Most women are aware that a missed period can be a telltale sign of pregnancy. However, many changes take place in a woman's body during pregnancy, some of which can help identify a pregnancy even before a missed period. Recognizing other signs of pregnancy can be particularly important for women whose periods are irregular and difficult to predict. Bear in mind that every woman's body is unique, and signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman and among pregnancies for the same woman. Here we examine some common signs of pregnancy that may be evident in the early stages:
-Implantation Bleeding: Some women experience implantation bleeding, which is bleeding that occurs after fertilization when the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus. Implantation bleeding is usually lighter in color and flow than a regular period and shorter in duration.
-Fatigue: Pregnancy places a lot of new demands on a woman's body, and a feeling of tiredness or fatigue is common. Fatigue is often most noticeable during the first trimester.
-Heightened Sensitivity to Scent: Many pregnant women experience a heightened sensitivity to scents, even to the extent that certain odors can induce vomiting. Even scents that the woman would normally enjoy may become unpleasant or unbearable. A heightened sense of smell can occur very early in pregnancy.
-Nausea/Vomiting: Morning sickness occurs during pregnancy for many women, but is not limited to the wee hours. Some pregnant women experience nausea and possibly vomiting throughout pregnancy, while some have none at all.
-Food Cravings: Cravings for specific foods strike many women during pregnancy. Developing new aversions to certain foods is also common. While you may crave something other than the clichéd pickles and ice cream, craving unusual combinations of foods is not uncommon during pregnancy.
-Mood Swings: Hormones levels in the body change dramatically during pregnancy, which can result in mood swings. Mood swings are a normal part of pregnancy. Like many other signs addressed here, mood swings can be caused by a variety of factors and do not necessarily signify pregnancy.
-Intuition: Perhaps more powerful than a checklist of symptoms is good old fashioned women's intuition. Some women report that they just "know" they are pregnant, even when other signs of pregnancy are not blatantly obvious. Perhaps they are experiencing pregnancy symptoms but have not consciously connected them with a possible pregnancy, or maybe nature has equipped women with such strong intuition that their bodies simply "tell" them they are pregnant. Either way, women with this instinct are often right, so do not hesitate to take a pregnancy test based on a strong hunch.
Remember, not all women experience all of these symptoms during pregnancy, and the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. It is advised to visit a doctor specializing in obstetrical care as early as possible if you suspect you are pregnant.
-Implantation Bleeding: Some women experience implantation bleeding, which is bleeding that occurs after fertilization when the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus. Implantation bleeding is usually lighter in color and flow than a regular period and shorter in duration.
-Fatigue: Pregnancy places a lot of new demands on a woman's body, and a feeling of tiredness or fatigue is common. Fatigue is often most noticeable during the first trimester.
-Heightened Sensitivity to Scent: Many pregnant women experience a heightened sensitivity to scents, even to the extent that certain odors can induce vomiting. Even scents that the woman would normally enjoy may become unpleasant or unbearable. A heightened sense of smell can occur very early in pregnancy.
-Nausea/Vomiting: Morning sickness occurs during pregnancy for many women, but is not limited to the wee hours. Some pregnant women experience nausea and possibly vomiting throughout pregnancy, while some have none at all.
-Food Cravings: Cravings for specific foods strike many women during pregnancy. Developing new aversions to certain foods is also common. While you may crave something other than the clichéd pickles and ice cream, craving unusual combinations of foods is not uncommon during pregnancy.
-Mood Swings: Hormones levels in the body change dramatically during pregnancy, which can result in mood swings. Mood swings are a normal part of pregnancy. Like many other signs addressed here, mood swings can be caused by a variety of factors and do not necessarily signify pregnancy.
-Intuition: Perhaps more powerful than a checklist of symptoms is good old fashioned women's intuition. Some women report that they just "know" they are pregnant, even when other signs of pregnancy are not blatantly obvious. Perhaps they are experiencing pregnancy symptoms but have not consciously connected them with a possible pregnancy, or maybe nature has equipped women with such strong intuition that their bodies simply "tell" them they are pregnant. Either way, women with this instinct are often right, so do not hesitate to take a pregnancy test based on a strong hunch.
Remember, not all women experience all of these symptoms during pregnancy, and the presence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. It is advised to visit a doctor specializing in obstetrical care as early as possible if you suspect you are pregnant.
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