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The Signs and Symptoms of Early Pregnancy World Diabetes Day and Gestational Diabetes (GD) 10 Reasons to Stop Smoking in Pregnancy Pregnancy FAQs Pregnancy week by week

 

Am I Pregnant?

“Am I pregnant?” is probably the most common health question women ask. The signs and symptoms of early pregnancy are easy to recognize – even more so when this is not your first pregnancy. Whether this is your first, second, or third pregnancy, the signs and symptoms are the same. However during one pregnancy, you may experience incredible breast pain or nausea and vomiting, while during another pregnancy you might not experience these symptoms at all. The simple fact is that each pregnancy, just like each newborn, is different and you can’t count on having the same symptoms or the same intensity of symptoms during consecutive pregnancies.

The Signs and Symptoms of Early Pregnancy

Early Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

  • Swollen, tender, or sore breasts and/ or nipples – Often this is the first physical sign of pregnancy.
  • In fact, some women know when they are pregnant based on this sign alone. The reason breasts and/ or nipples are often sore, swollen, or tender during early pregnancy is because the breasts are undergoing changes to prepare for breastfeeding. The reason for this is the increased production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone that occurs and the breasts and/ or nipples are often particularly painful during a first pregnancy.
  • Fatigue or unusual tiredness – Early pregnancy is time when a woman’s body is working very hard to keep up with the changes that occur. This means increased hormone production, as well as the fact that the heart is pumping harder and faster due to the escalation of blood flow – necessary to bring nutrients to the growing fetus. Increased progesterone production is the primary reason for the extra fatigue most pregnant women experience early in their pregnancy. Progesterone, known to cause sleepiness and a natural central nervous system depressant, is the reason this occurs. Another reason for fatigue and unusual tiredness during early pregnancy are the emotional extremes experienced often during pregnancy. It’s not uncommon for a pregnant woman to burst into tears for no apparent reason other than the hormonal fluctuations that occur during this time. This symptom is also a sign to get more sleep before your baby arrives when you’ll need your energy to care for your newborn baby.
  • My Period is Late, Am I Pregnant? – The most common reason for missing your period is pregnancy and this is often the first sign that makes you suspect pregnancy. Only a pregnancy test followed by a pelvic exam, can tell you positively whether you are pregnant. Once your health care provider rules out pregnancy as the cause of your late or missed periods, the next step is usually to rule in or out several other possible explanations for absence of menstruation or amenorrhea.
  • Light bleeding and/or cramping – The most common reason for light bleeding during early pregnancy is implantation. Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine lining and usually occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception. Bleeding caused by implantation is very light, often the only sign you might notice that indicates implantation has occurred is a small (can be as small as a pinhead followed by no further bleeding) spot of blood left on your panties.

    Cramping that is similar to menstrual cramps occurs very early during pregnancy and happens when the uterus begins to expand to make room for the embryo to develop into a fetus that continues to develop for a total of 40 weeks gestation when your baby is born.

  • Morning sickness – Nausea during pregnancy can occur with or without vomiting. While morning sickness is most common between weeks four and eight during pregnancy, many women experience this symptom beginning about two weeks from their date of conception.

    Morning sickness is a misnomer since it can, and often does, occur at anytime of the day or night. The most common reason for this symptom seems to be the rapid rise in estrogen, produced by the fetus and placenta. Another trigger for nausea is odors. During pregnancy, a woman’s sense of smell increases considerably and can make almost anything from everyday household odors, foods, perfume, and smoke, to name a few, trigger a bout of morning sickness or nausea and vomiting.

    The most common foods to trigger morning sickness are coffee during the first weeks of pregnancy, meat, dairy products, and spicy foods. However, it’s essential to understand that literally anything can trigger nausea and/ or vomiting during pregnancy. In fact, I personally know someone who became nauseated during one of her pregnancies every time she passed a microwave in operation.

  • Running to the bathroom – During the first trimester of pregnancy, it’s easy to believe you might have to “move” into your bathroom since it seems you are constantly running to make to the bathroom. The growing uterus causes frequent urination during pregnancy. The first and third trimesters of pregnancy are typically when the most intense frequent urination happens.
  • Do You Recognize the 25 Early Signs of Pregnancy?

    Are you trying to get pregnant? Trying to figure out if you're pregnant or not can be a big deal. I know that my first sign of pregnancy is different than most people - I get horribly, can't-get-your-head-out-of-bed exhausted. This usually happens before a missed period even. Some women know they are pregnant from the time of conception, because they are so tuned in to their bodies. Sore breasts rank fairly high on the list of new signs of pregnancy. Other women need that pregnancy test to show them what they may be wondering about. What was your first pregnancy symptom?

    What was your first pregnancy symptom?

    • Missed Period
    • Being Tired
    • Morning Sickness
    • Sore Breasts

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    World Diabetes Day and Gestational Diabetes (GD)

    Today is World Diabetes Day. A day to take a few minutes to learn about diabetes and what it means in your life from risk factors to daily living. In pregnancy, that means talking about gestational diabetes or diabetes in pregnancy. Gestational Diabetes (GD) is routinely screened for between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy using your health history. If your practitioner believes you need to have your blood screened based on the other health history screening, you will be tested at that point. This test is usually done by having your drink a really sweet drink called Glucola and then having your blood taken for testing. If you do not "pass" this version, then you will take a three hour test for gestational diabetes. Thankfully my doctor let me do the jelly bean alternative so I didn't have to drink that stuff.

    While the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy listed on the previous page are the most common, other symptoms can, and often do, occur in pregnancy. Other pregnancy symptoms include:

    • Headaches – Headaches that occur during pregnancy are often intense and caused by increased hormone levels.
    • Mood swings – Don’t think you’re crazy if you suddenly develop atypical mood swings or if you are unusually emotional during pregnancy, these are very normal reactions during pregnancy. Many times, pregnant women burst into tears for reasons that are unclear to anyone, including the pregnant woman. Another symptom caused by increased hormone levels.
    • Feeling weak, faint, or dizzy – Caused by the circulatory system as dilation of the blood vessels occur. Low blood sugar, early in pregnancy, also triggers these symptoms.
    • Increased basal body temperature or BBT – Your basal body temperature is your temperature immediately upon rising in the morning. BBT normally increases during ovulation and decreases when menstruation occurs. However, when pregnancy takes place increased basal body temperature continues after menstruation is late. BBT is a good indicator of pregnancy for women who have used it, either to prevent pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant.
    • Constipation – Food digests slower than usual during pregnancy due to increased progesterone production. Slower digestion sometimes causes constipation during pregnancy.

    I have one or more of these symptoms, does that mean I am pregnant?

    Not necessarily, sometimes these signs and symptoms mean that you’re sick or that menstruation is about to begin. Another point to remember is that while these symptoms are common during pregnancy, sometimes none of these symptoms occurs.

    If you experience the signs and symptoms of pregnancy, buy a home pregnancy test and see your doctor – either to begin prenatal care and confirm your pregnancy or to determine the cause of your symptoms if you’re not pregnant.

    Tip: Keep track of your periods. Mark the first day, as well as the last day, of your period on a calendar – day one of the menstrual cycle is the day your period starts and is the basis for determining due dates during pregnancy.

    Source: MayoClinic.com, Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy: Things You Might Notice Before You Start Prenatal Care, accessed 07/23/06

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    10 Reasons to Stop Smoking in Pregnancy

    Did you know that today is the Great American Smokeout? Smoking in pregnancy is a big no no. There is a ton of evidence to show you the reasons it is dangerous, including new evidence that pregnant smokers have a greater risk of having babies with heart defects. It is also important to find the support you need to stop smoking to help you and your baby.

    Save your baby and yourself.

    1. Placenta Abruption
      This condition is where the placenta pulls off the wall of the uterus either before or during labor, necessitating an immediate delivery, usually via cesarean section. A smoker’s placenta is thinner, making it more susceptible to an abruption.
    2. Placenta Previa
      Again because of the smoker’s thin placenta, it is more likely to cover the mouth of the uterus, the cervix - placenta previa. This can cause bleeding during the pregnancy. It also makes vaginal birth dangerous and a cesarean becomes necessary due to the risk of hemorrhage of mom and baby.
    3. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
      Babies born to mothers who smoke are more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
    4. Preterm Labor
      If you smoke your body is more likely to try to end your pregnancy sooner by placing your in premature labor in an effort to protect your baby from the harmful side effects of smoking. The problem? Babies born even slightly prematurely have a greater risk of death and other complications. The sooner the baby is born, the more likely you baby is to die or have serious complications, including mental retardation and cerebral palsy.
    5. Stillbirth
      Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of your baby dying during your pregnancy.
    6. Low Birth Weight
      Birth weight is an important factor in your baby’s health. The smaller the baby, the more at risk for many problems. In fact, low birth weight is one of the top reasons for babies to be ill and die in the first months of life.
    7. Colic
      Recent studies show that if you smoke your baby is more likely to have colic.
    8. Respiratory Infections
      If you smoked during pregnancy or if your baby is surrounded by second hand smoke, your baby will be more likely to be ill, have asthma and other respiratory problems.
    9. Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM)
      Your water breaking too early is another risk of smoking in pregnancy. It can also lead to premature birth.
    10. Miscarriage
      If you smoke, you could have trouble staying pregnant. It can also decrease your fertility.

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Pregnancy FAQs

Is My Pre- Pregnancy Diet Sufficient During Pregnancy?
Good diet and nutrition before you’re pregnant means a healthier you and baby. Eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet before pregnancy means less dietary changes during pregnancy.

What are the Symptoms of Pregnancy?
Are you trying to decide if you might be pregnant? Here's a look at the most common pregnancy symptoms.

Is It Safe to Dye My Hair During Pregnancy?
Whether using hair dye products during pregnancy is safe is a common question on the mind of pregnant women in the U.S. and Canada, as well as other countries where hair coloring is common among women. Do hair dye products affect the health of your developing baby?

Are Over the Counter Drugs Safe During Pregnancy?
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, an estimated 10 to 45 percent of pregnant women in the first trimester and unaware of their condition, reach for the most common OTC drug, aspirin. Are aspirin and other over the counter drugs safe during pregnancy?

Alcohol and Pregnancy - Is It OK to Drink Alcoholic Drinks During Pregnancy?
A warning for women who are already pregnant, as well as those who may become pregnant, concerning the consumption of alcohol and the potential of fetal alcohol syndrome. Learn how much alcohol is safe during or before pregnancy.

Can I Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding?
A look at how breastfeeding may offer protectiong against pregnancy. Learn whether the Lactational Amenorrhea Method or LAM is an effective natural contraceptive.

Old Wives Tales & Fun Ways to "Guess" Pink or Blue:

There are no shortage of people out there telling you non-medical ways to find out the sex of your baby. Many of these ways are inaccurate old wives tales. They are fun to play with and most of them don't involve anything dangerous. Some of the more common ones involve wedding rings spinning or swaying, the size or shape of your pregnant belly and other questions about pregnancy cravings or bed positioning. Do watch out for some of the sketchy ones that include chemicals like Drano.

How can you find out if baby is a girl or boy?:

The most commonly used method to find out the sex of your baby is ultrasound or sonogram. This method is most accurate between 18-22 weeks. It is normally done at the fetal anatomy survey done in the mid-second trimester.

At this point it is usually easier to tell the sex of the baby. Earlier dates are usually too difficult to tell and later dates become difficult because of crowding in the uterus.

What factors play a part in ultrasound being accurate?:

There are many factors that can play a part in whether or not the ultrasound is accurate in predicting the sex of your baby. They include:

  • the gestational age of baby
  • the equpiment being used
  • the training of the person doing the ultrasound
  • mother's weight
  • baby's position
  • other factors

What other ways can you find out the sex of the baby?:

Other methods of sex prediction are more accurate but carry more risk to the pregnancy. These methods can usually be done slightly earlier but are usually only done if other factors are involved that require genetic testing.

The most commonly used methods are amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). These tests can be used earlier in pregnancy. They are also much more accurate than ultrasound, with results very close to 100%. Most practitioners will tell you 100%, but there have been lab errors. These are most often done in the first trimester or early second trimester.

Sex Preference for Baby:

Let's face it, there are people who have very strong preferences for the sex of their baby. Sometimes it comes from really feeling a strong connection to raising a son or daughter. There are also families who have had a loss and feel that a specific sex would be better for their families. Family balancing is another reason that some families have a sex preference for one or more of the children.

Sex Selection Techniques: Choosing the Sex of Your Baby:

There are families who have such strong sex preferences that they choose to do sex selection. Using techniques like MicroSort, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), Shettles and other methods of sex selection, they attempt to influence nature. Some techniques are very accurate while others are not as reliable.

Do you want to know if your baby is a boy or girl?:

About half of people surveyed say that they do want to know the sex of the baby they are carrying. Some people want to have a surprise. Sometimes they want to know but only in a second or subsequent pregnancy.

The most often stated reasons for finding out in pregnancy are planning reasons and why not know. Some people want to plan for a nursery for their baby or buy clothes for a specific sex of baby rather than wait until after the birth to find out the sex. It's a personal issue and one hotly debated.

Can a woman be pregnant and still have a period?

Pregnant women can have some light irregular bleeding during pregnancy, but it should not be like a “normal” period. Some women can confuse this for their period because often it can come right around the time she was expecting her normal period. The irregular bleeding or spotting that can occur during pregnancy is often a dark brown color or a light pinkish. It should not be enough bleeding to fill pads or tampons over a few days. If you are bleeding enough to fill pads and tampons, then this would be a good indication that you are not pregnant.

What if I have a positive pregnancy test and then start bleeding?


About 25-30% of pregnant women experience some type of spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy. This can be a result of many different factors including implantation bleeding, infection, cervical irritation, ectopic pregnancy or a threatened miscarriage. Many women who have this light bleeding go on to have normal pregnancies and healthy babies. About half of the women who experience some light bleeding will go on to have heavier bleeding that will ultimately result in miscarriage. Unfortunately there is no way to predict whether or not vaginal bleeding will progress to miscarriage. If you experience light bleeding that continues to get heavier, accompanied by painful cramping, back pain or stabbing pains, then you would want to seek medical attention right away.

If you experience some very slight spotting that then goes away, you would want to make sure to share this with your healthcare provider so that they are fully informed of everything you are experiencing in your pregnancy.

What if I have symptoms of pregnancy but then have a heavy period?

If you are having some weird symptoms that made you think you may be pregnant, but then have heavy bleeding, you may want to see a healthcare provider to find out what is going on. This could be caused by a hormonal imbalance, an infection, or a possible miscarriage. But the only way to know for sure is by seeking medical care.

What if I notice some cramping and I am pregnant?

Pregnant women can have some light cramping early in pregnancy. The cramping is often like light menstrual cramps through the lower abdomen or on one side or the other. The cramping is often a result of all the changes that are occurring in the uterus. The uterus is experiencing change as the implanted egg begins to grow and develop.

Some light cramping may also be from the small cyst that can develop on the ovary at ovulation called the corpus luteum cyst. A small cyst forms in the spot on the ovary where the egg pops out before making its journey to the uterus. This cyst then produces progesterone until the placenta has formed enough to begin producing its own progesterone. This small cyst can cause some discomfort for women in early pregnancy.


Can the exact date of conception be determined accurately?

Many women have questions about the date of possible conception, and unfortunately figuring this out is not always so easy. The assumption is that if a woman has pretty regular menstrual cycles, then she will be ovulating during a certain time of the month. Ovulation is the time when conception can take place because that is when an egg is made available. The problem is that most women do not ovulate on an exact date each month, and many women have a different ovulation day from month to month. If you also take into account that sperm can live in the body 3-5 days after intercourse has taken place, this can make figuring out conception very difficult. Most doctors use the first day of the last period (LMP) and ultrasound measurements to gage the gestational age of a baby and determine when the baby was conceived. But these are just tools used to estimate the dates—it is very hard for anything to tell what the exact date of conception really is. Most people do not realize that ultrasounds can be off up to 5-7 days in early pregnancy and up to a couple weeks off if the first ultrasounds are done farther into the second trimester or beyond. Due dates are not an accurate tool for determining conception since they also are only an estimation date (only 5% of women give birth on their due dates).

If you are seeking the estimated date of conception for paternity reasons, and intercourse with two different partners took place within 10 days of each other, we strongly encourage that paternity testing be done; this testing can be done during pregnancy and after the baby is born. It is the only way to accurately know who the father is.

If I have a negative pregnancy test after I have missed my period, does that mean I am not pregnant?


A negative result can mean that you are not pregnant, you took the test too early, or you took the test wrong. Pregnancy tests vary in their sensitivity (how soon they can detect the hormone hCG), and you may not have given your body enough time to produce enough hCG hormones that will show up on the test. Also, if you let a test sit for too long (after the instructions on the box tell you), the test is invalid. It is best to follow the instructions and wait until you have missed a period before taking the test. Some women show up accurately on a test the day they miss a period, while others may not show up positive until 3-4 weeks after a missed period. We encourage women to test after a missed period; if the result is negative they should wait a week and test again if a normal period has not started.

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Pregnancy week by week

Pregnancy Week One - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week One See how your baby starts from the earliest time in pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week Two - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Two. See how your baby starts from the earliest time in pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week Three - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Three. See how your baby starts from the earliest time in pregnancy.Pregnancy Week Four - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Four. See how your baby starts from the earliest time in pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week Five - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Five See how your baby grows this week of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week Six - Pregnancy Week by Week - Pregnancy Calendar
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Six. See how your baby starts from the earliest time in pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week Seven - Pregnancy Week by Week - Pregnancy Calendar
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Seven. See how your baby starts from the earliest time in pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week Eight - Pregnancy Week by Week - Pregnancy Calendar
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Eight. See how your baby starts from the earliest time in pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week Eleven - Pregnancy Week by Week - Pregnancy Calendar
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Eleven. See how your baby starts from the earliest time in pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week Thirteen - Pregnancy Week by Week - Pregnancy Calendar
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Thirteen. The second trimester is the best part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly starts to show, you even begin to feel your baby move! Through ultrasound photos and pictures of pregnant women, see how the second trimester will change your life and continue through your pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week Fourteen - Pregnancy Week by Week - Pregnancy Calendar
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Fourteen. The second trimester is the best part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly starts to show, you even begin to feel your baby move! Through ultrasound photos and pictures of pregnant women, see how the second trimester will change your life and continue through your pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week Twenty-Six - Pregnancy Week by Week - Pregnancy Calendar
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Twenty-Six. The second trimester is the best part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly starts to show, you even begin to feel your baby move! Through ultrasound photos and pictures of pregnant women, see how the second trimester will change your life and continue through your pregnancy.

Week Thirty-One - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Thirty-One. The third trimester is the last part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly is large and you're starting to think more about your baby's birth and the postpartum period. Through ultrasound photos, pictures of pregnant women and newborns, see how the third trimester will change your life as you come to the end of your pregnancy.

Week Thirty-Two - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Thirty-Two. The third trimester is the last part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly is large and you're starting to think more about your baby's birth and the postpartum period. Through ultrasound photos, pictures of pregnant women and newborns, see how the third trimester will change your life as you come to the end of your pregnancy.

Week Thirty-Three - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Thirty-Three. The third trimester is the last part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly is large and you're starting to think more about your baby's birth and the postpartum period. Through ultrasound photos, pictures of pregnant women and newborns, see how the third trimester will change your life as you come to the end of your pregnancy.

Week Thirty-Four - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Thirty-Four. The third trimester is the last part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly is large and you're starting to think more about your baby's birth and the postpartum period. Through ultrasound photos, pictures of pregnant women and newborns, see how the third trimester will change your life as you come to the end of your pregnancy.

Week Thirty-Five - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Thirty-Five. The third trimester is the last part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly is large and you're starting to think more about your baby's birth and the postpartum period. Through ultrasound photos, pictures of pregnant women and newborns, see how the third trimester will change your life as you come to the end of your pregnancy.Week Thirty-Six - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Thirty-Six . The third trimester is the last part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly is large and you're starting to think more about your baby's birth and the postpartum period. Through ultrasound photos, pictures of pregnant women and newborns, see how the third trimester will change your life as you come to the end of your pregnancy.

Week Thirty-Seven - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Thirty-Seven. The third trimester is the last part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly is large and you're starting to think more about your baby's birth and the postpartum period. Through ultrasound photos, pictures of pregnant women and newborns, see how the third trimester will change your life as you come to the end of your pregnancy.

Week Thirty-Eight - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Thirty-Eight. The third trimester is the last part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly is large and you're starting to think more about your baby's birth and the postpartum period. Through ultrasound photos, pictures of pregnant women and newborns, see how the third trimester will change your life as you come to the end of your pregnancy.

Week Thirty-Nine - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Thirty-Nine. The third trimester is the last part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly is large and you're starting to think more about your baby's birth and the postpartum period. Through ultrasound photos, pictures of pregnant women and newborns, see how the third trimester will change your life as you come to the end of your pregnancy.

Week Forty - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Forty. The third trimester is the last part of pregnancy. There are so many changes happening to your body and your baby. Your belly is large and you're starting to think more about your baby's birth and the postpartum period. Through ultrasound photos, pictures of pregnant women and newborns, see how the third trimester will change your life as you come to the end of your pregnancy.

Week Forty-One - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Forty. Down to the wire, you're probably facing lots of questions as to why you're still around. Find out how your doctor or midwife will handle the pregnancy that extends beyond the due dates. Your belly is large and you're starting to think more about your baby's birth and the postpartum period.Week Forty-Two - Pregnancy Week by Week
Pregnancy Calendar - Pregnancy Week Forty-Two. Down to the wire, you're probably facing lots of questions as to why you're still around. Find out how your doctor or midwife will handle the pregnancy that extends beyond the due dates. Your belly is large and you're starting to think more about your baby's birth and the postpartum period.

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