Symptoms of Being Pregnant

Pregnancy 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.

New Health Guide

Symptoms of Being Pregnant