Am I having a baby? Early Signs of Pregnancy

Is your period late? Does your body feel a little strange and tired? Is the question "Am I going to have a baby?" in the back of your mind? If so, this article will be very important for you. Often, when such a question comes to mind, we get a little worried, and one thing comes to mind after another. It is very normal. Today, let's talk about the signs that our body gives us in the early stages of pregnancy, that is, the symptoms.

What are the most common symptoms that most people experience?

The first thing to remember is that everyone's body is different. So, what one person feels during pregnancy may not be the same as another. You don't have to have the same symptoms as your friend. So, don't compare your experience to someone else's.

Okay, so let's see what are the common characteristics that most people notice first.

• Missed period: This is the most common and obvious symptom. After conception, your body's hormonal activity changes, causing ovulation and the lining of your uterus to stop shedding. Simply put, your monthly menstrual cycle temporarily stops. You will get your period again after you have the baby. However, not every missed period is due to pregnancy. Excessive stress, excessive exercise, dieting, and other hormonal imbalances can also cause irregular periods.

• Frequent urination: You may feel this even before your period is late. Do you feel like you need to go to the bathroom more often than before? This is because your blood volume increases during pregnancy. Your kidneys then have to filter more blood and remove unnecessary waste products. These waste products are excreted as urine. So, when there is more blood in the body, the amount and frequency of urination increases.

• Fatigue: In the early stages, many people feel sleepy and lethargic throughout the day. The main reason for this is the high levels of the hormone progesterone in the body. This fatigue usually subsides a bit during the second trimester of pregnancy. However, many people start to feel this fatigue again in the last trimester.

• Morning Sickness: Despite the name, this nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of the day, morning, afternoon, or night. Some people can start feeling nauseous as early as two weeks after conception. Not everyone vomits. Some people just feel nauseous. About half of all pregnant women vomit. This is usually nothing to worry about. However, if you vomit excessively without having anything to eat or drink, you may be dehydrated. This condition is called hyperemesis gravidarum.If you have such excessive vomiting and dehydration, definitely see your doctor immediately.

• Breast pain and swelling: During this time, your breasts may be tender to the touch. It's similar to the pain you feel before your period, but a little more intense. The dark area around your nipple (areola) may also darken and become larger. This pain is temporary. It will go away as your body adjusts to the increased hormone levels. Your breasts may also feel larger and your bra may feel tight.

Other symptoms that are not present in everyone, but are present in some

In addition to the common symptoms we've just discussed, there are a few other symptoms. But most people don't experience them. Remember, you may not have any of these, or you may have all of them. It varies from person to person.

To make it easier to understand, let's look at these characteristics in a table.

A few more questions on your mind...

How quickly do these symptoms start?

It varies a lot. Some people start to feel changes in their bodies within a few days of conception. Others don't feel any symptoms for weeks after getting a positive pregnancy test.

Can these symptoms occur before a missed period?

Yes, it is possible. Some women are said to start experiencing these symptoms within a week of conception, which means about a week before their period is due.

Is it possible to still not be pregnant even though you have these symptoms?

Yes, absolutely. The early signs of pregnancy are often very similar to the symptoms that come before your normal menstrual cycle (Premenstrual symptoms - PMS). So it's easy to confuse the two. Also, as we discussed earlier, stress, weight loss/gain, and other factors can also cause your period to be late.

How do you know exactly when you should see a doctor?

Okay, now that you have one or more of these symptoms, what should you do next?

The simplest and most accurate way to check is to take a pregnancy test. You can buy a test kit at a pharmacy or supermarket. These work by checking the level of a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) in your urine.

You can take this test as soon as a day after your period has stopped. However, for the most accurate results, it is best to wait at least a week after your period has stopped before taking the test. Sometimes, if you test too soon, the result can be falsely `negative` (you are not pregnant), even if you are pregnant.

If you want to know even earlier, your doctor can do a blood test to determine if you're pregnant even a week before your period is late.

When should I see the doctor?

If your period is late and your pregnancy test is ``positive`` (you are pregnant), your next step should be to call your doctor and schedule an appointment for your first appointment.

When you call to make an appointment, they may ask if you are already taking a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid . Folic acid is essential in early pregnancy because it helps the neural tube, where the baby's brain and spinal cord develop, develop. That's why doctors recommend that anyone who is expecting a baby start taking folic acid well in advance.

If you are planning to have a baby, it is a good idea to meet with a doctor before you conceive. This appointment is especially important if you have a chronic condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, or if you are taking medication for it.