Sunday, April 20, 2008

Early Symptoms of Pregnancy – Know What To Expect

Early symptoms of pregnancy could start before your first missed period. Most women ask if they are pregnant but the accurate answer is in the pregnancy test.

Take these early symptoms of pregnancy into consideration which could start in the first few weeks after conception. Here are the common ones:

Having Headaches

Early in pregnancy, increased blood circulation caused by hormonal changes may trigger frequent, mild headaches.

Feeling 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.

The Food Aversions or Cravings

When you're pregnant, you might find yourself turning up your nose at certain foods, such as coffee or fried foods. Food cravings are common, too. Like most other symptoms of pregnancy, these food preferences can be chalked up to hormonal changes — especially in the first trimester, when hormone changes are the most dramatic.

Raised Basal Body Temperature

Your basal body temperature is your oral temperature when you first wake up in the morning. This temperature increases slightly soon after ovulation and remains at that level until your next period. If you've been charting your basal body temperature to determine when you ovulate, its continued elevation for more than two weeks may mean you're pregnant.

For more early symptoms / signs of pregnancy, read the full article at www.mayoclinic.com

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