Pregnancy Symptoms

Many first time parents are confused by pregnancy symptoms. While the symptoms of later pregnancy, such as swollen ankles, a protruding abdomen and the absence of the menstrual cycle, are obvious and hard to miss, the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy can be more subtle.

Why pregnancy symptoms are often missed

It is not hard to understand why the earliest signs of pregnancy are often overlooked. Some of the symptoms can be subtle and mild, while others can be mistaken for other conditions. For instance, such classic signs of pregnancy as nausea, heartburn and constipation can have a wide variety of causes, including viruses, bacterial infections and even prescription and over the counter medications. Even symptoms like spotting and missed menstrual periods can have other causes.

Other pregnancy symptoms

Other classic symptoms of pregnancy include tenderness in the breasts, fatigue, fainting and light headedness. It is important to remember, however, that the symptoms of pregnancy can vary, and not every pregnant woman will experience all of these symptoms.

What to do if pregnancy is suspected

Women experiencing any of these symptoms, especially those who suspect a pregnancy, should be sure to have a pregnancy test done as quickly as possible. There are a number of excellent home pregnancy tests that a woman can perform easily in the privacy of her own bathroom. It is of course important to follow the label directions carefully, and to repeat the test to ensure accuracy. It is also important to have a professional test done by a family physician or gynecologist to confirm the results.

The importance of knowing your body

While the existence of one or more pregnancy symptoms is a good tip off to the existence of the pregnancy, there is nothing like the intuition of the woman herself. No one knows her body and its rhythms better than the woman herself, and picking up on subtle chances is often the very best way to catch a pregnancy early.