10 Early Pregnancy Symptoms All Women Should Know About | Pregnancy slideshows | Family Health center

Bloating And Constipation: Common But Avoidable

When you get pregnant, the digestive system slows down, and you can become bloated and constipated. Yep, those pesky pregnancy hormones are to blame yet again. Though bloating and constipation are very common early pregnancy symptoms, there is a lot you can do to prevent them. Make sure you drink plenty of water, eat a fiber-rich diet, and exercise regularly and you have a good chance of avoiding constipation altogether. Expectant mothers who are already constipated can use prune juice, maple syrup or figs to get their digestive system running again.

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Can't Get Through The Day Without A Nap? That's Pregnancy Fatigue!

You may not be "showing" yet, but your body is sure doing a lot of hard work in the early weeks of pregnancy. As your fertilized egg nestles into the lining of your uterus and becomes ever more advanced, your hormonal cocktail is changing rapidly. Don't be surprised if you find yourself unable to get through the day without an afternoon nap during the very early stages of pregnancy. You can attempt to fight your early pregnancy fatigue by going for long walks outdoors, and eating small meals frequently to keep your blood sugar levels steady. If you can, do give into your fatigue and take that nap or go to bed early. Most pregnant women feel much more energetic by the time their second trimester rolls around.

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Early Pregnancy Cramps Are Not A Miscarriage Sign

Uncomfortable cramps are so common during early pregnancy that many women wonder if they are really pregnant, or just expecting their period. Don't be afraid if your cramps continue even after you have had a positive pregnancy test — they are not a sign that you are going to have a miscarriage. Your embryo has recently implanted into the lining of your uterus, causing it to contract more than it usually does. You are more sensitive now as well, and thus more likely to feel those uterine contractions. Women who notice bleeding along with their cramps should seek medical attention, however.

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Sore And Tender Breasts During Early Pregnancy

Pregnancy hormones can make your breasts very tender, and even sore. This is the same feeling many women notice in their breasts when their menstrual period is approaching, except that the sore breasts stick around for a much longer period of time. Your breasts may also start to grow bigger, and will make the changes that later enable them to feed your baby. Purchasing a good-quality maternity and nursing bra to support your breasts is the best course of action.

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Mood Swings: Blame Them On Your Hormones

Do you have the urge to yell at your partner for no apparent reasons, or do you break down crying during a silly soap on TV? If you haven't already taken a pregnancy test, now is the time: mood swings and being more emotional are common pregnancy symptoms. Like most other early pregnancy signs, you can blame them on your changing hormonal cocktail. Unlike most pregnancy signs, there is nothing you can do to combat mood swings — if it gets really bad, consider announcing your pregnancy early so that people around you understand what is going on.

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Expect Frequent Bathroom Trips

Pregnant women have a 50 percent higher blood volume than they did before they conceived. You need this extra blood to support the growing life inside you, but the additional fluids also have to pass through your kidneys and... outward. When you lie down to go to sleep, the fluids that built up in your extremities will return to your kidneys and pass as urine, so you are especially likely to notice more frequent urination at night. As your pregnancy progresses, your baby will also start pressing on your bladder — the need to pee every five minutes is one pregnancy sign that doesn't go away when you complete your first trimester, unfortunately!

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Aversions To Tastes And Smells Can Point To Pregnancy

Pregnancy cravings usually show up later on in pregnancy, starting at some point during the second trimester. You may notice heightened senses much earlier on, though — being more sensitive to certain tastes and smells is common during the first trimester of pregnancy. You may even find that you have an aversion to something you previously loved, like coffee or Chinese take-out. It doesn't have to be food you are suddenly disgusted by, either. Some women are triggered by dust particles or smoke-filled rooms. Though there is no scientific evidence, many people speculate that aversions to particular tastes and smells are the body's way of protecting your fetus from dangerous substances.

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Your Temperature Is Slightly Higher During Pregnancy

Did you know that your temperature is slightly higher during pregnancy? Women who are familiar with charting their basal body temperature (BBT) to track ovulation will already know that their temperature goes up during the second part of the menstrual cycle. This rise occurs during ovulation, but remains constant throughout the luteal phase of the cycle because of the hormone progesterone. Those women who end up pregnant will notice that their body temperature remains higher, because progesterone continues to dominate. If you are not pregnant, you will get your period and your temperature will go down a little again.

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Pimples And Acne May Make A Come-Back

Your teenage years may be long behind you, but pimples and acne can make a big come-back when you conceive a baby. Just like some women notice zits when they get their period, many newly pregnant ladies suffer from facial break-outs. Your facial skin will usually settle down quite soon, and you can conceal your pimples with make-up in the meantime. If full-blown acne is a problem for you, resist the temptation to run to the pharmacy for over-the-counter remedies and consult with your OBGYN first. Some acne medications are very dangerous for pregnant women. Looking for a less oily facial cream is always a good idea when you are expecting.

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Morning Sickness: The Most Obvious Early Pregnancy Sign

Pregnancy nausea is still commonly referred to as "morning sickness", but you probably already know that this early pregnancy symptom can rear its ugly head during any time of the day or night. Around three quarters of all expectant mothers will experience pregnancy nausea and vomiting, so you are unlikely to be spared. Women were trying to conceive and suddenly notice nausea should definitely take that as a clue, and take a pregnancy test as soon as possible. To keep your morning sickness to a minimum, eat small meals frequently and make sure to include enough proteins in your diet. Eating a dry cracker first thing in the morning can also reduce your nausea.