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.
Regular Tests At Appointments
Visits will be shorter at the monthly check-ins that follow up to week 28. You can expect the following to take place at every appointment:
- Blood pressure reading.
- Urine test.
- Measurement of your belly bump to monitor your babys growth.
This is all part of your ongoing assessment, says Dr. Jhaveri. Every one of these tests gives information that can be used to make sure you and your rapidly growing baby are as healthy as possible.
Magical moments start popping up in this stretch, too. Fetal Doppler devices typically start picking up your babys heartbeat around 10 weeks, and will become a regular soundtrack to your prenatal visits.
Q: Should I See A Maternal
A:It can be beneficial to consult with a maternal-fetal medicine specialistbefore pregnancy if you have one of the following:
- Pre-existing medical condition. There are many pre-existing medical conditions that may need to be monitored in relation to pregnancy, e.g., diabetes , lupus , renal disease and hypertension . In some instances, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist may alter the type of medication youre taking to maintain your health and prevent any adverse effects to your future pregnancies. If you have diabetes, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist can help you optimize your blood sugar control prior to conception to help reduce the risk of fetal anomalies. If you struggle with obesity , a maternal-fetal medicine specialist can review the benefits of weight loss before pregnancy. According to Henderson, Losing weight in a healthy manner can reduce your risk of developing conditions such as hypertension and gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
- Genetic risks. Preconception genetic screening has become more common in recent years as technology has advanced and testing has become more accessible. If you have family members with a certain disease or if you belong to an ethnicity that has a greater risk of developing specific conditions , genetic screening can be used to assess your and your partners risk of being a carrier. Also, common genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis or spinal muscular atrophy , can be screened for with a blood test.
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Early Changes To Breasts: Tingling Aching Growing
Breast changes can occur between weeks 4 and 6. Youre likely to develop tender and swollen breasts due to hormone changes. This will likely go away after a few weeks when your body has adjusted to the hormones.
Nipple and breast changes can also occur around week 11. Hormones continue to cause your breasts to grow. The areola the area around the nipple may change to a darker color and grow larger.
If youve had bouts with acne before your pregnancy, you may experience breakouts again.
Talking To Your Health Care Provider
When your body is going through physical changes that may be completely new to you, it isn’t always easy to talk to your health care provider. Maybe you’re wondering whether you can have sex or what to do about hemorrhoids or constipation, or maybe you’re feeling worried about the delivery.
You might feel embarrassed to ask these or other questions, but it’s important to do so and remember, your health care provider has heard them all before. Write down your questions to take with you to each visit.
Also, if you have:
- heavy bleeding
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What Is Pregnancy Care
This is the care you have while you’re pregnant to make sure you and your baby are as well as possible.
The NHS in England will offer you:
- 10 pregnancy appointments to check the health and development of you and your baby
- screening tests to find out the chance of your baby having certain conditions, such as Down’s syndrome
- blood tests to check for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B
- screening for inherited blood disorders
You’ll be offered more appointments if you or your baby need them.
Depending on your health and where you live, you may see:
- a midwife for all your appointments
- a midwife for some appointments and a GP for others
Weight Gain During Early Pregnancy
Weight gain becomes more common toward the end of your first trimester. You may find yourself gaining about 1 to 4 pounds in the first few months.
Calorie recommendations for early pregnancy wont change much from your usual diet, but they will increase as pregnancy progresses.
In the later stages, pregnancy weight often shows up in the:
Hormones can cause the valve between your stomach and esophagus to relax. This allows stomach acid to leak, causing heartburn.
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When Might I Experience Pregnancy Symptoms
Whilst perhaps the most noticeable sign of pregnancy is missing a period, there are many other symptoms that may be evident during the early weeks. “Most women will experience some form of pregnancy symptoms and for many these will show up at about 6 weeks of pregnancy . However, some women report recognising symptoms as early as week 3 of pregnancy ,” according to midwife Liz Halliday from Private Midwives.
How Do You Know If Youre Pregnant
If youve taken one or more home pregnancy tests and gotten positive results, you can probably be sure youre pregnant. But are there signs to look out for before you even decide to take a test? According to the Mayo Clinic, some common and not so common symptoms could indicate youre going to have a baby.
If you think youre pregnant, here are some of the signs to look out for.
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Below Deck Med Alum Anastasia Surmava Pregnant: See Her Funny Announcement And Below Deck Stars Reactions
Below Deck Mediterranean alum Anastasia Surmava is pregnant with her first child with her new husband, Will Higginson.
Its been a big year for Anastasia, who was a one-and-done on Below Deck Med Season 4.
Anastasia got engaged to Will last winter when he proposed during a fun-filled weekend with friends.
They had a party to celebrate their love in July, surrounded by family and friends.
Two days later, Will and Anastasia were married in a beautiful intimate ceremony with Vermont views as their backdrop.
The couple was keeping a big secret on their special day, at least from the public. Theyre going to be parents.
Whats Usually Done At The First Prenatal Visit
Your first visit may include a full physical exam, including breast and pelvic exams, as well as some routine blood and urine tests. You will spend time talking to us about what to expect during your your first trimester and the rest of your pregnancy. Youll learn about the types of prenatal visits and tests youll have until your baby is born. And there will be plenty of time to go through your list of questions.
We know you’re excited to see your baby as soon as possible. In this first visit, you may be able to listen to your babys heartbeat generally, it can be heard when youre around 10 weeks pregnant.
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When Should You See A Doctor About A New Pregnancy
If youve taken a pregnancy test and its positive, go ahead and make your first prenatal visit right away. This is also a great time to start looking into educational resources like the myHealthyPregnancy app.
At the first prenatal visit, youll get a physical exam and other tests to make sure everything is looking healthy, and youll learn about the rest of your prenatal appointment schedule. Youll also get to talk through any expectations and questions you have, such as which foods to eat and avoid while pregnant.
Questions or concerns about your symptoms? Our 24/7 nurse line is free for our members and patients.
Positive pregnancy test? Schedule a visit.
Monitoring Your Health And Your Baby’s Health
Your GP will check your overall health and ask you about your medical history. They will want to know about any health issues that could affect you or your baby.
They will probably offer you the first of many routine tests done in pregnancy. Some of these might be covered, or partially covered, by Medicare. It’s a good idea to ask your GP about costs.
Your doctor can also help you make lifestyle changes that are good for your baby. Stopping smoking or drinking alcohol, for example, will help keep you and your baby healthy.
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Prenatal Care With An Ob
With an OB-GYN, you can expect monthly, biweekly and then weekly pregnancy appointments to track your babys growth as delivery day approaches. Your OB-GYN may partner with a nurse practitioner, and your care team will monitor your babys heartbeat and growth as well as answer any questions you might have.
During your prenatal visits, your OB-GYN can also help you , which will include how youd like to deliver your baby and how youd like to manage pain during labor. This is important for a couple reasons.
For one, creating a plan helps you prepare for the big day. But its also important to help you have the kind of care and experience you want especially in the likely event that another OB-GYN is on-call when its time for your baby to come.
Consultations During Weeks 38 40 And 41 Of Pregnancy
The final consultations are very similar to the previous ones. Your blood pressure will be checked, your weight will be noted, your urine sample will be tested and the fetus heartbeat will be recorded. The orientation of the baby in your womb will also be checked.
Whats important to you? This is a good opportunity to address issues you want to know more about or want to discuss or if there is anything youre having difficulty with. The aim is to ensure that you and your partner feel as safe and secure as possible.
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What If I’ve Experienced Bleeding
Surprisingly, too, some women may be pregnant despite having what they believe to be a period. This could be due to implantation of the embryo, or a sign of low hormone levels.
“Implantation bleeding usually occurs earlier than a missed period would, as it’s when the embryo implants. However, for some women who have an irregular cycle, it may come later,” explains Halliday. “But it’s usually a much smaller amount and can be pinkish in colour rather than red.
“Also, some women have what’s known as a low HCG pregnancy where the hormone levels aren’t as high as usual these women may continue to experience periods throughout their pregnancy – although this is very rare.”
It’s very important to be aware of the risk of ectopic pregnancy – a pregnancy which develops outside the womb – if there is any chance you might be pregnant. Symptoms include low tummy pain and vaginal bleeding, and sometimes diarrhoea, feeling faint and shoulder-tip pain. It’s important always to seek medical help if there is any chance you may have an ectopic pregnancy.
How Pregnancy Tests Work
Knowing how pregnancy tests work can help you understand when to take them. Pregnancy tests relay how urine reacts with a piece of paper that can detect the presence of hCG. Results are usually shown as a single or double line or a plus or minus sign.
An at-home pregnancy test can’t measure the exact amount of pregnancy hormone in your urine. What it can do is detect whether a minimum amount is present.
Getting a negative pregnancy test result doesn’t mean your urine doesn’t contain hCG. It just means it doesn’t contain enough to trigger a positive result.
“Early results” pregnancy tests promise results as soon as three to six days before your missed period. These tests are more sensitive than standard tests but getting accurate results that early is more difficult simply because ovulation and implantation times can vary. If you have irregular periods, it can be even more difficult to know when might be an accurate time to try an early test.
If you’re having fertility treatments, be aware that this may result in a false positive pregnancy test, especially those performed early. That’s because pregnancy tests may detect the remains of fertility medications like Ovidrel, Pregnyl, or Novarel.
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Choosing An Ob/gyn As Your Prenatal Care Practitioner
If you select an obstetrician-gynecologist , you wont be alone: more than 90 percent of women opt for this physician who’s had post-medical school training solely in womens reproductive and general health. OB/GYNS have experience handling every medical aspect of pregnancy, from labor and delivery to the postpartum period, as well as any complications and twin pregnancies.
An OB/GYN can also provide all your non-pregnancy female needs, such as pap spears, contraception and breast exams. And because your OB/GYN can function as your primary care physician, he or she can make an excellent partner after the baby arrives. And if you are among the one in three women who require a C-section, OB/GYNs are trained to perform those as well.
- An OB/GYN might be right for you if… you have a high-risk pregnancy, an awesome relationship with your current OB/GYN or you dont want to give birth without an epidural.
- but keep this in mind: OB/GYNs are more likely than midwives to use surgical or technological interventions during labor and delivery.
Basal Body Temperature Charting
Basal body temperature can predict and suggest ovulation. This only works if you have been taking your temperature in the days prior to ovulation. Temperature elevation begins one or two days after ovulation and persists for several days.
Temperature elevation identifies prior ovulation it does not diagnose pregnancy.
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When To Call Your Doctor
Let your doctor know if you notice spotting or bleeding at any time during pregnancy. They can determine whether you need to come in for monitoring or to be evaluated. They may ask you about other symptoms along with spotting, such as cramping or a fever.
Its also important to notify your doctor of vaginal bleeding because some people with certain blood types require medication if they experience this at any time during their pregnancy.
If you experience bleeding in your second or third trimester, let your doctor know right away or seek emergency medical care.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, about 15 to 20 percent of pregnant people experience bleeding in the first trimester.
In a 2010 study of 4,539 pregnant women, about 1 in 4 experienced bleeding during the first trimester. The study found that spotting was most commonly seen in the sixth and seventh weeks of pregnancy. It wasnt always a sign of miscarriage or that something was wrong.
Spotting during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy may be attributed to:
- implantation bleeding
Heres what you need to know about these possible causes.
Give Yourself A Quick Health Check With Our Tools And Calculators
There may be some lifestyle changes that you can make to improve your health and the health of your growing baby. For example, it is important to limit caffeine as much as possible during pregnancy. Use our caffeine calculator to find out your daily caffeine intake.
Your BMI is a measure that uses your height and weight to work out if your weight is in a healthy range. Your BMI calculation will be based on your weight before pregnancy.
If you have a high BMI, there may be some extra things you can do to help support your health during pregnancy. Find out your BMI using our calculator.
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How Long Can I Keep Working
How late you work in pregnancy varies for each person. Your job and work environment play a big role. For instance, jobs that involve radiation, lead and other materialssuch as copper and mercurycan be harmful to your baby. If your job is active, you may not be able to work as long. Desk jobs arent thought to cause harm to your baby. However, you should not rest a computer on your stomach or uterus.
Your overall health also plays a part in how long you work. If youre at risk of certain issues or preterm labor, you may be on bed rest and not able to work.
Ready To Look For An Ob
How do you find the right OB-GYN for your pregnancy? We try to make it as easy as possible.
Through our doctor match tool, youll answer a few simple questions and we’ll match you with doctors who fit your preferences. From there you can make an appointment with a doctor of your choice, or you can explore their individual profiles and reviews to help you choose.
To make it easy for you to get quality, convenient care, we offer a range of appointment options including in-person and video visits for prenatal care.
Start your OB-GYN search today
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