A missed period can be an early sign of pregnancy but even before you miss a period there  may be other early signs that can tell you whether or not you are pregnant. However, the  problem with most early signs of pregnancy is that they may be similar to what you normally  observe before you have your period.

If you suspect that you are pregnant and you want to be sure you can do a home pregnancy test. In case you want to be absolutely sure you need to have a pregnancy test done by your doctor.

Below you will find a list of the top 9 early signs of pregnancy. Please bear in mind that:

• Certain signs and symptoms of being pregnant can also be confused with pre-menstrual symptoms or illnesses.
• During pregnancy you will experience a variety of physical and emotional changes and that the symptoms can vary in their intensity, frequency, duration and the time you experience them.
• Every woman and every pregnancy are different and for that reason some women will experience some symptoms more subtly while others may have very strong pregnancy symptoms immediately from the very beginning.
• Some women may experience some, all or none of the signs stated here.

EARLY PREGNANCY SIGNS

1. MISSING YOUR MENSTRUATION

The most obvious early symptom of pregnancy is when you’ve missed your menstruation. You might not experience any of the pregnancy signs listed here until around the time you notice you’ve missed your monthly cycle or you had a much lighter period compared to your usual one (check implantation bleeding below).

Please note that that even though missing your menstruation is one of the most common sign and symptom of being pregnant, there may be some other reason why your menstruation is late. A delay can also be caused by stress, shock, illness, weight fluctuations or coming off the oral contraceptive pill. Irregular periods are a common symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition in which the menstruation can occur several months apart. If you still feel like you are experiencing other pregnancy symptoms you may want to do a home pregnancy test to be sure.

2. IMPLANTATION BLEEDING

Another pregnancy symptom that is not so known is the implantation bleeding. This is a slight bleeding or spotting that can be caused when the fertilized egg begins to implant itself into the uterus. It usually takes place 8 days after ovulation. Sometimes implantation bleeding is confused with a light menstruation.

3. TENDERNESS OF THE BREAST, SWOLLEN BREAST and DARKENING OF THE AREOLA

The changing of size and feel of your breasts may also indicate an early pregnancy. This pregnancy symptom may occur as early as a few days after conception. Your breasts are beginning to enlarge, as it gets ready for breastfeeding. Many women claim that their breasts are very sensitive and that they sometimes experience a very sharp, tingling sensation as well. The tenderness of the breast often disappears after a few weeks.

The darkening of the areola is also a sign that could indicate a pregnancy. Nevertheless the darkening of the areola is something that can occur also in latter stages of your pregnancy.

4. NAUSEA

Considered another one of the classic sign of being pregnant, nausea can be experienced as soon as one week after you conceived. Many women experience nausea in the morning that’s why this symptom is mostly addressed as morning sickness.

The reasons for it can be:

• an increase in the circulating level of the hormone oestrogen,
• low blood sugar
• an increase in progesterone relaxes the muscle in the uterus and this can also relax the stomach and intestine resulting in an excess of stomach acids
• an increase in human chorionic gonadotropin
• an increase in sensitivity to odours
• your body is craving food and you have not eaten all night so your tummy feels queasy
• you are sensitive to aromas and foods and the usual breakfast you typically have may not settle well in your stomach during this time.

Most women experience nausea and vomiting from weeks 5 to 6 of their pregnancy. It can occur at any time of the day, and can vary from an occasional faint sensation to overwhelming nausea and vomiting. Normally morning sickness is one of the pregnancy symptoms that tend to disappear when you are in your second trimester.

What may help? Try to eat lighter but more frequently; snack size meals, saltine crackers, fruits and drink milk.

5. TIREDNESS and FATIGUE

One of the earliest pregnancy signs for some women may be fatigue and tiredness. You may start going to bed earlier, or find it harder than usual to get out of bed in the morning. If you are working, by noon you may feel like you need to lie down. Exercising seems like too much effort. A simple activity like shopping may leave you feeling wiped out and lightheaded. This early pregnancy symptom is caused by all of the changes that your body is going through, plus the increasing levels of hormones.

If you know you are pregnant, try to take frequent rests or naps of 15 minutes to a half-hour whenever possible.

Please note that although this might be a sign of being pregnant, it can also point to other things as well. So if you know you are not pregnant, make an appointment with your doctor to find out why you feel this way.

6.FREQUENT URINATION

This pregnancy sign may be experienced already as early as two weeks after you conceive. You experience that you are urinating more frequently. The reason for it is that your body starts producing the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and it stimulate the bladder muscles, so that it feels full, even though you might not need to urinate.

7.FOOD CRAVINGS and CHANGES IN TASTE AND SMELL

A well-know pregnancy cliché is food cravings and the desire for midnight snacks or unusual combinations of food i.e. pickles with jam. While it’s not a sure sign if it’s encountered alone, if it is accompanied by other signs and symptoms you should consider taking a home pregnancy test. Note that some women feel cravings for non-food items . A craving can also indicate that the body is lacking a specific nutrient.

Some pregnant women claim that they feel a strange metallic taste in their mouth and that they are more sensitive to smell.

8. CONSTIPATION

One of the most uncomfortable symptoms of being pregnant is constipation. This is caused by hormone changes that may slow down digestion and bowel functions to allow the body to absorb as much nutritional value, vitamins and minerals as possible.

What to do? Drink plenty of water, eat fruits, vegetables, raisins and bran cereal to your stimulate your digestion. Be aware that chocolate and coke can have a constipating effect.  Ask your doctor for advice before taking a prenatal multivitamin food supplement. Some multivitamins supplements also contain digestive enzymes (from pineapple and papaya fruits). They can help your body get the nutrients it needs for your growing baby and help you to ease the constipation.

9. ELEVATED TEMPERATURE

It is normal to have a slight increase in body temperature when you ovulate. If your basal body temperature stays elevated after ovulation until after the moment when your period should begin this can be one of the very early signs of pregnancy.

How to know if you are really pregnant?

DO A HOME PREGNANCY TEST

These tests can be purchased at local pharmacies and can confirm pregnancy by detecting the level of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin – a pregnancy hormone) in your urine. Some tests can be done as early as the first day of your missing menstruation. Read the instructions carefully before doing the test since the accuracy of some tests depends on the time you do the test. If you receive a positive result, you should make an appointment with your gynaecologist so that she can confirm your pregnancy and advise you on what to do next.

Topics that may also interest you:

Body changes you might not expect while pregnant

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

12 warning signs you should not ignore during pregnancy

Research: Sexual desire during pregnancy

How to decrease stress during pregnancy?

Your doctor will probably want to give you some intravenous fluids right away, since you’re likely to be seriously dehydrated. Then you’ll need to do some tests to check your electrolyte levels and make sure no underlying illness is causing your constant vomiting. Depending on your condition, you may need to be hospitalized for a few days so that you can continue to receive fluids and medication.

Many women feel much better after they’re rehydrated and are able to control their symptoms with anti-nausea medication. As soon as your condition stabilizes, you should be able to go home, where you can continue taking oral medications. Your doctor may recommend a diet to reduce nausea and vomiting. Both dietary changes and medications may be necessary because many women who suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum continue to have some morning sickness well into their pregnancy, even if it’s not as severe as before.

In rare cases, you’ll need to continue to receive intravenous therapy in the hospital or at home.

If inadequately treated, hyperemesis gravidarum can result in chronic dehydration, weight loss, malnutrition, and other complications for you and your baby.

Also go to the doctor if:

• you are experiencing excessive nausea and vomiting that prevents you from keeping any food down
• vomiting is accompanied by pain or fever
• nausea and vomiting persists well into the second trimester (after 13th week)

When any of these are the case you could have a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. This condition can be difficult to manage, but the sooner you’re diagnosed and begin treatment, the more likely you’ll be able to avoid severe symptoms. If your situation is severe, your doctor will most likely want to check you into the hospital and treat you with intravenous fluids and medications.

If your nausea and vomiting is getting worse, waiting too long to take medication may make it more difficult to treat.

Ask your doctor if the combination of doxylamine and vitamin B6 might work for you and what dose you should take. No one knows why vitamin B6 eases nausea in some expectant mothers, but research indicates that it works for some women and it’s safe when taken in commonly recommended doses.

The usual dose for treating morning sickness is between 10 and 25 milligrams 3 times a day, but check with your doctor before taking anything. Don’t take more vitamin B6 than he or she recommends. Too much can cause numbness and nerve damage and may not be safe for your developing baby.

If vitamin B6 isn’t enough to do the job, there are other anti-nausea medications that are considered safe and effective during pregnancy. Emetrol is the only nonprescription nausea medication that’s considered safe during pregnancy. Reflux medications such as Zantac or Pepcid sometimes work for women whose nausea and vomiting is triggered by gastrointestinal distress.

As for prescription medicine, your doctor may suggest nausea medications such as Compazine or Tigan or the antihistamine Phenergan. The drug Zofran, which was originally designed to control nausea in chemotherapy patients, may be effective for pregnant women, but it’s very expensive and many insurers won’t cover it.

• Try to avoid foods and smells that trigger your nausea. It’s okay to eat the few things that turn out to be appealing to you, even if this doesn’t result in a balanced diet. Take some vitamin pills to get all you need. Try to eat food cold or at room temperature; it has less of an aroma than when it’s hot.
• Carry a handkerchief with a few drops of a non nausea causing essential oil (lemon or mint for example) in it and breath through it if you can’t get away from the smell that is bothering you.
• Keep snacks like crackers or dry cereal by your bed. When you wake up, eat some crackers and then rest for 20 to 30 minutes before getting up slowly. Snacking on something small can also help you feel better if you wake up in the middle of the night feeling sick.
• Eat what you want when you want it. Eat small things all the time throughout the day so that your stomach is never empty. High-protein foods are most likely to ease nausea.
• Avoid foods that take longer to digest. This is fat, spicy, acidic, and fried food. They can irritate your digestive system.
• Eat potato chips or a different salty snack before your meal. They settle your stomach for what’s coming.
• Try to drink between meals. Don’t drink with your meal and never drink so much that your stomach feels full, it will make you less hungry. If you’ve been vomiting a lot, try a sports drink that contains glucose, salt, and potassium to replace lost electrolytes.
• Take your prenatal vitamins with food or just before bed. Ask your doctor if you can switch to a prenatal vitamin with little or no iron for the first trimester, it can be hard on your digestive system.
• Take time to relax and nap if you can. But, don’t lie down immediately after eating. Tiredness plays a big part in morning sickness. Watching a movie or visiting with a friend can help relieve stress and take your mind off your discomfort.
• Eat ginger, an alternative remedy thought to settle the stomach and help quell queasiness. See if you can find ginger ale made with real ginger, make ginger tea, or see if ginger candies help.

If nausea keeps you from eating a balanced diet, take a prenatal vitamin to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you and your baby need.

If your baby or your placenta is not developing properly, you’d have lower levels of pregnancy hormones in your system, which will give you less reason to get nausiated. If you don’t feel any, or if you feel little nausia you might be afraid of havig a miscarriage. And it’s true that women who do have miscarriages are less likely to have had nausea. But, there are plenty of women with perfectly normal pregnancies who manage to escape nausea during their first trimester. Count yourself lucky and don’t obsess about it if you’re not suffering!

• You’re pregnant with twins. This may be from the higher levels of hormones in your system. You’re also more likely to have a more severe case of morning sickness. But, some women carrying twins have little or no nausea.
• You had morning sickness in a previous pregnancy.
• You have a history of nausea or vomiting as a side effect of taking birth control pills. This is probably related to your body’s response to estrogen.
• You have motion sickness.
• You have migraine headaches.
• If your mother or sisters had severe morning sickness, there’s a higher chance you will, too.
• You’re carrying a girl. Women with severe nausea and vomiting were 50% more likely to be carrying a girl.

• Rapidly increasing levels of hormones. The hormone human chorionic gonadotropin increase during early pregnancy. No one knows how this contributes to nausea, but the timing is right: nausea tends to peak around the same time as levels of the hormones. Estrogen is also considered a cause, and it’s possible that other hormones may play a role as well.
• An enhanced sense of smell and sensitivity to odors. Pregnant woman often find themselves all-of-a-sudden overwhelmed by the smell of something you used to like; nasi lemak, for example. This may be a result of higher levels of estrogen also.
• A sensitive stomach. Some women’s stomaches are simply more sensitive to the changes of early pregnancy.

Another thing no one knows: why vitamin B6 is helpful. There’s some evidence that taking a multivitamin at the time of conception and in early pregnancy helps prevent severe morning sickness, but again, no one knows why.

Nausea and vomiting can be one of the first signs of pregnancy. It usually starts around week 6 of pregnancy, but it can even begin at 4 weeks. It tends to get worse over the next month. For most women it seems to stop around the 13th week of pregnancy but it may continue throughout the whole pregnancy if you’re unfortunate. For most women it is an annoyance. For some it can pose a risk of dehydration.

Morning sickness is not harmful to you or your baby, but if you experience excessive vomiting and you can’t keep any food down, you may have hyperemesis gravidarum. Hyperemesis gravidarum can cause harm to you and your baby if it’s left untreated, due to the lack of nutrients. The most important thing is to inform your doctor when these symptoms appear and discuss possible options for treatment.

Many doctors consider morning sickness as a good sign because it means the placenta is developing well.