Early signs of pregnancy

The waiting period between periods each month can wreak havoc on a woman’s emotional well-being. This is the time when it is too early to take a pregnancy test and a visit to the doctor will not even guarantee accurate results.

So, what is a woman to do?

The following  early signs of pregnancy offer women a little extra insight on the subject matter.

Tender or Swollen Breasts – With hormonal changes taking place due to pregnancy, women may notice their breasts feeling sensitive and swollen as early as 1 ½ – 2 weeks after conception.

Frequent Urination – It is possible that as early as one week into pregnancy women may experience an unusual amount of trips to the bathroom. This is because of the rapidly enlarging uterus. With the uterus being in close proximity to the bladder, it presses on the bladder causing more frequent urination. An unusual odor may be present with darkened color.

Fatigue – With progesterone soaring, energy may be zapped. That, along with lower blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure and increased blood production may send a woman into slumber more easily.

Bleeding/Implantation – Implantation bleeding may occur when the fertilized egg attaches and implants itself to the lining of the uterus approximately 7-14 days after fertilization. If a woman does experience implantation bleeding, it will be pinkish or light brownish in color as well as short term.

Cramps/Back Pain – This is the number one confusing tell-tale sign of pregnancy. For many women, this feels exactly like the onset of period cramping. Actually, women are experiencing mild cramping and lower back pain as the body begins to prep right away for pregnancy and birth.

Nausea/Vomiting – They may call it morning sickness, but this classic sign of pregnancy can strike as early as two weeks after conception 24/7. With the rapid increase of estrogen, the stomach empties slower, thus allowing nausea to set in more easily. Early in pregnancy, a woman’s now acute sense of smell can play a number on her as scents and odors that normally are not bothersome can bring on waves of nausea.

Cravings and Aversions – With hormones gone amuck, women are likely to find themselves loving new foods and despising old favorites.

Headaches – A mild headache may not be a true tell-tale sign of pregnancy, but due to increased blood circulation caused by hormonal changes, experiencing an additional headache or two is normal.

Constipation – With an increase of progesterone in a woman’s system, it is likely she will experience a bit of unusual constipation as her food is passing more slowly through her intestines.

Complexion – Hormones may wreak havoc on a normally blemish-free face. This generally settles down by the second trimester.

Mood Swings/Irritability – Another sign of pregnancy may include mood swings. With the deluge of new hormones in the body, a woman may become unusually temperamental.

Nasal Stuffiness/Congestion – With an increased amount of blood flow during pregnancy, the mucous membranes may become affected and cause mild stuffiness and drainage.

Dizziness/Lightheaded – Feeling a bit dizzy or light-headed? That is because blood vessels are dilating and blood-pressure may possibly be dropping.

Raised Basal Body Temp – The basal body temperature (BBT) is obtained immediately after waking and before any physical activity whatsoever. A woman who is ovulating will generally see a rise of one-half to one degree Fahrenheit from her regular temp. For those charting their BBT for ovulation purposes; don’t stop. A one-half to one degree rise for more than a week may be a sign of pregnancy.