The Early Signs And Symptoms Of Pregnancy

While each woman will exhibit different symptoms when she's pregnant, the one that is most important is a menstrual cycle that's been missed or delayed. It's important that you understand the various possible symptoms of pregnancy, since most of these symptoms could also be a sign of something else.

Some women will begin exhibiting signs of pregnancy only a week after conception. Others will take several weeks to have symptoms. While each situation is different, here are some of the most common signs of pregnancy. If you experience any of these, and especially if you experience two or more, you should take a pregnancy test as soon as possible.

• Implantation bleeding. Somewhere around six to twelve days following conception, the embryo is implanted in the wall of the uterus, causing some bleeding. Some women experience cramping and spotting. Other causes could be actual or altered menstruation, infection, intercourse-related abrasion, or changes in your birth control pills.

• Difference in Your Menstruation. Probably the most significant sign of pregnancy is a delay or other different in your menstruation - period. If you become pregnant, you will miss your next period. While it's not uncommon for women to bleed when pregnant, it will usually be lighter and for a shorter period than when you bleed during a regular period. Other causes for a difference in menstruation could include hormonal problems tension, extreme weight loss or gain, fatigue, and breastfeeding.

• Tender or swollen breasts. This could be experienced only a week or two following conception. Other causes for this could include an imbalance in hormones, birth-control pills, or PMS.

• Feeling more tired than usual can be a pregnancy symptom, and might be experienced within just a week following conception. Other causes for this could include exhaustion, stress, depression, the flu or a common cold.

• Nausea. This, also known as 'morning sickness,' is the best-known sign of pregnancy, it usually shows up two to eight weeks following conception. Other causes for nausea might be stress, stomach disorders, the flu, or even food poisoning.

• Headaches. Early in your pregnancy, you could have a sudden rise of hormones, leading to pregnancy headaches. Other causes could include stress, dehydration, eye strain, impending PMS, caffeine withdrawal, or other illnesses.

• Backaches. These occur especially in the lower back, and usually early in the pregnancy. It's not uncommon for a woman to experience a consistent dull aching throughout the pregnancy. Other causes include stress, impending PMS, mental or physical strain, and other back problems.

• Darkening of the Areolas. This is the skin around the nipples, which sometimes get darker soon after becoming pregnant. Other causes include a previous pregnancy or imbalance in hormones.

• Frequent Urinating. This normally occurs around six to eight weeks following conception. Other causes include an infection of the urinary tract, increased drinking of liquids, diabetes, or taking diuretics.

• Unusual food cravings. This one is parodied much in the media, but most women actually do not desire pickles and ice cream. However, they will often feel an unusual craving for a certain food. This could last for the course of the whole pregnancy. Other causes include depression, stress, impending PMS, or just a poor diet.

It's important that you take a pregnancy as soon as you recognize a couple of these signs. It's important for the health of the child that the pregnancy be discovered as soon as possible.