Symptoms of pregnancy vary from woman to woman and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. One of the most significant, however, is a late or missed period.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of pregnancy is important because each one could be related to something entirely different. Some women experience pregnancy signs or symptoms within a week. In other women, symptoms might develop over the course of a few weeks—or might not be present at all.
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The following is a list of some of the most common signs and symptoms of pregnancy, as well as alternate causes for them. However, if you have recently been sexually active and experience any of them, you should take a pregnancy test.
Implantation Bleeding: Implantation bleeding can be among the earliest signs of pregnancy. It is caused by the embryo implanting itself into the uterine wall. This occurs about 6 to 12 days after conception. Some women experience spotting as well as some cramping along with it.
Other Explanations: The beginning of menstrual flow, altered menstruation, changes in your birth control pill, infection or abrasion resulting from sexual intercourse.
Difference or Delay in Menstruation: A late or missed period is the most common sign of pregnancy that prompts women to take a pregnancy test. When you conceive, you should miss your next period. Many women can menstruate while pregnant, but the flow will typically be shorter or lighter than that experienced when not pregnant.
Other Explanations: Excessive weight gain or loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, going off birth control pills and breast feeding.
Tender and/or Swollen Breasts: Swollen or tender breasts is a sign of pregnancy that may be noticed as quickly as 1 to 2 weeks after conception. Changes in the breasts such as swelling, tenderness to the touch or soreness may be noticed.
Other Explanations: Breast swelling and tenderness can also be caused by hormonal imbalances, taking birth control pills and/or approaching menstruation (PMS).
Tiredness/Fatigue: Feeling fatigued or unusually tired is another early sign of pregnancy that can manifest as early as the first week.
Other Explanations: Fatigue or unusual tiredness can also be caused by stress, exhaustion, depression, flu, the common cold or other illnesses.
Nausea or Morning Sickness: This commonly-known symptom of pregnancy often manifests between 2 and 8 weeks after pregnancy. Some women are fortunate enough to escape this symptom, while others deal with nausea throughout most of their pregnancies.
Other Explanations: Nausea can also be caused by food poisoning, stress or other stomach issues.
Backaches: Lower back pain can be an early pregnancy symptom. However, experiencing a dull backache throughout pregnancy is common.
Other Explanations: Approaching menstruation (PMS), stress, physical or mental strain, or other back problems.
Headaches: The sudden rise in hormones caused by pregnancy can cause headaches early on.
Other Explanations: Other causes of frequent or chronic headaches include dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, approaching menstruation, eye strain and other ailments.
Frequent Urination: This symptom may manifest around 6 to 8 weeks into pregnancy.
Other Explanations: Diabetes, urinary tract infection (UTI), increased liquid intake or taking excessive diuretics.
Darkening of the Areolas: Darkening of the skin around the nipples also occurs if you are pregnant.
Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalances not related to pregnancy, or resulting from a previous pregnancy, may also cause this.
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Try to use Advanced Woman Calendar - an easy-to-use ovulation calendar and ovulation calendar tool.
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