A sign is an objective evidence of a condition that people can see on a patient. It can be inspected by the eyes or measured by laboratory equipment. A sign is more or less definitive and obvious. So, when you say signs of pregnancy, they refer to the objective findings perceived by an examiner and not the mother. However, many signs are usually accompanied by symptoms. Here are first pregnancy signs that indicate impending motherhood.

1. Spotting

One of the first pregnancy signs may be implantation bleeding. It is characterized by a slight staining of a pink to brown colour, caused by the implantation of the egg in the endometrial lining. About 6-12 days after conception, the embryo implants itself in the uterine wall. It is usually accompanied by cramping. Some women experience spotting, but others do not.

2. Darkening of the areolas

If the skin around your nipples gets darker, it may be a sign of pregnancy. However, this can also be a sign of a hormonal imbalance and might not be related to pregnancy.

3. Frequent urination

Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may experience frequent visits to the bathroom. Although this may be caused by diabetes, diuretics, or a urinary tract infection (UTI), it is most likely due to increased human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels when you are pregnant. hCG increased blood flow to your kidneys, helping them to cleanse your body. Your growing uterus is also starting to put pressure on your bladder, leaving less storage for urine and leading to frequent urination.

4. Positive pregnancy test

If you have a positive result showing up on your pregnancy test, you are most likely pregnant. Make an appointment with your doctor to confirm the good news and prepare for motherhood.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

You’re pregnant. Naturally this means you are going to feel all sorts of new aches and pains. In fact, you might wake up with a new pregnancy symptom every day of the week. Most of these are normal. Still, there are some pregnancy symptoms NOT to ignore. Remember, it is always better to err on the side of caution rather than wait something out when you are pregnant.

The following are pregnancy symptoms that require you to get in touch with your help practitioner. (Please note: some of these can be a normal and natural part of your pregnancy, so don’t be immediately alarmed if you have any of these.)

1. Less fetal movement. If you notice a significant decrease in fetal movement, or no movement at all for an extended period of time, you should call your doctor. Try laying down on your left side after drinking something sweet, like orange juice, to see if you conjure up movements. In late pregnancy, a change in the types of movements is natural as space is limited. But your baby should still move regularly. If you cannot get your baby to move – then call your doctor immediately.

2. Extreme abdominal pain. Pulled or strained muscles are par for the course of pregnancy. Cramps are fairly common too, and can be Braxton-Hicks contractions. If, however, you are experiencing deep and strong or sharp pains, you should call your doctor. The best rule of thumb is know your body, and know whether this is a normal, routine pain – or something more. If you think it’s something more, then a check-up won’t hurt.

3. Vaginal Bleeding or Spotting. Some women spot and bleed their whole pregnancy without a problem. However, if you notice sudden spotting or heavy bleeding (accompanied by discharge) that starts out of nowhere and is accompanied with cramping – check yourself into an emergency department, or call your healthcare provider for an appointment that day. Remember, better safe than sorry.

4. Extreme swelling of the face or extremities. Obviously, some swelling is normal. If you notice a sudden increase in weight gain and swelling, you may have preeclampsia, which can be life threatening to you. Call your doctor.

5. High fevers, chills, and severe headaches accompanied by blurred vision. This could be something as normal as the common cold or flu, or something more. Its always best to have your provider treat you for illness during pregnancy.

6. A swollen leg, or pain in one leg that doesn’t go away. Blood clots during pregnancy are often caused by hormones, and one of the first signs is leg swelling or severe pain in the legs.

7. Exposure to influenza. H1N1 flu exposure has been proven to be risky to pregnant woman. If you have been exposed, it is important to let your doctor know. Also exposure to chicken pox, rubella, and Fifths disease should be reported to your doctor.

8. Itchiness all over your body. Occasional itchiness as skin stretches is normal, but sudden unexplained itchiness may signal a problem.

9. Shortness of breath or difficult breathing, whether in pregnancy or not – should prompt a trip to the emergency department of the nearest hospital. If this is combined with chest pains, fainting spells, or high fever, you need to be seen ASAP.

The reality is that pregnancy can make you feel all sorts of things. If you listen to your intuition and let it guide you to knowing that something may be wrong, you will be better off in the long run. You should never feel like you worry too much, or that a doctor or ER is going to think you are crazy simply because you are concerned about something going on with your body. Even though the chances are high that you will find out everything is fine, it is always better to know for sure so you can relax. You owe yourself peace of mind.

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Momspirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

In early pregnancy, rapidly increasing hormones cause a whole host of changes in your body as it prepares to carry a pregnancy. You may not notice some of the changes taking place, but others will be more noticeable. For many women, a missed period is the first sign of pregnancy, but for others that may not be a reliable indicator. Below is a list of the common early pregnancy signs, you may experience some, all or none of these symptoms. All women, and all pregnancies for that matter, are different.

Missed period
If you usually menstruate like clockwork, a missed period may be your first symptom of pregnancy. Absent periods can also be caused by illness, severe weight loss, stress and anxiety, so an absent period isn’t a definite indicator of pregnancy.

Sore breasts
Your breasts may feel tender and swollen early in the pregnancy. This symptom is very similar to the tender breasts experienced pre menstruation. This can be one of the first symptoms of pregnancy.

Nausea
Morning sickness and nausea tend to kick in around week six, however it can start as early as week four. Morning sickness can occur at any time of day. You may vomit or feel nauseous. Not all women will experience morning sickness. For those who do, the nausea usually subsides around the end of the first trimester.

Frequent urination
Needing to wee excessively is probably one of the most famous pregnancy side effects, but people often mistakenly assume it doesn’t start until later in the pregnancy. While the third trimester can be filled with toilet breaks, this is usually because with an expanding uterus and baby, there isn’t much room left for your bladder. Frequent urination can start as early as six weeks into the pregnancy, as your pregnancy hormones combine with your growing uterus, causing you to wee more.

Tiredness
Fatigue is a common early pregnancy symptom. As your body uses lots of energy for the pregnancy, and your deluge of hormones leave you feeling sleepy, it’s no wonder you’re crashing out on the sofa at 7pm. If you are experiencing fatigue, try to get as much rest as you can.

Food cravings/aversions
It’s not uncommon for women to experience strong aversions to certain foods or smells early in the pregnancy. Aversions and cravings can even occur before a missed period. Some women find that they go off tea or coffee, and become hypersensitive to cooking aromas.

Shortness of breath
If you suddenly find yourself out of puff after climbing a flight of steps, you may be experiencing the early pregnancy symptom shortness of breath. As your hormones surge during the early weeks of pregnancy, progesterone increases the amount of air taken in with each breath.

If you think you may be pregnant, the best way to find out for sure is to take a home pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests are most reliable after a missed period, so ideally you should wait until then to take one. If the home pregnancy test confirms you are pregnant, you should contact your healthcare provider.

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.

So, you were feeling nauseous, you missed a period and you decided it’s time to take a pregnancy test. Now, with the two pink stripes clearly visible on the test, congratulations are in order. You are pregnant, and you are going to go through one of the most significant experiences of your life. While you are on this roller coaster ride, not only is your life about to change, but so is your body.

After you get pregnant, your body goes through a number of changes, not just externally but internally as well. There is much more to these changes than a bloated body and swollen feet, and before you decide how to deal with a changing body during pregnancy, you first need to understand what they actually are and why they happen in the first place.

Common Body Changes During Pregnancy

Here are some common changes that take place inside your body during pregnancy:

• You start growing a completely new organ inside – the placenta. This organ starts developing roughly a week after conception to form a protective barrier around your baby that stops your blood from mixing with the baby’s blood, while allowing the oxygen and nutrients to get through. The placenta also excretes hormones that support pregnancy and prepare your body for nursing.
• During pregnancy, your body starts releasing a hormone called relaxin, that is known to soften and loosen bones and ligaments. While this makes it easier for you to go through labor, it also affect other parts of your body, resulting in back aches and swollen feet.
• During pregnancy, the hormones in your body also affect spatial memory, making you forget what you were doing just minutes before.
• By the time you reach the 20th week of your pregnancy, you are carrying around 50% more blood than before, which is required by the body to nourish the pregnancy. This excessive blood is the reason behind varicose veins, nosebleeds and hemorrhoids experienced by some women at this time. The extra circulation also gives you the famous pregnancy “glow.” So don’t hate it, embrace it!

Ways to deal with a changing body during pregnancy

The best way to deal with your changing pregnant body is to keep a positive attitude towards it, no matter what others say. Remember that this is one of the best experiences of your life, a miracle is about to happen and all the changes that your body is experiencing are for the good.

Staying active is another way to maintain control over your body. Try to make a regular exercise regimen, go for a short walk or take a swim. In the advanced stages of pregnancy, swimming is one of the best ways to stay active. Yoga is another way you can cope with your changing body.

Don’t feel helpless, because you are not (contrary to the popular belief). While it is true that you cannot completely control the changes in your body during pregnancy, letting go completely can make things worse for you. Consume a healthy, controlled diet, and exercise regularly so that you don’t become overweight.

Lastly, talk to people about your changing body and your concerns, especially your partner and other women who have gone through pregnancy. They can help you maintain a positive attitude about your body during pregnancy.

Written by Team Health & Parenting

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.