Boston: How to Tell When You Are Pregnant

Boston,

There are many symptoms that can help you to realize when you become pregnant before you take a test. Every woman is unique and every pregnancy is unique. A woman who has been pregnant before may have totally different symptoms the second or third time around. By recognizing the signs that tell you that you could be pregnant, you will be better equipped to take care of yourself and your baby early on.

Early detection is important for preventing Neural Tube Defects in your unborn child. You should be taking a daily multivitamin containing Folic Acid before you become pregnant, ideally, or as soon as possible after becoming pregnant. You may be able to detect some symptoms of pregnancy before you actually miss your first period. You could be about two weeks pregnant before you miss your period, or you may have some spotting and not think that you are pregnant. Since Folic Acid is most important during the first thirty days of gestation, recognizing other symptoms is critical.

Many women experience morning sickness, feel nauseated and may actually experience vomiting soon after becoming pregnant. Some women do not experience morning sickness for the first few weeks or ever at all, so it is not necessarily the best way to tell if you may be pregnant. Remember that nauseation is most common in the morning, hence the name, but can occur at any time.

Some women experience swelling of the hands and feet, headache and rapid weight gain. When you become pregnant, your body quickly produces more and more blood to supply your growing uterus and placenta. This extra blood and hormonal changes can make you feel either very tired or you could experience insomnia. Your blood pressure may rise causing headaches and swelling. The extra blood flow and swelling can disrupt the normal flow of blood around your spine and cause you to experience early pregnancy backaches as well.

Many women notice a constant dull ache or even sharp shooting pains through their breasts. This is a normal reaction to the hormonal changes that your body is going through when you become pregnant. Bending over can intensify the pain because of the extra blood flow to the breasts. Another change in your breasts is areola coloration. Most women will see their areola turn from pink to brown within the first few weeks of becoming pregnant. Some women will see a slight change while others experience a dramatic darkening.

If you suspect that you may be pregnant, the best and most reliable way to find out is to take a home pregnancy test. These tests are very accurate in detecting pregnancy hormones and almost never give a false positive. They can detect pregnancy as early as a week after conception. The pregnancy hormone in your body doubles every other day in early pregnancy, so if you are not sure of the results, wait a day or two and test again. If you do get a positive reading, consult with your doctor for a blood test or ultrasound.

Source by Eric M. Daiter

How to Tell When You Are Pregnant