Dear Asker!
Here are the early symptoms of pregnancy:
What happens right away
Are you pregnant? The proof is in the pregnancy test. But even before you miss a period, you may suspect — or hope — that you're pregnant. Consider these early symptoms of pregnancy, which may begin in the first few weeks after conception.
Tender, swollen breasts
Your breasts may provide one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. As early as two weeks after conception, hormonal changes may make your breasts tender, tingly or sore. Or your breasts may feel fuller and heavier.
Fatigue
Fatigue also ranks high among early symptoms of pregnancy. During early pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone soar. In high enough doses, progesterone can put you to sleep. At the same time, lower blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure and increased blood production may team up to sap your energy.
Slight bleeding or cramping
For some women, a small amount of spotting or vaginal bleeding is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. Known as implantation bleeding, it happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus — about 10 to 14 days after fertilization. This type of bleeding is usually a bit earlier, spottier and lighter in color than a normal period and doesn't last as long.
Some women also experience abdominal cramping early in pregnancy. These cramps are similar to menstrual cramps.
Nausea with or without vomiting
Morning sickness, which can strike at any time of the day or night, is one of the classic symptoms of pregnancy. For some women, the queasiness begins as early as two weeks after conception.
Nausea seems to stem at least in part from rapidly rising levels of estrogen, which causes the stomach to empty more slowly. Pregnant women also have a heightened sense of smell, so various odors — such as foods cooking, perfume or cigarette smoke — may cause waves of nausea in early pregnancy.
Food aversions or cravings
When you're pregnant, you might find yourself turning up your nose at certain foods, such as coffee or fried foods. Food cravings are common, too. Like most other symptoms of pregnancy, these food preferences can be chalked up to hormonal changes — especially in the first trimester, when hormone changes are the most dramatic.
Headaches
Early in pregnancy, increased blood circulation caused by hormonal changes may trigger frequent, mild headaches.
Constipation
Constipation is another common early symptom of pregnancy. An increase in progesterone causes food to pass more slowly through the intestines — which can lead to constipation.
Mood swings
The flood of hormones in your body in early pregnancy can make you unusually emotional and weepy. Mood swings are also common, especially in the first trimester.
Faintness and dizziness
As your blood vessels dilate and your blood pressure drops, you may feel lightheaded or dizzy. Early in pregnancy, faintness may also be triggered by low blood sugar.
Raised basal body temperature
Your basal body temperature is your oral temperature when you first wake up in the morning. This temperature increases slightly soon after ovulation and remains at that level until your next period. If you've been charting your basal body temperature to determine when you ovulate, its continued elevation for more than two weeks may mean you're pregnant.
Are you really pregnant?
Unfortunately, these symptoms aren't unique to pregnancy. Some can indicate that you're getting sick or that your period is about to start. Likewise, you can be pregnant without experiencing any of these symptoms.
Still, if you miss a period or notice any of the tip-offs on this list, you might want to take a home pregnancy test — especially if you're not keeping track of your menstrual cycle or if it varies widely from one month to the next. If your home pregnancy test is positive, make an appointment with your doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife. The sooner your pregnancy is confirmed, the sooner you can begin prenatal care.
And here are the informations about Home Pregnancy Test:
Home pregnancy tests: Can you trust the results?
Is your period late? Are you nauseated or fatigued? Are your breasts tender? It might be time to consider a home pregnancy test.
Regardless of the circumstances, home pregnancy tests can be nerve-racking. To quell your anxiety, find out how home pregnancy tests work, what can affect the results and when to visit the doctor.
How do home pregnancy tests detect pregnancy?
Shortly after the fertilized egg attaches to your uterine lining, your body begins to produce the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Home pregnancy tests — available without a prescription at most grocery stores and drugstores — can reliably detect this hormone in your urine one week after a missed period. A more sensitive blood test to detect HCG can be done earlier in the doctor's office.
Are there different types of home pregnancy tests?
Various types of home pregnancy tests are available, but most work in a similar way. Typically, you'll place the end of a dipstick in your urine stream or immerse the dipstick in a container of collected urine for five to ten seconds. A minute or two later, you'll see a plus or minus sign, a line, a color change or the words "pregnant" or "not pregnant" on a strip or window on the dipstick.
With some tests, you'll mix a small amount of collected urine with a special liquid or powder. If the urine changes color, the test is positive.
Instructions may vary slightly from kit to kit. Read the instructions carefully before you take the test. If you have questions about how to do the test or interpret the results, call the manufacturer. Look for a toll-free number in the package instructions.
When should I take a home pregnancy test?
Many home pregnancy tests can be taken as early as the first day of a missed period. For the most accurate results, it's best to wait until one week after a missed period.
How accurate are the results?
Many home pregnancy tests claim to be 99 percent accurate on the day you miss your period. Although research suggests that most home pregnancy tests don't consistently spot pregnancy this early, the tests are considered reliable when used according to package instructions one week after a missed period. If you need to know earlier, ask your doctor about a blood test.
Could a positive result be wrong?
Rarely, it's possible to get a positive result from a home pregnancy test when you're not actually pregnant. This is known as a false-positive.
You may get a false-positive if you have traces of blood or protein in your urine. Various prescription drugs — including diuretics and promethazine (used to treat allergy symptoms and nausea) — also can cause a false-positive result. Using an expired or damaged test kit may have the same effect.
Could a negative result be wrong?
More commonly, you can get a negative result from a home pregnancy test when you're actually pregnant. This is known as a false-negative. You may get a false-negative if you:
Take the test too early. Wait to take the test until your period is at least one day late.That's the earliest most home pregnancy tests can detect pregnancy. For the most accurate results, take the test one week after a missed period.
Time the test wrong. If you're collecting urine, do the test within 15 minutes of collecting the sample. And be sure to give the test time to work — but not too much time. You may want to set a timer according to the package instructions.
Use diluted urine. Drinking too much fluid before taking the test may cause a false-negative result. For the most accurate results, take the test first thing in the morning — when your urine is the most concentrated.
If your period hasn't started within a week after a negative home pregnancy test, repeat the test.
What happens next?
If your home pregnancy test is positive — or if you've taken a few home pregnancy tests and gotten mixed results — make an appointment with your doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife. You may need a blood test or pelvic exam to confirm your pregnancy. The sooner your pregnancy is confirmed, the sooner you can begin prenatal care.
If your home pregnancy test is still negative two weeks after a missed period, check with your doctor. Many things can cause missed periods, including illness, stress, excessive exercise and hormonal imbalances. Your doctor can help you get your menstrual cycle back on track.
Hope that may help you!
Thanks for your patience to read this long answer!
Good luck!
2007-11-14 03:39:01
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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