| The early signs of pregnancy usually begin for most | | | | entire pregnancy due to hormone levels and increased |
| women during the first few weeks following | | | | pressure on the bladder. |
| conception, and some even before their first missed | | | | - Bleeding and/or Cramping: Some pregnant women |
| menstrual cycle. The symptoms will vary in intensity | | | | will experience a small amount of vaginal bleeding |
| and type, although a missed menstrual period is usually | | | | which is referred to as implantation bleeding, or some |
| the first sign of pregnancy noticed by most women. | | | | abdominal cramping similar to those felt during |
| Here are the other most common signs and | | | | menstruation. Implantation bleeding occurs 10 to 14 |
| symptoms of early pregnancy: | | | | days following fertilization as the newly fertilized egg |
| - Tender Breasts: Besides a missed period, swollen or | | | | attaches itself to the thickened lining of the uterus. |
| tender breasts may be experienced within the first | | | | - Mood Swings: The first three months of pregnancy |
| few weeks of pregnancy. Some women also report a | | | | are often characterized by frequent mood swings or |
| feeling of fullness or heaviness, as well as a tingling | | | | periods of irritability due to the influx of hormones. |
| sensation in the breasts in the first month or so | | | | - Feeling Faint, or Dizzy: Low blood sugar levels, a drop |
| following conception. | | | | in blood pressure, and the dilation of blood vessels may |
| - Nausea: Nausea, often accompanied by vomiting, and | | | | cause feelings of dizziness or faintness. |
| queasiness are one of the early signs of pregnancy | | | | - Changes in Eating Habits: Food cravings are a rather |
| known as "morning sickness," although these | | | | common sign of early pregnancy, with many women |
| symptoms can appear any time of the day or night | | | | finding themselves liking certain foods they never did |
| contrary to the popular name. As early as two weeks | | | | before, or even having an aversion to those that were |
| after conception, some women may begin feeling | | | | once favorites. Cravings, like most symptoms of |
| queasy or notice an aversion to certain foods or | | | | pregnancy, are due to the increase and fluctuation of |
| aromas. Rising estrogen levels, which actually cause | | | | hormone levels. |
| the stomach to empty slower, may be to blame for | | | | - Increased Basal Body Temperature: Basal body |
| feeling nauseous during the early weeks and months | | | | temperature, the temperature of the body upon first |
| of pregnancy. | | | | awakening in the morning, increases slightly after a |
| - Unusual Fatigue: In addition to increased estrogen, | | | | woman ovulates, and stays at that increased level until |
| levels of another hormone, progesterone, also rapidly | | | | their next menstrual cycle. If the increase lasts longer |
| increase, causing an unusual feeling of tiredness. This | | | | than 14 days, this may be an accurate indication of |
| coupled with a decline in blood sugar and blood | | | | pregnancy. |
| pressure all work together to deplete one's energy. | | | | It's important to remember that many early signs of |
| Changes in hormone levels may also contribute to | | | | pregnancy are slight, subtle changes that you may not |
| frequent headaches early in pregnancy. | | | | recognize right away. Alternately, most symptoms are |
| - Constipation: Increased progesterone may also | | | | not totally unique to pregnancy and may actually be |
| cause constipation as digested foods tend to pass | | | | due to a number of other conditions or illnesses. The |
| through the intestines slower than normal. | | | | best way to find out what may be causing your |
| - Frequent Urination: Frequent urination is a symptom of | | | | symptoms is to take a home pregnancy test, and then |
| pregnancy that usually will continue on throughout the | | | | make an appointment with your health care provider. |