When a woman is fertile and sexually active, she should always be looking out for signs of pregnancy, even when using contraception, as no method is a hundred percent safe except for abstinence. It is very important to become aware of these signs in good time, in order to acknowledge the pregnancy as early as possible and protect the growing child from a series of risk factors. Pregnancy should be considered when all or some of the following are present:
1. Lack of menstruation
A delay in a woman’s period is usually the first sign associated with a possible pregnancy. It is the norm for ovulation to stop when a woman becomes pregnant, and thus the monthly menstrual cycle is interrupted. That in itself is not a definite proof yet is a strong indicator. On occasion though, women might be pregnant and still experience bleeding, mistaking it for their period.
2. Nausea and vomiting
The second most common sign consists of a high sensitivity to smells and tastes, often causing nausea, as well as unexplained vomiting, especially in the morning. The first three months of the pregnancy involve many hormonal changes and put a strain on a woman’s biological mechanisms.
3. Appetite changes
Closely linked with the hormones causing nausea, the changes in a woman’s appetite will become more noticeable as the pregnancy progresses. Loss of appetite is very common during the first trimester. The changes also reside in an increased appetite for foods a woman previously disliked, or the opposite, rejecting the foods she customarily enjoyed before.
4. Fatigue
Pregnancy involves major changes in the way a woman’s body works and adapting to that typically results in significant loss of energy, sleepiness, loss of concentration and overall fatigue. If it persists over a few weeks with no apparent cause, there is definitely a chance of pregnancy. In that situation, it is crucial for a woman not to push herself by engaging in very demanding activities, especially on a physical level.
5. Dizziness
Combined with fatigue, sudden dizziness and even fainting is quite frequent in early pregnancy. These symptoms are sometimes mistaken for an illness. They should get better in time and the energy level should rise again, especially with proper nutrition.
6. Mood swings
Many women have reported increased irritability and unexplained mood swings during the first three months of pregnancy. Akin to many signs, they are also caused by hormones. Women can switch between short-tempered, mellow and highly emotional states within short periods of time.
7. Bleeding between periods
It is quite common for women to experience mild bleeding, as well as abdominal pain, when the process of implantation of the embryo in the uterus takes place. It will most likely occur out of synchronicity with the expected monthly period and be far less substantial.
Although nowadays pregnancy tests are known to be very accurate, if you think you might be pregnant, seeing a doctor is highly advisable. Not only will you obtain a definite result but also additional information about the evolution of your pregnancy.
