Sign and Symptoms of Pregnancy

Sign and symptoms of pregnancy are the important indicators because pregnancy is a most unique period in a woman's life. While bringing great joy, it can also be a very confusing time for most women as they try to figure out whether they are really pregnant. Of course, it is very much possible to confuse the early signs of pregnancy with symptoms of some other illness. At the same time, there are some symptoms of pregnancy that will confirm the onset of pregnancy.

Sign and Symptoms of Pregnancy

The symptoms of pregnancy occur due to hormonal changes that happen during the pregnancy, and can be further confirmed with a blood test. The most common sign and symptoms of pregnancy are:

Missed Periods
One of the commonest sign and symptom of pregnancy is a missed period. The confusion sets in because a missed period can also be due to stress, illness, and fluctuations in weight. Cessation of oral contraceptives and a polycystic ovary syndrome can also lead to a missed period.

Changes In The Size And Feel Of The Breast
This is also a symptom of pregnancy. The breasts begin to enlarge and most women experience greater tenderness of the breast. The color of the areola or the nipples starts darkening within a week of conception.

Nausea And Vomiting
This is the most unwelcome sign and symptoms of pregnancy. It can occur as early as two weeks after conception and tends to taper off by the end of the third month of the pregnancy. This is more popularly known as morning sickness.

Fatigue And Tiredness
While many women experience tiredness, this can be due to other reasons as well and cannot by itself be considered as most indicative sign of pregnancy.

Frequent Urination And Constipation
This signs of pregnancy occur as early as two weeks after conception is also indicative of pregnancy. This occurs due to higher levels of progesterone and the uterus rising up to the abdomen, which in turn exerts pressure on the bladder. The bladder then feels full, even though there may not be a need to urinate. Some women are also affected by constipation, which can also be quite annoying.

Heightened Sense Of Taste And Smell
Another symptom of pregnancy is women feeling queasy about certain foods while experiencing an almost uncontrollable craving for other foods.

First-time mothers can easily confuse sign and symptoms of pregnancy with symptoms of other illness. However, awareness of early signs of pregnancy will help you in identifying these symptoms in the initial stages. A visit to the doctor will confirm the pregnancy with blood and urine tests.