The very first signs of pregnancy before a missed period. Signs of pregnancy - possible, probable, accurate

Do you know the first symptoms of pregnancy?
The following are twenty-five symptoms: pregnancy. All symptoms are divided into three groups according to the degree of reliability: possible (detection of these symptoms indicates the possibility of pregnancy), probable e ( which indicate a high probability of pregnancy), and accurate (the presence of these symptoms does not give rise to doubt).

Possible pregnancy symptoms

• Stressful condition
• Physical overexertion ( preparation for sports competitions)
• ailments
• Sudden disruption of life schedule ( changing work schedule from daytime to shift work)
• Using certain types of medications ( primarily steroids)
• Exhaustion
• Errors in calculations
• Age suitable for menopause

Unusual sensations
In the first days of pregnancy, many women experience mild pain or cramps in the uterus. Such pains are similar to pain during menstruation.

Vomiting and nausea
These signs are very often observed during pregnancy. True, such signs are usually detected starting from the sixth week of gestation. But sometimes they appear earlier. In such cases they talk about early gestosis.
The same symptoms may appear with other ailments, for example, diseases of the digestive tract ( enterocolitis, stomach or intestinal ulcer, gastritis, enteritis). But with such ailments, vomiting and nausea are usually combined with other signs of digestive disorders that are not observed during pregnancy.

Change in sex drive
Sexual desire changes due to the fact that a variety of processes take place in the body during pregnancy. Libido can either disappear completely or become more pronounced. Changes in the physical plane include an increase in the sensitivity of the mammary glands, which sometimes even causes disgust when touching the nipples ( and sometimes vice versa), urge to vomit, increased blood circulation in the genital area. The processes of change affect both the psyche and the functioning of a woman’s nervous system; they are influenced by pregnancy hormones.

Breast tenderness
The pregnancy period is preparatory to breastfeeding. Therefore, a number of processes take place in the mammary glands:

• Increased sensitivity to the point of pain
• Changes in the color of the nipples and areola, as well as their swelling
• Increase in breast size
• When you press on the areola, a drop of colostrum appears.

Breast growth
Despite the fact that this symptom is not considered indispensable, most women experience it. If pregnancy has occurred, the mammary glands enlarge in exactly the same way.
If only one gland enlarges, or some part of it swells, this indicates the presence of diseases.

Frequent urge to urinate
This symptom often plagues women from the earliest stages of gestation. At the same time, very little urine is released. This symptom develops because the uterus increases in volume, and the bladder has less and less space, so less urine can collect in it.
A similar symptom is also typical for diseases of the urinary system, such as urethritis or cystitis ( with these diseases, the desire to urinate is usually combined with an increase in body temperature, a burning sensation during urination, and pain in the groin). Also, a similar symptom can be observed with diseases of the endocrine system ( diabetes mellitus, in which the patient is always thirsty and produces a lot of urine).

Perversions of taste
The vast majority of people believe that during pregnancy, all women eat pickles and ice cream. In fact, changes in taste can affect completely different food groups. According to scientists, sixty-five percent of women experience rather strange taste changes during pregnancy. Some people even want to eat chalk, raw meat, soil or green fruits.
Usually, such taste perversions do not pose a threat to health, but sometimes women suffer from cravings for completely inedible objects and substances, such as starch or lime.
Taste distortions can occur due to a lack of any microelements in the body, for example, iron. In such a case, this disorder is combined with brittle nail plates, hair, dizziness, weakness, and pale face.

Fatigue
A lot of serious processes take place in the body of a pregnant woman, which at first may not appear at all. In this regard, the body needs new energy resources. Therefore, during pregnancy, women quickly get tired and sleep a lot.
This phenomenon cannot be used to determine pregnancy, because lethargy or decreased endurance is also observed with a huge number of ailments, and is also caused by non-compliance with occupational hygiene and rest.

Montgomery tubercles
Montgomery tubercles- these are small growths ( type of small warts), formed on the isola. Such growths are completely safe for a woman’s body, and they often indicate pregnancy.

Skin changes
Due to the fact that a large number of different processes occur in the body, the skin also experiences changes. This may appear:

• Chloasma or pregnant woman mask – the appearance of age spots on the forehead, cheeks and nose. You should not be alarmed, because after the baby is born, all the spots will disappear on their own over time.
• Dark stripe from navel to pubis . This stripe may become noticeable after the twelfth week of gestation.
• Acne . This symptom is not typical for everyone. There are women whose skin becomes clean and well-groomed during pregnancy. But sometimes, due to the increased work of the sebaceous glands, acne forms.
• Spider veins form on the legs, neck, arms, chest, cheeks. They are formed due to an increase in the amount of female sex hormones in the body. They look like small spiders and are dark red or bluish in color.
• Stretch marks– most often observed starting from the twenty-second week of gestation. The intensity of their formation depends on the number of kilograms gained, genetic predisposition, and nutritional system.
• The appearance of red spots on the palms – erythema. It is caused by the same estrogens.
• Other types of changes: increased growth of nails or hair, changes in their quality, increased work of the sweat glands.

• Genetic predisposition – if the majority of women in the family have stretch marks, then there is practically no chance of avoiding them.
• Rate and intensity of weight gain . If too many kilograms are gained or in too short a period, the likelihood of developing stretch marks increases.
• Pregnancy with twins or triplets are also a factor predisposing to the formation of stretch marks.
• Nutrition specifics . If the menu is sufficiently balanced, there is a lot of fluid in it, then the skin will be more elastic, which means there will be fewer stretch marks and they will be less intense.

Stirring
During the first pregnancy, movements are detected approximately at the twentieth week of gestation. And mothers with experience feel movements already in the sixteenth to eighteenth week.
It must be said that as a sign of pregnancy, movements are detected earlier than movements of the anterior wall of the abdomen, which is considered one of the accurate signs.

The appearance of colostrum
Colostrum is the first food of a newborn baby. Colostrum contains all the nutrients a baby needs. Most often, in the last weeks of gestation, clear liquid appears from the mammary glands, this is the release of colostrum.

Possible pregnancy symptoms

The uterus changes
The shape of the uterus also changes. But such a sign is detected only during a consultation with an obstetrician or during an ultrasound examination.

Braxton Hicks contractions or training contractions
Braxton Hicks contractions are short-term and completely non-painful phenomena that are observed at intervals of ten to twenty minutes and in some cases are observed after the first three months of gestation. Such phenomena are also called training contractions. Not all expectant mothers have such manifestations, and there is an opinion that they are more obvious during the second and subsequent pregnancies. In a number of women, such contractions manifest themselves in the form of tension in the lower abdomen. These contractions are much weaker, shorter than labor contractions, and the intervals between them are not the same. When the woman assumes a horizontal position, contractions stop. In the case when, at a period not reaching thirty-seven weeks, such phenomena occur frequently, repeating them every ten minutes, this indicates the need to visit a doctor, as it may indicate premature birth.
The table discusses in detail how labor contractions differ from Braxton-Hicks contractions.

If you notice one or more of the above symptoms, you should immediately go to the doctor so that the doctor can identify the cause of their occurrence.
Determination of pregnancy should be carried out as soon as possible - this must be done to prevent pregnancy complications.

Rapid pregnancy test results
The rapid test, which can be purchased at any pharmacy, gives objective results five or more days after the first day of expected menstruation. However, such tests often give erroneous readings ( more often erroneous negative readings). This happens due to the fact that the test reacts to the amount of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin in a woman’s urine. Levels of this hormone increase slowly in the early months as pregnancy progresses. In the case when you need to find out about the occurrence ( or not getting pregnant) before five days of delay, you can do a test in the laboratory, it has more objective results.
An increase in the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin in the urine also occurs with certain tumors of the uterus.

Precise pregnancy symptoms

Fetal heartbeat detection
From the twentieth week of pregnancy, a special stethoscope can be used to listen to the fetal heartbeat through the anterior abdominal wall. And an electronic stethoscope makes it possible to detect heartbeats as early as the tenth week. Indicators from one hundred twenty to one hundred sixty contractions per minute are considered normal.

Diagnosis of pregnancy using ultrasound
It is advisable to carry out a similar study from the seventh to the twelfth week. But this method can show the presence of pregnancy from the second week.

Pregnancy detection using x-ray
X-rays are never used to diagnose pregnancy, since the mother and developing embryo receive a dose of harmful radiation. But sometimes an x-ray of internal organs reveals pregnancy. Then the skeleton of the fetus is visible in the picture.

Signs of early pregnancy

Changing breast size. Under the influence of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, breast size will change literally within a few days after conception. You will feel tingling, tenderness and heaviness in your chest. You may notice darkening of the nipples and areolas.

Spasms. You may feel them as the uterus grows and stretches. This is normal: stretched muscles react by contracting. (Tip: Try bending down and touching your toes. That's about the same thing you feel in the ligaments and muscles of your feet, you feel in the muscles of the uterus and the ligaments that support it.) However, if the pain is very severe or you are bothered by constant bleeding and cramping, immediately go to the doctor!

Fatigue. During the first trimester, you will feel very tired. Which is not surprising: your body is busy building the baby’s basic systems and organs. Rest easy, by the end of the first 13 weeks the fatigue will pass.

Morning sickness and odor sensitivity. Toxicosis of pregnancy usually begins in the 5th week, although it can appear earlier.

Frequent urination. The culprits for this inconvenience are the hormone progesterone and the pressure of the ever-increasing uterus on the bladder. The bladder muscles are stressed even if there is little urine in the bladder.

Lack of menstruation or minor bleeding. Light and brief bleeding may occur when a fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus.

Hair and nail growth. They may begin to grow “like crazy.” It's all hormones! It's okay - pluck and wax. No one wants to look like Bigfoot during pregnancy.

Only for dad. All these signs of pregnancy - changes in the expectant mother's mood, changes in the body and increasing fatigue - are a signal that dad needs to be patient. Be prepared for anything.

• We can imagine how excited you are about your loved one's bust enhancement. But just try to touch it! Painful sensations in the chest are a standard manifestation of pregnancy. Some expectant mothers find it painful even to sleep on their stomach.
• Your partner may be exhausted, especially if you are used to having sex frequently. “Assembling” a baby is not an easy task, and the surge of hormones can drive her crazy. Hold your horses! Watch sports programs or action movies in the meantime.
• If your loved one feels nauseous, calm her down, walk her to the toilet, hold back her hair and never, ever show her your dissatisfied grimace. This creature bending over the toilet is the future mother of your child!

A modern woman, most likely, will not notice the onset of conception immediately after sexual intercourse, although, provided she has a developed sense of body and soul, as well as good intuition, this is quite possible. This lack of knowledge about the state of one's own body is due, in part, to the fact that for centuries pregnancy was so devalued that it was kept secret for as long as possible. Is it any wonder that over time this repression manifested itself in the way a woman experiences her own body.

The most characteristic signs of pregnancy can be divided into 3 groups: presumptive, probable and reliable.

Presumptive (doubtful) signs include mainly subjective sensations - sensitivity to smells, changes in appetite, nausea and vomiting in the morning. And from the neuropsychic sphere - nervousness, irritability, tearfulness, drowsiness. From the urinary system - frequent urination.

When examining the mammary glands, their tension and sensitivity of the nipples are determined. When pressed, colostrum is released from the nipples. During a gynecological examination, the cyanosis of the mucous membranes of the vagina and cervix is ​​determined. Examination of the uterus determines softening of the isthmus and some asymmetry of the uterus.

Signs that reveal the presence of an embryo or fetus in the uterus are called reliable. This includes pregnancy tests, which cannot be false positive, cannot show pregnancy if there is none. This also includes a laboratory blood test for human chorionic hormone or its beta subunit. The most reliable sign is the presence of a fertilized egg in the uterus, on ultrasound, starting from one week of missed period. In the second half of pregnancy - determination of the height of the uterine fundus, during an obstetric examination - determination of the position and presentation of the fetus, its small parts, listening to the fetal heartbeat with an obstetric stethoscope from 23-24 weeks of pregnancy. On ultrasound, the fetal heartbeat is detected from 4-5 weeks.

Often the first sign of pregnancy is absence of menstrual bleeding. In this case, a hormonal test will help to understand whether the woman made the correct assumptions. At the same time, even the onset of bleeding does not give reason to confidently say that pregnancy has not occurred. It happens that even during pregnancy, bleeding can begin at term, although it will be much less profuse than usual.

The effect of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) detected by modern tests soon after fertilization is also not surprising, and many women soon experience changes in the sphere of sensory sensations, for example, increased sexual desire. From a biological point of view, this makes sense, since now a woman needs to “tie” a man to herself especially reliably. However, interest in sexual relations may decline as soon as a woman discovers that she is pregnant, for example if it is against her wishes or if the woman has not yet been able to work through her thoughts and feelings about a previous miscarriage.

Extremely frequent are mood swings. For no apparent reason, a woman has a desire to cry. This tearfulness corresponds to the water-salt aspect at the body level and the Moon archetype at the level of the system of first principles.

Another early sign of pregnancy is swelling and tension of the mammary glands, which, in particular, is due to an increase in the amount of water retained in the body. The body may begin to take on unusual round shapes, which is also associated with weight gain. The body is trying to become round and healthy in order to grow to a state in which it can best perform the important task assigned to it. This phenomenon can also be observed at such a level of manifestation as an undoubted improvement in skin quality. It happens that the first hint of new life circumstances is a ring that suddenly becomes difficult to remove from your finger. In the morning hours, a feeling of swelling may occur, which is explained by the accumulation of more water during the night. As the pregnant woman comes more and more into the sphere of influence of the Moon principle every day, the night in her life becomes increasingly important, and the soul element also comes to the fore. Where it figuratively does not receive sufficient space, the body comes to the rescue, as evidenced by the tendency of the body to retain large quantities of water.

At the level of the soul, the swelling of the mammary glands corresponds to an intense “growing in” into the sphere of the feminine archetype, which finds its expression through the principles of the Moon and Venus. The desire to feed and the desire to please a partner (and thereby tie him even more tightly to oneself), due to the influence of the Moon and Venus, respectively, can manifest themselves at very different levels of life.

Increased and unusual fatigue may appear, but not necessarily. However, if the body requires a lot of energy to rebuild, the woman will notice it this way. It would be ideal if it could adequately satisfy the increased need for sleep, because by doing so it would help the body in the best way to gain the energy it needs to re-adjust all body systems. In addition, when the mother rests, the child has the opportunity to develop in the most optimal way. Subsequently, by the way, it also grows much better at rest than in the active phase.

Often associated with restructuring and occurring most often in the morning nausea represents a reaction to the increased production of hormones; in times when the feminine pole of life is given so little respect, it can well be considered a normal phenomenon. However, nausea will only bother a pregnant woman until the restructuring of the body is completed. The adjustment phase can last quite a long time (for recommendations regarding the use of homeopathic remedies and other measures, see the section “Nausea and vomiting” “Symptoms during pregnancy”).

Nausea during pregnancy occurs in much the same way as dizziness and seasickness. There is a collision between two internal information structures that are different from each other. The organ of balance signals to the “central control room” that the body is on a rocking ship, but the eyes look below the deck and see that everything is calm. Something doesn't add up. The brain realizes that it is being deceived, and as a result, the head begins to spin, followed by nausea and vomiting. In order for the condition to normalize, it is necessary to get rid of one of these information structures that contradict each other.

About the same thing happens in the body of a pregnant woman experiencing nausea. This feeling reveals the archaic feminine principle, the typical basal need for motherhood. A woman is likened to a female animal. If previously this woman put herself on the same level as a man, emphasized isolation and thereby moved more and more away from the ancestral ocean of the collective unconscious, now she suddenly finds herself under the crossfire of two archetypes. She has conflicting impulses, she tries to get out of the influence of one of the poles: she feels sick and vomits. This symptom takes root the more intensely, the more strongly the opposite poles in the psyche or the individual, courageous pole are expressed.

So, nausea indicates that a woman wants to get rid of something. Most often, she is opposed not to the child and pregnancy, but to that courageous part of herself, which at this stage should recede into the background. On the other hand, it is difficult to survive without this part in the modern world (think about what kind of man today would like to see next to him an extremely soft, labile woman who lives solely by feelings, near whom he must spend much more time and whom he must constantly protect?) . Thus, pregnancy poses the task for a woman to immerse herself in the realm of the archetypal feminine, to be soft and emotional and at the same time remain fully armed, so as not to endanger her child and herself, not to give up her own independence.

Increased mucus secretions, associated with an increase in blood circulation, can sometimes also indicate pregnancy. All tissues of a woman gradually become more mucous, “juicy” and loose. A woman’s psyche can also become more shaky, but at the same time strong, which gives her the opportunity to reassure her man, who so often fears the pregnancy of his other half.

Hormonal changes also affect the vaginal environment, making it more alkaline. The vagina becomes less acidic and may be prone to discharge, which is usually not a problem. At the same time, the threat of vaginal infections increases. A pregnant woman should be especially careful and think more often about who and under what conditions she allows to be near her. If swimming in a public pool seems threatening to her, and using a public toilet is a provocation, then she should also be very careful when making direct contact. The light pale blue (liquid) tint of the skin in the area of ​​the vaginal opening is due to the natural activation of venous circulation and should not cause any concern.

In rare cases, a sign of pregnancy may be pigmentation changes. Darkening of the halos around the nipples is completely normal. Later, these halos will indicate to the newborn his first goal and, at the level of archetypes, indicate a connection with the theme of feeding, which has already begun to gain strength in the life of a pregnant woman, but, nevertheless, will truly come into its own only after 10 lunar months. Less common are cases where a dark stripe appears along the midline of the body, running from the hypogastric region to the upper abdomen. She seems to show the woman where her center is and where she should direct her main attention over the next months; In addition, such a stripe signifies the need to share and give.

Sometimes dark pigmentation can appear around the lips (note that this phenomenon is often underestimated), giving the skin a less than neat appearance. This can be interpreted as a hint that women should pay special attention to switching to “purer” forms of interaction and communication.

May occur bleeding gums. It indicates that a pregnant woman is in danger of losing vital energy along with blood. Gums symbolize basal trust, the importance of which is greater than ever in the first weeks of pregnancy. Through bleeding, the theme of initial trust manifests itself, in the development of which the exercises and meditative techniques mentioned above can help.

The need for iron for fetal hematopoiesis is satisfied by iron reserves in the mother's body. From a spiritual point of view, we proceed from the fact that an increased need for iron is characteristic of a child because he is preparing to enter the world of opposites. Let's just say he needs to adapt to life between the north and south poles. And iron is an element that “feels” best in the Earth’s magnetic field.

The increase in dental caries indicates that a pregnant woman should take more active care of her “weapon in the mouth” - her teeth, and first of all, strengthen her position more courageously and even aggressively. It is also necessary to receive a sufficient amount of nutrients, since in emergency situations the reserves of the mother’s body will be sacrificed for the formation of the child’s body, which can take the form of real “poaching”. The folk wisdom that says that every pregnancy is worth one tooth clearly represents this relationship. However, today, a healthy and nutritious diet can make this sacrifice unnecessary.

Stomach and intestinal problems can also occur at the stage of restructuring of the body; they tell the pregnant woman that the new situation is not as easy to “digest” as her intellect imagines. Bloating may indicate aggression that needs to be freed from and which until now has not been able to find a way out. If a woman begins to emit an unpleasant odor and thereby evokes not the most blissful feelings in her partner, this can be regarded as a hint to both of them that something remains unsaid in their relationship - something that previously did not get a chance to express itself. In addition, a clear lack of integration mental strength of the partners becomes obvious.

The solution may be to release yourself from excess pressure in a timely and appropriate manner, find a source of courage and willingness to interact directly, and learn to speak your mind openly. It is about learning to eat and digest this world, an exercise called bhoga in Hinduism and Buddhism.

Pregnancy stretch marks(striae) in general appear quite rarely today. Thanks to proper body care and the modern tendency to maintain a relatively low weight during pregnancy, fewer and fewer women are suffering from this type of stretch marks.

Relaxation of the uterine muscles in former times it was an important sign of pregnancy. The muscles become softer, so that they can stretch better. Enlargement is preceded by relaxation caused by water deposition and muscle cell growth. The masculine aspect of the musculature recedes, allowing the feminine aspect to expand and increase its readiness to receive.

If only she hadn't come!

The most obvious sign of pregnancy is a delay in menstruation - this is the case if menstruation previously came regularly.

Some women continue to menstruate in the first three months of pregnancy, but the amount of blood released and the duration of bleeding are reduced compared to normal periods. So if this happens to you, consult your doctor.

Most women also experience other pregnancy symptoms about a week after their first missed period or five weeks after their period:

• swelling and tenderness of the mammary glands;
• nausea and vomiting;
• feeling exhausted and tired;
• severe dizziness;
• vaginal discharge;
• changes in taste, strong cravings and aversions to certain foods;
• frequent urge to urinate;
• increased emotional vulnerability. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and other hormones such as progesterone are responsible for the suppression of menstruation and these changes. Hormones are produced in a woman's body to maintain pregnancy and care for the growing embryo. A urine pregnancy test relies on the presence of hCG in the blood and urine to confirm pregnancy.

Urine pregnancy test

Don't rely solely on a missed period. To confirm pregnancy, a positive test and examination by a doctor are required. Ten days after a missed period, a urine pregnancy test can detect the presence of human serum beta-gamma globulin in the urine. This test can be prescribed by your doctor, or you can use do-it-yourself tests sold in pharmacies, such as PFegcolour, TestPack, Gravindex.

When testing yourself, carefully follow the included instructions. To perform the test, the first morning urine must be collected in a clean, wide-necked container. A positive test result is almost always correct. A negative result may be due to the fact that the test is performed too early or is delayed by more than three months after PM. With the help of some modern tests, it is possible to determine pregnancy even before a missed period. But such complex tests are not usually required to confirm pregnancy.

As soon as you receive a positive urine pregnancy test, schedule a visit with your doctor.

After conception, physiological changes occur in a woman’s body, which are manifested by 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 illness and not to proceed with treatment that could harm the unborn baby. The first weeks of intrauterine development are a very crucial period, so it is important for a woman to find out about her situation even before the delay occurs.

In the first weeks of embryo development, the most important organs are formed. Incorrect behavior of the mother (excessively intense sports, increased nervousness, drinking alcohol, smoking) can have a detrimental effect on the health of the unborn baby. Infectious diseases pose a particular danger.

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

Conception may also be unplanned (for example, contraception was unsuccessful or the woman made a mistake in calculating safe days). The first signs will indicate 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 having a regular abortion at a later date.

When do the first symptoms appear?

Fertilization of the egg occurs only after ovulation, which in a 28-day cycle occurs approximately in the middle. There may be slight deviations in the timing of conception due to the presence of individual physiological characteristics in women, as well as the existence of differences in sperm activity in men. However, it is safe to say that there is no point in trying to detect reliable signs earlier than a week after sexual intercourse.

When is it appropriate to do the test?

If the test is used earlier, the result may be false negative. That is, conception has occurred, but the level of the hormone secreted by the embryo (hCG) is still too low. More expensive inkjet tests have the greatest accuracy. It is necessary to strictly follow the instructions, since if done incorrectly, the result may be false positive.

Blood test for hCG

A reliable result of a hormone test can be obtained only 10-12 days after sexual intercourse. The fertilized egg must have time to implant 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 hormone levels 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 content in the blood is below normal, this indicates that the pregnancy is ectopic. It is especially dangerous when the fetus begins to develop in the uterine tube. A condition in which a pipe ruptures 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 attachment of the embryo include the appearance of cramping pain on one side of the lower abdomen, as well as spotting.

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

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

Video: What are the signs of pregnancy?

Early signs of conception

All signs of pregnancy that appear before a missed period are not absolutely reliable; they only allow us to make an assumption about its likely occurrence.

These include the following manifestations:

1. Nausea, vomiting and other symptoms of toxicosis. They appear approximately 3-4 weeks after conception. At this time, a woman develops intolerance to certain odors (for example, perfume aromas 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, weakened memory.
3. Frequent mood changes. The desire to cry over the most insignificant things.
4. Change in the nature of discharge. If a woman is not pregnant, then before the onset of menstruation, the leucorrhoea becomes scantier and thicker. After fertilization has occurred, the level of progesterone (the corpus luteum hormone that remains in the ovary after ovulation) remains high. Thanks to this, the work of the cervical glands that produce mucus is activated. Discharge literally from the first days of pregnancy becomes abundant, transparent and liquid.
5. Implantation bleeding. Droplets of blood may briefly appear in the discharge. In this case, a particularly sensitive woman feels a slight nagging pain in the lower abdomen. Such symptoms occur when the fertilized egg implants into the endometrium of the uterus. If bleeding occurs immediately before or coincides with an expected period, it is sometimes mistaken for menstruation. In other cases, women mistake them for intermenstrual bleeding. You need to know that pregnancy can be assumed if such “menstruation” is too scanty and short-lived.
6. Swelling and tenderness of the mammary glands. Changes in their condition occur immediately after conception. Before the delay, the skin around the nipple may darken, and the tubercles on the areola become more noticeable. Sometimes a clear yellowish discharge from the nipple (colostrum) appears.
7. Constipation, feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen.
8. Increased urination, cystitis. With the onset of pregnancy, women's immunity sharply decreases. In this way, the body “adapts” to the new state, doing everything to prevent fetal rejection. Decreased immune defense leads to increased susceptibility to bacteria and viruses. Therefore, at the very beginning of pregnancy, inflammatory processes worsen (in particular, in the bladder). Colds may become more frequent.

Note: Do not forget that these signs are non-specific. Nausea and vomiting can also occur with intestinal diseases (gastritis, colitis), poisoning, and strong emotions. Odor intolerance occurs even with the flu. Craving for sweets occurs during nervous stress.

It is important not to confuse changes in the mammary glands with symptoms of diseases. If the pain becomes obsessive, lumps appear, and the breast skin turns red, you should definitely visit a mammologist.

Basal temperature

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

Basal temperature is measured rectally. This allows us to exclude the influence of various external factors on the indicators. 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 occurred, since at this moment it reaches a maximum (37°). If fertilization does not occur, the temperature decreases. 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 occurrence of the disease is also facilitated by changes in the state of the vaginal microflora due to an increase in the volume of discharge. The lack of beneficial lactobacilli leads to the proliferation of Candida fungi in the body.

However, not all pregnant women develop thrush. It all depends on the state of the immune system and the characteristics of the hormonal shifts occurring 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

Pregnancy is a very important event in the life of any woman. For some it is joyful and long-awaited, for others it is the opposite. But, one way or another, everyone wants to know about the beginning of the development of a new life as early as possible - if possible, already in the first days after conception.

The reason to suspect pregnancy for most women of reproductive age with a regular cycle is a delay in menstruation. Doubts are finally dispelled by two strips of self-test and the conclusion of a local gynecologist.

In this article we will talk about the very first signs of pregnancy before a delay; a woman can feel them already 1 week after conceiving a child.

What happens in the body?

First you need to understand how fertilization occurs, and only then talk about what signs of pregnancy may be in the early stages of its development. When a woman's egg matures, it leaves the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube. If the conditions are normal, then she is fertilized by the most active sperm.

Due to the fact that the speed of sperm movement is small, no more than 2 mm per hour, the fertilization process can take a long time. When this happens, the division of the zygote begins. In addition to starting to divide, she needs to find a place in the uterus where she can attach in order to receive the necessary nutrients.

After fertilization, the egg moves to the uterus and this can take one to two weeks. Only after the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus can we say that pregnancy has occurred.

When can you expect the first manifestations?

Early symptoms of pregnancy can be observed as early as 8-10 days after the fertilization of the egg. This period may vary, depending on the body's sensitivity to hormonal changes.

In medical practice, there have been cases where women recognized fertilization already on the 5th day. In this context, we are talking about women who listen carefully to their body and feel the slightest fluctuations in their condition. On the 20th day of the cycle, signs of pregnancy take on a characteristic appearance.

You can confirm your position only after the formation of reliable symptoms. It is not possible to detect signs of pregnancy on the first day after conception.

Signs of pregnancy: TOP 10

You can recognize the first symptoms indicating pregnancy by the following signs:

1. Lack of menstruation;
2. Enlargement and tenderness of the mammary glands;
3. Changes in taste preferences;
4. Frequent urination;
5. Fatigue and drowsiness;
6. Increase in basal temperature;
7. Nausea;
8. Vaginal discharge;
9. Frequent urination.

The pregnancy process is full of interesting and pleasant moments. And the birth of your baby will open up a whole new world and become a new page in your life.

Lack of menstruation

The most obvious and well-known symptom is that you notice that your period is not on time. But, despite the fact that this symptom is most often attributed to pregnancy, there are a number of other reasons that can lead to a delay. For example, severe stress, serious illness or surgery.

On the other hand, many women note the presence of menstruation already during pregnancy. For some, they will continue for several months or even the entire pregnancy.

Increase in basal temperature

Don't be lazy: watch your basal temperature throughout your cycle. If you are pregnant, your temperature will either rise to 37 degrees or drop sharply for one day in the second phase of the menstrual cycle. This process is called “implantation retraction.”

There may be two reasons. Firstly, from the middle of the second phase, the production of the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for raising the temperature, decreases, but if you are pregnant, it begins to be produced again. Therefore, temperature fluctuations occur. Secondly, during pregnancy there is a release of the hormone estrogen, which lowers the temperature.

Enlargement and tenderness of the mammary glands

Breast enlargement and darkening of the nipples during pregnancy are observed in almost 100% of patients. In some cases, already in the very early stages, a woman feels discomfort from the fact that the bra becomes somewhat tight.

Important: a sharp increase in breast sensitivity and even the appearance of pain when touched is possible.

Breast growth

Despite the fact that this symptom is not considered indispensable, most women experience it. If pregnancy has occurred, the mammary glands enlarge in exactly the same way. If only one gland enlarges, or some part of it swells, this indicates the presence of diseases.

Feelings of nausea and vomiting

The most well-known primary symptom of pregnancy is nausea. Many women who have given birth claim that nausea in their case occurred ten or fourteen days before the expected menstruation. Whatever nausea torments you too much and does not become unbearable, try eating a cracker or a low-fat cookie on an empty stomach, and also try switching to fractional meals. Eat often, but in small portions, and in no case should you eat rarely and in large quantities.

Change in taste preferences

The increasing level of hormones causes a change in taste preferences. Those food combinations that were previously unacceptable for a woman become objects of preference and vice versa. Also, a woman may experience a metallic taste in her mouth.

Vaginal discharge

After 6-12 days from the moment of conception, spotting may appear. Their volume is small - within a few drops. The appearance of discharge is one of the signs of the successful introduction of a fertilized egg into the endometrium of the uterus. This sign of pregnancy is not typical for all women; it is only one of the variants of the norm.

Heartburn

An unpleasant sign of a possible pregnancy that can annoy a woman for the entire nine months is heartburn. In the first four months, this is caused by hormonal changes. But after the fourth month and until the ninth, this happens because the baby, growing up, puts pressure on many internal organs, and mostly on the stomach.

Breast discharge

During pregnancy, colostrum may well be released from the breast; this is absolutely normal for all pregnant women. The discharge should be clear and not abundant. This is called galactorrhea. Milk, colostrum or a milk-like fluid is released from the nipples, and such discharge can begin on any day of pregnancy, even in the very first days after conception, but it will end, or rather, go into another state only with breastfeeding.

Changes in well-being

About a week after conception, a woman may feel unusual fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, and apathy. At this stage, expectant mothers may experience headaches. The reason for these sensations is the increased production of pregnancy hormones, which from now on will affect the woman’s body for the entire 9 months.

Frequent urge to urinate

A very common and reliable symptom, the first week of pregnancy is constantly accompanied by frequent urination and other similar troubles. This may be a consequence of cystitis - a very terrible and unpleasant infectious disease. Symptoms of cystitis include increased frequency of trips to the toilet, pain during urination, fever and severe fatigue. Every woman can get cystitis after conception, and this is not due to infection, but to an increase in progesterone production.

This hormone improves the health of the fetus and creates relaxation in the bladder. Due to such strong relaxation, the channel remains open, and the desire to go to the toilet appears even with an empty bladder. If you do not have intense pain, relax and experience this symptom, but if you still have pain, you need to see a doctor and undergo treatment. Cystitis is not something to joke about; it is better to cure its initial stage than to fight the chronic one.

Reliable signs of pregnancy

These undoubted manifestations 100% indicate pregnancy. Their detection is possible from the second week of gestation and later, so they are considered late.

1. Ultrasound confirmation of the presence of the fetus.
2. Recording the fetal heartbeat using instrumental methods - CTG, PCG, ECG, and also from 15 weeks using a stethoscope.
3. Detection of the head, arms and other parts of the fetus, possibly moving it during palpation.

To make a reliable diagnosis, it is important to take into account the opinion of a specialist. During a medical consultation, you can find out on what day the first signs of pregnancy appear and how to distinguish them.

Rapid pregnancy test results

The rapid test, which can be purchased at any pharmacy, gives objective results five or more days after the first day of expected menstruation. However, such tests often give erroneous readings (usually erroneous negative readings).

This happens due to the fact that the test reacts to the amount of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin in a woman’s urine. Levels of this hormone increase slowly in the early months as pregnancy progresses. In the case when you need to find out about the onset (or non-occurrence of pregnancy) before five days of delay, you can do a test in the laboratory; it has more objective results.

An increase in the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin in the urine also occurs with certain tumors of the uterus.

What are the signs of a pathological pregnancy?

A dangerous symptom of pregnancy is severe pain in the abdomen, uterus and fallopian tubes. With or without fever. The appearance of such even not very painful sensations, and the absence of menstruation, is a sign of a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy.

In such cases, the woman is urgently examined and, if indicated, operated on, since delay can lead to serious problems with women’s health and even death. This happens extremely rarely, so do not be alarmed in advance, but simply see your gynecologist in a timely manner.

What should a woman do at the first symptoms?

At the moment when the first signs of pregnancy appear after conception, it is necessary to contact an antenatal clinic. If the diagnosis is confirmed and the expectant mother wishes to continue the pregnancy, then she is registered. Carrying a child is a great responsibility that the expectant mother takes on. In order for the baby to develop healthy, a woman needs to give up any bad habits and pay attention to her diet and lifestyle.

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 notice one or more of these signs. Don't worry: you're unlikely to show all the signs at the same time. In addition, you should not worry if they are absent. It is entirely possible to be pregnant and not experience any signs of pregnancy. Regardless of whether you show the first signs of pregnancy or not, the only reliable way to determine pregnancy is to take a pregnancy test.

1. Delayed menstruation

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

Some women, after having perfectly regular periods for many years, may experience prolonged absence of periods. In this case, you should first rule out the possibility of pregnancy by performing a home pregnancy test. The medical term for absence of menstruation for more than 6 months is “amenorrhea.” There can be many reasons why your period suddenly stops, including rapid weight gain and loss, excessive exercise, and stress. If you experience hot flashes and decreased interest in sex, these may be the first signs of menopause (perimenopause). Whatever your symptoms, it is recommended to consult your doctor if your periods change or stop.

Answers from experts

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. Bloody discharge in early pregnancy can be a normal symptom, but it can also be a sign of a threatened miscarriage. If you have any concerns, consult your doctor.

I know that if tested early (before your period is expected), the test is less accurate. I just received the result “Pregnant”, but my period is not late 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 level of the pregnancy hormone is high enough to be detected.

2. Changes in the mammary glands

Your breasts may become enlarged and tender or very tender. The veins on the breasts may become more visible and the areolas (nipples) may darken.

My test result was "Pregnant", but I don't feel pregnant. How can I check this?

Caroline Overton

Pregnancy tests are very accurate, so you can trust their results. 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, every pregnancy is different. However, every pregnancy is different, so don't worry.

Other signs

3. Fatigue

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

4. Toxemia/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", attacks of nausea can occur at any time of the day and it is possible that you will experience it constantly.

I feel very nauseous and force myself to eat. Will this harm my baby?

Caroline Overton

No, your baby will take everything it needs from your body. If you suffer from morning sickness, drink plenty of water and try to eat small, frequent meals. Acupressure dressings may help. Vomiting and nausea occur in 8 out of 10 pregnant women. Hyperemesis gravidarum - excessive nausea and vomiting - can be potentially life-threatening. If you are concerned, contact your GP.

5. Hyperemesis gravidarum (excessive vomiting)

1 in 100 women suffers from hyperemesis gravidarum. Typically, hyperemesis extends 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 treatable, and only in very severe cases can lead to pregnancy complications. If severe vomiting occurs, consult a doctor for advice.

Caroline Overton

Anti-nausea medications are prescribed by doctors only to women who suffer from dehydration - symptoms include increased dry mouth and concentrated urine (dark yellow).

6. Urinating more frequently

Six to eight weeks after conception, you may experience a more frequent urge to urinate. This occurs because the uterus increases in size and puts pressure on the 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

Hormonal changes can cause mood swings in early pregnancy. You may even cry for no reason at all.

8. Changes in food preferences (“wants”) and sensitivity to smells

You may stop liking certain things, such as tea, coffee and fatty foods, and find yourself craving foods you wouldn't normally eat. The smell of foods such as coffee, meat or alcohol can also make you feel nauseous.

9. Cramps

During the first trimester, and sometimes later in pregnancy, you may experience leg or foot pain. This occurs because the body changes the way it absorbs calcium.

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

Caroline Overton

An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus. 99% of pregnancies are located in the uterus, but an ectopic pregnancy can happen to any woman. The first symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy are pain (which mild painkillers such as paracetamol will not relieve) and bleeding. If you lose an ectopic pregnancy, you may experience vague abdominal pain that often feels like reflex shoulder pain. Other symptoms also include pain when urinating or having bowel movements and walking. If you experience these symptoms, you should seek medical help immediately. If you've already had an ectopic pregnancy, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends going to an early pregnancy clinic for specialist advice and scans. All ectopic pregnancies will have a 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 occur quite often: about a quarter of pregnancies end this way.