Symptoms Of Being Pregnant
The Earliest Signs Of Pregnancy (continued)
Darkening of skin around nipples:
As early as one week after conception, you may notice that the skin around each nipple is growing darker in color; a result of hormonal shifts in the body.
Constipation:
Just as the swelling of the uterus affects the bladder, so it will do to the bowel. However, the effect is different with the bowel; instead of increasing frequency of elimination, a woman may become constipated. Hormones are also to blame here.
Dizziness or fainting:
This is likely the most troubling of all pregnancy signs to a woman. It can occur when blood flow is inhibited through pressure on arteries which creates a drop in blood pressure.
Food cravings or aversion to foods or aromas:
It is uncertain as to exactly why pregnant women have food cravings. One train of thought believes them to be a product of those darned hormones while another is that the cravings are the result of the body’s need for a particular element; salt, sugar, carbohydrates, etc.
Heartburn:
With the uterus pressing against other internal organs, sometimes the contents of your stomach can be slow to empty when pregnant. This may incur more stomach acid to be dispersed, which can backfire and cause heartburn.
Mood swings:
This may not be one of the very earliest signs of pregnancy, but can come rather soon in the pregnancy due to those hormones once again.
Lower back pain:
Again, this will not be a symptom you will recognize at the very beginning of your pregnancy, but one that may come along in the first few months. Your body will be experiencing some very real changes, in weight and shape that will place pressure on the lower back. Also, your pregnancy may cause you to sleep differently, creating strain on your back as you try to find a comfortable sleeping position.
Bloating / weight gain:
Even in the early days of your pregnancy, you may experience some bloating which will show up in tight clothing and weight gain. This is a temporary condition that is generally caused by hormonal shifts, excess body fluids being produced as well as the extra food you may be eating as result of cravings.
Every woman will experience completely different feelings with each of her pregnancies. She may have just one of the symptoms listed above, or may have several of them. Often, the signs described decrease in frequency as the pregnancy progresses, but duration is also unique to each pregnancy. For example, some women unfortunately may experience bouts of morning sickness throughout her pregnancy, while others have it only for a few weeks. Some of the signs can occur within the very first week of being pregnant, while others may not manifest for a few weeks.
The earliest signs of pregnancy can help a woman to determine whether or not she is pregnant, but almost all women turn to an over the counter product to eliminate any doubt: the home pregnancy test. Most of these are sold with two tests in each package to allow the woman to try again if a negative reading is shown the first time. While they are not infallible, the home pregnancy tests have become more reliable than in days past. Once a positive response is received on one of these tests, a woman must schedule an appointment with her gynecologist as soon as possible to have the pregnancy confirmed.
As soon as a pregnancy is confirmed, the new mom to be can begin to adapt her life to her condition. A healthier diet, vitamins, stopping the consumption of alcohol, quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke should immediately commence as soon as the earliest signs of pregnancy are noted; providing a good environment for the development of the baby.
When trying to conceive, knowing the possible signs to watch for that may indicate a woman has been successful is helpful. It is never too early to begin preparing your life for that magic moment when your baby has been conceived, and knowing the earliest signs of pregnancy can offer the best opportunity to being on the right track right away.