Could you be pregnant? Some top symptoms of Pregnancy!
The signs of pregnancy are so closely linked together and sometimes are not so easily separated from PMS symptoms. But here are a few of the "signs" that may be telling you that baby is on the way! So I'll just put the premise one on here as: you've missed period. Now some women still get a "period" but it's nowhere near as heavy. And for those of you who have irregular periods, that might not be the first sign. So here are a few below that might help you clue in.
1) Your boobs
For many women the early sign of pregnancy is sensitive, sore breasts--and nipples (this is caused by increasing levels of hormones.) Remember what your boobs felt like when you were growing up? Well welcome back to adolescence! I had to wear two bras and limit motion, even laying down hurt. You will also notice that your girls become
huge bigger to accompany the soreness. Some sites compare this to an
amplified feeling of tenderness (I'm not going to call it tenderness, cause they bloody well hurt) that is similar to when you are about to get your period.
Another side effect of pregnancy is the
darkening of the areolas, they also get huge! This is your body's way to prepare your breasts to make milk. The reason your body does this is so that your little babe can see where to suck after your give birth. It's almost like a bull's eye target for them.
Tip: Wear a sports bra or two, and don't take the stairs quickly.
2) What is that smell?
You'll turn into a bloodhound. I remember my husband had eaten garlic for lunch one day and when he came to pick me up I had to roll the window down it was so strong. Not just food bugged me, he bought this
horrible wonderful cologne that would make me want to vomit every time he put it on. I'd be in the other end of the house and smell the one sprits he sprayed on himself in the morning.
This new found olfactory wonder is not officially linked to increasing hormone (estrogen) levels but it does wonders for controlling your new nonexistent appetite. You may find the smell of something you
love turn into something you can't even have in the house. These feelings are so real they can actually bring you close to or make you vomit. Leading into my next point.
Tip: be aware of where the nearest window and or bathroom are so that you can either breathe fresh air, or puke in private.
3) You’ll notice that your toilet is not as clean as you thought it was...
While it's called Morning sickness, it should be called all the freaking time sickness. It can happen; morning/noon/night there is no rule when talking about nausea. Now there are a few things to mention. It happens mostly likely in the am because that is when your blood sugar is lowest. For me it happened at night. And ladies, it often happens without warning. One time, I didn't make it to the bathroom, but found a sink---not my proudest moment.
While some women don't notice this lovely side effect until after their first month, some women notice it right away and some women never notice it at all--bastards! Now there is no rule that you will actually vomit, you may just be nauseous all day, or you may get bouts of it. It is "supposed" to subside once the placenta takes over for hormone production (around 12 weeks), but some unlucky women have it throughout their whole pregnancy. If it does happen to disappear after your first trimester, it may return in your third.
Tip: Carry some crackers in your purse, or by the nightstand and eat before you get up. Often eating something will help you not want to vomit. If it is really bad ask your doctor. They have a drug called Dilectin (prescription) that helps with morning sickness--it may be the only way you can function.
4) What could be mistaken for your period...? Cramps.
Ok the funniest book I read during pregnancy was Jenny McCarthy's "Belly laughs." I never suspected pregnancy because I had period cramps from hell. I had no spotting but cramps must surely be a sign my period was on its way. Well, little did I know that an expanding uterus hurts! Jenny described it like this, “I went to the bathroom expecting to find the remnants of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre in my underwear" only to find none. I couldn't have agreed more! Not only that, but your vaginal discharge also increases, which she dubs the "snail trail."
While cramping is normal, it can be stressing once you find out you are pregnant. I still experienced cramping from time to time during those first 12 weeks, but never any blood. There was a bit of pinkish discharge but nothing too noticeable. But Implantation bleeding is very common as the egg attaches itself to its uterine wall. The bleeding is very light (appearing as red spotting or pink or reddish-brown staining) and lasts only a day or two. (Let your doctor know if you notice any bleeding or spotting, particularly if it's accompanied by pain, since this can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.)
If a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, it's called an ectopic pregnancy. One in 50 pregnancies ends this way.
Here's how it happens: After conception, the fertilized egg travels down your fallopian tube on its way to your uterus. If the tube is damaged or blocked and fails to propel the egg toward your womb, the egg may become implanted in the tube and continue to develop there. Because almost all ectopic pregnancies occur in one of the fallopian tubes, they're often called "tubal" pregnancies.
Much less often, an egg implants in an ovary, in the cervix, directly in the abdomen, or even in a c-section scar. In rare cases, a woman has a normal pregnancy in her uterus and an ectopic pregnancy at the same time. This is called a heterotopic pregnancy and it's more likely to happen if you've had fertility treatments, such as in-vitro fertilization.
There's no way to transplant an ectopic (literally, "out of place") pregnancy into your uterus, sadly ending the pregnancy is the only option.
Tip: But if you are ever unsure head to the hospital, it's better to be safe. I would be cautious of using anything really hot on your stomach but as long as you don't use it for lengthy amounts of time, a hot water bottle can help some of the soreness.
5) I have to go Peeeeeeeeee (no not the Robert Munsch book)
Frequent urination is a huge "side effect" of pregnancy. Mostly because during pregnancy the amount of blood and other fluids in your body increases, which leads to extra fluid being processed by your kidneys and ending up in your bladder.
This symptom may start as early as six weeks into your first trimester and continue or worsen as your pregnancy progresses and your growing baby exerts more pressure on your bladder.
Ain't life grand!
Tip: find a close path to the bathroom!Oh and if you don't know who Robert Munsch is, go look him up, I guarantee you'll be reading him later to your child to be!
6) So now I'm fat!
Well not really fat, I mean I lost 10 lbs and gained 2 inches on my waist. This is because hormonal changes in early pregnancy may leave you feeling bloated, similar to the feeling some women have just before their period arrives. That's why your clothes may feel snugger than usual at the waistline, even early on when your uterus is still quite small. Still made me feel fat! I think I was in maternity clothes at 9 weeks!
Tip: most clothes these days do not look like maternity clothes, but if you are forced to buy some buy it bigger, knowing that medium fits great now, it won't in 4 months!
7) Huh what'd you say? Sorry I was just resting my eyes... fatigue set's in.
Often the first sign of pregnancy, it's not always the most obvious. Working women or women with other children may not notice being extra tired. No one knows for sure what causes early pregnancy fatigue, but it's possible that rapidly increasing levels of the hormone progesterone are contributing to your sleepiness.
Tip: Sleep when you can, it won't always be this easy to take a nap
8) Heartburn... yes I sound like a man with my belches!
What can I say about this...? I had so much heartburn it was horrible. I had to pretty much sleep sitting up as well as have my own designated bottle of
gaviscon. Hormones created during pregnancy may relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which opens the valve to allow stomach acids to flow up into the esophagus causing a burning sensation. Though this symptom got worse in my third trimester. I mean even Iced Tea gave me heartburn.
Tip: take Tums or another form of antacid recommended by doctors, but read the recommended dosage, certain ones are not pregnancy friendly.
Herbal teas are also "cautioned" against but for me I drank in moderation peppermint tea and chamomile.
9) OH my head is pounding (headaches)
If you have never experienced regular headaches before pregnancy, be prepared for some throbbing pain in your head and neck during pregnancy. Not only the pain, but you're not
supposed to take anything for them. Changes in your body's hormonal patterns is the primary cause of headaches during pregnancy. Other conditions like lack of sleep, poor posture, stress, dehydration and low blood sugar levels may also worsen of cause headaches.
Tip: drink lots of water, if it's really bad take acetaminophen.
10)Constipation: I never thought it could be so hard.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy slows down the movement of food through your digestive system which results in constipation. This could be a sign of pregnancy if you do not experience constipation frequently--and trust me, it's not fun!
Tip: Eat lots of fruits and drink lots of water!
11) Who’s that crazy woman who used to be my: Wife, girlfriend, companion?...Mood swings
Yes, that rational woman you once were, goes out the window with her thong. With your hormones raging, it is common for women to feel moody during their pregnancy. All women have to go through a period of adjustment to settle into their new roles as a pregnant women and that takes time. But it's a roller coaster that is unpredictable! Even the slightest thing can make this woman burst into tears or tear your head off
Tip: tread lightly
12) Whoa, I don't feel so great: fainting spells
Dizziness and fainting spells: Due to the lowered blood pressure in your body during pregnancy, blood flow to the brain may cause dizziness and fainting spells in serious cases.--Some women actually find out they're pregnant this way.
Tip: try to recognize a warning sign and don't push yourself, sit and stand slowly.
13)Ummm what's that? I want some of it--and I WANT it now! Food cravings.
Cravings for food that you normally would not eat could be a sign that you are pregnant. Normally, women report cravings for salty and sweet food during pregnancy while others report an uncommon desire for spicy or starchy food. All I can say is that I wanted potatoes. I wanted potato everything and gravy. I was one of those women who never liked sweets before pregnancy and all of a sudden I loved cake! You also can have food aversion, so that if you loved cake, you may hate it during pregnancy. The cravings may stay with you after the baby comes or it may disappear with the fierceness it came.
Tip: Try to balance your cravings as much as possible; while it’s good to give into your cravings, it's not great to get off the extra weight.
14) Is it hot in here or is it just me?
High Basal Body Temperature (BBT): If you've been charting your basal body temperature and you see that your temperature has stayed elevated for 18 days in a row, you're probably pregnant. If your BTT stays in the high temperature range for 18 days or more, you have a good chance of being pregnant.
Tip: Wear layers just in case you need to feel cooler quickly, know where your closest exits are.
15) Positive home pregnancy tests
Well folks this pretty much means it's a baby that's making you sick and tired.
Pregnancy tests measure a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). The placenta produces this hormone during pregnancy. The embryo begins to produce this hormone as soon as it attaches to the wall of the uterus – often as soon as eight to 10 days after conception. Although each woman is different, the HCG level usually doubles every 48 to 72 hours. How soon a pregnancy can be detected depends on:
- how much HCG is being produced
- the type of pregnancy test used (blood or urine)
- the amount of HCG the test measures (each test is more or less sensitive)
Tip: It’s very rare for you to get a positive test and not be pregnant. It is however very common to get a negative test and still be pregnant, if you are past due for your period and still get a negative result go see your doctor or a clinic.
The Bottom Line:
SO if you've taken a home pregnancy test (there are some at Dollarama--if you don’t want to shell out the 15-20$ that people have tested with) and has come back positive, then you most likely are. Remember that even if you get a negative result on a test before or even around when your period is due, you could still be pregnant. The advice given on those boxes is to wait a week and try again. If you can stand waiting a week, then you're amazing. I would just go out and get 7 pregnancy tests from Dollarama and test every day to make sure, oh and I'd probably make an appointment to see my doctor! But knowing me I would probably spend the moola on a pricey test just to be sure. They all measure the same HCG some are mor sensitive then others.
Most of the symptoms masquerade like pre-menstrual syndromes so you may have no clue at all. If you are taking birth control, stop using it if you suspect you are pregnant. I would also stop drinking, smoking or using any other type of recreational drug. Which leads me to my next post...
So I'm officially pregnant, what can I eat? Is it still safe to have sex? How do I tell my loved ones, should I wait until the magic 12 mark? Until next time! Happy testing!