Pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman, and although there are some early signs of pregnancy that most women experience, it is not important for all pregnancies to have the same signs. The best way to know if you are pregnant is through a pregnancy test, but they do not work during early pregnancy.
Signs of Pregnancy
Every time pregnancy symptoms are discussed, the first thing that comes to mind is a missed period. However, a missed period could mean a lot of things and is not an exclusive sign of pregnancy.
It is important to note that the pregnancy diagnosis can only be confirmed by a blood test, after which it is necessary to consult a gynaecologist. It is recommended to consult the best gynaecologist in Dubai to follow up with, as they will stay with you throughout pregnancy and birth. You should be comfortable with them and they should be skilled enough to manage your pregnancy.
Some of the early signs of pregnancy are:
- Nausea and vomiting or nausea alone
Nausea is one of the early signs of pregnancy and is more commonly known as morning sickness. Don’t let the name trick you as this nausea can occur at any time of the day, not just in the morning. Nausea can be accompanied by vomiting or can present alone.
Throughout the pregnancy, the morning sickness can worsen and progress to hyperemesis gravidarum, a more severe form of morning sickness requiring therapy.
- Missed period
A missed period, especially if you are your reproductive age and are actively trying to conceive, can be one of the first signs of pregnancy. However, as mentioned above, it is only slightly exclusive if you were trying to conceive. Otherwise, it can be indicative of a wide range of gynaecological disorders or can be physiologic due to certain lifestyle changes.
It is important to note that at least a week must have passed from the expected date for the period to be considered a missed period. Moreover, this is mostly applicable to women with regular cycles.
- Swollen, tender breasts
Breasts can become very tender and increase in size, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. These changes to the breasts are the result of hormonal changes early in pregnancy but, just like a missed period, swollen breasts are not exclusive to pregnancy.
As this change is brought about by hormonal changes, periods can also present with swollen and tender breasts. These changes may be more indicative of pregnancy if you are actively trying for pregnancy.
- Fatigue and tiredness
Early on in the pregnancy, women experience fatigue and tiredness and it worsens throughout the pregnancy, being the worst in the third trimester. However, stress and a busy lifestyle can also cause fatigue and tiredness. This symptom doesn’t cause most women to think that they are pregnant as the symptom is quite general.
- Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath also worsens throughout the pregnancy, especially in the case of severe iron-deficiency anaemia and lack of prenatal vitamin supplementation. Although it is seen during pregnancy, it is not classified as a proper pregnancy symptom and isn’t even considered to be an early sign of pregnancy by many people, although it is.
- Increased urination
The blood in the body during pregnancy increases resulting in this pregnancy symptom. Women tend to pee more than usual and while this is considered to be an early sign of pregnancy, most women don’t connect pregnancy to it.
- Food aversions
Often clubbed together with nausea, food aversions and cravings is one of the early signs of pregnancy that most women instantly recognize. Even those around the woman will guess that she is pregnant if she displays any significant food aversions. Food aversions often stay throughout the pregnancy and can get very severe. In some cases, this pregnancy symptom can continue after delivery and birth.
Atypical Signs of Pregnancy
When discussing the early signs of pregnancy, it is important to discuss the atypical pregnancy symptoms that may be present.
- Spotting
- Cramping
- Bloating
- Moodiness and mood swings
- Constipation
- Acne and skin flushing
- Nasal congestion
How early do pregnancy symptoms begin?
Everyone is different and pregnancy symptoms may develop differently among different women. Technically, the symptoms can begin a few days after conception and it can take 2 weeks for most women to feel early signs of pregnancy and suspect that they are pregnant.
A pregnancy test can help confirm the suspicion, but at-home tests are recommended to be done at least a week after they have missed their period. If the test turns positive or is inconclusive, visiting a gynaecologist is recommended.
Pregnancy is a delicate time for women and it is important to only visit the best gynaecologist in Dubai to ensure high-quality care. To make sure you have found the best gynaecologist in Dubai, you can read their online reviews and testimonials on the website. You should also check their credentials and experience to guarantee that they have the information and skills to be the best gynaecologist in Dubai.
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