You may experience all the signs of early pregnancy,
grow hopeful that you are pregnant, and still not
be. Or you may have hardly any symptoms and be definitely
pregnant. The truth is pregnancy signs and symptoms
are mere clues. Do not ignore them but at the same
time don't bank on them either. Further confirmation
with a visit to your clinic is very necessary if you
suspect a baby is on the way! Here are three categories
of pregnancy signs which translate to you being possibly
or probably or positively pregnant!
The Possible signs
These are signs that are experienced by the woman
herself but because these are feelings as reported
by the woman which are not confirmed by medical evidence,
they cannot be considered definite indicators of pregnancy
Absence of or missed menses (amenorrhea)
When: Soon after conception
Other causes of a no-period situation include hidden
fear of an unwanted pregnancy, fatigue, stress, hormone
problems, illness such as thyroid gland disturbances,
extreme weight gain or loss, recent childbirth, breastfeeding,
going off the pill and travel
Morning sickness
at any part of the day with or without the vomit
When: as early as 2-3 weeks after the LMP
Other causes are infection, food poisoning, emotional
distress and a host of other illnesses
Frequent pee
When: as early as the first day of a missed period
Other causes are UTI, diabetes, stress, diuretics
Tender, swollen breasts
When: as early as few days after conceiving
Other causes include impending menstruation, birth
control pills
Nipple changes (areola darkens and
the tiny glands look more visible)
When: first trimester
Other causes are hormonal imbalance, the effects of
a previous pregnancy
Food cravings
When: first trimester
Other causes include poor eating habits, upcoming
period and stress
Fatigue and sleepiness
When: early weeks after conception
Other causes are overwork, late nights, and a lack
in certain nutrients
Loss in appetite
When: early weeks after conception
Other causes include stress, constipation, and a lack
of sleep
The Probable Signs
These are signs felt by the mother which can be documented
when she is physically examined by a doctor i.e. growth
of the uterus
Color change in the tissues of the vagina
and cervix to purplish blue
When: first trimester
The other cause can be pegged to your impending periods
Softening of cervix and uterus
When: 6 weeks
The other cause can be because of the delay in your
periods which are due any day now
Uterus and abdomen size (becomes bigger)
When: 2-3 months after conception
The other cause can be because of other growths such
as fibroids, tumor instead of a fetus
Fluttering in the lower abdomen
When: 16-22 weeks
Other causes are gas, bowel contractions
Pregnancy tests
When: preferably about 10 days after conception
Blood and urine testing are not 100% full-proof in
determining pregnancy. (In the recent past, these
tests have proven to be 99% accurate in detecting
hCG, a hormone produced by the blastocyst [a clump
of cells result when the sperm and egg fuse] and later
by the placenta.) Hence a positive result following
the test is considered as a probable sign and not
a positive one. It is advisable to follow up with
a visit to the doctor's office. The most striking
changes affected by pregnancy occur in the reproductive
organs so the results from a check of these organs
can convert a probable pregnancy to a positive one.
The Positive Signs
These signs are a direct consequence of an embryo
growing inside the mother. Changes in the cervix,
vagina and uterus can still be due to other reasons.
However the presence of the fetal heart rate and ultrasound
images of a live embryo will ascertain a pregnancy
and rule out all other possibilities.
Visualization of embryo or gestational sac
through ultrasound
When: one to one and a half months following conception
Fetal heartbeat
When: 9th - 12th week using a Doppler
16th - 20th week using a fetoscope
Fetal Movement (quickening)
When: 20th week of pregnancy felt by a third party
(doctor)
A special note:
There are instances where it can be very confusing
for the overly-anxious woman: she may be pregnant
and yet 'menstruate' in the early months. These menstrual
periods differ from the usual in that they are shorter
and scantier in flow. A woman may bleed for 3 days
instead of the normal 5 at the time when her period
is due. It doesn't stop there for some. In the following
month she may bleed for half a day and maybe for an
hour in the month after that. Alternatively, a woman
may experience menses-like cramps without bleeding
at the time of her period. This discomfort may last
for 3-4 days then stops with no sign of bleeding.
It is best to put your mind at rest by visiting your
doctor or with a home pregnancy test first before
a visit to the clinic, whichever convenient.
A
visit to the doctor at the earliest is necessary for
the health of mother and baby.
