First Signs of Pregnancy

By MC Kelby HERWriter

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The first signs of pregnancy will differ from woman to woman. While some women may have no symptoms of pregnancy, others will have a plethora of symptoms.

Some women may have early signs of pregnancy one week after conceiving and otherS may have symptoms a few weeks into their pregnancy. The bottom line is every pregnancy is different.

According to the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), ʺThe primary sign of pregnancy is missing one or more consecutive menstrual periods. However, because many women experience menstrual irregularities that may cause missed periods, women who miss a period should see their health care provider to find out whether they are pregnant or whether there is another health problem.ʺ

The American Pregnancy Association website revealed THAT additional first signs of pregnancy may include the following:

• Implantation Bleeding
• Swollen/Tender Breasts
• Fatigue/Tiredness
• Nausea/Morning Sickness
• Darkening of Areolas
• Headaches
• Food Cravings or Food Aversions
• Frequent Urination
• Mood swings
• Sore breasts or nipples

Early in your pregnancy and due to an increase in hormones you may experience headaches. If you think you may be pregnant, it is best to take acetaminophen like Tylenol, not aspirin. While I was in the womb, my mother suffered from severe headaches during her pregnancy. As a result she took mass quantities of aspirin and when my front baby teeth grew in, they grew in green which she was told was a result of her over-consumption of aspirin.

Your breasts may feel tender or swollen. They may feel heavy and engorged. Your nipple color may also change.

The other famous sign of pregnancy is the food cravings. The cravings will range from sweet to salty. One friend of mine craved fresh-squeezed orange juice with a beef burrito followed by a watermelon slice. Bizarre food combinations are not out of the ordinary.

Don’t be surprised if certain foods make you nauseous. One co-worker could not stand the smell of coffee which made the mornings in the office grueling. For many women morning sickness may occur any time of day. You may feel ill only the first trimester while some women may suffer from nausea the entire pregnancy.

Generally around the six to eight week mark of your pregnancy, you may experience additional trips to the potty.

According to Dr. Cullins of Planned Parenthood, ʺFor a woman to be sure she is pregnant, she must take a pregnancy test — at home or at her health center or health care provider’s office. If she uses a home pregnancy test, she must be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions very carefully. Home pregnancy test kits are available in most drugstores and many supermarkets.ʺ

References:

Knowing if you are pregnant | womenshealth.gov . womenshealth.gov . Retrieved March 19, 2012, from
http://womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/before-you-get-pregnant/knowing-if-pregnant.cfm

Pregnancy. NICHD - The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Official Home Page. Retrieved March 19, 2012, from http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy.cfm

Pregnancy Symptoms. Sexual & Reproductive Health - Sex Education - Planned Parenthood. Retrieved March 19, 2012, from
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/ask-dr-cullins/dr-cullins-pregnancy-18334.htm?

Pregnancy Symptoms ”Early Signs of Pregnancy: American Pregnancy Association. Promoting Pregnancy Wellness: American Pregnancy Association. Retrieved March 19, 2012, from
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/earlypregnancysymptoms.html

Wiener, L. 13 Signs You May Be Pregnant. Parents - Pregnancy, Babies, Baby Names, Pregnancy Calendar, Ovulation, Birth & More. Retrieved March 19, 2012, from
http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/signs/symptoms/signs-you-may-be-pregnant

10 drugs in OTC medicines pregnant women should avoid. ConsumerReports.org.
Retrieved March 19, 2012, from
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/prescription-drugs/10-over-the-counter-drugs-to-avoid-during-pregnancy/10-drugs-to-avoid/10-over-the-counter-drugs-to-avoid-during-pregnancy-otc-medicines-pregnant-women-should-avoid.htm

Reviewed March 19, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.