Pregnancy is a most unique period in a womans life. While bringing great joy, it can also be a very confusing time for most women as they try to figure out whether they are really pregnant. Of course, it is very much possible to confuse the early signs of pregnancy with symptoms of some other illness. At the same time, there are some symptoms of pregnancy that will confirm the onset of pregnancy.



Pregnancy Symptoms

One of the commonest early signs of pregnancy is a missed period. The confusion sets in because a missed period can also be due to stress, illness, and fluctuations in weight. Cessation of oral contraceptives, and a polycystic ovary syndrome also lead to a missed period.

Changes in the size and feel of the breast are an early sign of pregnancy. The breasts begin to enlarge and most women experience greater tenderness of the breast along with a tingling sensation. It may well be that this pregnancy symptom disappears after some time.

Nausea and vomiting is also an early sign of pregnancy and amongst the most unwelcome symptoms of pregnancy. It can occur as early as two weeks after conception and tends to taper off by the end of the third month of the pregnancy.

While many women experience tiredness, this can be due to other reasons as well and cannot by itself be considered a pregnancy symptom.

The darkening of the areola is also indicative of pregnancy. It remains for the entire tenure of the pregnancy and is one of the surest symptoms of pregnancy.

Frequent urination as early as two weeks after conception is also indicative of pregnancy. This occurs due to higher levels of progesterone and the uterus rising up to the abdomen, which in turn exerts pressure on the bladder. The bladder then feels full, even though there may not be a need to urinate. Some women are also affected by constipation, which can also be quite annoying.

Another symptom of pregnancy is women feeling queasy about certain foods while experiencing an almost uncontrollable craving for other foods.

Weekly Pregnancy Calendar

Pregnancy calendars are a handy way of keeping a record of the changes a womans body and the fetus undergo at specific intervals during the course of the pregnancy. A weekly pregnancy calendar does this on a weekly basis.

The calculation typically begins from the last date of last period and includes the due date of birth, which is generally forty weeks from the first day of the last period. It is a useful tool to monitor the health of the mother and the baby.

First-time mothers can easily confuse pregnancy symptoms with symptoms of other illness. However, awareness of early signs of pregnancy will help you in identifying these symptoms in the initial stages. A weekly pregnancy calendar is a useful aide to monitor the heath of the mother and the baby.