Pregnancy Lounge

Tag: symptoms

  • Dizziness and Fainting

    When your blood sugar level becomes low, because you’ve gone too long without eating or when your blood suddenly shifts, causing your blood pressure to drop rapidly, you may experience some light headedness or dizziness and feel like fainting. Another common cause in the last half of pregnancy can be the extra pressure of your uterus on blood vessels and arteries. Make sure you don’t go for long periods of time without eating. Take snacks (especially those high in protein and iron) with you when you go places. Always remember to change positions and stand up slowly after sitting or lying down to avoid feeling dizzy and don’t stand for extended periods of time.

    More Pregnancy Discomforts

    —Backaches
    —Breast Discomfort
    —Braxton Hicks Contractions
    —    Constipation
    —Dizziness and Fainting
    —Fatigue
    —Hand Numbness
    —Headaches
    —Heartburn and Indigestion
    —Hemorrhoids
    —Increased Discharge
    —Itchy Abdomen
    —Leg Cramps
    —Nausea and Morning Sickness
    —Overheating
    —Pelvic Pressure
    —Sleep Trouble
    —Swelling
    —Urinary Problems
    —Varicose Veins

  • Early Pregnancy Symptoms

    Did you know that some women experience pregnancy symptoms as early as one week after conception? This is true however uncommon. Below you will find a list of the earliest pregnancy symptoms:

    First Trimester Symptoms

    • Implantation bleeding or spotting (usually before your period is due)
    • A missed period, a shorter, lighter period
    • Breast tenderness or swelling
    • Tingling, sore nipples, darkening of areola (skin around nipples)
    • Skin changes, breakouts
    • Nausea, vomiting
    • Constipation, flatulence (gas)
    • Frequent urination
    • Fatigue, sleepiness
    • Food cravings, food aversions, appetite loss
    • Moodiness, irritability
    • Backaches
    • Headaches
    • Increased sense of smell
    • Mild lower abdominal cramps, bloating
    • Continuous elevated basal body temperature
    • Dizziness, fainting
    • Sensitive, bleeding, or swollen gums, excessive salivation
    • Heartburn, indigestion
    • Cervical, vaginal changes (tissue color), sensitivity of the cervix

    Read more on Second Trimester Symptoms

  • Pregnancy Symptoms Calendar and Timeline

    Pregnancy Symptoms Calendar and Timeline

    The top pregnancy symptoms are: a missed menstrual period, tender breasts, morning sickness and nausea, fatigue, frequent urination, headaches, spotting, light headedness or faint, swelling and heartburn. Below is a pregnancy calendar the timeline that you are most likely to have them:

    Missed Period

    Months 2 through 9

    Tender Breasts

    Months 2 through 9

    Morning Sickness

    Months 2 through 5

    Fatigue and Exhaustion

    Months 2, 3, 4 and 9

    Headaches

    Months 2 through 5

    Spotting

    Months 1 through 3

    Light Headedness or Faint

    Months 2 through 5

    Swelling

    Months 8 and 9

    Heartburn

    Months 2, 3, 4 and 9

    Varicose Veins

    Months 7, 8 and 9

    Hemmorhoids

    Months 8 and 9

  • Early Pregnancy Symptoms

    Pregnancy symptoms vary greatly in intensity and duration from one woman to another. They also vary from pregnancy to pregnancy. For most women, a missed period is the first clue of pregnancy, followed by nausea and/or vomiting (morning sickness) and breast tenderness. But if you don’t have regular periods, you’ll have to watch for other symptoms.

    Some women start to notice symptoms within days after conception, while other women’s symptoms may develop over a few weeks. A lucky few may never feel any symptoms or have any discomfort at all. Most pregnancy symptoms occur due to rapid hormonal changes in your body following implantation of the egg in the lining of your uterus.

    Knowing and understanding pregnancy symptoms is important because each symptom may be related to something other than pregnancy, including pre-menstrual symptoms and illness. Early pregnancy symptoms can be confusing and often misleading, either making you believe you are pregnant when you are not, or not pregnant when you are in fact pregnant.

    If you have one (or more) pregnancy symptom and suspect you may be pregnant, the next step is to take a home pregnancy test or better yet, have a blood test done at your doctor’s office. Most home pregnancy tests can be taken about 10-14 days after conception or the day following when you expected your period. Blood tests can usually detect if you are pregnant even sooner.

    Earliest Pregnancy Symptoms (first trimester):

    • Implantation bleeding or spotting (usually before your period is due)
    • A missed period, a shorter, lighter period
    • Breast tenderness or swelling
    • Tingling, sore nipples, darkening of areola (skin around nipples)
    • Skin changes, breakouts
    • Nausea, vomiting
    • Constipation, flatulence (gas)
    • Frequent urination
    • Fatigue, sleepiness
    • Food cravings, food aversions, appetite loss
    • Moodiness, irritability
    • Backaches
    • Headaches
    • Increased sense of smell
    • Mild lower abdominal cramps, bloating
    • Continuous elevated basal body temperature
    • Dizziness, fainting
    • Sensitive, bleeding, or swollen gums, excessive salivation
    • Heartburn, indigestion
    • Cervical, vaginal changes (tissue color), sensitivity of the cervix

    Later Pregnancy Symptoms:

    • Weight gain
    • Mild edema (swelling of ankles, hands, feet, and face)
    • White vaginal discharge (leukorrhea)
    • Increased appetite
    • Quickening (earliest fetal movement)
    • Nasal congestion and ear stuffiness, occasional nose bleeds
    • Expanding waistline
    • Abdominal achiness
    • Visible veins, varicose veins
    • Trouble sleeping
    • Breast enlargement
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Leg cramps
    • Dark line down abdomen (linea nigra)
    • Itchy, dry abdomen
  • Pregnancy Headaches

    Pregnancy Headaches

    Headaches while pregnant are common and begin at about the 6th week. A quick nap can help prevent headaches while pregnant. Preeclampsia or toxemia can begin with headache and can be dangerous to a pregnant woman. If you are pregnant and get headaches that don’t go away when resting, check with your doctor and make sure you share that information with him at your next visit.

    Spotting

    Spotting is common in early pregnancy. Some women report what seems to be a short light period before the onset of other symptoms. This may be implantation bleeding and not a menstrual period at all (when the egg implants itself into the lining of the uterus). If you are pregnant and you experience spotting check in with your doctor as spotting is also an indicator of miscarriage.

    Light Headedness

    Some pregnant women experience actual fainting and light headedness during early pregnancy.

    Constipation

    Hormonal changes can affect the digestive system and cause constipation. Drinking plenty of water and exercising can help. A pregnant woman should ask her doctor for recommended exercises while pregnant.

    Heartburn

    Heartburn in pregnancy can be symptom in months 1-9. In months 1-4, heartburn is caused by hormonal changes. In months 5-9, the baby can cause pressure on a pregnant woman’s organs. Eating frequent smaller meals and remaining in an upright position at least an hour after eating can help.

    more Pregnancy Symptoms

  • Early Pregnancy Symptoms

    Pregnancy Symptoms can be confusing at times since tender breasts can indicate early pregnancy. It can also be a sign of an expected menstrual period. A missed period is usually an early sign of pregnancy, but can also be skipped after a stressful time in one’s life. Putting symptoms together and taking a home pregnancy test can help to put this confusion to rest.

    Missed Menstrual Period

    One of the first pregnancy symptoms is usually a missed or late menstrual period and is the first indicator that a woman is pregnant, although some women claim to know they are pregnant before they miss a period.

    Tender Breasts

    Tender swollen breasts are another one of the early symptoms. While tender breasts are a symptom of an impending menstrual period, enlarged breasts are not. Sore and swollen breasts with a tingling sensation can be an early indicator that a woman is pregnant.

    Nausea and Morning Sickness

    Nausea associated with morning sickness can be a tell tell sign that a woman is pregnant. Many women suggest that they’ve had nausea up to two weeks before an expected menstrual period and before any other symptom. Eating crackers before getting out of the bed in the morning can help with morning sickness and eating several smaller meals instead of larger meals can help with nausea related to morning sickness.

    Fatigue in Pregnancy

    Extreme fatigue can be another indicator of pregnancy, especially if other symptoms are present. One or two naps per day can help a pregnant woman maintain normal daily activities.

    Frequent Urination

    Frequent urination in pregnancy usually occurs between 6 to 8 weeks after conception.

    Read next five Early Pregnancy Symptoms

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