New Health Guide

Symptoms of Being Pregnant

Oct 10, 2014

image001Pregnancy can be a daunting process from the day of conception and symptoms that could mean anything – to what to do to keep the pregnancy healthy. It is important to have a guide to reference so you can make a wise and educated choice about your pregnancy in every stage. So how do you know you could be pregnant? See the following article.

Symptoms of Being Pregnant

Symptoms

Descriptions

Missing a Period

This is the obvious one so it is best to keep track and know if you are regular or not.

Nausea

Those hormones are going to start changing and nausea is one of the common symptoms.

Tender and Swollen Breasts

If you period hasn’t started and your breasts are still tender and swollen—chances are you’re pregnant.

Tingling and Prickling Nipples

Sounds like some form of torture and boy it can feel sensitive in a bra. This is a sure sign in combination with others.

Darker Areolas

If the area around your nipples is getting darker then you may be pregnant as there are not many other conditions that would cause such a thing.

Spotting

If you experience spotting and you are ten days after conception—this could mean an implantation bleed. If it does not lead to a regular period, then you may be pregnant.

Frequent Urination or Constipation

This is caused by the stretching of the uterus on the bladder and bowel causing these symptoms.

Sensitive Nose

You may have a heightened sense of smell.

Food Cravings

You may want some weird things at some weird hours so you need to be watchful of that.

Headaches

Pressure on the brain by water gain and hormonal changes may cause some headaches.

Emotional Swings

You can bet on some mood swings that those hormones are going to cause.

Dizziness

This is in line with why headaches happen. Although it is goo to check blood pressure.

Fatigue

Even in early stages your body will be using resources for the baby causing mom to feel tired and cranky.

Metallic Taste

This is a taste in the mouth that is also spawned by hormonal imbalance during pregnancy.

Vivid Dreams

Yes, you are even affected in your sleep. Your brain and hormones are in overdrive.

Positive Home Pregnancy Test

There are a lot of these on the market that are very sensitive. If it comes out positive you only have to confirm with other symptoms here.

Other Symptoms

Back ache, shortness of breath, itchy skin, tingling and numbness in hands, leg cramps, varicose veins, and vaginitis.

Cautions During Pregnancy

Item

Avoid or Not

Comments

Alcohol

Avoid

Low birth weight-birth defects

Caffeine

Avoid or limit

Miscarriage risk

Unpasteurized food and Drink

Avoid

Bad bacteria risk

Raw Foods

Avoid

Bad bacteria risk

Certain fish: Shark, Tuna steaks, Swordfish, Tile fish, King mackerel

Avoid

Severe food, born illness

Kitty Litter

Avoid

Toxoplasmosis—same as fish illness

OTC and Prescribed meds

Avoid some

Contact physician about any type you are considering

Recreational Drugs

Avoid

ALL

Smoking

Avoid

Miscarriage risk

Computers

No

N/a

Flying

Avoid

When due date is near or upon doctor’s orders

Hair Dyes

No

 

High Impact Exercise

Avoid

Stick to aerobic low-impact

House hold chemicals

Avoid

Some so consult physician on which pose a threat

Bug Sprays

Avoid

Miscarriage risk

Lead

Avoid

Miscarriage risk

Microwaves

No

 

Hot tubs etc.

Avoid

Dangerous temp and infection risk

Self-tanning

Maybe

No real proof-inconclusive

Sex

Maybe

Only in high risk pregnancy’s

Tap water

No

 

Teeth whiteners

Maybe

Inconclusive evidence

Vaccinations

Yes

Check with physician on which ones

X-rays

Maybe

Check with physician

Using Common Sense in Pregnancy

These lists may sound like a stress-maker. However, most of it is common sense. The baby is part of your body and anything you are exposed to—the baby will be exposed to—it’s that simple. The lists are there for several reasons. They are there to remind you of things you may not have thought of that you do each day. We don’t go about the day trying to harm our baby but we also all have habits. Some of these habits are obvious to us as a threat to an unborn baby and some are not. The list is also there because we cannot possibly know every chemical compound or potential contaminant in our food and drink. It helps to have a reference for a new mother to refer to and make an educated decision about.