10 Early signs of pregnancy

Spotting

Some women may notice slight amount of bleeding during implantation. It may also be accompanied with cramping which may last for one or two days. Implantation generally happens after 6 to 12 days of conception.

Missed period

Missed period is the most reliable symptom of a pregnancy though all missed or delayed periods may not indicate pregnancy. You may take a home pregnancy test on the next day of a missed period. Home pregnancy tests detect the presence of HCG/Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, which is released after implantation. Sufficient amount of HCG is required by the test for accurate result. Hence a test taken after one week of a missed period is more reliable.

Nausea and morning sickness

Nausea/ vomiting sensation may be present with or without vomiting. It may be due to hormones which slower the emptying of stomach. Though it is called morning sickness, it can happen throughout the day. Have a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Fatigue

Unusual fatigue is seen in pregnancy. A woman tends to feel too tired. This may be due to an increased demand for blood supply. If the fatigue is due to early pregnancy a woman should take enough rest. Consume food rich in protein and iron like spinach, fenugreek leaves, beans, peas and milk.

Dizziness

Some women tend to feel giddy. This may be due to low BP and reduced blood sugar levels. Drink sufficient water. Prefer to have small frequent meals. Instead of going for 3 heavy meals, divide into more number of meals. It is advisable to consume food every two hours. But restrict portions to prevent overweight.

Breast tenderness

Sore breasts are most common in pregnancy. Breasts are swollen, tender to touch. They are triggered by hormonal changes. Body gets used to these hormones by few more weeks of pregnancy. Breast tenderness may be relieved to some extent by then.

Vaginal discharge

Some women may also experience more vaginal discharge. The discharge is whitish in colour. It is harmless. If it is foul smelling and accompanied by burning or itching talk to your doctor.

Breathlessness

Some amount of breathlessness may be there in pregnancy. It is due to an extra demand for oxygen by the growing foetus. Consume iron rich food like beans, spinach and fenugreek leaves. They help in the formation of healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to various parts of the body.

Increased frequency of micturition

Women tend to take more trips to the bathroom during pregnancy. Growing uterus tends to put pressure on the bladder. This leads to an increased urge to urinate. Do not restrict fluids as it’s not caused due to excess fluid intake.

Mood swings

You may develop irritability or an altered mood. This may be contributed by hormonal variations. A walk in the fresh air may help to elevate your mood. If you have known irritants like a certain food aroma, try to avoid them.