There are a number of pregnancy signs, which enable single mothers-to-be as well as couples to ready themselves to welcome the new arrival. It is imperative to recognize these signs in order that a person adopts suitable safety measures and initiates an early nutritional regime such as cutting back on unhealthy foods, consuming essential vitamin supplements, making routine visits to the physician to monitor the advancement of the pregnancy; these factors help facilitate the successful delivery of a healthy baby.

A few of the pregnancy signs commonly affect most women, whereas other pregnancy signs take place very rarely. There are a number of pregnancy signs, which women undergo, that resemble the symptoms of pre-menstrual as well as menstrual cycles. Fatigue, bloating, headaches, backaches, cramping, raw or sensitive breasts, and also shifts in mood are the common pregnancy signs as also normal indicators of menstrual symptoms. Many of these symptoms, in all likelihood, result from increased hormone levels in the body.

Needless to say, an unmistakable sign of pregnancy is completely skipping one's period. Normally, this sign is a perfect indicator of pregnancy and the results can be proven by means of a pregnancy test, which is taken at home, no less than after a week has passed since missing the period.

In case the pregnancy test results show a definite pregnancy, then you need to check with your doctor to have the pregnancy confirmed. Once you have noticed that you have missed your period, you should quickly take the necessary steps to make sure your pregnancy progresses smoothly in order to avoid problems later on.

Additional pregnancy signs include the tendency of the nipples or areolas to turn dark or swell. Most women also experience nausea, become more sensitive to smells, and have an increased urge to urinate. This may give rise to women craving for certain kinds of food and abhorring the very sight of others.

Moreover, the frequent need to urinate can many a times be caused by the additional consumption of foods and liquids necessitated by the woman's food cravings and the nutritional requirements of the unborn baby.

Quite a few women have sensed the fetal heartbeats as well as the quiver of fetal movements that are definite pregnancy signs. Certain women also undergo changes in their libido, skin, and swelling of their breasts.

It is also quite likely that a few women do not go through any of the pregnancy signs apart from skipping a period. Several are of the opinion that this may be because of an existing healthy way of life or a strictly controlled and carefully monitored handling of pregnancy. The actual reason may be due to anything, but these women are fortunate enough to experience these disagreeable pregnancy signs very infrequently or to a lesser extent!