The experience of pregnancy can be
very different from woman to woman, as can the early symptoms. Despite
differences there are usually some common signs and symptoms that can be a good
guide to determine early pregnancy.
Usually understanding the symptoms
and signs to detect early pregnancy can allow a woman to get a head start on
the planning process for during and after pregnancy. Early detection of
anything is always helpful.
Here are some of the early signs
that you may be pregnant:
Bleeding and/or cramping can be a
very early sign that the embryo has implanted itself to the uterine wall. This
process sometimes causes the bleeding which is normal.
Delay or change in menstruation is
the most common sign of pregnancy. When a woman becomes pregnant eventually she
will stop menstruation so a change or stop in the menstrual cycle is a good
sign that you may be pregnant.
Swollen or tender breast unrelated
to your menstrual cycle. Typically women experience this during their period.
If your period is not the culprit it may be an early sign if the swelling or
tenderness persists.
Tiredness or fatigue can start as
early as week one of pregnancy. A baby can take a significant amount of energy
which explains why newly pregnant women feel tired or drowsy in the beginning.
It will take the body a little while to adjust to living for two.
Nausea usually occurs anywhere from
2 weeks to 2 months after conception. Not everyone gets morning sickness; some
are fortunate but for others feeling ill can be a sure sign of pregnancy.
Aches and pains specifically in the
head and the back are common for pregnant women. These are often due to a
change in hormones which begin to show signs of adjustment early in the
process.
Cravings for certain types of foods
or tastes are often related to pregnancy. Everyone has heard the jokes about
pregnant women eating pickles and bananas or ice cream in the middle of the
night. The truth is that food cravings do occur early on in a pregnancy and can
last for the duration of it. Making sure you are keeping active and eating
healthy is the best way to fight constant cravings for sweets and snacks.
These are just a few of the most
common signs of early pregnancy, of course if you are experiencing only one or two of these symptoms it may be a sign of something else. Always check with your doctor to be sure.
