Early Signs of Pregnancy One Should Know

In earlier days when pregnancy test kits were not available or known to all, women used to observe the early signs of the pregnancy to conclude if someone is expecting or not. But this is not the accurate method to find out if a woman is pregnant or not. So the pregnancy test kit is the best and the accurate way to reach any conclusion.

The early sign of pregnancy varies from person to person. Also, it can vary from one pregnancy to another of the same person. It is observed that many women do not face the early signs of pregnancy. And even if they do it is not the same for all. It is also witnessed that some of the symptoms are similar to pre-menstruation symptoms. In such cases, women fail to understand that they are pregnant. Though there are a huge number of symptoms that are observed among different women, here we are going to discuss some of the most common early signs of pregnancy that may show up and so one should know about them.

Missing the date

Nausea or Vomiting

More than 50% of women face nausea as an early symptom. Morning sickness is common, but one can also face this problem throughout the day. Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are very frequent.

Nausea and vomiting can be usually seen in the 4th week of the pregnancy and may last up to 12 weeks. Later during the third trimester, the morning sickness reappears.

Changes around the Breast

When a woman is pregnant she may observe some changes near the breast. The area around the nipple becomes darker and the veins become more prominent. The breasts seem to be fuller and tender. This is a common sign of pregnancy but again it is a sign of menstruation too!

Craving for food

If you are a foodie then it is a regular thing! But the craving for food is the most common sign of pregnancy. In this phase, women develop a craving for food at any particular time and the variety of food may change every time. This craving is mostly for food that gives energy and is rich in calcium or other minerals. Often it is observed that some females develop a craving for elements that are not food like chalk, paper, or maybe soil. It is suggested to consult a doctor if you are suffering from this type of craving as non-food items can be risky for you and your baby.

Lack of Energy

Tiredness is common for all as there is a rapid change of hormonal levels in the body and by the release of progesterone, one may feel tired and sleepy. This sign of pregnancy gets slowly reduced during the second trimester. It is recommended to have plenty of water and iron-rich food to prevent anaemia.

Frequent Urination

Now this symptom may sound different but many women indeed face frequent urination while they are pregnant. This is because of the increase of body fluid and the placenta creating pressure on the bladder.

Backache

This is a painful experience that every third woman suffers from. The amount of pain varies from person to person. While some may have mild pain, others may have terrible aches. During the pregnancy, the ligaments loosen, and the posture changes due to the baby growing inside the womb. There are certain things that you should do during pregnancy to reduce back pain. They are – avoid carrying or lifting heavy objects, do not do heavy exercises, wear flat shoes, take rest and sit on comfortable chairs. Water exercises are a unique way to reduce pain. You can also take the help of physiotherapy or acupressure.

Shortness of Breath

When someone is pregnant the body releases several hormones. One of these hormones makes the lung work more efficiently so that the oxygen can reach the baby. And so when the mother breaths the amount of air inhaled and exhaled increases as a result of which the mother feels short of breath. Also, the body feels heavy with the enlarging uterus so it becomes difficult to breathe at times.

Acidity, Gastric, and Indigestion

Leg Cramps

This happens due to the increase in weight and excess of acid in the body. Leg cramps are often during midnights and can make you feel uneasy. To get some relief one can take a slow walk, apply some warmth to the affected area, and can keep the legs straight to avoid the accumulation of more acids.

Mood Swings

Women are familiar with mood swings as a sign of pregnancy but these days it is seen that irritation is becoming a major part of these mood swings. 10% of women are suffering from depression during pregnancy. It is known to all that to keep a baby healthy the mother needs to stay happy so if a woman is feeling low or depressed then she should immediately seek help.

Vaginal discharge or Vaginitis

There can be itching around the vagina, discharge of fluids, odour, or pain while urinating during the pregnancy. It can be a sign of UTI or vaginitis that is caused by different bacterias so it is important to consult a doctor if someone is having any of these issues.

Swelling of legs and veins

Due to several factors like increased weight, rapid blood circulation, and hormonal changes, the veins become more prominent and the legs get swollen along with pain. It gets worse during the later trimesters and it thus becomes difficult to walk for a longer distance. There are many support and pain relief options available.

Constipation

The growth of the uterus creates pressure on the stomach as a result of which digestion becomes difficult. Thus constipation is common along with indigestion and acidity. It is recommended to take plenty of water and meal with fibre to keep the bowel normal. Doing some light exercise can be helpful but the doctor should be discussed whilst taking any medication.

Numbness in Hands

Over 60% of women have this sign of numbness of hands during the onset of pregnancy. The variation is observed from person to person. While some women face mere numbness, others may feel pain and numbness for a prolonged time. There are cases of partial paralysis observed. This symptom of numbness is known as carpal tunnel syndrome. The symptoms gradually dissolve after the birth of the baby. But if you are having any major problem then the help of the doctor is required.

Now all these are common symptoms among women but there can be other symptoms too. To conclude your pregnancy you should take up a test so that if the case is positive you can consult your doctor. In case of unwanted pregnancy before you take up any medication consult your doctor and find out the best way of abortion.

The experience of pregnancy can make a woman ready for a lot of situations that may happen but during the first pregnancy there is more anxiety and so it is important to know as much as possible. But before doing anything that may risk life, you should consult your doctor. Stated below is a list of situations where you can face extreme symptoms of pregnancy when you will need to consult your doctor.

Vaginal bleeding, sudden swelling of face, hands, or feet, blurred vision, severe pain or stomach ache, hot flashes, unusual vomiting, headache, or itchiness. During the later trimesters if the movement of the baby becomes less or if the water breaks then you should immediately go to your doctor. The stages of pregnancy are crucial and so intense care is required to keep the baby and the mother safe. A healthy and positive lifestyle is required for the baby. The impact of mental or physical shock can lead to life-threatening situations. But with proper care and medical consultation one can have a healthy baby. It is also recommended to take up all the prenatal tests that are needed to keep the track of pregnancy.

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This article has been written by Gitumani Talukdar and the opinions expressed herein are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of 9HappyMonths. You can contact the author at gitumani2017@gmail.com