Missed Or Strange Period
A missed period is one of the most reliable signs of pregnancy. However, pregnancy isn’t always the reason for a missed period. If you do have a positive pregnancy test, a healthcare provider will ask you for the first day of your last normal menstrual period . That date will also help determine your due date if you are indeed pregnant.
Although some people experience implantation bleeding around the time that their period is due, it is usually just spotting and lighter or shorter than their normal period. Although rare, a few people may continue to cycle throughout their pregnancy.
It may be harder to note a missed or strange period if you typically experience irregular cycles. In this case, a pregnancy test followed by a pelvic exam may be necessary. If a healthcare provider rules out pregnancy as the cause for your missed period, they will take steps to rule out other possible causes.
Do Prepare For Morning Sickness
Despite its name, morning sickness can last all day typically during the first trimester. While not all women are plagued with morning sickness during pregnancy, many are so its best to get ready for it ahead of time.
There are teas specifically formulated to combat nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. If you find that youre prone to morning sickness, you can brew yourself a cup each morning. There are also morning sickness hard candies that you can eat in addition to your cup of tea or instead of it.
If you find that you have mild morning sickness, then you can take measures like eating small and frequent meals and sticking to foods that are bland and simple. If you find that it is severe you should talk to your OBGYN immediately.
While Every Person Is Different Here’s When You Can Tentatively Expect Breast Tenderness Nausea Fatigue Frequent Urination And Other Signs Of Pregnancy
You received a positive pregnancy test, and now you’re waiting for the telltale signs you’re expecting. So when do you start having pregnancy symptoms like nausea, vomiting, bloating, constipation, and fatigue?
As it turns out, every person is different, says Marra Francis, M.D., an OB-GYN in Woodlands, Texas, and an author of the Mommy MD Guides. Some never experience the typical early signs of pregnancy, while others feel immediate changes in their body. And you can’t use previous pregnancies as a guide either symptoms might appear at different points in every gestation, adds Dr. Francis.
To give you a basic guideline, we rounded up nine common early pregnancy symptoms and their typical start time. Remember to take this estimated schedule with a grain of salt, though, and ask your doctor about any concerns.
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How Do I Work Out My Due Date
Most babies are born about 38 weeks after conception. Since many women ovulate and conceive about 2 weeks after their last period, this is often about 40 weeks since the beginning of their last period. Thats why people often talk about pregnancy lasting for 40 weeks.
Women with a regular 28-day cycle can calculate an estimated due date for their baby by counting 40 weeks from the first day of their last period. This may not be so simple or accurate in other situations, such as if you have long or irregular cycles, dont remember when you had your last period, or if you became pregnant while taking contraception that affected your cycle.
Use the due date calculator to calculate your estimated due date.
If youre not sure when you conceived, your doctor or midwife may refer you for a dating scan that uses ultrasound to estimate your due date based on your babys size.
Herbs And Supplements To Avoid During Pregnancy
Though herbs are natural, not all are safe to consume during pregnancy. According to the American Pregnancy Association, herbs that should be avoided when pregnant include saw palmetto, goldenseal, dong quai, black cohosh, and several others.
You may also want to be cautious when choosing herbal tea blends to drink during pregnancy. They could contain an herb that may not be safe. Supplements arent tightly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so its important to talk to your care provider about herbs and teas that you are taking.
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Folate And Folic Acid
Folate is a B vitamin that helps prevent birth defects in your babys brain and spine. Generally, people who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant need about 600 micrograms daily, starting at least one month before conception.
Foods high in folic acid to eat during pregnancy include fortified grain products , as well as foods like spinach, beans and asparagus. Its hard to reach 600 mcg through food alone, so a supplement containing at least 400 mcg folic acid is usually recommended to help reach the ideal daily dosage.
Do All Women Experience Early Signs And Symptoms Of Pregnancy
Each mom-to-be and each pregnancy is unique, so you may only notice some of these early signs of pregnancy. For example, the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy could occur before a missed period alternatively, missing a period may be your first clue that youâre pregnant. Whatâs more, the symptoms you notice in a second pregnancy may be different from what you experienced the first time around.
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Can I Be In Labor And Not Know It
Every labor, like every pregnancy, is different. For most women, labor will follow along a somewhat predictable path, even as they progress at a different pace. And most often, a moms contractions will help guide her along the way, sending her packing to the hospital when things start getting real.
Will you know labor when you feel it? Will those contractions tell you what you need to know? Chances are, yes. But if you’re unsure, call your practitioner and get your cervix checked out, so you can run what youre feeling or experiencing by a professional.
Got a gut feeling that its labor, even though your sources and even your doctor or midwife or the triage nurse at the hospital tell you its likely not? Still get it checked out.
Common Early Signs Of Pregnancy
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To 3 Weeks Pregnant: Your Checklist
Yes, itâs early, but itâs also an exciting time! As you anticipate your new pregnancy, consider the following to-dos:
â¡ Even if youâve already taken one, you might want to complete another home pregnancy test after your missed period for the best results.
â¡ Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to confirm your pregnancy with a blood test.
â¡ Check out our pregnancy calendar to know what to anticipate in the next few weeks.
â¡ Though you canât find out your babyâs gender just yet, have a little fun with our Chinese Gender Predictor!
Make Sure Youre Using A Fertility
The kind of lubricant you use during sex can actually make conception more difficult, so much so that the Food and Drug Administration now categorizes certain lubricants as fertility friendly.
This is because the ingredients in many lubricants, such as petroleum, silicone, parabens and glycerin, can harm sperm function. A lubricants pH can also have an effect.
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The Most Common Sign Of Early Pregnancy A Missed Period
Your menstrual cycle is your bodys way of preparing for a possible pregnancy each month. Part of that is the thickening of your uterine lining, which is where a fertilized egg would implant to begin a pregnancy.
If youre not pregnant, your period is how your uterus sheds that extra lining. If you are pregnant, that lining stays put and you dont get your normal flow. This is why a missed period is often the earliest sign of pregnancy.
Of course, a delayed or missed period doesnt always mean youre pregnant. If your body is under a lot of stress or you have a hormonal imbalance, you could be experiencing an irregular menstrual cycle.
Dont Smoke Or Breathe In Secondhand Smoke
Cigarette smoke is linked to many complications that may include cancers, premature delivery, low birth weight, miscarriage, sudden infant deather syndrome, and learning or behavioral disabilities as the baby grows and develops. You should not be doing any recreational drugs as they can be harmful and toxic to you and the baby.
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Highlights At 1 2 And 3 Weeks Pregnant
Before we get into all the details, here are a few highlights to look forward to during these early weeks of your pregnancy:
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Watching for symptoms in weeks 1, 2, and 3 of pregnancy. Are you wondering if it’s possible to feel pregnant after two days, or during weeks 1 and 2 of pregnancy? You might notice symptoms like light bleeding, spotting, cramps, or bloating around week 3 when the egg implants into your uterus.
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Calculating your due date. Most healthcare providers track pregnancy along 40 weeks, starting with the last day of your previous period. That means you arenât actually pregnant until fertilization occurs and your baby is conceived, between week 2 and 3 of your pregnancy.
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Making healthy choices early on. As early as possible in your pregnancy, youâll want to adopt a healthy lifestyle that supports the development of your baby. Though your healthcare provider may offer specific advice, you’ll likely want to incorporate certain vitamins, foods, and exercise into your daily life.
Morning Sickness Or Nausea
That telltale, queasy feeling known as morning sickness can hit you at any time of day and it typically begins when you’re about 6 weeks pregnant, though it can vary and strike even earlier. For most women, nausea starts by week 9.
Hormones, mainly increased levels of progesterone , can cause the stomach to empty more slowly, resulting in this early pregnancy symptom resembling seasickness.
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When To Call A Doctor Or Midwife About Symptoms
If you have questions, it’s important to ask a healthcare provider. Even if you don’t have an appointment, they can address your concerns and make sure everything is okay.
They understand that you have a lot of questions and are willing to give you the answers, but you have to . Many practitioners have someone available who just answers patients’ questions all day long.
It’s not unusual for the answers to lead to more questions. It is appropriate to ask clarifying questionsdo not feel like you are taking up too much of your provider’s time. They are there to help.
Other Early Symptoms Of Pregnancy
Pregnancy brings changes in your hormonal balance. And that can cause other symptoms that include:
- Frequent urination. For many women, this starts around the sixth or eighth week after conception. Although this could be caused by a urinary tract infection, diabetes, or using diuretics, if you’re pregnant, it’s most likely due to hormonal levels.
- Constipation. During pregnancy, higher levels of the hormone progesterone can make you constipated. Progesterone causes food to pass more slowly through your intestines. To ease the problem, drink plenty of water, exercise, and eat plenty of high-fiber foods.
- Mood swings. These are common, especially during the first trimester. These are also related to changes in hormones.
- Headaches and back pain. Many pregnant women report frequent mild headaches, and others experience back pain.
- Dizziness and fainting. These may be related to dilating blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and lower blood sugar.
A pregnant woman could have all of these symptoms, or maybe have only one or two. If any of these symptoms become bothersome, talk with your doctor about them so you can make a plan to offset them.
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Am I Going Into Labor Should I Call The Doctor
Still feel like you wont know when to announce Its time! and get ready to meet your baby? Try not to stress about it. Youll be seeing your doctor or midwife frequently now, and she will help you spot all the important clues.
If you think you’re going into labor, your doctor has likely advised you on what to do when your due date is near and you think you’re experiencing regular contractions .
Labor contractions wont all be exactly spaced, but if they’re becoming pretty consistent, more painful and longer , its time to check in with your doctor.
If you think you might be in labor but aren’t sure, get on the phone. Your provider can explain whats going on and have you come in if there’s any uncertainty.
Dont feel embarrassed or worry about calling outside of office hours, either: Your practitioner knows it comes with the job.
You should always call your doctor or midwife if:
- You experience any bleeding or bright red discharge .
- Your water breaks especially if the fluid looks green or brown. This could be a sign that meconium, or your baby’s first stool, is present, which can be dangerous if your baby ingests it during birth.
- You experience blurred or double vision, a severe headache or sudden swelling. These can all be symptoms of preeclampsia, which is characterized by pregnancy-induced high blood pressure and requires medical attention.
What Else Could Be Going On
Keep in mind that many of these symptoms can also be the signs of other conditions, such as your period being ready to start or a hormonal imbalance. They also can result from stress or occur when you change birth control pills, so they dont always mean that youre pregnant. Be sure to see your doctor if you suspect that youre pregnant.
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How Do You Know Youre Pregnant
You may be asking yourself âHow do I know if Iâm pregnant?â If you think you may be pregnant, a home pregnancy test will confirm it. Thereâs no way to know that you are pregnant without taking a test.If youâre experiencing any of the symptoms of pregnancy and take a home pregnancy test but the test comes out negative, thereâs still a chance you may be pregnant. Wait until your period is a week late , and then take the test again.If the test comes out positive, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to confirm the pregnancy.Once your pregnancy is confirmed, check out our go-to pregnancy guide, which includes lots of pertinent information and tools you’ll need to navigate your pregnancy, including infographics, checklists, trackers, and more!If you like, use our due date calculator to find out how far along you are in your pregnancy:
Your First Three Weeks Of Pregnancy
Hereâs the thing: Because of the way pregnancy is usually measured, youâre not actually pregnant during the first two weeks or so of your pregnancy. Healthcare providers calculate the length of an average pregnancy as 280 days, which is 40 weeks, starting from the first day of your last menstrual periodâthis is known as the LMP dating method.
So, when youâre 1 week pregnant, youâre having your period. At 2 weeks pregnant, youâre probably ovulating. And since ovulation happens about 14 days after the start of your period , with fertilization and conception following, you canât really become pregnant until around week 3 at the earliest.
It can be mind-bogglingâwe get it. But, for the sake of calculation, and what you and your healthcare provider will consider as 1 and 2 weeks pregnant, youâre not actually pregnant until week 3. But although at 1, 2, or 3 weeks pregnant you may not notice any of those very early signs of pregnancy, thereâs still a lot happening on the inside.
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How Does A Pregnant Belly Feel Like
The pregnancy hormone progesterone can cause your tummy to feel full, rounded and bloated. If youre feeling swollen in this area, theres a possibility you could be pregnant.
Is your stomach hard when youre pregnant?
Generally, you expect a hard stomach when youre pregnant. Your hard-feeling stomach is caused by the pressure of your uterus growing and putting pressure on your abdomen. The hardness of your stomach while pregnant can be more pronounced if you eat a low-fiber diet or drink a lot of carbonated beverages.
Tingling And Numbness In Your Hands
Carpal tunnel syndrome tingling and numbness in your hands affects up to 60 per cent of women during pregnancy. It is caused by compression of the median nerve due to an increase in the tissue fluids during pregnancy.
Carpal tunnel syndrome may be mild, intermittently painful, or severe, which may cause partial paralysis of the thumb or loss of sensation. Symptoms usually resolve on their own soon after birth.
If you are experiencing tingling and numbness in your hands, inform your doctor or midwife. In very severe cases, your doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections or surgical treatment.
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