Am I Pregnant? The 10 Tell Tale Signs That You’re Expecting
1 A missed period – This is the most obvious sign of pregnancy. If you have regular period and your period is late, it may be due to pregnancy. It can be confirmed using a urine pregnancy test.
Other reasons for a missed period are stress, sharp changes in weight and hormonal problems. If you have just stopped taking a birth control pill it might take a few months to resume your normal period.
3. Nausea and vomiting – Most pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. It can occur at any time of the day. Sometimes the smell of food can induce nausea. This often leads to avoidance of certain foods. Pregnant women can also develop unusual cravings for certain food items.
4. Fatigue – It is common to feel exhausted and tired throughout pregnancy. Maintaining a good nutritious diet and drinking enough water to keep yourself hydrated is important. Fatigue can also be due to underlying problems like iron deficiency which needs to be treated.
5. Frequent urination – There is increased frequency of urination during pregnancy. You might wake up at night to go to the bathroom. This is due to increased blood filtered by your kidneys. As your pregnancy progress the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder and causes increased urination
6. Spotting – This can occur at about 6 to 12 days after you have conceived. It happens when the fertilized egg implants on the wall of the uterus which causes mild bleeding. It may be associated with some abdominal cramping.
7. Backache – Many women complain of lower backache during pregnancy. Hormones released in your body during pregnancy causes loosening of the ligaments in the joints. In the later stages of pregnancy the increased weight of your baby causes additional stress on your back and can cause back pain.
8. Constipation – Pregnancy hormones can relax your intestinal muscles and cause constipation. Have a fibre rich diet and drink plenty of fluids to avoid constipation.
9. Dizziness and fainting – Some women experience dizziness during early pregnancy. The blood vessels in your body relax and there is decreased blood pressure which causes low blood flow to the brain which can cause the dizziness.
10. Mood swings – You may experience increased mood swings and irritability during pregnancy. Increased fatigue may add to the mood swings.
This article is written to be informative and does not substitute seeking a professional consultation from a medical professional.