For many women, pregnancy is a long-awaited happiness. That is why, when planning this event, a woman listens to her own feelings in order to understand that pregnancy has finally arrived. If a woman has not been pregnant before, then understanding the first signs of pregnancy at an early stage can be quite difficult.

Conception process

Any pregnancy begins with conception. In order for this happened, the egg must be fertilized by a sperm. During the period of ovulation, a mature egg leaves the ovary and moves along the fallopian tube to the uterus; if at this time it meets a sperm, conception occurs.

The fertilized egg must attach to the wall uterus in order to be able to develop further.

After which the egg begins to rapidly divide. So quickly that by approximately the 8th week of embryo development, the formation of vital organs occurs.

Signs of pregnancy before delay

In the early stages, it can be difficult to determine pregnancy without the use of special tests. However, if you listen to your body, you can recognize the first signs of pregnancy in the early stages. They are caused by changes that have begun in the body and a hormonal surge:

In addition to these first signs of pregnancy, swelling of the extremities may appear in the early stages, especially in the evening, and frequent urge to urinate, especially at night.

Signs of an ectopic pregnancy

Unfortunately, attempts to get pregnant do not always end in success. Sometimes, instead of a normal pregnancy, an ectopic pregnancy may occur. This means that the fertilized egg has settled outside the uterus - in the fallopian tube, ovary, or abdominal cavity. Signs of pregnancy at an early stage with the development of a fertilized egg outside the uterus are as follows:

1. Bloody discharge of uncharacteristic color - brown, brown.
2. Acute pain in the lower abdomen, which intensifies when changing body position.
3. Weakness in the body, chills, which indicates the onset of the inflammatory process.
4. Low blood pressure, which may be accompanied by fainting and general malaise.

In this case, it is important to go to the hospital in a timely manner for surgical intervention.

How to determine pregnancy

You can determine an “interesting situation” by the early signs of pregnancy before your period is missed:

These early signs of pregnancy in the first week are not entirely accurate, so if they appear, you should purchase a pregnancy test at the pharmacy or resort to other methods of determining an “interesting position.”

Toxicosis during pregnancy

One of the early signs of pregnancy after a delay includes toxicosis. This is due to the fact that the body is not ready to accept the fetus and reacts to it as a foreign body. Toxicosis most often occurs in women who have a tendency to hypotension - a decrease in blood pressure. Toxicosis can manifest itself as follows:

It is not at all necessary that all pregnant women should experience toxicosis; in some cases, the woman does not feel the slightest discomfort throughout the entire period. If the toxicosis is too strong, it is recommended to seek qualified medical help, otherwise there may be a risk of miscarriage. Normally, with moderate manifestations of toxicosis, its symptoms disappear by the 14-16th week of pregnancy, when the woman’s body gets used to the fetus inside.

When does the belly start to grow?

After realizing the fact of pregnancy, any woman begins to be interested in the changes that will occur in her body. First of all, the expectant mother begins to be interested in what it feels like during pregnancy and when the belly begins to grow.

Normally, noticeable growth of the tummy begins at the 14-15th week of pregnancy. However, many women notice signs and sensations of pregnancy as early as 5-10 weeks. These also include the beginning of the growth of the tummy. Experts note that at such a short stage of pregnancy, the belly can begin to increase not only from the rapid growth of the fetus in the uterus, but also due to the accumulation of gases in the intestines, which is inevitable for a woman.

At the same time, a rounded belly becomes noticeable to others at the 20th week. Around the same time, a woman needs to update wardrobe to accommodate your growing belly.

The growth rate is very important, since from it the doctor can determine possible pathologies - polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, delayed fetal development and others.

HCG analysis

One of the early signs of pregnancy in the first week is an increase in the level of hCG in the body - this is a hormone that is secreted by the placenta during gestation. An hCG test can be taken 10 days after conception; it is at this time that it will show the presence of pregnancy.

In addition, taking an hCG test makes it possible to track the intrauterine development of the child until the moment when the date allows for an ultrasound scan. This test is not expensive and can be done in any hospital or laboratory. In order to get the most reliable results, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

1. On the day before the test, you must do without significant physical work or sports.
2. Blood testing must be done on an empty stomach, that is, at least 4 hours after the last meal.
3. If you are taking hormonal medications, you should discuss the test with your healthcare provider and let them know, as some medications may affect the test results.

A small amount of the hormone secreted by the placenta is found in the urine; pharmacy pregnancy tests work on this principle.

Determining pregnancy using ultrasound

Noticing the first signs pregnancy, after a week of delay you can contact an ultrasound specialist to diagnose pregnancy. In this case, you should remember that the embryo measures about 4 mm, so it is quite difficult to examine it. To do this, the doctor must have extensive experience, and the medical device must be in perfect condition.

When examined using an ultrasound diagnostic device, a gynecologist notes the following changes in a woman’s organs:

1. The uterus is an elastic organ, which softens and becomes more pliable with the onset of pregnancy; in addition, after some time, its growth is noticeable.
2. The vagina also changes. It becomes a different shade, and its density also changes.

The ultrasound diagnostic method is the most informative for determining pregnancy, as it not only confirms or refutes its fact, but also gives a detailed picture of the condition of the internal genital organs or fetal development.

Uses of iodine

Many women are interested in how to determine pregnancy before a delay without a test. This can be done using ordinary iodine, which is found in any home medicine cabinet. There are two ways to help determine pregnancy:

1. It is necessary to moisten a paper napkin in morning urine, and then drop a little iodine on it. If the spot turns purple, then we can confidently say that pregnancy has occurred.
2. The first morning urine must be collected in a container. Then you need to drop a little iodine into the liquid. If the drop quickly dissolves in the urine, the test result is most likely negative. If you are pregnant, the drop will remain on the surface of the urine for some time.

Despite the fact that this method does not provide a 100% guarantee of accurately determining pregnancy, many women continue to use it successfully.

Soda test

Signs and sensations during your first pregnancy can be confusing for a woman who has never experienced similar symptoms. Having discovered unusual manifestations of an “interesting condition,” a woman will undoubtedly want to confirm her suspicions. This can be done using ordinary baking soda.

To do this, you need to collect a portion of the first morning urine in a clean container. Then you need to put a teaspoon of soda there. If a reaction occurs and the liquid begins to hiss and foam, it means the woman is not pregnant. If the soda settles as sediment to the bottom of the container, then we are talking about successful conception.

This method, like the method using iodine, cannot be called 100% accurate, but women who have tried it confirm its effectiveness in most cases.

Grandmother's methods

How was pregnancy previously determined without tests? There are many folk methods, the effectiveness of which has been proven over centuries of use before the advent of pharmacy pregnancy tests. The most common methods for determining pregnancy at home are:

1. You need to take a clean bowl and dissolve a little potassium permanganate in water so that the water turns pink. Then you need to add a little of the first urine to the water. If it dissolves in water, there is no pregnancy, but if a precipitate appears in the form of flakes, then most likely the woman is preparing to become a mother.
2. The first morning urine must be mixed with red wine in a 1:1 ratio. If the color has not changed, then conception has not occurred; if the liquid becomes cloudy and a sediment appears, then pregnancy has occurred. When using this method, you should remember that the wine must be completely natural, otherwise the accuracy of the method is reduced to a minimum; it is advisable to use homemade grape wine.
3. The first morning urine is placed in an iron container and boiled. If a woman is pregnant, a precipitate will appear in the form of flakes. However, this method should be used with caution. For example, if a woman has kidney disease, large amounts of protein in the urine may coagulate and be mistaken for sediment.
4. They used to say that during pregnancy a woman might dream of fresh fish. This method has no scientific basis, however, many young mothers note that in the early stages of pregnancy they can actually dream about fresh fish.
5. You need to touch your stomach with your fingers 7-8 cm below the navel. In this case, you can hear a barely noticeable pulsation, this will indicate pregnancy.
6. Dandelion leaves need to be filled with a fresh portion of morning urine. If they soon lose their color and become covered with blisters, then we are talking about successful conception.
7. A small amount of urine should be mixed with toothpaste. If the test result is positive, then when mixed you should get a blue liquid. You can also use chlorine bleach instead of toothpaste, the results will be similar.
8. Fortune telling on onions. To do this, you need to plant two onions in cups and guess which one means pregnancy and which one does not. Whichever one grows faster to a size of 4 cm, the result is positive.

It is worth remembering that traditional methods for determining pregnancy do not give 100% results, therefore, to obtain reliable information, it is recommended to use pharmacy pregnancy tests or use the services of medical institutions.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, pregnancy is an unusual condition for any woman. That is why the expectant mother is interested in what the first signs of pregnancy are in the early stages. stages in order to determine the “interesting situation” as quickly as possible. There are many manifestations and symptoms, but this does not mean that a woman will feel them all herself. It often happens that the expectant mother notices changes in her body on an intuitive level or is not even aware of conception until her menstruation is delayed.

In any case, from the moment pregnancy is determined, a woman must contact an antenatal clinic for registration. This is necessary so that doctors have the opportunity to monitor the development of the fetus and the progress of pregnancy.

For any woman, pregnancy is an important event. Some have been waiting for this happy moment for years and listen to any changes in their body in the hope of giving birth to a long-awaited baby, others are afraid to find out this news because of uncertainty in their partner, random unprotected contacts, etc. Life situations may be different, but one point unites everyone: it is important for every woman to catch the first signs of pregnancy as quickly as possible and understand that an interesting situation has arrived.

The first symptoms of pregnancy, which appear before the delay of menstruation, are called subjective. Pregnancy itself after conception occurs within 7-10 days, this is the time required for the fertilized egg to move to the uterus.

From the moment the fertilized egg is fixed, various changes in the body begin to be observed, signs appear that may indicate the likelihood of an interesting situation.

A single manifestation of one of the earliest signs of pregnancy does not give confidence in conception, but if a combination of two or more symptoms is observed, then you can already tune in to expecting a baby.

Sleep disturbance

Recently, more and more doctors are inclined to consider sleep disturbances as one of the signs of pregnancy. Insomnia occurs in every second woman expecting a new addition to the family, and is usually associated with hormonal changes occurring in the body. Psychological and pathological causes of this condition are also possible.

Nausea

One of the earliest, main and most frequently manifested symptoms is nausea. An aversion to food may occur only in the morning or throughout the day, and may alternate with the desire to eat something unusual or not eat at all.

Nausea is often accompanied by vomiting; in this case, a woman must replenish fluid loss and drink more clean water.

If nausea occurs more than 20 times a day, it is advisable to seek the help of a doctor; further monitoring of your health in a hospital may be necessary.

Pain in the lower abdomen

A few days after fertilization, some women may complain of nagging pain in the lower abdomen, which disappears without a trace after 2-3 days. Sometimes pain can be accompanied by scanty bleeding, the duration of which is no more than 2 days. Such signs indicate the body’s adaptation to the presence of an embryo.

Pain in the lower back

Women who are preparing to give birth for the first time usually complain of periodic nagging pain in the lumbar region. The pain is explained by an increase in the size of the uterus to accommodate the growing embryo and is observed throughout pregnancy.

Migraine

The greatest number of complaints about migraines occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, and this is explained by an increase in blood volume and a sharp change in hormonal levels. An attack can begin suddenly from any irritant or load.

Change in appetite

Often the appearance and course of pregnancy is accompanied by a radical change in taste preferences. Once familiar food suddenly seems completely unsuitable and even disgusting, and foods that were never previously consumed in the everyday diet become more in demand.

Some people may experience a constant feeling of hunger from the first days of pregnancy.

Emotionality, irritability

A woman’s hormonal changes against the background of other signs of pregnancy certainly affect the emotional sphere: continuous changes in mood, anxiety, rage, irritability - all this is most clearly manifested in the first days and months of pregnancy.

These conditions are natural and temporary.

Sensitivity to odors

Almost all women notice an increase in sensitivity to odors in the early stages of pregnancy. There is an opinion that it is this factor that causes nausea and vomiting. The perception of smells develops and proceeds differently for everyone: some react sharply to the aromas of perfumes, others - to foods.

Change in sexual desire

Hormonal changes in the body with the onset of pregnancy can both increase sexual desire and cause refusal of intimacy.

In the second case, this may be triggered by the presence of additional signs of pregnancy, such as nausea, insomnia, and fatigue.

Other signs of pregnancy

These include increased sensitivity of the mammary glands, fever and chills, which change several times a day. In rare cases, an allergic reaction may occur that did not exist before.

External symptoms and signs

Swelling of the face and limbs

There should be no swelling in the first months. If, however, this phenomenon begins to appear before 20 weeks, this often indicates a disease of the kidneys or cardiovascular system, the development of which resulted from pregnancy.

In any case, if such signs occur, consultation with a doctor is required.

There is a belief that if a girl develops acne during pregnancy, it is a sure sign of a girl, and if the skin remains clear, we are expecting a boy. Believe it or not, it's up to you personally.

One thing can be stated with obvious certainty: the appearance of acne on the face is one of the first signs of pregnancy, and it is associated with active changes in the hormonal background of the expectant mother.

Bloating

Flatulence, or bloating, is another sign of pregnancy and can appear 7-14 days after conception. But women rarely mention this sign; it begins to manifest itself especially clearly later - with the development of the fetus and the deterioration of intestinal function.

Breast augmentation

From the first weeks, women may notice breast enlargement and complain of pain or tingling in the mammary glands. This can be easily explained by the proliferation of glandular breast tissue and milk ducts, which is caused by an increase in estrogen and.

Women often pay attention to this physical sign before others.

Darkening of the skin around the nipples

Simultaneously with breast enlargement, changes in the color of the nipples, areola, and the appearance of tubercles around the nipples (Montgomery glands) may be observed. The nipples themselves can react sharply to touch, and women can feel pain and burning.

Facial redness

As a result of intense blood circulation, a blush may appear on the face, which is more often observed in the evening.

Other external signs

Additional signs of the birth of a new life may be an increase in the venous pattern on the chest; in the lower abdomen, a change in the color of the conditional line running from the center of the navel downwards may be possible - it becomes pigmented and gradually darkens.

Physiological and laboratory changes

In addition to subjective symptoms, the presence or absence of pregnancy will help determine physiological signs and laboratory tests.

The main sign by which a woman most often determines that she is pregnant is a delay in menstruation. A slight delay does not indicate the presence of a pregnancy, but if hormonal disorders were not previously observed and there were no psycho-emotional disorders in the recent past, then together with other signs this may confirm the presence of a fetus.

Increase in basal temperature

If menstruation does not occur at a certain time, it makes sense to measure the internal (or basal) body temperature when the thermometer is inserted into the rectum for 5 minutes.

In this case, it is necessary to strictly follow the rules, if not followed, you can get incorrect results.

• You need to carry out the procedure in the morning, without getting out of bed, and remain as still as possible.
• To obtain accurate data on the state of the body, temperature measurements occur over several days at the same time.

If your body temperature exceeds 37 degrees, you should consult a gynecologist. The probability of pregnancy is high.

With the onset of pregnancy, the female body begins to produce a special hormone - human chorionic gonadotropin, produced by fetal tissues. This hormone preserves the fetus and affects the course of pregnancy.

Human chorionic gonadotropin begins to be formed by embryonic cells 7-10 days after fertilization of the egg at the time the embryo attaches to the uterine wall. One of the objective signs of pregnancy is precisely the increase in human chorionic gonadotropin, which can be determined in the blood already on the 6-8th day from the expected conception.

The presence of more than 25 mU/ml in the blood indicates the presence of pregnancy; if this indicator is slightly lower, a repeat test is needed. It is possible to speak unambiguously about the absence of a fetus if the readings are less than 5 mU/ml. The increase in hCG levels lasts up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, then gradually decreases.

HCG analysis is the most accurate method for determining pregnancy, timing and possible pathologies. To obtain correct analysis results, it is important to follow several rules: it is better to carry out the analysis on the 3-5th day after a missed period or on the 12-14th day after the approximate date of conception; It is advisable not to eat 4-6 hours before the test.

Symptoms of conceiving children of different sexes

More or less reliable information about the sex of the child can be obtained using medical methods.

• Ultrasound is a routine examination that is carried out no more than 3 times during 9 months of pregnancy (100% accuracy of the result).
• Amyocentesis - an analysis associated with puncture of the amniotic sac; it is prescribed in case of fear of a genetic disease; it can have unpleasant consequences for the mother and baby (only for determining the sex of the child).
• DNA test. Surprisingly, with the help of a DNA test it is possible to determine the sex of the child from the mother’s blood starting from the 40th day of pregnancy (100% certainty).
• Gender test. The sex of the child is determined in the same way as pregnancy is determined - using a test at home. It turns out that the sex hormones of the unborn baby are present in the urine of a pregnant woman. When combining urine with the reagent, if the strip turns out to be green, we expect a boy, and orange, a girl (data accuracy is 90%).

In addition to the above methods for determining the gender of a child, for centuries people have tried to guess the gender of the unborn child on their own and came up with signs that were passed down from generation to generation. Some of them have survived to this day and are still used in determining sex.

The earliest signs of pregnancy with a boy

You can expect a boy based on the following signs:

• if a woman has an acute stomach, the waist remains at the back;
• the baby in the stomach kicks strongly and frequently;
• constant desire to eat salty foods;
• swelling of the legs;
• clean, smooth facial skin;
• The first months of pregnancy are easy.

The first signs of pregnancy with a girl in the early stages

The following signs are relevant:

• deterioration of appearance, problems with facial skin;
• if the abdomen is encircled, there is no waist from the back;
• darkening of the nipple areola;
• The first months of pregnancy are difficult.

Conclusion

You can listen to the subjective reasons for pregnancy and assume its presence, but only physiological changes and medical tests can reliably report this. If you notice the first symptoms of pregnancy, contact a specialist immediately.

Unfortunately, a woman cannot find out about her pregnancy directly at the moment of conception. It may take a couple of months before the first signs of pregnancy appear. In addition, since each organism is unique, changes in it will also manifest themselves differently. But, in any case, it is impossible to notice signs of conception before a week.

If there is a strong suspicion that conception may have occurred, waiting for the first delay can be too painful. I would like to make sure of this as quickly as possible. However, the first week of pregnancy is determined rather roughly, because the body is still preparing for changes in hormonal levels, organs and systems. Therefore, even a pregnancy test in the first days after conception is practically useless. It can show reliable results only after two weeks.

First signs of pregnancy before missed period 1

The duration of the menstrual cycle is individual for each woman and averages 26-36 days. By marking the dates of your period on the calendar, you can always track the delay, which will be the first signal that conception has occurred. However, women of childbearing age often experience menstrual irregularities, so you should not rely entirely on the calendar in this matter. There are a number of signs that, under certain conditions, may indicate pregnancy:

Increase in abdominal volume and uterine volume.

An increase in the volume of the abdomen does not always indicate pregnancy; the gynecologist must palpate the uterus - if it has increased in size, this indicates the onset of pregnancy.

Breast enlargement and pain.

The nipples may also increase in diameter and change their color to a darker one. This is how the breasts begin to prepare for future feeding of the baby. This symptom is found in approximately 70% of pregnant women. At the same time, it can indicate not only that pregnancy has occurred, but also that menstruation is approaching. Also, breast enlargement and swelling can sometimes occur as a result of taking birth control pills.

An increase in basal temperature above 37 degrees.

Basal temperature is measured in the rectum or vagina immediately after waking up. Its value above 37 degrees can remain for the first few weeks until the placenta (the membrane that protects the fetus) begins its work. If a woman constantly keeps a temperature chart, it will be easier for her to notice changes that have occurred. An elevated basal temperature may be accompanied by chills, drowsiness and weakness, but these symptoms disappear over time. It should be noted that the temperature does not rise above 37.2-37.3.

Changes in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

The symptoms of toxicosis are easily confused with ordinary food poisoning: diarrhea and vomiting at any time of the day, regardless of the food eaten. Constipation may also occur. This is explained by the fact that pregnancy provokes changes in the pelvic organs. Because of this, 2 weeks after conception you may experience frequent urination, especially at night. However, these symptoms can also be caused by medical conditions.

Nausea and aversion to smells.

There are no clear time boundaries for toxicosis, so every woman can experience nausea at different times of the day, not necessarily in the morning. Moreover, toxicosis can appear both a few days after conception and several months later. Many women note that an attack of nausea can be caused by smells that were previously favorite.

Changing food habits.

These are the earliest symptoms of pregnancy that can appear before the delay occurs. Previously favorite dishes may seem tasteless, but unloved ones, on the contrary, may seem appetizing, etc. There is often a craving not only for certain products, but also for their unusual combinations. An increase in appetite can also indicate early signs of pregnancy, but nutrition should still remain moderate. The main attention should be paid to the completeness of the diet.

Low blood pressure, fatigue, drowsiness, fainting.

Apathy and weakness are very common signs of pregnancy in the early stages, because the body switches to a new regime and learns to function differently. The pregnancy hormone, progesterone, which begins to be released very actively during this period, has a depressing effect on the psyche.

Basal temperature measurement 2

An increase in basal temperature is one of the first signs of pregnancy in the early stages. Therefore, measuring it can be very useful. Basal temperature is the temperature in the rectum or vagina, which is measured in the morning at complete rest. Based on these indicators, an ovulation calendar is usually kept, because during its onset the temperature rises. So, before ovulation, the basal temperature is below 37 degrees, and then increases by 0.6 degrees or more, i.e. It turns out it’s already above 37 degrees. After ovulation has ended, the temperature should drop. But if fertilization has occurred, this does not happen. At the moment the embryo attaches to the uterus, a sharp jump in basal temperature may occur.

Basal temperature is measured rectally; it is important to measure it in the morning after waking up, when the body is still at rest and has not had time to be exposed to external factors. It is better to start measuring on the first day of the cycle and do it every morning, before getting out of bed. You need to measure your basal temperature at the same time using a constant mercury (5-10 minutes) or electronic (which is less desirable) thermometer. All indicators must be recorded.

Bleeding as a sign of pregnancy 3

Another early symptom of pregnancy is implantation bleeding, which occurs in about a quarter of women. This process is similar to menstruation, so many may confuse it, thinking that there is actually no delay or pregnancy. That's why it's so important to distinguish one from the other. When a fertilized egg implants into the uterine cavity, its mucous membrane is disrupted, as a result of which the blood vessels in it can be damaged. As a result, bloody discharge appears, similar to menstruation.

Implantation bleeding occurs about a week after conception, lasts a couple of hours and usually stops immediately or returns briefly. Such discharge, unlike menstrual discharge, is minimal - it can be a few drops or spotting, noticeably different in color from menstrual blood, always without dark clots. And the most important difference is that implantation bleeding occurs 3-6 days before menstruation, which then does not appear at the time allotted to it according to the calendar.

Ailments as a sign of pregnancy 3

Many of the ailments that accompany early pregnancy are temporary and should not cause much concern. For example, bloating, heartburn and constipation are often observed at this time, which go away on their own over time. Almost all pregnant women experience a slight decrease in blood pressure and an increase in temperature to 37.5 degrees. Nagging pain in the lower back is also common.

Flatulence, constipation and diarrhea, which occur in a third of pregnant women in the early stages, are a consequence of changes in hormonal levels in their body. The hormone progesterone, produced in large quantities during pregnancy, slightly slows down the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which is what causes its disorders. In addition, toxicosis in pregnant women is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, which can occur at any time of the day. Changes in taste preferences that appear during pregnancy sometimes signal which vitamins and other beneficial substances have now become the most important for the child.

The most obvious sign of pregnancy in the early stages 4

The most obvious sign of pregnancy is a missed period. But, given that cycle disruption can have a number of causes, you cannot completely rely on this symptom. In this case, the delay should be a reason to visit a gynecologist or at least buy a pregnancy test. If other first signs of pregnancy are present, then contacting a medical facility is mandatory. If you don’t have “your” gynecologist yet, it’s time to find one. The list of doctors can be found here.

Based on blood and urine tests, it will be known for sure whether pregnancy has occurred or not. To make the results more indicative, you can wait a few days after the delay occurs. However, there is a way to find out about pregnancy in the earliest stages - by the pregnancy hormone hCG (chorionic gonadotropin), which is detected in the blood from the second week after conception. At three weeks, an ultrasound shows the fetus.

• 1. Obstetrics: a textbook for universities / Savelyeva G.M., Shalina R.I., Sichinava L.G., Panina O.B., Kurtser M.A. - M. 2009. – 656 p.
• 2. Anisimova N.V. Thermometry as a method of functional diagnostics // News of the Penza State Pedagogical University named after. VG Belinsky. – 2007. – No. 9. pp. 36-38
• 3. Tetruashvili N.K., Sidelnikova V.M. Modern principles of treatment of bleeding in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy // Journal of Obstetrics and Women’s Diseases. – 2007. – T. 56. – No. 2. – pp. 66-71
• 4. 1001 questions for the expectant mother. Big book of answers to all questions //AST, AST Moscow, Prime-Euroznak, Moscow, 2008 P. 5-12

Every woman who dreams of having a child listens to her body, identifying the first symptoms of a long-awaited pregnancy. If she has not given birth before, it is very difficult for her to determine this.

To know this for sure, every woman should know first signs of pregnancy in the early stages. The study will also help girls identify an unplanned pregnancy in time to avoid misunderstandings.

Signs of early pregnancy

In the first days after fertilization, when the time has not yet come to determine pregnancy by the main sign - delayed menstruation and a positive pregnancy test, the woman is already looking for characteristic changes in herself. Not every woman has them at such early stages. But still, some nuances occurring in the body can be noticed.

Knowing that ovulation occurs 12-14 days after the last menstruation, and pregnancy can occur during this period, a test for conception can be done 10 days after ovulation.

Until this time, the cervix becomes loose, which leads to an increase in vaginal discharge, but only if pregnancy has occurred - fertilization of the egg has occurred. This is the time that is given to the egg to move to the uterus.

After the fertilized egg settles in the uterus, changes in the body of the expectant mother will also appear along with it. After a few days, the expectant mother may begin to experience toxicosis, but everyone’s body is different, so this symptom does not occur in everyone. Therefore, you can check in advance basal body temperature– during the gestation period it will be high.

In addition, there are the following first symptoms of pregnancy in the early stages:

1. Increased salivation. It appears already in the first week and occurs not only at the sight of food or a hungry state, but also after eating food.
2. Leg cramps. At this stage, calf cramps often occur, which occur during night sleep.
3. Metallic taste in the mouth. It also occurs in the first week of pregnancy and occurs regardless of food intake.
4. Pigmentation. Also, a week after the start of pregnancy, the white line of the abdomen from the navel and below becomes noticeably darker, pigment spots appear on the face and along the hairline.
5. Bloating and constipation also begin in the first week, regardless of the food consumed. Sometimes slow-witted pregnant women are bothered by diarrhea.

All these signs occur very early, and not every woman can notice them. But they are quite noticeable, and if the expectant mother wants to find out about her interesting situation, it is enough to take a closer look at her sensations and processes in the body.

First signs of pregnancy before missed period

Before the expected menstruation begins, a pregnant woman experiences many symptoms characteristic of this period, which are very difficult to miss. Before a missed period, the following signs are noticeable:

Feeling unwell– 6-7 days before your period, a sign of a cold may appear, but the cold does not develop beyond the ailment. The woman gets tired quickly and often has attacks of weakness.

Emotional instability– frequent mood swings – sometimes joy, sometimes tears. This symptom appears in women who are emotional due to their temperament.

Drowsiness or insomnia– there is a constant feeling of lack of sleep, the woman wants to sleep all the time, even if she slept for 12 hours. Or the opposite phenomenon – insomnia. Waking up in the middle of the night, she can no longer sleep.

Change in sexual desire– it can move either in one direction or in the completely opposite direction. And this can last throughout pregnancy.

Heaviness in the lower abdomen– it appears due to the influx of a large amount of blood into the pelvic area. Sometimes there is a feeling of fullness in the pelvic area, which does not disappear after the intestines are released.

Tingling in the uterus– from time to time there is a tingling sensation in or near the uterus. This occurs due to hormonal surges and the attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus.

Lower back pain - first you feel tingling in the back and lumbago in the lumbar region, radiating to the legs. Lower back pain occurs immediately after pregnancy, and a burning sensation often appears.

Headache – it bothers a woman throughout the day and subsides in the evening. The onset of a headache indicates pregnancy even at a short period of time.

Increased sensitivity of the mammary glands– even an accidental touch to the breast gives a woman severe pain. Sensitivity is individual for every woman, but pain always happens - it is precisely by this that pregnancy is determined in the early stages. Rarely, a decrease in breast sensitivity occurs - this happens in those women whose sensitivity has always increased before menstruation.

Chills and fever - during the day, the feeling of heat alternates with chills several times, while there is no real rise in temperature. These are internal sensations independent of external factors.

Increased appetite– a woman’s feeling of hunger increases or an unbearable craving arises to eat certain foods. During a meal, the feeling of fullness does not come for a long time. The taste changes, you want to eat a product that was not previously on the menu.

Nausea - in the early stages, nausea can also occur - it depends on the individual characteristics of the woman. As a rule, one begins to feel sick in the morning, an acute dislike for certain foods arises - one begins to feel sick even at the mere memory of them. Heartburn and stomach pain often occur.

Increased sensitivity to odors– already in the early stages, an aversion to smells begins, especially for food and perfumes, which the woman previously liked. On the contrary, chemical smells attract a woman's attention and seem fragrant to her. This sign of pregnancy is noted individually; all people smell differently.

Feeling uncomfortable while sitting noted already in the early stages, it is difficult for the expectant mother to choose a position to sit comfortably.

Allergies can develop from the beginning of pregnancy, and to substances to which there was no allergy before.

In addition to the above, there are other signs that appear in the early stages. There is slight swelling in the hands due to salt retention in the body. Also a characteristic sign is frequent urge to go to the toilet during the day and especially at night.

Maybe lower blood pressure This is what provokes weakness, dizziness and headaches. Even before the onset of a missed period, you can determine whether the long-awaited pregnancy has occurred or not.

First signs of pregnancy. Video:

Signs of an ectopic pregnancy in the early stages

The presented pathology does not happen very often and in 65% of cases it ends successfully, but not with the birth of a baby, but with timely surgical intervention.

Ectopic pregnancy has three types depending on the place where the egg is implanted:

1. Pipe. The implantation of the egg occurred inside the fallopian tube.
2. Ovarian. Stopped in the ovary.
3. Abdominal. It came out into the abdominal cavity and became entrenched in it.

If this pathology is not detected in time, then everything can end disastrously for a woman: from the development of infertility to death. With timely diagnosis, it is possible to remove the fertilized egg without consequences and while maintaining all reproductive functions. The most common is tubal pregnancy, the others are less common.

With an ectopic pregnancy, the first signs of embryo attachment also appear, as with normal conception. There will be a delay in menstruation, and there will be two lines on the test, as well as toxicosis and mood changes.

It is necessary to pay attention to brightness of test stripes– the control strip will not be too bright, and when tested again after a couple of days, it will completely disappear.

If this is detected, then immediate consultation with a doctor is required for urgent surgery to remove the ectopic fetus.

In addition to these signs, there are also specific symptoms of short term ectopic pregnancy:

1. Bloody issues dark brown or brown. But this may not be the case if blood collects in the abdominal cavity.
2. Pain in the lower abdomen cutting in nature with localization in the area where the fetus develops. The pain intensifies when changing body position or moving.
3. General weakness occurs chills and malaise.
4. It also occurs increase in body temperature, and the basal one is higher than always.
5. With massive blood loss, dizziness and fainting, there is a decrease in pressure.

The life and development of the fetus is not preserved during surgery; the emphasis is on preserving the life and health of the woman. Up to 6-8 weeks of ectopic pregnancy, you can remove the fertilized egg without adverse health consequences.

Therefore, once you are convinced of unfavorable symptoms, you should immediately visit a doctor or call an ambulance.

Signs of early miscarriage

Unfortunately, sometimes a long-awaited pregnancy ends with a diagnosis of “frozen”. If in 20-year-old women this happens in 10 cases out of 100, then in 45-year-old women this happens in 50 cases. The older the mother is, the higher the risk of fetal death in the womb.

Women who have gone through this should be thoroughly examined and not only identify the cause, but also eliminate it. After treatment, 90% of women safely give birth to a healthy baby.

A frozen pregnancy is called arrest of fetal development and its death before 28 weeks from fertilization. There are many reasons for this pathology: genetic “misunderstandings”, congenital diseases, maternal infections, poor environment, as well as smoking, alcohol and drugs. In order to promptly detect fetal death, you should know what signs appear during this process.

The very first sign is red or brown vaginal discharge. There may not be any pain. This is a good reason to consult a doctor and, if an ultrasound examination confirms the death of the fetus, then the woman immediately undergoes antibacterial therapy and cleansing of the uterine cavity.

A frozen pregnancy can be identified by the following symptoms:

Having discovered such symptoms in yourself, you should not panic, because they do not always indicate a frozen pregnancy. It is necessary to consult a doctor and carry out a correct diagnosis, and seek the help of specialists.

The danger of a frozen pregnancy is that sometimes it is asymptomatic, and nothing signals the death of the fetus. The woman does not even realize that she is pregnant and that the fetus has died, and only after bleeding and inflammation with severe symptoms begins does she rush to get medical help.

If a non-developing fetus remains in the uterus for more than two months, blood clotting may develop, which is very life-threatening. Therefore, you should pay attention to all unclear changes in your body and seek advice from a gynecologist.

Signs of an ectopic pregnancy. Video:

Main signs of pregnancy

Now we should look at the possible nuances of the main signs of pregnancy - what should a woman expect?

When does the belly start to grow?

Many women, especially those who are pregnant for the first time, are very concerned about the question: when does the belly begin to grow during pregnancy? For them, this is an unusual state and new sensations; in addition, they should know when to update their wardrobe. It must be said that it appears differently in different women. Some mothers claim that their belly began to grow from the fifth week, and some that from the tenth.

Yes, the belly may increase in the first weeks, but this is not from a growing uterus, but from bloating, which is typical for early pregnancy. Only from the 16th week of pregnancy does intensive growth of the fetus and uterus begin, respectively. And at the 20th week, a rounded tummy will be noticeable in any pregnant woman.

This is very important information for the timely detection of pathology in fetal development. Using data on the time of abdominal growth and its possible size, it is possible to determine polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, delayed development of the child and his intrauterine pathologies.

Nausea during pregnancy

In addition, expectant mothers are concerned about the following question: when does nausea begin during pregnancy? This symptom manifests itself purely individually for each woman. It is normal if nausea begins 10-12 days after fertilization has occurred, but if it happens later, it is also normal. In the early stages, a woman’s nausea occurs due to toxicosis, and in the later stages it can indicate gestosis.

The exact timing of the onset of nausea in pregnant women is difficult to determine, but in the first and last trimester, nausea can haunt every woman in labor. Usually, nausea begins after a missed period and not earlier. At 4-5 weeks, hormonal fluctuations occur, which cause nausea.

Of course, this symptom is unpleasant, but it is easier for a woman who wants to give birth to a baby, knowing for whom such sacrifices are made.

About chest pain

Many women are also interested in when their breasts begin to hurt during pregnancy. This is also an individual symptom and each woman in labor begins to experience pain at different times. The breasts are the first to react to changes in hormonal levels in the body: they begin to fill up, become round, become heavier and tingle.

Changes in the mammary glands occur due to the activity of sex hormones, which prepare the breasts for feeding the baby. Therefore, you should not be afraid of chest pain - these are normal physiological changes that do not pose any danger.

There is no exact time when chest pain begins during pregnancy. For some women, pain begins even before the expected menstruation begins, while for others it occurs only in the 5th week.

Both are normal, even if she does not get sick throughout the entire period of bearing a child. If pregnancy and fetal development proceed normally, then by the end of the first trimester the pain should subside.

It is important for a young woman who dreams of becoming a mother to know all the signs and symptoms of the onset of pregnancy and its possible pathologies. Only the woman herself can notice abnormal signs in a short time of her interesting situation and consult a doctor to take urgent measures to preserve the pregnancy. Well, or make a choice in favor of safe but promising career growth.

After two weeks, only women who are very inattentive to themselves can not feel the onset of pregnancy. Signs of pregnancy include heavier breasts, general malaise, and lethargy. Most of these symptoms appear due to hormonal changes caused by the body beginning to prepare for bearing a child.

Different women may experience certain signs of pregnancy at different times.

Delayed menstruation (although light bleeding is possible for several months after conception).

• Breast enlargement, increased sensitivity, slight tingling.
• Fatigue not only in the evening, but also during the day.
• Weakness, dizziness.
• Increased vaginal discharge.
• Nausea, sometimes vomiting.

An aversion to some smells (for example, perfume or tobacco) and a craving for others (for example, the smell of gasoline).

• Intolerance to some foods (alcohol, coffee, fresh cucumbers) and, conversely, an urgent need for others (for example, pickles).
• Unusual excitability caused by hormonal changes in the body,
• Frequent urge to urinate.

Almost all symptoms of pregnancy appear due to changes in hormone levels in the blood, as well as due to the pressure that the growing fetus puts on internal organs. To confirm pregnancy, you can take a test from the first day of missed menstruation, and if it turns out to be positive, consult a doctor for further confirmation of pregnancy and observation.

Features and significance of early signs of pregnancy.

Every sexually active girl should know the signs of pregnancy. Having noticed signs of pregnancy in the early stages, a woman will be able to either decide whether to continue or terminate the pregnancy. Knowing the main signs of pregnancy, you need to see a doctor as early as possible. An early visit to the doctor will, in any case, be beneficial. The expectant mother will be able to avoid many problems associated with pregnancy and understand for herself what is a sign of pregnancy, i.e. normal, and which condition requires emergency medical attention. Signs of pregnancy in a woman in the early stages are subjective, that is, they are present in one woman and not in another. So, let's move on to describing the main signs of pregnancy.

Delayed menstruation is the main sign of pregnancy.

In order to notice this early sign of pregnancy as early as possible, you should always carefully monitor your menstrual cycle. Every woman who takes responsibility for her health has a special calendar in which she marks her critical days. But a delay in menstruation is not always a sign of pregnancy in the early stages. Irregular periods occur in many women. There can be a lot of reasons for this - starting from hypothermia and nervous work, and ending with serious hormonal disorders.

Let's try to briefly consider the physiology of this sign of pregnancy. Starting from puberty, from the age of 12-14, girls experience vaginal bleeding every month. Without such a “trouble,” pregnancy would have become impossible. Teens' first periods are often irregular. In the first year or two after menarche (first menstruation) this is normal, but later you should consult a doctor about this problem. The normal menstrual cycle consists of 28 – 35 days. Its shortening or lengthening should also not go unnoticed.

Some absolutely healthy women experience menstrual irregularities. Without knowing the exact duration of your cycle, it will be difficult to notice signs of pregnancy.

An increase in basal temperature as a sign of pregnancy in the early stages.

Many women at least once in their lives are faced with the need to measure their basal temperature. The main purpose of the measurements is to determine the day of ovulation, i.e. the period when conception is most likely. It is necessary to measure basal temperature every day, starting from the 5-6th day of the menstrual cycle. A sharp jump in the direction of increasing basal temperature indicates ovulation. Some ladies even use this method as contraception. Although this is not particularly reliable. An increase in basal temperature during the period of delayed menstruation can be regarded as one of the signs of pregnancy.

So, if you are experiencing some signs of pregnancy, then try measuring your basal temperature. The basal temperature in the rectum is measured using an ordinary thermometer. A prerequisite is that it must be measured in the morning, immediately after waking up, without getting out of bed. If the thermometer shows a temperature of 37 degrees or higher, then there is every reason to suspect one of the signs of pregnancy.

Increased frequency of urination as a relative sign of pregnancy.

So, you are experiencing a delay in menstruation and an increase in basal temperature - the main signs of pregnancy. It's been 1-2 weeks now, but my period still hasn't arrived. But the urge to urinate became very frequent. If you do not have cystitis, then this is also a sign of pregnancy in the early stages. Every day, a woman’s uterus increases in volume more and more and begins to put pressure on the bladder, as a result of which the woman begins to want to go to the toilet “in a small way” more often. In addition, the hormonal levels in the body change, and this can also cause the urge to urinate more frequently.

So, how to distinguish cystitis from frequent urination as a sign of pregnancy? Cystitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder. Cystitis mainly affects women of childbearing age. The reason for its occurrence is the entry of bacterial infection pathogens into the genitourinary system. And this is most often a consequence of hypothermia. Because when hypothermia occurs, it is much more difficult for the body, especially an unhardened one, to fight any infections.

Cystitis has a main difference from physiologically caused increased frequency of urination, that is, a common sign of pregnancy. This is a pain during urination and aching pain in the lumbar region. An accurate diagnosis can be made by taking a general urine test. By the way, in pregnant women, exacerbations of cystitis occur twice as often as in women who are not expecting a child.

Nausea and vomiting are one of the signs of pregnancy in the early stages.

Many women, precisely because of this sign of pregnancy, begin to suspect that they will soon become a mother. Indeed, toxicosis is commonplace for expectant mothers. Interestingly, the exact causes of toxicosis have not yet been clarified. There are three main theories. The first is that intoxication occurs in the body of the expectant mother. And in this simple way the body tries to get rid of harmful substances. The second theory is that the woman’s body reacts in this way to a “foreign body,” that is, to the fetus. And the third theory of the occurrence of toxicosis is psychological. Some researchers believe that toxicosis occurs more often in women who are not psychologically ready to become a mother. But, be that as it may, toxicosis was and remains one of the main signs of pregnancy in the early stages.

But sometimes, unfortunately, women mistake poisoning and intestinal infection for toxicosis. There are also frequent cases of so-called psychological toxicosis. That is, a woman notices signs of a non-existent pregnancy. This often happens in women who do not become pregnant for a long time; or those who are afraid of pregnancy like hell. Noticing a delay in the onset of menstruation, they become so immersed in an imaginary “pregnant” state that they actually begin to feel the presence of signs of pregnancy. Although in reality there is no pregnancy.

Pain in the lumbar region and lower abdomen as a sign of pregnancy.

Indeed, some women experience this sign of pregnancy in the early stages. But more often such pain is caused by intense physical exertion or exacerbation of cystitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder) or pyelonephritis (kidney disease). Lower back pain can become not only a sign of pregnancy in the early stages, but also a symptom of a threatened miscarriage (threatened miscarriage). The same can be said about pain in the lower abdomen. If this is regarded as a sign of pregnancy, then most likely there is a threat of its termination.

Unpleasant sensations in the mammary glands are a sign of early pregnancy.

Breast engorgement is familiar to many women. This malaise occurs especially often in the last week of the menstrual cycle. The most common cause is mastopathy, a disease of the mammary glands that accompanies most young and middle-aged women. But engorgement of the mammary glands is also one of the signs of pregnancy. From the very beginning of pregnancy, a woman’s mammary glands begin to prepare for lactation (breastfeeding), and the woman feels this as breast tenderness. Often, unpleasant sensations in the mammary glands are accompanied by yellowish discharge from the nipples. This is colostrum. If a woman is pregnant, then this should be regarded as a sign of pregnancy; if not, then this condition may require consultation with a mammologist.

Increased appetite is an important sign of pregnancy.

A pregnant woman should eat for two. Probably every woman knows about this. Although this is not entirely correct. A pregnant woman should consume more vital nutrients and vitamins - this is true. Signs of early pregnancy include increased appetite in a woman. In this way, her body tries to compensate for the deficiency of nutrients necessary for the normal gestation and development of the child.

Unusually fatigue is a sign of pregnancy.

The exact nature of this phenomenon is not clear. But we should assume that this is due to hormonal changes in the woman’s body. In addition, subconsciously, a woman who notices signs of pregnancy tries to protect herself and her baby as much as possible from possible negative, damaging factors. In this way, the female body tries to protect itself. During pregnancy, a lot of energy is spent on the pregnancy itself, and then there’s physical activity! So, the familiar signs of pregnancy protect the expectant mother and her baby.