|
EARLY SIGNS Of PREGNANCY
|
|
|
|
The obvious and best way to decide if you're pregnant is to take a home test, which are very easy to do and accurate most times. But if you are starting to wonder if you may be pregnant, then some of the signs below may help you decide to do a test.
Its good to remember though, that everyone is different and there are lots of ways of 'normal' Below are a few common signs of pregnancy, some women will get all of them, some women get a few and other women may get none! So if you aren't getting them it's NOT that anything is wrong, that's just how your body does things.
Missed Period
if you're periods are usually fairly regular, and your period doesn't come when it's due, that's when you may think about doing a home pregnancy test .If you're periods are not regular or you don't keep a note of your cycle, then the other common signs of pregnancy might be may give you a clue.
Nausea
Some women find that morning sickness can start as early as a few weeks into your pregnancy. Why it's called Morning sickness nobody knows! as most women find they suffer at various times through the day and night.
Most women begin to feel better as they get into their second trimester, although a few women continue right through their pregnancy. A lucky few don't get it at all............. lucky things!
Tender and swollen breasts
One of the early signs of pregnancy can be sensitive or sore breasts. This is caused by rising levels of hormones. The soreness can be like before your period, only worse. The discomfort should improve after the first trimester, as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes.
Bloated Tummy.
Hormonal changes can make you feel bloated,, like some women have just before their period. That's why your clothes may feel a little tighter than usual., This is not you womb and baby, as they are quite small at this stage.
Passing Urine Frequently
Shortly after you become pregnant, hormonal changes increase the rate that blood flows through your kidneys. This causes your bladder to fill more quickly, so you need to wee more often. This can start as early as 6 weeks into your pregnancy, and will continue through and is made worse by your growing baby pressing on your bladder.
Fatigue or extreme tiredness
Its not entirely clear why you may feel this way, but it is thought possibly to be the hormone Progesterone causing it. Morning sickness and having to get up frequently in the night to wee, may also contribute to your tiredness. It usually improves once you get into your second trimester, but generally returns towards the end as you get heavier and have more difficulty moving around and sleeping.
Dislike of certain foods or smells
if you're newly pregnant, it's not uncommon to feel repelled by the smell of certain things.. Though no one knows for sure, it is possibly thought to be a side effect increasing amounts of Oestrogen in your body.. You may also find that foods you used to love are suddenly a repulsive thought.
Mood swings.
It's common to have mood swings during pregnancy, partly due to hormonal changes that affect the chemical messengers in your brain, called neurotransmitters.. It can cause you to feel anxious or depressed. Remember that although this is a common feeling, if you are feeling very depressed, sad or hopeless or have thought of harming yourself, then call or talk to your Midwife or Doctor and tell them how you are feeling.
Basal body temperature
If you have been tracking your basal body temperature and you see that there has been a consistent rise for 18 days in a row then this may indicate you are pregnant..
If you have any or some of the above possible signs, the you can confirm your pregnancy by using
a home pregnancy test
Home pregnancy tests are very sensitive and can fairly reliably detect pregnancy a week after you missed your period. Some pregnancy tests claim to be reliable even after a few days of a missed period, but if you get a negative result this early, then its worth rechecking a few days later.
Once you have had a positive test then contact your GP or Midwife to find out what your next steps should be.
Its good to remember though, that everyone is different and there are lots of ways of 'normal' Below are a few common signs of pregnancy, some women will get all of them, some women get a few and other women may get none! So if you aren't getting them it's NOT that anything is wrong, that's just how your body does things.
Missed Period
if you're periods are usually fairly regular, and your period doesn't come when it's due, that's when you may think about doing a home pregnancy test .If you're periods are not regular or you don't keep a note of your cycle, then the other common signs of pregnancy might be may give you a clue.
Nausea
Some women find that morning sickness can start as early as a few weeks into your pregnancy. Why it's called Morning sickness nobody knows! as most women find they suffer at various times through the day and night.
Most women begin to feel better as they get into their second trimester, although a few women continue right through their pregnancy. A lucky few don't get it at all............. lucky things!
Tender and swollen breasts
One of the early signs of pregnancy can be sensitive or sore breasts. This is caused by rising levels of hormones. The soreness can be like before your period, only worse. The discomfort should improve after the first trimester, as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes.
Bloated Tummy.
Hormonal changes can make you feel bloated,, like some women have just before their period. That's why your clothes may feel a little tighter than usual., This is not you womb and baby, as they are quite small at this stage.
Passing Urine Frequently
Shortly after you become pregnant, hormonal changes increase the rate that blood flows through your kidneys. This causes your bladder to fill more quickly, so you need to wee more often. This can start as early as 6 weeks into your pregnancy, and will continue through and is made worse by your growing baby pressing on your bladder.
Fatigue or extreme tiredness
Its not entirely clear why you may feel this way, but it is thought possibly to be the hormone Progesterone causing it. Morning sickness and having to get up frequently in the night to wee, may also contribute to your tiredness. It usually improves once you get into your second trimester, but generally returns towards the end as you get heavier and have more difficulty moving around and sleeping.
Dislike of certain foods or smells
if you're newly pregnant, it's not uncommon to feel repelled by the smell of certain things.. Though no one knows for sure, it is possibly thought to be a side effect increasing amounts of Oestrogen in your body.. You may also find that foods you used to love are suddenly a repulsive thought.
Mood swings.
It's common to have mood swings during pregnancy, partly due to hormonal changes that affect the chemical messengers in your brain, called neurotransmitters.. It can cause you to feel anxious or depressed. Remember that although this is a common feeling, if you are feeling very depressed, sad or hopeless or have thought of harming yourself, then call or talk to your Midwife or Doctor and tell them how you are feeling.
Basal body temperature
If you have been tracking your basal body temperature and you see that there has been a consistent rise for 18 days in a row then this may indicate you are pregnant..
If you have any or some of the above possible signs, the you can confirm your pregnancy by using
a home pregnancy test
Home pregnancy tests are very sensitive and can fairly reliably detect pregnancy a week after you missed your period. Some pregnancy tests claim to be reliable even after a few days of a missed period, but if you get a negative result this early, then its worth rechecking a few days later.
Once you have had a positive test then contact your GP or Midwife to find out what your next steps should be.
|
|
|
