2. Am I pregnant?
Am I pregnant?
One of the most commonly
questions asked by women
is, “Am I pregnant?”
Even if they have never been
pregnant before, most
women are aware of the
signs and symptoms of early
pregnancy. Women who have
been pregnant before will
recognize the symptoms
which occurred in their
previous pregnancy.
Surprisingly though, some
women may have severe
symptoms in one pregnancy
and hardly any in the next!
A woman may not have the
same symptoms or the same
intensity of symptoms during
each of her pregnancies.
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3. Am I pregnant?
When to suspect a
pregnancy
Missing a period is one of
the most common reasons
for suspecting a
Positive pregnancy test pregnancy. Women who
have regular periods will
take this as the first sign of
pregnancy.
Only a urine or blood
pregnancy test, followed
by a pelvic exam, can
positively confirm a
pregnancy. Occasionally a
period can be delayed due
to hormonal problems,
even in the absence of
pregnancy.
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4. Am I pregnant?
When to suspect a
pregnancy
If you are trying for a
pregnancy, keep track of
your periods. Mark the first
day of your period on a
calendar. The first day of
the period is what
determines the due date of
the pregnancy.
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5. Am I pregnant?
Swollen, tender, or sore
breasts and/ or nipples are
often the first signs of
pregnancy. The reason
breasts and/ or nipples are
often sore, swollen, or
tender during early
pregnancy is because
there is an increased
production of the
hormones estrogen and
progesterone in pregnancy.
The breasts undergo
changes to prepare for
breastfeeding. The breasts
and/ or nipples are often
particularly painful during
a first pregnancy.
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6. Am I pregnant?
Exhaustion or unusual
tiredness is caused by
progesterone, which is
produced in large amounts
in pregnancy. This
hormone can make a
woman feel tired and
intensely sleepy.
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7. Am I pregnant?
Nausea with or without
vomiting is most common
in the first three months of
pregnancy but some
women experience this
symptom almost
throughout the pregnancy.
The most common reason
for this symptom is the
rapid rise in the hormone
estrogen.
Though most women have
this in the mornings,
nausea can occur at
anytime of the day or night.
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8. Am I pregnant?
Most women become
oversensitive to smells and
almost anything can trigger
a bout of nausea and
vomiting. products, spicy
and strong smelling foods
and nonvegetarian food.
The most common foods to
trigger morning sickness
are coffee during the first
weeks of pregnancy, milk
products, spicy and strong
smelling foods and
nonvegetarian food.
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9. Am I pregnant?
Lower abdominal
discomfort and cramping
similar to cramping during
periods, occurs very early
during pregnancy. This
happens because the uterus
begins to expand as the
developing baby grows.
This discomfort can
continue for the first few
months and is worse on
sitting down and getting up
or on turning from side to
side while lying down. Later
on in pregnancies, some
women experience pain on
one or both sides of the
lower abdomen. This is
because of the stretching of
the round ligaments which
hold the uterus in position.
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10. Am I pregnant?
Frequent urination is a
problem caused by the
growing uterus pressing
against the bladder. This
symptom is worst in early
and late pregnancy.
Sometimes women lose a
few drops of urine on
sneezing or coughing. This
symptom will usually
disappear a few months
after delivery.
Urinary bladder
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11. Am I pregnant?
Headaches during
pregnancy are often intense
and occur usually in the
early months of pregnancy.
Paracetamol can be taken
for the headaches.
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12. Am I pregnant?
Mood swings are common
and women will face
emotional ups and downs in
early pregnancy because of
hormonal changes. It is
common for a pregnant
woman to burst into tears or
get angry and upset for no
apparent reason.
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13. Am I pregnant?
Feeling weak, faint, or dizzy
is a common symptom
which occurs in early and
late pregnancy. When a
pregnant woman stands for
a while, the blood rushes to
her legs because of
dilatation of the blood
vessels in the lower limbs.
This can cause a sudden
feeling of dizziness, or may
even lead to fainting.
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14. Am I pregnant?
Feeling feverish and cold in
the first few weeks of the
pregnancy, is something
many women will complain
about because the basal
body temperature rises in
early pregnancy.
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15. Am I pregnant?
Constipation is a result of
poor intake of food and
fluids in the early weeks.
Later on, the intake of iron
supplements can also
aggravate constipation.
Make sure that you take
enough fluids, salads and
fruits to relieve this
problem.
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16. Am I pregnant?
Pregnancy is a life event
most women look forward
to. The symptoms of
pregnancy might sometimes
be distressing but ultimately,
it is all worthwhile!
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