Top 14 Symptoms of Pregnancy
The pregnancy process is a challenging, but deeply rewarding journey. From conception to childbirth, pregnancy usually takes around 38 weeks (near about nine months). It is divided out over three trimesters, each trimester being three months long. Early symptoms of pregnancy start occurring in the first trimester, with the abdomen visibly bulges out in the third trimester. However, it is imperative to understand that not all symptoms, identical to early pregnancy, would mean that one is pregnant.
Symptoms of Pregnancy
Listed here some of the most common and significant early symptoms and signs of pregnancy
- Missed period.
- Nausea or Morning Sickness (Suffered by 50% of all pregnant women).
- Change in breasts (swollen or tender).Implantation Bleeding (from 6-12 days after fertilization, the fetus implants itself into the uterine wall).
- Fatigue (first 12 weeks).
Facts and Figures
According to a recent study conducted in 2015, India recorded the highest number of still births in the world- 592086 still births. Unfortunately, out of these, half of the stillbirths happen at the time of labour, due to inefficient monitoring systems.
Other Symptoms of Pregnancy include
- Heavy Headache
- Lower Backaches.
- Increased Urination.
- Darkening of Areolas.
- Food cravings or Food aversions (food you previously liked but not anymore).
- Increased vaginal discharge without soreness/irritation.
- Constipation.
- Strange taste in mouth, described as metallic.
- Sensitive smell.
- Lost interest in tobacco.
Some early symptoms of pregnancy might come up when you have missed a period or a week after. While in several cases, women show early signs of pregnancy after six weeks or being pregnant.
Unfortunately, every signs and symptoms aren’t unique to pregnancy. Some might indicate that you are getting sick. Therefore, it is important to understand the various early signs of pregnancy listed above as it may also have some other alternative explanations.
For Instance-
- Frequent urination might be due to a urinary tract infection or even diabetes. Increased consumption of liquids can also explain temporary increases in urination
- A missed period can be explained by tiredness, excessive weight loss (or gain), increased stress, imbalance in hormones, other illnesses, breastfeeding, etc.
- Morning sickness can occur from stress, stomach illness, food poisoning, etc.
Additionally, testing must be done to determine if you have gestational diabetes if any of these symptoms occur alongside your pregnancy:
- Glucose levels are consistent
- Feeling tired
- Being constantly thirsty
- Losing weight
Early diagnosis
Pregnancy tests are designed to tell if the urine and the blood contains a hormone called human chronic gonadotropin (HCG) that is produced just after a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. Following are the details of the tests done to detect pregnancy:
- The early symptoms of pregnancy can be confirmed with several tests and trials, most frequently a urine test that can be done at home using an over-the-counter pregnancy test kit, which consists of a stick with an area that takes a urine sample.
- In maximum cases, a negative pregnancy test is less reliable, while a positive pregnancy test is usually correct.
- A reliable way to confirm pregnancy is via a blood test, even at the early stages of pregnancy. This test is known as human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) – done to detect pregnancy.
- An internal examination is a viable option after two weeks from a missed period. Changes in your cervix and uterus are checked to see if the color and softness of the cervix has changed and whether the uterus is getting bigger. Generally, such an examination is followed by blood or urine test to confirm pregnancy.
To conclude, pregnancy is a wonderful experience especially knowing the fact that the body is developing the early symptoms of pregnancy and is on its way of procreation.
