The experience of pregnancy can vary greatly from woman to woman. Women’s experiences with pregnancy vary. Some women can tell when they become pregnant, while others don’t experience any symptoms until the baby is born. This wide range of possible symptoms makes it difficult for women to identify common or even a few common signs and symptoms of pregnancy.
There are a few different ways that women can find out if they are pregnant. The most common way is to take a pregnancy test at the doctor’s office. However, some women may notice subtle changes in their bodies that could indicate pregnancy. These changes can include a missed period, nausea, fatigue, and breasts that feel fuller or more tender.
Missing a menstrual period or having a late menstrual period are both possible indicators of pregnancy, but there are other possible causes as well. Spotting associated with implantation of a fertilized egg can resemble a light period, and may cause a woman to discount the possibility of pregnancy. Other possible causes of a missed or late period include changes in diet, medication, or stress levels. Therefore, it is important to consider all possibilities when determining the cause of a missed or late period.
Another significant sign of potential pregnancy are changes in the breasts. Changes in a woman’s breasts often indicate a change in the body, chiefly changes related to child bearing. Early in the beginning stages of pregnancy, the breasts undergo necessary changes, telling the body that something is happening. They begin to feel tender to the touch and some become painful and overly sensitive to stimuli. However, that alone is not solid proof of a pregnancy because the same changes are experienced during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of morning sickness, which is a classic sign of early pregnancy. Morning sickness is characterized by a sudden and severe aversion to the scent or taste of food that previously had no effect upon the woman. It can occur any time of the day, but it is often resolved with a few saltine crackers and lukewarm glass of water.
Another sign of early pregnancy is extreme tiredness. Whereas customary activities wouldn’t have left a woman feeling exhausted before, they suddenly do after she becomes pregnant. She might even find it hard to keep her eyes open or feel like she needs a nap in the afternoon or evening. Some women experience increased trips to the bathroom, while others report feelings of bloating or cramping, which can be similar to discomfort experienced during menstruation. All of these are common signs of early pregnancy, but no single one of them is definitive on its own.
The early signs of pregnancy are a combination of personal experiences and subtle changes in the body. Missing a period, breast tenderness, nausea, fatigue, and other similar symptoms may be indicative of pregnancy. The best way to confirm pregnancy is through a home pregnancy test or a visit to the doctor.
