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Early signs of pregnancy: what should a woman pay attention to? Drowsiness, fatigue, low blood pressure. Pigmentation on abdomen

There are many signs that may indicate pregnancy. These first signs of pregnancy are individual for each woman and the case of pregnancy. During pregnancy, you may find one or more of these signs. Don't worry, it's unlikely you'll have all the symptoms at the same time. In addition, you should not worry in their absence. It is possible to be pregnant and not see any signs of pregnancy. Regardless of whether you show the first signs of pregnancy or not, the only authentic way determining pregnancy is taking a pregnancy test.

1. Delayed menstruation

If you usually have a regular menstrual cycle, then this is the first physical sign pregnancy. Remember that even during pregnancy, light bleeding or discharge is possible both during the period of the expected menstruation and when the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus. If your cycle is irregular, you may notice other pregnancy symptoms before you notice the absence of your period.

Some women, after perfectly regular periods for many years, may experience a prolonged absence of menstruation. In this case, the first step is to exclude the possibility of pregnancy by performing a home pregnancy test. medical term for the absence of menstruation for more than 6 months - "amenorrhea". There can be many reasons for the unexpected cessation of menstruation, including rapid weight gain and loss, excessive physical exercise and stress. If you are experiencing hot flashes and a decrease in interest in sex, these may be the first signs of menopause (perimenopause). Whatever the symptoms, it's a good idea to check with your doctor if your periods change or stop.

Expert answers

Caroline Overton is a Consultant in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at St. Michael's University Hospital, Bristol.

Is it normal to have periods during pregnancy?

Caroline Overton

No, you should not have periods during pregnancy. Blood discharge on early dates pregnancy can be a normal symptom, but it can also be a sign of a threatened miscarriage. If you are concerned about something, see your doctor.

I know that if you test early (before your period is supposed to start), the test is less accurate. I just got a "Pregnant" result, but I haven't missed my period yet. Can I trust the result?

If you took the test before your missed period and got a "Pregnant" result, the test is highly accurate and you can trust it. This means that the pregnancy hormone level is high enough to be detected.

2. Changes in the mammary glands

Your breasts may enlarge and become painful or very sensitive. The veins on the chest may become more visible, and the areolas (nipples) may darken.

My test came back "Pregnant" but I don't feel pregnant. How to check it?

Caroline Overton

Pregnancy tests are very accurate, so their results can be trusted. Not all women experience pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness. Check your breasts for tenderness (which may be intermittent) as this is the most common symptom. However, all pregnancies are individual. However, all pregnancies are individual, so don't worry.

Other signs

3. Fatigue

You may feel unusually tired during the first few weeks of pregnancy. This may be due to an increase in the level of progesterone in the body, since it maintains the mucous membrane of the uterine cavity in the state necessary for the development of pregnancy.

4. Toxicosis/morning sickness

Between the 2nd and 8th weeks of pregnancy, you may experience nausea and vomiting. As a rule, improvement occurs by the 16th week. Despite the name “morning sickness,” bouts of nausea can recur at any time of the day and it is possible that you will experience it all the time.

I feel very sick and I force myself to eat. Will it harm my child?

Caroline Overton

No, your baby will take whatever it needs from your body. When suffering from morning sickness, drink plenty of water and try to eat little and often. Acupressure bandages may help. Vomiting and nausea are observed in 8 out of 10 pregnant women. Hyperemesis pregnancy - excessive nausea and vomiting - can be potentially life-threatening. If this worries you, contact your family doctor.

5. Hyperemesis pregnancy (excessive vomiting)

1 in 100 women suffers from hyperemesis gestationis. Usually, hyperemesis goes beyond the first trimester (12-13 weeks) and causes such frequent bouts of uncontrollable vomiting that no food or liquid is retained in the body. As a rule, it is treated, and only in very severe cases can lead to pregnancy complications. In case of severe vomiting, consult a doctor for advice.

Caroline Overton

Anti-nausea medications are only given by a doctor to women who are dehydrated—symptoms include increased dryness of the mouth and concentration of urine (dark yellow).

6. More frequent urination

6-8 weeks after conception, you may experience more frequent urination. This is due to the fact that the uterus increases in size and puts pressure on bladder. At the end of the first trimester, your uterus rises into your abdomen, which will take some of the pressure off your bladder.

7. Mood swings

Changes hormonal background can cause mood swings in early pregnancy. You may even cry for absolutely no reason.

8. Change in food preferences ("Wishlist") and sensitivity to smells

You may stop liking certain things, such as tea, coffee, and fatty foods, while you will be drawn to products that you usually do not use. The smell of foods such as coffee, meat, or alcohol can also make you feel nauseous.

9. Spasms

During the first trimester, and sometimes later in pregnancy, you may experience pain in your legs or feet. This is due to the fact that the body changes the way calcium is absorbed.

How do I know if my pregnancy is going well? My girlfriend had an ectopic pregnancy and I'm worried it might happen to me too.

Caroline Overton

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that takes place outside the uterus. 99% of pregnancies are in the uterus, but any woman can have an ectopic pregnancy. The first symptoms ectopic pregnancy are pain (for which mild painkillers such as paracetamol will not help) and bleeding. In the event of an ectopic pregnancy, you may experience vague abdominal pain, which is often similar to reflex shoulder pain. Other symptoms also include pain when urinating or having a bowel movement and walking. If you experience such symptoms, you should immediately seek medical help. If you've had an ectopic pregnancy in the past, the National Institutes of Health and Care Excellence recommends going to an early pregnancy clinic for specialist advice and a scan. All ectopic pregnancies will give positive result. To confirm the normal location of the pregnancy, it is necessary to undergo an ultrasound scan.

The doctor said that I had a biochemical pregnancy. What does this mean? Was I really pregnant?

Caroline Overton

Yes, you were pregnant, but the period was so short that it could not be seen with an ultrasound examination, and therefore such a pregnancy is called biochemical. Unfortunately, early miscarriages are quite common, with about a quarter of pregnancies ending this way.

Signs of pregnancy

Early diagnosis of pregnancy and determination of its duration is important not only from the point of view of obstetrics, but also due to the fact that the anatomical, physiological and hormonal changes that occur after conception can have a significant impact on the course of extragenital diseases that are in the history of the expectant mother . Establishment exact date pregnancy is extremely important for a full examination and adequate management of pregnancy and childbirth. Diagnosis of pregnancy in the early stages can present significant difficulties, since stress, taking medicines and some of the endocrine diseases can mimic the state of pregnancy in symptoms. Currently, due to the widespread introduction of ultrasound diagnostics into obstetric practice, the signs of pregnancy described in classic textbooks on gynecology and obstetrics are no longer so significant. All signs that allow diagnosing pregnancy are divided into presumptive (doubtful), probable and reliable. They can be based on subjective or objective data.

Presumable signs of pregnancy

TO presumptive signs pregnancies include those based on subjective data:

Vomiting or nausea (especially in the morning), changes in appetite or food cravings
Intolerance to certain odors
Functional disorders nervous system(drowsiness, frequent mood swings, dizziness, malaise, irritability)
Frequent urination
Breast engorgement, hypersensitivity.
Changes in skin pigmentation on the face, in the area of ​​the nipples, along the white line of the abdomen
The appearance of scars (stripes) of pregnancy on the mammary glands, thighs, skin of the abdomen
Enlargement of the abdomen in volume

Likely signs (objective signs determined during inspection)

Express pregnancy test

Amenorrhea;
Enlargement of the mammary glands, the appearance of colostrum;
Blueness of the vaginal mucosa and cervix;
Change in the shape, volume, consistency of the uterus;
Enlargement of the uterus from 5-6 weeks, first in the anteroposterior size, then in the transverse;
Horvitz-Hegar symptom: softening of the uterus, especially in the isthmus. With a two-handed examination, the fingers touch in the isthmus without resistance. Characteristic for 6-8 weeks from the last menstruation;
Snegirev's sign: variability in the consistency of the uterus: with mechanical irritation or two-handed examination, the uterus thickens and contracts, then becomes soft again.
Piskacek's sign: in the early stages, there is asymmetry of the uterus, protrusion of one of the corners where the implantation took place. Disappears with time.
The sign of Gubarev and Gauss: in the early stages, there is slight mobility of the neck, which is associated with a significant softening of the isthmus.
Genter's sign: in the early stages, due to softening of the isthmus, there is an inflection of the uterus in front and a ridge-like thickening on the anterior surface of the uterus along the midline. Not always defined

Undoubted (reliable) signs - in the second half of pregnancy

The fetal heartbeat is determined (using an obstetric stethoscope, you can listen to the fetal heartbeats);
sensation of fetal movement (primiparous - at 18-20 weeks, multiparous - at 16-18 weeks;
palpation of large and small parts of the fetus or its movements (starting from the 2nd trimester of pregnancy). When performing palpation of the abdomen using Leopold's techniques (external techniques obstetric examination) determine the position, position, type, presentation of the fetus and the ratio of the presenting part to the small pelvis.
on the radiograph and echogram, the skeleton of the fetus is determined;

A positive result of immunological pregnancy tests is one of the signs that probably indicates the onset of pregnancy. Determination of the level of the ß-subunit of chorionic gonadotropin in the blood serum makes it possible to diagnose pregnancy several days after embryo implantation.

Reliable or undoubted signs of pregnancy indicate the presence of the fetus in the uterine cavity. The most reliable information for diagnosing pregnancy is obtained based on the results of ultrasound (ultrasound). When conducting a transabdominal scan, pregnancy can be diagnosed for a period of 4-5 weeks, and with transvaginal echography earlier by 3.5-4 weeks. Pregnancy in the early stages is diagnosed based on the definition in the uterine cavity gestational sac, yolk sac, embryo and its heart contractions. For more later dates when visualizing the fetus(es). Fetal heart activity is determined at 5-6 weeks of gestation, and physical activity for 7-8 weeks.

The first signs of pregnancy before a delay:

A woman who wants to have a baby looks forward to a miracle every month and wants to know all the most reliable and even not so reliable signs of pregnancy. It can be understood, because we are talking not just about curiosity, but about something much more, and sometimes it is simply impossible to wait for an indefinitely long time (and it lasts forever!)

The role of the central nervous system in pregnancy

Some women in anticipation of a child become very observant and notice all the little things that should speak of pregnancy. If a woman is calm and not prone to exaggeration by her nature, then she can adequately assess these signs. But it also happens that some women are so waiting for the onset of pregnancy that they unwittingly take wishful thinking. Their suggestibility increases so much that some physiological processes in the body actually change in the absence of pregnancy. The disappointment is very great.

There is also such a phenomenon: if a woman waits too long for pregnancy, she does not occur, but if she forgets about it or simply comes to the conclusion that there will never be a child and calm down, how desired pregnancy comes. All these facts speak of huge role which is played in our body by the central nervous system.

What signs can indicate pregnancy

Even our great-great-grandmothers knew the main signs of pregnancy. But they are not expressed equally in all women, and some do not notice any initial signs at all, focusing only on the absence of menstruation, a pregnancy test, a doctor's examination and an ultrasound examination. And yet a woman is supposed to know what was known to our distant ancestors. The first signs of pregnancy that appear even before a missed period are:
appearance constant fatigue, fatigue, drowsiness, decreased performance:

The appearance of bouts of dizziness, which are accompanied by dizziness, nausea, lack of coordination, and sometimes fainting; this is one of the most common signs of pregnancy;
another sign that occurs in almost all pregnant women is mood volatility (lability); calm used to be a woman can suddenly pounce on her husband and make a scandal, then move on to tears and end the scene with stormy repentance and a feeling of extraordinary love for her husband;
increased sensitivity to odors; at the same time, smells that a woman used to consider pleasant (for example, her favorite perfumes) cease to please, and sometimes cause disgust; on the contrary, there is an addiction to unpleasant odors (gasoline, asphalt acetone); but this is not always the case, often an increased sensitivity to smells manifests itself in the fact that a woman cannot stand strong odors or even any odors;
taste changes: food preferences can change dramatically; but this also does not always occur and each woman proceeds in her own way; in addition, a woman may experience a wolfish appetite or, on the contrary, a sharp decrease in appetite;
nausea in the morning - in the first days of pregnancy, this symptom is not so common, however, it also happens that it starts to vomit from the very first day of pregnancy;
incomprehensible sensations in the lower abdomen, including pain; this sign usually appears in sensitive and impressionable women and is most often the fruit of fantasies and self-hypnosis; although the actual presence of some sensations in this area cannot be ruled out;
soreness in the area of ​​​​the mammary glands sometimes occurs from the very first days and is associated with a change in hormonal levels; but in general the mammary glands enlarge and engorge later.

Rest early signs pregnancies (weight gain, frequent urination) usually appear later.

Is it possible to confirm pregnancy before a missed period?

The most accurate guide is the measurement of basal temperature in the rectum daily in the morning, without getting out of bed. Well, if the graph of such a temperature is constantly maintained, then it is clear that before menstruation basal body temperature decreases, while with the onset of pregnancy it slightly increases.

Most sensitive tests they begin to work on pregnancy only after the tenth day of pregnancy, when the fertilized egg enters the uterus and is introduced into its mucous membrane. At the same time, the shell of the egg begins to secrete the hormone of pregnancy - chorionic gonadotropin human (hCG). It is determined with the help of a pregnancy test.

An obstetrician-gynecologist may notice cyanosis and some softening of the walls of the vagina and cervix.

During an ultrasound examination, the egg is visible after it has penetrated the uterine wall.

The first signs of pregnancy before a missed period can be quite accurate.

Signs of early pregnancy before delay

First signs interesting position may appear before the delay of menstruation, which means before the test can give a positive result. Most of these signs are associated with the activity of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) - one of the hormones of pregnancy. Although its level at such an early date is still quite low, this is enough for changes to begin in the body, some of which can be seen by external signs.

If, despite the presence of some signs, the test gave a negative result, you may just be in a hurry. Tests that promise to determine pregnancy in the first days after a delay are often wrong, because the amount of hCG is still too low that they could feel it. For more exact result the delay should be at least one week, so be patient. However, if the test gives a positive result after a couple of days, the error is very unlikely and most likely you are pregnant.

Pregnancy is certainly an exciting, but also a very unusual experience. Many women expect from him such symptoms as frequent nausea, back pain and fainting. But there are other signs - and, probably, expectant mothers do not even assume about some of them.

Nosebleeds and stuffy nose

The nose is far from the uterus, what does it have to do with it? However, epistaxis and stuffy nose are quite common in pregnant women. In most cases, a humidifier, rinsing the nose with saline solution, and proper rest will help to cope with this. If this does not help, seek the advice of a doctor.

Vaginal discharge

Since your periods stop at this time, you don't expect strong vaginal discharge However, many expectant mothers have them. If they are white or golden color and have no smell, so everything is fine. When the color changes and the appearance bad smell need to talk to a doctor

Insomnia

One of the signs of an interesting situation is severe fatigue and, as a result, drowsiness. Often this is true, but some pregnant women suffer from insomnia. Taking sleeping pills is strongly discouraged. Need to exercise regularly fresh air, reduce your caffeine intake, and learn stress-reduction techniques all contribute to deep, healthy sleep.

Increased gas formation

Pregnancy hormones greatly affect everything in your body, including digestion. Bloating, belching and flatulence are common for expectant mothers. Try limiting food intake increased gas formation(like legumes, although you shouldn't cut them out completely) and drink plenty of water.

And most importantly, do not worry too much about these symptoms. It may not be very feminine, but it is absolutely natural.

Hormones slow down digestion so that the body has time to absorb as much as possible. useful substances coming with food. Eat as much fiber as possible and drink plenty of water - this contributes to better digestion of food. If that doesn't help and you're really worried about constipation, talk to your doctor, he might be able to prescribe mild laxatives for you.

Other early signs

More frequent than usual urge to urinate can begin as early as 6-8 weeks after conception. Although it can also be caused by diabetes, infection urinary tract or excessive use of diuretics if you are pregnant, this is most likely due to increased hormone levels.
Elevated progesterone levels sometimes cause constipation. To combat this problem, drink more water, exercise, and eat as many fiber-rich foods as possible.
Frequent and sudden mood swings are especially common for women in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is also associated with hormonal changes.
Headaches and back pain, especially in the lower back.
Dizziness and fainting caused by dilatation blood vessels, low blood pressure and low blood sugar.

For some women, the first signs of pregnancy appear within a week after conception. For others, such symptoms appear only after a few weeks, or even do not appear at all.

A sign of pregnancy - an increase in basal temperature


Basal temperature is measured in the rectum. Some women keep a chart of basal temperature every day, they can confidently determine the day of ovulation, the onset of pregnancy. During pregnancy, the basal temperature is more than 37 degrees, it stays at this level. It is necessary to measure the basal temperature in the morning, immediately after you open and rub your eyes, before getting out of bed. The basal temperature during pregnancy is increased.

25 SIGNS OF PREGNANCY

Do you know the first signs of pregnancy? Below we provide a list of 25 signs of pregnancy. Signs of pregnancy, depending on their reliability and informativeness, are usually divided into 3 categories: possible (the presence of these signs indicates that pregnancy is possible), probable (the presence of these signs indicates that the likelihood that you are pregnant is very high) and accurate (the presence of these signs always indicates the presence of pregnancy).

Possible signs of pregnancy:

Absence of menstruation
In the absence (delay) of menstruation, pregnancy is suspected in the first place. It is customary to talk about a delay in menstruation in those cases when, against the background of a regular menstrual cycle, menstruation did not occur at the expected time.
Pregnancy, however, is not the only reason for the absence (delay) of menstruation. Other possible reasons for not having a period are:

Stress
Intense physical activity (for example, fitness classes)
Disease
Changes in the mode of life, work (for example, switching to work on a night shift)
Taking certain medications (such as hormonal medications)
Overweight
Underweight
Incorrect counting (in case of irregular menstrual cycle)
Period close to menopause
Menopause

unusual menstruation
Menstrual cycle, in any way different from the usual: longer, or vice versa, shorter; starts earlier or later, is accompanied by more or less abundant discharge - any of these variations and their combinations may indicate pregnancy.
It should be noted that in addition to the onset of pregnancy, such menstrual irregularities can be observed with some gynecological diseases, therefore, the identification of this symptom should serve as a reason for contacting a doctor (either for a positive diagnosis of pregnancy, or for the diagnosis and treatment of a disease that disrupts the menstrual cycle).

"Feeling" of pregnancy
At the very beginning of pregnancy, some women experience uterine cramps or even pain. Most of all, uterine cramps resemble premenstrual pain.

Nausea and vomiting
These are some of the most common early signs of pregnancy. Although nausea and vomiting may appear from the first weeks of pregnancy, most often these symptoms occur from the 6th to the 12th week. If nausea and vomiting appear in the first weeks of pregnancy, they are usually considered as signs of early preeclampsia (toxicosis of pregnant women).
Nausea and vomiting can be observed in a number of other conditions (diseases) that are not related to pregnancy in any way (gastritis, stomach ulcer, enteritis, enterocolitis, migraine) - however, in similar cases in addition to nausea and vomiting, there are usually other symptoms of the disease that are not characteristic of pregnancy.

Libido changes
Changes sexual desire women are caused by a complex of emotional and physical changes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman. These changes can either increase or decrease libido (sexual desire).
Physical changes include breast tenderness (which can also make touching more pleasant or extremely unpleasant), nausea, increased blood flow to the genital area, and others. Psychological changes associated with the influence of female sex hormones on the nervous system.
In view of the extreme delicacy of the problem of sexual desire, its changes are usually considered the last sign of pregnancy, especially if these changes are selective or chronic.

sore chest
During pregnancy, the breasts begin to prepare for feeding the unborn child. Breast changes during pregnancy include:

Sore or tender breasts
Enlargement and darkening of the nipples and areolas
Breast augmentation
Isolation of colostrum (either spontaneously or by pressure on the nipple and areola).

The described breast changes can also be observed in some endocrine diseases (for example, increased secretion of prolactin).

Breast augmentation
Although this is not a mandatory feature, many women experience breast enlargement from early in pregnancy. During pregnancy, both breasts increase symmetrically and evenly.
One-sided or uneven (knotty) breast enlargement is observed with breast tumors, mastitis.

Frequent urination
It can be observed from early pregnancy. A woman experiences frequent urge to urinate, which usually ends with the release of a small amount of urine. The increased urge to urinate during pregnancy is due to the fact that the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder, reducing its volume and ability to accumulate urine.
In addition to pregnancy, frequent urination can be observed in diseases of the bladder or urethra - cystitis, urethritis (in such cases, frequent urges are accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, burning directly during urination, temperature), endocrine diseases such as diabetes mellitus (frequent urination is accompanied by the release of a large amount of urine and intense thirst).

Unusual taste preferences
While many people associate pregnancy with "cravings" for pickles and ice cream, pregnant women's taste preferences vary and are not limited to the foods described. Some studies show that 68% of pregnant women experience unusual taste preferences, which are sometimes worn amazing character(desire to eat raw vegetables, chalk, earth, lime, raw meat, etc.).
And although most preferences are safe for health (in a reasonable amount), some pregnancy may experience the so-called pica - the desire to eat inedible substances such as chalk, starch, etc.
A change in taste preferences can be observed with iron deficiency anemia. In the case of anemia, taste preferences are combined with other symptoms: brittle and dry hair, splitting of nails, cracks in the corners of the mouth, pale skin, dizziness, and increased fatigue.

Fatigue
A number of important changes occur in the body of a pregnant woman and many processes take place, even if it is not very noticeable in the initial period. This organism needs a lot of strength and resources, which explains the reduced endurance, drowsiness and a feeling of fatigue.
This sign has the least diagnostic value, since a feeling of fatigue or a decrease in efficiency can occur with many different diseases or be the result of an unhealthy lifestyle, chronic overwork or lack of sleep.

Tubercles of Montgomery
Montgomery's tubercles are small bumps (reminiscent of goosebumps) on the areola of the breast (the areola). They do not pose any threat to health, and their appearance is frequent sign pregnancy.

Skin changes
Due to a variety of hormonal and mechanical changes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman, the skin can also change. Skin changes during pregnancy include:

Mask of pregnancy (chloasma) - in some pregnant women, due to increased secretion of melanotropin, increased pigmentation of the nose, cheeks and forehead develops. After childbirth, this pigmentation gradually disappears.
The dark line along the abdomen is a pigmented line that runs from the pubis to the fundus of the uterus and usually appears by the third month of pregnancy.
Acne - while some pregnant women have better skin than they ever did before pregnancy, for other women, their skin becomes oilier and more acne-prone as pregnancy progresses.
Spider veins (" spider veins"") - can appear on the face, neck, chest, arms and legs. They appear due to an increase in the blood level of estrogen (female sex hormones). In shape, they resemble stars, have a bluish tint and disappear when pressed.
Stretch marks - usually appear in the second half of pregnancy and depend on factors such as heredity, weight gain, diet, etc.
Erythema of the palms - redness or spots on the palms. This also happens due to advanced level estrogen.
Other types of changes - some women notice accelerated growth nails, others notice increased hair growth, hair may become stronger or more brittle, there may be increased sweating, and many other changes.

Stretch marks
Stretch marks appear due to the separation and rupture of the collagen fibers of the skin. They are not painful, but they may feel itchy or tingly. During pregnancy and in postpartum period Stretch marks appear in 60-90% of women. Stretch marks most commonly appear in the lower abdomen, but can also appear on the thighs, upper arms, chest, and buttocks.
There are many factors that affect the likelihood of stretch marks. The main factors are:

Family history - if your mother, sister, grandmother and aunt had stretch marks, you probably will too.
Weight Gained – Rapid and/or excessive weight gain drastically increases the risk of stretch marks.
Multiple pregnancies - If you have multiple pregnancies, the chances of getting stretch marks are very high.
Diet – A healthy diet and sufficient fluids provide higher skin elasticity, and consequently reduce the risk of stretch marks.

Enlargement of the uterus
As the fetus grows, the size of the uterus increases, and, accordingly, the volume of the abdomen increases.
An increase in the volume of the uterus can also be observed in cases of uterine tumors.
An increase in the volume of the abdomen can be observed separately from an increase in the size of the uterus. In such cases possible reasons abdominal enlargement can be: obesity, ascites, an increase in the size of others internal organs.

wiggling
Women who have not given birth before, first feel the movement of the fetus around the 20th week of pregnancy. Those who were previously pregnant feel the movement earlier, around the 16-18th week.
Note that the feeling of fetal movement, as a possible sign of pregnancy, comes much earlier than the visible vibrations of the abdominal wall, which is considered as an undoubted sign of pregnancy.

Isolation of colostrum from the breast
Colostrum is the first milk. It contains everything you need for a newborn baby nutrients. Usually, by the end of pregnancy, women notice a yellowish liquid from the breast, or simply notice the appearance of a thin white film on the nipples - this is colostrum. For some women, colostrum may also appear earlier in pregnancy.

Possible signs of pregnancy:

Increasing the volume of the abdomen
If you have been pregnant before, you may notice a slight increase in belly volume as early as the second or third month of pregnancy. However, most often the abdomen noticeably increases only after the third or fourth month of pregnancy, and sometimes even later. After the 12th week, the uterus can be felt above the pubis.

Changes in the shape of the uterus
This sign can be checked by an obstetrician, and it can also be checked with an ultrasound.

Braxton Hicks contractions (training contractions)
Braxton-Hicks contractions are defined as intermittent, painless contractions that occur at intervals of 10 to 20 minutes and may appear after the first trimester of pregnancy. Sometimes they are called training bouts. Not all pregnant women feel exercise contractions, and some mothers say they felt them much more clearly in subsequent pregnancies compared to their first pregnancy. Some women do not feel contractions, but feel periodic tension if they feel their lower abdomen with their hands. Training contractions differ from true labor contractions in that they are shorter, less intense, and irregular. They often stop if the woman lies down and relaxes. If the gestational age is less than 37 weeks, the contractions are regular, do not stop and are repeated more often than every 10-12 minutes, you should urgently consult a doctor, since these may not be training contractions, but premature birth. The difference between real labor pains and Braxton Hicks contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions

Contractions do not increase

Contractions get more frequent

Contractions don't get worse

Contractions intensify

Contractions are felt more in the front of the abdomen

Contractions felt all over the abdomen

Contractions don't lengthen

Contractions lengthen

Walking does not affect contractions

Contractions get worse when walking

The cervix does not change

The cervix softens and opens

If any of the described signs or their combinations are determined, it is recommended to consult a doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause of their occurrence.
Diagnosis of pregnancy should be made as early as possible - this is extremely important for the prevention of some complications of pregnancy.

Positive pregnancy test
A regular pregnancy test, available from a pharmacy, is taken 5 or more days after the date your period was due (in the case of a regular menstrual cycle). If this test is carried out earlier, it is likely that it will show a false negative result (that is, there is pregnancy, but it has not yet been determined using the test). This is because this test detects the level of pregnancy hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin) in the urine, and the concentration of this hormone increases gradually during the first weeks of pregnancy. If you want to check if you are pregnant or not before the specified date, you can take a more sensitive laboratory test.
Very rarely, an increase in the level of human chorionic gonadotropin can be observed with some tumors of the uterus.

Accurate signs pregnancy:

Feeling the fetus
In the later stages of pregnancy, you can feel the fetus through the abdomen. Obstetricians do this to determine the position of the fetus.

Listening to the fetal heart
The fetal heartbeat is heard with an obstetric stethoscope, starting from the 20th week of pregnancy. With the help of an electronic stethoscope, the heartbeat can be heard as early as 10-12 weeks. The average fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats per minute.

Determination of pregnancy using ultrasound (ultrasound)
It is recommended to undergo the first ultrasound examination (ultrasound) between the 7th and 12th weeks of pregnancy. However, with the help of ultrasound, you can determine the presence of pregnancy much earlier - starting from 2-3 weeks of pregnancy.

Determination of pregnancy using x-ray
Due to the risk of radiation exposure, X-ray examination is not used as a method of determining pregnancy. However, pregnancy can be determined by chance, during an x-ray examination of the abdominal cavity and pelvis. In such cases, the bones of the fetus will be visible on the x-ray.

Imaginary pregnancy

There are cases when all the signs of pregnancy, it would seem, are evident, but there is no pregnancy itself. This condition is called imaginary pregnancy. It occurs most often in women who have long and unsuccessfully dreamed of feeling the happiness of motherhood. Less likely to imaginary pregnancy are those who, on the contrary, are afraid of this event. If a woman who is really expecting a baby has the main symptoms due to a colossal hormonal restructuring of the whole organism, then the signs of an imaginary pregnancy have completely different reasons. stress, infection, hormonal imbalance, various disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, vitamin deficiency, malnutrition, depression in combination with the corresponding psychological mood create complete illusion pregnancy.
At the beginning of the last century, the Serbian queen summoned our outstanding obstetrician Snegirev before giving birth. She already felt the contractions and was preparing to become a mother from day to day, but a thorough examination showed ... that all these nine months of waiting were in vain. The queen's pregnancy turned out to be imaginary!
Fortunately, today the situation when a woman finds out about the absence of a baby under her heart already on the eve of childbirth is practically impossible. Now there are many ways to determine pregnancy in the early stages. These are home pregnancy tests, and an analysis for hCG, and ultrasound diagnostics.
Be that as it may, if you find signs of pregnancy (and especially several at once), you should consult a doctor. After all, if the pregnancy is under the control of specialists from the earliest stages, this will significantly reduce the risk of all kinds of complications. And in the event that, in the presence of common signs, pregnancy is still not diagnosed, the doctor will identify the cause of the violations and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

The information contained in the answers to the most frequently asked questions may partially repeat what has already been stated above, but it will still be useful for you to familiarize yourself with it.
What signs of pregnancy occur before a missed period?

At the slightest delay in menstruation, we usually fly to the pharmacy to check the only thought of pregnancy with a test. However, tests usually reliably show the result after the period when menstruation should begin. In a situation where you want to know about it at the earliest possible time, even before menstruation, you should pay attention to several possible signs. They may be subtle or quite strong, but they will indicate that perhaps the miracle of pregnancy has come to you.

First of all, examine your chest. If she reacts sensitively or painfully to a greater extent than when critical days approach, this may indicate that you are expecting a baby. The chest may increase significantly. The main symptom is the darkening of the alveoli and a dark pigmented stripe in the inguinal region. Pigmentation can also appear on the face. Small bumps may form on the nipples.

In addition, you may experience severe nausea or dizziness, not only in the morning, but also during the day, hypersensitivity to odors and a change in food preferences. Appetite may increase sharply, but some women feel quite strong rejection of food. Premenstrual syndrome in the form of tearfulness, bad mood, uncontrollable anger can intensify. These signs are explained by all the same hormonal changes, when the rebuilding organism adapts to bearing a child.

In addition, there may be pulling pains in the abdomen and slight bleeding, which is often mistaken for early menstruation. The thing is that in the interval of 8-10 days, the fetal egg, having passed its way through the fallopian tubes, is attached in the uterus, causing these rather unpleasant symptoms. At this time, pregnancy is difficult to determine, but you can definitely understand that a woman is not pregnant by measuring daily basal temperature. As you know, after ovulation, the basal temperature is slightly increased and when pregnancy occurs, it remains above 37 degrees. However, if the temperature has dropped sharply, you can expect the onset of menstruation.

It must be noted that nature has created us so different that the signs appear very individually. In some cases, you will not notice any changes at all, and sometimes a woman knows for sure even before her period that she is expecting a baby. This is our famous female intuition (the main thing is not to confuse it with suspiciousness).
Is it possible to notice pregnancy in the first week?

In the first week, determining pregnancy is even more difficult. A fertilized egg moves through the fallopian tubes to the uterus for a whole week. At this time, the division process is constantly taking place and the placenta and umbilical cord are formed. At this time, the embryo already has the shape and size of a pea. A week later, it attaches to the walls of the uterus. You can feel the birth of life only intuitively, as well as observing the very first signs.

First, you should keep a basal temperature diary. During pregnancy, it is higher than 37 degrees, however, this only indicates a high probability of an “interesting situation”. Other signs: drowsiness and fast fatiguability, headaches, migraines, throwing it into the heat, then into the cold - all this is possible when the body is restructured to bear offspring. Drawing pains in the lower back, noticeable processes of breast enlargement and swelling, nausea.

Do not rush to draw conclusions and rush to extremes, all this can be just common symptoms not related to pregnancy. You can accurately determine your condition with the help of a blood test, but it is best to wait. Just a few days, and medicine or nature will be able to answer you more definitely.
What sensations arise in the first month of pregnancy?

The conception that has taken place can be determined by several individual signs. Many people do it different terms, alone or with the help of tests. Symptoms only help determine the likelihood of conception, since many factors can be just symptoms of a "false pregnancy" - a condition that many nervous ladies experience, wanting to bring their dream of having a baby closer. Only a gynecologist can finally confirm this fact 100% at a later date, approximately 4-5 weeks.

According to statistics, during the first month after conception, 90% of women experience changes in the condition of the breast. Sensitivity increases, some soreness appears. The chest, as it were, swells up, becomes more voluminous, a network of protruding veins is clearly visible. Of course, everything is the fault of hormones. In addition, the areola and nipple become dark Brown color. Perhaps, when pressed, colostrum is released from the nipple.

Some women feel toxicosis even before the expected period of menstruation. Statistics tell us that during the first month more than 60% of women experience toxicosis - nausea, aversion to food, vomiting, more often in the morning. The sense of smell changes. Some smells become simply unbearable, others are strangely very attractive.

Too rapid growth of the uterus can provoke pain in the lower back or in the sacrum. On last week Monthly pregnancy, the fetus, increasing in volume, can press on the uterus, causing frequent urge to urinate. Salt can linger in the body, so slight but noticeable swelling is sometimes observed on the arms and legs. Small discharge Pink colour, indicating the emergence of the embryo from fallopian tubes and attaching it to the uterine cavity are often almost invisible, but can also resemble meager periods.

In any case, don't trust your intuition too much. The first weeks are the most responsible. If you suspect that you may be pregnant, go to the gynecologist as soon as possible in order to be monitored in time and provide for yourself and the baby comfortable conditions for bearing.
What are the signs of abnormal pregnancy?

A dangerous symptom of pregnancy is strong pain in the abdomen, uterus and fallopian tubes. With or without fever. The appearance of such not even too painful sensations, and the absence of menstruation, is a sign of a woman's life-threatening ectopic pregnancy. In such cases, the woman is urgently examined and, according to indications, is operated on, since delay can lead to serious problems With women's health and even death. What happens is extremely rare, so do not be scared in advance, but just show yourself to the gynecologist in a timely manner.

For the rest, tune in positively Wink. After all, the process of pregnancy is full of interesting and pleasant moments. And the birth of your baby will open for a whole new world and become a new page in your life.

After conception in a woman's body occur physiological changes that present with unusual symptoms. At the very beginning, these manifestations are weak, not all women pay attention to them. However, it is useful to know about the most typical first signs of pregnancy, so as not to confuse this condition with a common ailment and not proceed with treatment that could harm the unborn baby. The first weeks of its intrauterine development is a very crucial period, so it is important for a woman to find out about her situation even before the delay appears.

In the first weeks of development of the embryo, it is laid the most important organs. Incorrect behavior of the mother (too intense sports, increased nervousness, drinking alcohol, smoking) can adversely affect the health of the unborn baby. Infectious diseases are of particular concern.

A woman who wants to give birth healthy baby, should introduce some restrictions into your life from the very first days of pregnancy. She needs to stop drinking alcohol, as well as strong coffee, she should take a more responsible approach to nutrition. Pregnant women should not be nervous, overstrain physically. If you feel unwell and you have to see a doctor, you must warn him about your possible state so that he takes it into account when prescribing medicines.

Conception can also be unplanned (for example, contraception was unsuccessful or a woman made a mistake in calculating safe days). The first signs will tell you that an unexpected event has occurred, she should be careful not to harm the baby. If a woman does not intend to give birth, she will be able to have an early abortion, avoid toxicosis and other ailments that have to be endured before a regular abortion at a later date.

When do the first symptoms appear

Fertilization of the egg occurs only after ovulation, which occurs approximately in the middle of the 28-day cycle. There may be slight deviations in the timing of conception due to the presence individual features physiology in women, as well as the existence of differences in the activity of spermatozoa in men. However, it is safe to say that trying to discover reliable signs earlier than a week after sexual intercourse does not make sense.

When is it appropriate to test

If you use the test earlier, the result may be false negative. That is, conception has occurred, but the level of the hormone that is secreted by the fetus (hCG) is still too low. The most accurate are the more expensive ones. inkjet tests. It is necessary to strictly follow the instructions, as with the wrong actions, the result may be false positive.

Blood test for hCG

A reliable result of the analysis for the hormone can be obtained only 10-12 days after intercourse. A fertilized egg must have time to gain a foothold in the uterus, only after that the chorion (embryonic membrane) begins to secrete hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). Each week of pregnancy corresponds to a certain level of the hormone, higher than in non-pregnant women.

However, this sign is not absolutely accurate, since an increase in the level of the hormone occurs not only during pregnancy, but also with kidney disease or diabetes.

Signs of pathological pregnancy

If the test gives a positive result, and the hCG test shows its blood level is below normal, this indicates that the pregnancy is ectopic. It is especially dangerous when the fetus begins to develop in the uterine tube. The condition in which the pipe breaks occurs is life-threatening for a woman. Therefore, it is necessary to identify such a pathology as early as possible and remove the fetus. Signs of improper fixation of the embryo are the appearance of cramping pains on one side of the lower abdomen, as well as spotting spotting.

A frozen pregnancy is possible, when the embryo stops developing and dies, while a miscarriage does not occur, the fetus also has to be removed surgically. Such a pathology occurs if a woman has polycystic ovaries or an increased level of androgens in the body. An early sign of a missed pregnancy is low level HCG in the blood.

There is such an anomaly as false pregnancy. At the same time, the signs are so real that it is difficult to dissuade a woman in her self-hypnosis.

Video: By what signs do they recognize pregnancy

Early signs of conception

All signs of pregnancy that appear before the delay in menstruation are not absolutely reliable, they only allow us to make an assumption about its likely onset.

These include the following manifestations:

  1. Nausea, vomiting and other symptoms of toxicosis. They appear about 3-4 weeks after conception. At this time, a woman develops intolerance to certain odors (for example, perfume fragrances or the smell of meat broth), as well as unusual taste preferences(love for pickles, sweets).
  2. Drowsiness and fatigue, decreased blood pressure, inability to concentrate, weakening of memory.
  3. Frequent change moods. The desire to cry over the smallest of things.
  4. Change in the nature of the discharge. If a woman is not pregnant, then before the onset of menstruation, the leucorrhoea becomes more meager and thicker. After fertilization has occurred, the level of progesterone (the corpus luteum hormone that remains in the ovary after ovulation) remains high. Due to this, the glands of the cervix, which produce mucus, are activated. Allocations literally from the first days of pregnancy become abundant, transparent and liquid.
  5. Implantation bleeding. Droplets of blood may appear in the discharge for a short time. At the same time, a particularly sensitive woman feels a slight pulling pain in the lower abdomen. Such symptoms occur at the time of the introduction of the fetal egg into the endometrium of the uterus. If the bleeding occurs just before the expected period or coincides with them in time, they are sometimes mistaken for menstruation. In other cases, women mistake them for intermenstrual bleeding. You need to know that it is possible to assume the onset of pregnancy if such "menstruation" is too scarce and short.
  6. Swelling and soreness of the mammary glands. Changes in their condition occur immediately after conception. Before the delay, the skin around the nipple may darken, tubercles become more noticeable on the areola. Sometimes there is a clear yellowish discharge from the nipple (colostrum).
  7. Constipation, feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen.
  8. Increased urination, cystitis. With the onset of pregnancy in women, immunity decreases sharply. In this way, the body "adjusts" to a new state, doing everything so that the rejection of the fetus does not occur. Decreased immune defenses lead to increased susceptibility to bacteria and viruses. Therefore, at the very beginning of pregnancy, they become aggravated inflammatory processes(particularly in the bladder). Colds may become more frequent.

Note: Do not forget that these signs are nonspecific. Nausea and vomiting may also occur with intestinal diseases(gastritis, colitis), poisoning, strong feelings. Intolerance to odors happens even with the flu. Passion for sweets occurs with nervous stress.

It is important not to confuse changes in the mammary glands with symptoms of diseases. If the pain becomes obsessive, seals appear, the skin of the chest turns red, it is necessary to visit a mammologist.

Basal temperature

One of the first signs of pregnancy is the constancy of the basal temperature in a woman after conception. True, it can be detected only if the measurements were carried out for a long time (for several cycles) in the previous period.

Measure basal body temperature rectally. This makes it possible to exclude the influence on the indicators of various external factors. The procedure is carried out in the morning at the same time. In this case, the woman must still be in bed. By changing the temperature, you can find out when ovulation has occurred, since at this moment it reaches a maximum (37 °). If fertilization does not occur, the temperature drops. And if conception has occurred, it remains slightly elevated.

Thrush in early pregnancy

A natural decrease in immunity can provoke the appearance or exacerbation of thrush. The onset of the disease is also facilitated by a change in the state of the vaginal microflora due to an increase in the volume of secretions. The lack of beneficial lactobacilli leads to the multiplication of Candida fungi in the body.

However, thrush does not occur in all pregnant women. It all depends on the state of immunity and the characteristics of the hormonal shift that occurs in the body. Therefore, the presence of thrush cannot be considered a reliable way to establish the fact of conception.

Video: Early symptoms in pregnant women


The onset of pregnancy for women who want replenishment in the family is a joyful event and a real miracle. Each representative of the fair sex at least once in her life should experience an extraordinary feeling of the birth of a new being in her. Many girls at the first conception do not know at all how the early signs of pregnancy appear, they naively believe that the fetus will immediately move in the womb, give a sign of its presence. In fact, the process that has begun and the signs of pregnancy in the early stages do not outwardly betray themselves for quite a long time. The test will show the presence of a fertilized egg only 8 to 10 days after conception, and the first symptoms of pregnancy may appear only after a month or two.

Signs of early pregnancy

A woman who has not given birth before cannot realize when the first signs appear early pregnancy and how to distinguish them from the onset of the menstrual cycle and often attributes strange changes in the body to malaise or illness. Moreover, some of the symptoms of pregnancy are really similar to disruptions in the functioning of body systems as a result of stress, hormonal disorders, heavy physical activity taking strong pharmaceutical drugs. And menstrual irregularities occur even in healthy women. Therefore, every potential mother needs to learn how to identify the very first signs of early pregnancy, and at the slightest suspicion go to the gynecologist's office.

The first sign of early pregnancy is a change in mood.

When a woman begins hormonal restructuring of the body, preparing for a long period of bearing a baby, loved ones simply cannot recognize her. The expectant mother is ready to explode at any moment, to bring down streams of rage on her husband and relatives even without apparent reason. She feels misunderstood, offended, deprived, surrounded by callous and stupid people. The woman is not able to control outbreaks of aggression, although she understands that she causes pain and resentment to her relatives. Sudden and causeless irritability appears earlier than other signs of early pregnancy. It is she who can suggest the conception that has taken place.

The second sign of early pregnancy is a change in taste preferences.

The body of a pregnant woman, preparing for bearing a baby, tries to accumulate as many nutrients and nutrients as possible. Therefore, future mother unexpected taste preferences are formed. She begins to enjoy eating food that she did not like before, combines foods on a plate that are in no way compatible. All dishes seem insipid to a pregnant woman, so she salts and spices them abundantly. Eating a large jar of pickled cucumbers at a time is not difficult for her. And some mothers suddenly have an irresistible desire to “eat” chalk or sand. A change in taste and an increase in appetite are the first and most obvious symptoms of pregnancy that immediately attract attention.

The third sign of early pregnancy is a delay in menstruation.

Failure of the menstrual cycle is the main sign of pregnancy. If after the usual period of time a woman does not start her period, she suspects a successful conception.

Menstrual bleeding will not bother the mother, not only for all nine months of bearing a baby, but also for about six months, and sometimes a year after childbirth. Menstruation will resume only when the mother's body is fully restored. But the absence of menstruation on time, in addition to pregnancy, can also signal pathological changes in the body, a woman’s wrong lifestyle. The menstrual cycle is disturbed by:

  1. stress, depression and anxiety;
  2. strong physical activity;
  3. change in climate or daily routine;
  4. colds and viral diseases;
  5. the use of contraceptive drugs and potent drugs;
  6. obesity or starvation;
  7. the onset of menopause.

The fourth sign of early pregnancy is swelling of the mammary glands.

Swollen mammary glands and swollen veins on the chest are signs of early pregnancy, manifested mainly in the later stages. When pressing on the nipples, yellowish colostrum is released. And in the first months of pregnancy, a woman can only feel some discomfort in the chest area. Also noticeable signs of early pregnancy are Montgomery tubercles. These are small outgrowths that form in a circle around the nipple immediately after successful conception. Outwardly, they look like warts filled with sebaceous matter, but in no way disrupt the functioning of the mammary glands, do not affect the health of the mother.

The fifth sign of early pregnancy is toxicosis

Usually, toxicosis in a woman manifests itself in the middle stages of pregnancy, when the baby in the womb is already quite developed. The expectant mother is accompanied by nausea and dizziness, she can no longer tolerate the usual dishes, after each meal she is overtaken by the urge to vomit. But sometimes these pregnancy symptoms occur on initial terms. In this case, doctors diagnose the so-called early toxicosis. Nausea and vomiting are not the most clear signs early pregnancy, the cause of these unpleasant phenomena can be food poisoning. Also, many diseases are not without these symptoms. digestive tract: gastritis, enteritis, stomach and intestinal ulcers.

The sixth sign of early pregnancy is frequent urination

Women usually suffer from frequent trips to the toilet in late pregnancy, when a baby that has grown up in the womb begins to put pressure on the bladder and ureter. However, failures in the urination system can also occur on early stages bearing a fetus. They are caused by chorionic gonadotropin - a hormone that is abundantly secreted in a pregnant woman and provokes an acceleration of blood circulation in the pelvic organs. Mommy thinks that her bladder is full, although there is actually not much urine in it. This feeling is especially strong in lying position Therefore, pregnant women do not sleep well at night, suffer from incontinence.

Frequent urge to urinate is not only the first signs of early pregnancy, but also symptoms of complex diseases of the genitourinary system. Urinary incontinence is accompanied by diabetes mellitus, in which the patient drinks a lot of fluids, as well as cystitis or urethritis. If a strong painful burning sensation is felt during urination in the lower abdomen, it is not a pregnancy, but a disease.

The seventh sign of early pregnancy is an increase in basal temperature

By measuring basal temperature, women usually set. When the temperature inside the genitals rises slightly above normal, the egg is ready for fertilization. But with the help of basal temperature, the onset of conception can also be determined. To do this, during the delay of menstruation, the thermometer is placed in anus, since the temperature in the rectum and genital tract is the same. It is better to carry out the procedure after a night's sleep, without getting out of bed.

If a woman keeps a chart of basal temperature for 3-4 months, then in the event of pregnancy, she will notice that a week before the start of menstruation, the basal temperature, instead of decreasing, continues to remain at 37 degrees. In this case, you can most likely assume that you are pregnant.

The eighth sign of early pregnancy is bloody discharge from the genitals

A week after conception, some women notice minor bloody issues from the genital tract. They can be confused with poor menstrual bleeding, but these discharges differ from menstruation more light shade. They occur just at the moment when the fertilized egg clings to the wall of the uterus, but they do not last long at all. Sometimes women observe quite thick yellowish discharge. So at the beginning of pregnancy, erosion of the cervix appears. There may be no discharge at all, and this is also normal in the early stages of gestation.

The ninth sign of early pregnancy is a painful condition, malaise

Important signs of early pregnancy are a sharp decrease in immunity and an acceleration of metabolism. The body of a pregnant woman itself suppresses its immune cells so that they do not perceive the fetus as a foreign body, do not try to destroy it. And the metabolism is activated as a result of hormonal changes. The expectant mother in the early stages of bearing a child often catches a cold, suffers from a runny nose and hoarseness, she may have a fever. In order not to harm the embryo, it is advisable to treat ailments not with pharmaceuticals, but with folk methods.

Pregnant women often complain of weakness and drowsiness, they want to sleep both at night and during the day. This is how the hormone progesterone, produced by the ovaries after conception, is responsible for preserving the fetus.

The tenth sign of early pregnancy - changes in the skin

Pigmentary and inflammatory changes skin – noticeable symptoms pregnancy. Hormonal changes that occur in a woman's body after conception have a great impact on the condition of the skin. Due to the sharp fluctuation of sex hormones, the face, neck and chest of a pregnant woman is dotted dark spots, spider veins appear on the legs and arms, similar in color to hematomas. With the birth of a baby, all pigmentation will disappear, mom should not worry about this. Sebaceous and sweat glands during gestation, they work hard, so many women have acne on their faces. Somewhere by the twelfth week of pregnancy, a longitudinal pigment strip appears on the mother's stomach, which will remain until the very birth. And already from the twentieth week of bearing a baby, stretch marks begin to form on the sides and lower abdomen. They are the more noticeable, the fuller the pregnant woman.

The eleventh sign of early pregnancy is bowel dysfunction.

Sex hormones, being actively produced in the body of a pregnant woman, suppress the work of the intestines, contribute to its relaxation. Therefore, constipation and diarrhea are common symptoms during pregnancy. Usually these unpleasant signs of pregnancy are pursued future mother in the later stages of bearing a baby, when the uterus expands, squeezing the intestines. But sometimes women who are not carrying their first baby notice constipation, excessive gas formation, liquid stool already at an early stage. Many mothers suffer from hemorrhoids. To remove these symptoms of pregnancy, which cause a lot of trouble, it is advisable to use not medical preparations, and folk remedies that are safe for the developing fetus.

Many women are frustrated by a negative pregnancy test when they are trying to conceive. Sometimes even with only one strip there can be pregnancy symptoms and it can be very confusing. In some cases, an hCG blood test shows that you are not pregnant, but you still have some signs. Why might this condition occur?

I have a negative test but I still feel pregnant - why is this happening?

1. The test was applied too early

Pregnancy tests respond to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). It takes time for a sufficient amount of this hormone to be produced. If the test is done when there is still not enough of it, the result will be a false negative. This usually happens when women test for pregnancy before a missed period occurs. If you wait a few days after your period is supposed to start, the test result should not be a false negative given their high sensitivity.

2. Fluctuations in ovulation time

If you have an irregular cycle, it is possible that ovulation occurred at the end of it, then the test is too early. From time to time, even in women with a regular menstrual cycle, the release of an egg can occur before menstruation. Hence, it may delay detection in the urine. The level of this hormone may already be high enough to be detected by a blood test as early as 8-10 days after ovulation, homemade test urine requires an additional week. Therefore, wait a bit and repeat the test if your period has not yet come.

3. Calculation in a cycle

You can get a negative pregnancy test result if you miscalculate the date, especially when you forget your last period. If your partner has healthy sperm and the environment is just right, there is a 3 day window where you can get pregnant around the time of ovulation. Therefore, sexual intercourse can occur earlier, and conception will occur in a few days. If you think the result is incorrect due to miscalculation of dates, wait a few days and recheck.

4. Diluted urine

If the collected urine sample is diluted in some way (for example, you did a test in the afternoon after drinking a lot of liquid), this causes the device to not detect hCG. If the pregnancy test is negative, it must be confirmed by a physical examination and/or ultrasound for confirmation.

5. Hook effect during pregnancy

A hook effect occurs when the antibodies being tested are overloaded with the injected antigen and unable to bind to the antibodies. To make it easier to understand the essence of this effect and apply it to a pregnancy test, it can be said simply that the hook effect occurs when the hCG level is so high in women that it cannot be associated with the analyzed antibodies, and therefore the test cannot effectively handle with your task.

The hCG level must be extremely high for this to occur, which can occur between 8-10 weeks or earlier with multiple pregnancy, later the level of the hormone will begin to level off.

When the hook effect occurs, you will either get a very faint positive pregnancy test despite darker lines previously being visible, or you may get false negative result no second stripe. The test just couldn't handle the high hCG level and gave you the wrong answer.

What should I do?

What can you do if the tests show a negative result, but you still feel the symptoms of pregnancy? It depends if you are expecting your period or not. There is a 50/50 chance that the test may be false if you are not yet expecting your period. Wait a few days and repeat it.

You should repeat it in two or three days if the supposed period of menstruation has already passed, and the strip is still one. However, if your period has started and you still feel pregnant, you should wait a few days after your period and retest.

There may be other reasons for missing periods if the tests are still negative. You can repeat the definition again if you like. But if this time it shows that you are not pregnant, it almost certainly means that you are. There may be other reasons for this condition that require you to see a doctor. Also, it can be too hard to accept a negative result if you've been trying very hard to conceive.

Personal experience of other women

You are not alone in this situation. Exists a large number of women who experience symptoms of pregnancy but have negative results tests. Here are a few cases where the result was a positive result, sometimes much later.

Case 1

“I have been pregnant since the beginning of June. On June 23rd I had my first blood test to make sure I was pregnant even though I had my period this month but vomited for 3 days. The result was negative.

Then, in mid-July, every morning I felt bad. I went to the doctor and he said I was pregnant or allergic to the food I was eating. Later that night at home, I took a pregnancy test and it showed two lines. I went back to the doctor (other), he did an ultrasound and confirmed this wonderful news! Menstruation was actually implantation bleeding.”

Case 2

“I had a positive pregnancy test during my expected period. And after 8 days I went to my doctor and had a blood test, which was negative. I had pregnancy symptoms and felt my body changing. The doctor made me come back two weeks later and the blood test finally showed that I was expecting a baby. It took time for the hormone levels to rise. I knew I was pregnant and I was right! Good luck to everyone and hopefully this situation doesn't drive you crazy like it did me."

It is very important to trust your intuition if you think you are pregnant. There are many women who simply “know their position right from the start. Your friends or family may tell you it's "all in your head," but you know your body better than anyone else. Most often, women with a strong suspicion of pregnancy are right!