Mother and Baby

Pregnancy and childbirth are considered to be an important, if not the most important, milestones in a woman’s life. Carrying human life in your womb for nine months and bringing that baby into this world are challenging feats that depict the true essence of womanhood.

Pregnancy begins with fertilization. Fertilization is defined as the union of a mature ovum and a sperm cell in the distal third of the fallopian tube. Immediately after this union, the resulting fertilized zygote stays in the fallopian tube for three to four days where it undergoes cell division. It then travels to the uterus where it implants itself and stays during the whole nine months of pregnancy.

The signs of pregnancy are characterized into three categories: the presumptive, the probable, and the positive. Presumptive signs are defined as the sensations and symptoms exhibited by a woman that possibly suggest pregnancy, but may also be due to some other underlying conditions. Presumptive signs during the first trimester of pregnancy include the cessation of menstruation, breast changes, morning sickness, increased frequency in urination, increasing fatigability, and an enlarging uterus. Increased skin pigmentation on the cheek and across the nose, more popularly known as the mask of pregnancy, is considered a presumptive sign commonly observed during the second trimester.

Contrary to popular knowledge, a positive pregnancy test result is only considered a probable sign of pregnancy. The hormone detected during the pregnancy test is called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). However, this hormone is also secreted during a condition known as Hydatidiform mole or H-mole. By definition, probable signs indicate a definite or increased likelihood of pregnancy. Signs included under this category are: increase in the basal body temperature, purple discoloration of the vagina due to increased blood supply (known as Chadwick’s sign), softening of the lower segment of the uterus (called the Hegar’s sign), the increase in the vascularity and earlobe consistency of the cervix (also known as the Goodell’s sign), and the enlargement of the abdomen. These signs are usually observed during the first three months of pregnancy. Regular but painless contractions (known as Braxton-Hick’s contractions) commonly felt during the fourth to sixth month of pregnancy is also considered a probable sign.

Positive signs of pregnancy are absolute evidences of pregnancy that cannot be mistaken for any other health condition. Ultrasound evidence, fetal heart tones, fetal movement felt by the examiner and the fetal outline upon x-ray are categorized as positive signs of pregnancy.

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Pregnancy Indicators (www.mmpregnancy.com)

As I discussed some of the early pregnancy signs and symptoms in my previous post. Now, I am going to tell you about a few more early pregnancy indicators.

Slight bleeding or cramping
For some women, a small amount of spotting or vaginal bleeding is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. Known as implantation bleeding, it happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus — about 10 to 14 days after fertilization. This type of bleeding is usually a bit earlier, spottier and lighter in color than a normal period and doesn’t last as long. Some women also experience abdominal cramping early in pregnancy. These cramps are similar to menstrual cramps.

Nausea/ Morning Sickness
This is one of the classic symptoms of pregnancy, which can occur at any time of the day. Pregnancy rises the levels of estrogen, which causes the stomach to empty more slowly, which ultimately causes nausea. Some women are also irritated by strong and heavy odors, such as foods cooking, perfume or cigarette smoke, that may cause waves of nausea in early pregnancy. Some women feel this sensation as soon as they get into the first week of pregnancy, while some do not get this feel at all till the end of pregnancy.

Food Aversions Or Cravings
One of the most common sign of pregnancy is aversion to certain foods. It is quite common, that the foods you previously enjoyed are no longer appetizing. My friend used to love pasta. If possible she could eat it all the day. But now she cannot withstand it at all, while she was expecting. Some women like to have unusual combinations of foods. My sister, during her pregnancy, used to eat warm peach pie topped with vanilla ice cream everyday at midnight. This may be due to the hormonal changes, especially in the first trimester, when hormone changes are the most dramatic. This problem may last for first trimester, and in some cases, it could last throughout pregnancy.

Heartburn/Constipation
This is another common early symptom of pregnancy. This may happen, as the uterus begins to enlarge and pushes against the stomach and other organs as it grows. Also, due to the raised level of hormones, the digestion process is slowed down and the bowel cannot absorb the required amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients as possible from foods. The slower emptying of the stomach, causes the
increased dissipation of stomach acid, that leads to a feeling of heartburn and constipation.

Mood swings
These are generally common in the first trimester of pregnancy. Because of the hormonal imbalance, you are always filled with mixed emotions, excitement and depression, joy and sorrow, laughter and tears. Seeing the tremendous change in behavior, your partner can be confused, and may not seem to be supportive. Discuss these mood swings with him, so that he can be very supportive and understandable, and tell him about these very normal signs of pregnancy. These symptoms gradually decrease in the second trimester .

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Pregnancy Indicators (www.babyzone.com)

My friend missed her regular periods. She waited for about one week, thinking that sometimes irregular periods also occur. After almost one and half week, she came to me with a question, “Am I pregnant?” I asked her to visit a reputed gynecologist. She asked the gynec, how to recognize a pregnancy before getting pregnancy tested. The gynecologist elucidated her in the following way:

The pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy. In fact, it is not at all necessary that the pregnancy signs you felt during the first pregnancy would repeat the next time. You must be able to understand the signs and symptoms of pregnancy, it is very important because it might be associated to something, other than pregnancy. Some women may experience the signs or symptoms of pregnancy within a week of conception, but a few may develop these over a few weeks or may not feel at all till the end. The symptoms of pregnancy differ in intensity, frequency and duration. These early signs and symptoms of pregnancy can merely be used as a guideline.

Delay In Menstruation Cycle
This is the most common pregnancy symptom, which makes the woman to test for pregnancy. While becoming pregnant, your next period must miss. Many women may bleed, during their pregnancy, but this type of bleeding is shorter or lighter than a normal regular period.

Swollen/Tender Breasts
This is the most obvious symptom of early pregnancy. Just after almost two weeks of conception, due to the hormonal changes, the breasts become tender, swollen or somewhat sore. Some times they also feel to be fuller or heavier. The nipples may feel sore or extra sensitive. Some women also feel their nipples to be darken in color. This change can be observed at bedtime when you are try to feel relax and go to sleep, during exercising or showering, or when getting dressed.

Fatigue/ Tiredness
This is also one of the signs among early symptoms of pregnancy. You feel to sleep early, and find it very difficult to get out of bed in the morning. While working at noon, you may feel to lie down. Exercising seems to be a tedious job. During early pregnancy, the level of the hormone progesterone and blood production level raises, while the blood sugar level and blood pressure lowers. This causes fatigue and exhaustion.

Frequent Urination
Another early symptom of pregnancy experienced is frequent trips to the restroom. The reason behind this may be the swelling uterus, that puts pressure on your bladder. Pregnancy creates extra body fluids that are to be processed by the kidneys and bladder. That causes frequent urination.

Read about some more signs and symptoms of early pregnancy in my following post: EARLY PREGNANCY INDICATORS — PART 2.

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