Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

How do you know your pregnant? Because of the signs you body sends. Find out the very first symptoms of pregnancy that you may notice in your first trimester.

Pregnancy is different for every women. Heck, each pregnancy any one woman experiences is different from the others. But several symptoms are common early in pregnancy, some that are widely known, some you may not have known.

Morning sickness

Despite the name, the nausea or vomiting you experience may occur at any time of day.This is one of the first symptoms you might experience. It may start as early as one week after conception, however, it typically 6 to 12 weeks

Slight spotting

when the embryo attaches to the lining of the uterus, it may disturb some of the lining which is shed as light pink or light brown spotting-much lighter than a normal period. This is normal and would happen about 8 - 10 days after ovulation (actually just a bit earlier than your period is due).

Cramping

This may happen in early pregnancy as the uterus shifts to adjust as it grows. It may feel worse if you've been active. This may start 8 - 10 days after conception.

Missed period

Many times, this is the first symptom we notice. However, if you have very regular periods, you may know you're pregnant even before taking a test.

Frequent urination

Even early on in the pregnancy, your growing uterus can start putting pressure on your bladder. Don't forget, it's not just the baby that's growing but your uterus is thickening and a placenta and fluid are being created. You may feel this as soon as 2 - 3 weeks after conception.

Breasts become larger or more tender

Just as our breast may feel swollen or tender before our period, you may have the same feeling, starting 3 weeks into your pregnancy. But don't buy a maternity bra just yet. Your breast will get bigger yet throughout your pregnancy.

Areolas get darker

That dark ring around your nipple may start to get darker and wider 2 to 4 weeks after conception. It is thought that the darker color of the areola helps the newborn to find the nipple for breastfeeding.

Fatigue

Starting from 8 to 10 weeks after conception, you might start to feel tired, even exhausted. You have to give yourself a break here. Your body is going through significant metabolic changes and it needs time to adjust to the new process of growing a baby. It should go away by the end of your first trimester.

Constipation

Your bowel habits may change in early pregnancy, about 8 to 10 weeks after conception. The extra hormones produced during pregnancy cause the intestines to relax and become less efficient.

Indigestion and Heartburn

Heartburn and indigestion are extremely common sometime after the 8th week. This happens due to hormone changes, specifically progesterone making your stomach work slower

Discharge

The amount of vaginal discharge increases early in pregnancy with increased estrogen production and greater blood flow to the vaginal area. This may start about week 8 and is perfectly normal.

Of course, if you need to know if you are pregnant, there is no substitute for a pregnancy test (store bought tests are very reliable). However, if you see several signs, you know to check.

Early Symptoms of Pregnancy



Pregnant women warned over Prozac risk to foetus

Pregnant women who take Prozac, the antidepressant, are twice as likely to give birth to babies with a congenital heart problem, the medicines regulator has warned.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said there was a “possible small risk” of congenital heart defects if women were given the drug in early pregnancy.

The agency said it had looked at the evidence from a number of studies of fluoxetine, the active ingredient in Prozac, and concluded that it could double the background rate of congenital heart defects.

About one in 100 babies are typically born with a problem such as a heart murmur, hole in the heart or other problem with the organ’s structure or rhythm.

But the MHRA estimates this rate increases to almost two in 100 pregnancies among women prescribed fluoxetine, which is a similar rate to another common antidepressant, Seroxat (paroxetine).

The drugs are part of a group known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are not recommended to be taken during pregnancy because of the risk of withdrawal symptoms in the developing baby.

But it is estimated that 2.3 per cent of pregnant women each year are prescribed SSRIs when the benefits are considered to outweigh the risks.

Studies suggest that up to one in five mothers-to-be suffer from depression at some point during pregnancy, which if left untreated can cause low birth weight and premature birth.

The MHRA said that a class effect with SSRIs on heart formation in utero “could not be excluded” and recommended GPs were mindful of this when prescribing the drugs.

The agency said: “When prescribing fluoxetine to treat depression during pregnancy, prescribers should be aware that there may be a small increased risk of congenital cardiac defects in infants exposed in early pregnancy, similar to that seen with paroxetine.”

Pregnant women warned over Prozac risk to foetus