Pregnancy is probably the most glorious phenomenon that can ever
happen in a woman. It can also be the most problematic. A
woman's body undergoes drastic changes to accommodate the needs
of the developing fetus. Some of these manifest themselves in
the earliest stages of pregnancy and are very endemic to
pregnancy. Here is a list of the tell-tale signs that a
pregnancy is right at its onset:
1. Missing the monthly period.
This is a classic pregnancy symptom; especially if a woman's
monthly cycle is as precise as the Big Ben. If a woman misses a
period, it is probably time to take a home pregnancy test.
However, if the woman's menstruation is not very regular, she
should wait for a couple of days before taking a pregnancy test.
2. Soreness of breasts.
During pregnancy, breasts tend to be very sensitive. This is
accompanied also by the darkening of the areolas or the
concentric circle surrounding the nipples. A woman may also feel
that her bra doesn't fit her as comfortably as before. This is
natural because the breasts tend to increase in size when
pregnancy sets in. For some, breast sensitivity is a very
uncomfortable ordeal to live with during pregnancy. Fortunately,
this wears off come the second trimester. For others, breast
sensitivity can be a plus since this translates to heightened
pleasure during intimate moments.
3. Morning Sickness.
Pregnant women usually deal with unsettled stomachs each morning
during the first weeks of pregnancy. They may also sustain
vomiting and feel weakness of the body. Contrary to popular
belief, and to the suggestion the name implies, "morning"
sickness does not only occur in the morning. Some women come
down with nausea in the afternoon or in the evening. Other
expectant mothers feel sick the whole day. This is maybe a
side-effect due to the increase in the estrogen levels in a
woman's body due to the pregnancy.
4. Unusual eating habits.
Women who are in the early stages of pregnancy sometimes crave
for food they have never before or rarely eaten. It is also
natural for them to be greedy. Some women may at times crave for
unusual food, at the same time some women may hate the kind of
food which used to be one of their favorites.
5. Spotting and discharge.
In the early stages of pregnancy, mucus begins to accumulate
around the opening of the cervix to form the mucus plug, a
barrier which serves as protection for the developing baby.
Around the time of the implantation, or the time when the embryo
has implanted itself on the uterine lining, pregnant women may
notice a bit of spotting. Spotting due to pregnancy is light in
volume and pinkish in color, as opposed to the deep red color
associated with regular menstruation. It is important to
emphasize though that discharge during pregnancy should not be
accompanied by other distinctive signs of infection such as
itchiness, burning sensation and foul odor.
Aside from these symptoms, a pregnant woman may also experience
several other complaints such as fatigue, constipation, increase
in basal body temperature even after her period is due, frequent
urge to urinate and heartburn. Other unusual symptoms that an
expectant mother may experience include enhanced sense of smell,
weepiness and complexion problems also known as "breaking out".
If a woman is experiencing one or more of these symptoms but
still is unsure, a convenient home pregnancy test will easily
confirm if she can expect a baby in the near future.
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Elysiana Canlas 2005. For up to date links and information about
Pregnancy, please go to:
http://www.pregnancyclue.com>PregnancyClue.com
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About the author:
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