Main Symptoms of Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes changes that include various symptoms.

These changes are the first signs of pregnancy. Symptoms may appear in the first few weeks and can be confused with other conditions, making early detection challenging.

Check out some of the symptoms:

Menstrual Delay

This is definitely one of the first and one of the most obvious symptoms of pregnancy. During pregnancy, the woman stops having her menstrual period for 40 weeks to allow the fetus to develop correctly in the uterus.

This occurs due to the increase in the production of the beta hCG hormone, the famous pregnancy hormone, which prevents the ovaries from releasing mature eggs.

Abdominal Swelling

This symptom can appear between the first seven days and two weeks. The same is due to increased blood flow and adaptation to the growing uterus. In some cases, this fact can be confused with mild to medium intensity menstrual cramps.

Easy Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the symptoms that appears most during pregnancy, and can last up to 9 months. It begins to emerge approximately in the 2nd week. Therefore, it is normal for this sensation to increase during the first 12 weeks, while the body adapts its metabolism to provide all the energy necessary for the baby’s good development.

Sensitive Tits

Already in the first two weeks, the pregnant woman may feel that her breasts tend to become more sensitive. This occurs due to the action of hormones that stimulate the mammary glands, which are already starting to prepare for breastfeeding. And also gradually happens the increase in the volume of the breasts.

Morning Sickness and/or Vomiting

These are other very common symptoms usually in early pregnancy, especially in the morning. Some women may suffer from these symptoms until the end of their pregnancy.

Contrary to what many people believe, nausea is not always accompanied by vomiting. It is more frequent that nausea appears, and then disappears without the woman feeling the need to vomit, especially in the morning.

Craving for Strange Foods or Things

This is certainly typical of every pregnancy and can start right at the beginning of the first month, and then continue throughout the gestation period.

Many pregnant women feel like eating strange foods, trying foods they have never tried before, and even very peculiar things, such as the desire to eat dirt.

How to Confirm Pregnancy?

If you’re experiencing some or several of the mentioned symptoms, it’s important to confirm if you’re pregnant. There are several options available for this:

1. Pregnancy test by app

With the advancement of technology, free apps have emerged that can help assess the likelihood of pregnancy. These apps typically:

• Ask questions about your symptoms
• Analyze your menstrual cycle

Although not 100% accurate, these apps can provide an initial indication and help you decide whether to proceed with more reliable methods.

2. Pharmacy test

Pharmacy pregnancy tests are widely available and easy to use. They detect the hCG hormone in urine. Important points:

• They are more accurate after the first day of missed period
• Accuracy increases if the test is done in the morning
• Read the instructions carefully to ensure accurate results
• If the result is positive, it’s recommended to take a second test for confirmation

3. Blood test (Beta hCG)

The Beta hCG blood test is the most accurate method for detecting pregnancy. Characteristics:

• Can detect pregnancy earlier than urine tests
• Provides quantitative results, indicating exact hCG levels
• Useful for monitoring early pregnancy progress
• Requires a visit to a laboratory or clinic

4. Medical consultation

Regardless of the results from the above methods, it’s crucial to consult a doctor if you suspect you’re pregnant. A gynecologist or obstetrician can:

• Confirm the pregnancy through physical examination and additional tests
• Estimate date of birth
• Provide important guidance on prenatal care
• Answer any questions or concerns you may have
• Initiate appropriate prenatal monitoring

Remember, each method has its advantages and limitations. The ideal approach is to combine different methods to obtain a reliable confirmation.

If you receive a positive result from any of these tests, schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional as soon as possible to begin appropriate prenatal care.