Early Pregnancy
Recognizing Early Signs
Soon after conception, you will begin to notice signs of early pregnancy. Early detection of these signs will enable you to make health lifestyle changes to prevent endangering the life of the baby inside your womb. While not everyone shares all of these symptoms, these are proven signs that should confirm your suspicion of being pregnant.
- missed or delayed period
- frequent urination
- feeling of fatigue
- swollen or tender breasts
- food cravings
- nausea or 'morning sickness'
- aversion to certain types of food or odor
- implantation bleeding or spotting, etc
Conducting Home Pregnancy Tests
As soon as you exhibit the signs listed above, the next step would be to confirm it. You do not have to go to the doctor right away. There are a few tests you can perform at home, which is just as effective. As long as you do it properly using the right tools, then you can rely on the accuracy of the results provided.
There are no specific rules on what time of day these tests are to be conducted. However, you can do this the very next day you missed your period. When you perform the testing at such an early stage though, the results might not be as accurate.
Depending on the testing tool you use, the method varies as well. Therefore, you must read instructions carefully before using the testing kit. Other brands require you to get a sample urine, while others require you to urinate directly on certain containers. However, they all work in the same concept, which is calculating the level of hCG in your body. As long as you ensure that instructions are strictly followed, then the result is 97% accurate.
Common Early Pregnancy Worries
The early stages (and the latter stages nearing delivery) of a woman's pregnancy is the most crucial and sensitive stage. There are several concerns to look out for, especially considering that the baby is still on its development stage. Hence, prenatal during the first month is advised to monitor the growth of the fetus. This also allows the doctor to assess the condition of both mother and child.
Bleeding during early pregnancy.
Despite the fact that it raises concern, bleeding during the early stages of pregnancy is quite common. In fact, 15-25% of women experience this during early pregnancy as a result of variations in the hormonal levels. Implantation bleeding is common during the first two or three days following the fertilization of the egg. When this happens though, you need to consult with your doctor to ensure both you and the child's safety.
To better cope with your conditions during the first trimester of your pregnancy, here are a few more guidelines to help you:
- Take time to relax and rest your body.
- Take note of your diet to ensure you are getting the proper nutrients needed for the baby.
- Regularly visit your doctor so the fetal development is closely monitored. Moreover, call your doctor whenever you experience irregularities in your body.
- To deal with nausea, you can try several alternatives such as snacking on crackers, drinking ginger tea, or ginger ale.
Click here to read more on Early Pregnancy
Understanding Early Pregnancy Recommended Resources:
Harvard Science
Baylor College of Medicine
