesterone levels can literally send you to sleep!

Mixed emotions

We could say ‘mood swings’ but mixed emotions is a far more politically correct term. Women who are pregnant may burst into tears at any moment or feel overwhelmed by the smallest of tasks. Their sensitivity increases, mostly because there are so many new hormones in their bodies. Do not feel terrible if you burst into tears all the time! Rather, take a nap, do something you love, and if you are weepy, perhaps you are ready for that pregnancy test.  Mixed emotions, or mood swings, usually end after the first three months.

Dizziness

When you are pregnant, your blood sugar levels change and your blood pressure changes too. This is why you do need to have regular appointments with your gynecologist. If your blood sugar and blood pressure are usually stable, and you are experiencing fainting or dizziness, get to your doctor and ask to be checked thoroughly. Dizziness and feeling light headed are fairly common pregnancy symptoms.

Nausea

 Are you waking up in the morning and running to the bathroom because of nausea? It could be something you ate, but you could be suffering from morning sickness. Ask any woman who has suffered from morning sickness and they will tell you, it is one of the most horrible pregnancy symptoms there is. Nausea usually comes from the extra amounts of estrogenin your body. Ask your gynecologist for advice; there are things you can do to help your nausea and if it is really bad, there is safe medication.  Do not take over-the-counter medication though, get professional and medical help.

Constipation

Being constipated is horrible at the best of times. Usually constipation can be managed, or cured, through a healthy diet and through plenty of hydration.  Exercise also helps. If you are feeling constipated and it is unusual for you, you could be pregnant. Don’t take meds unless your gynecologist recommends you do, rather follow a good diet, drink a lot of water and go for long and lovely walks.

Food cravings or aversions

 These sometimes come in the first few days, or weeks, of pregnancy. If you suddenly want to eat an entire jar of pickles while binge watching Netflix, think about it. Are you hungry? Or are you pregnant? Do a test!

The most important thing about pregnancy is that you get care regularly. Make an appointment with your gynecologist who will do the regular tests, scans and give you a schedule to follow. Good luck!