The preliminary signs of pregnancy involve a loss of menstrual cycle and excessive sleep and fatigue. These are a reason for a pregnancy test. Though a skipped menstrual cycle does not confirm the pregnancy, it indicates a high chance of being pregnant if a woman misses her regular menstrual cycle. A test can confirm whether the sign is positive. Some noted symptoms of pregnancy might not be more than a dream or old wives tales.
A pregnancy usually lasts 37 to 38 weeks until the child is birthed. The entire span of pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. The symptoms and signs of each trimester differ. In all these weeks starting from the loss of menstrual cycle, the body shows many symptoms including good and unsettling symptoms in the body, mind, and the woman’s mood.
Some of these signs may arise much before the test for confirmation. Let us discuss some common pregnancy symptoms.
Symptoms of the First Trimester
The signs of the first trimester, i.e. during the first 14 weeks, are as follows:
- During the early few weeks of the carrying stage or during the time from the loss of the menstrual cycle till the third month of conception, women face common signs of vomiting, nausea, and fatigue, especially during the morning hours.
- Sleepiness is another common symptom during the first trimester.
- It is hard to confirm a pregnancy until the menstrual cycle is delayed or absent. This means that there is a stage where the pregnancy remains unknown to the woman for more than four to five weeks of the actual conception.
- However, a delay in the menstrual cycle and arrival of any such symptoms of vomiting or fatigue can be reasons to test for pregnancy.
- Pregnant women also suffer from a symptom of an excessive liking for certain foods or an intense dislike for some other foods. Such signs usually continue for about 12 to 16 weeks of the pregnancy.
- Women also note another typical symptom of having an increased sense of smell. Many women avoid certain foods, chemicals, detergents, perfumes, etc.
- As the weeks of the first trimester progress, these signs lessen.
- Among more rare signs, a complication like breakthrough bleeding may arise in this phase instead of the regular menstrual cycle.
Symptoms of the Second Trimester
This span covers the 13th to 27th weeks of pregnancy. It has specific signs of changes in the woman’s body and mind. The real tests and checkups for baby and mother begin during this phase. Women can undergo testing for the fetal heartbeat during weeks 12 to 14 of pregnancy when the fetus actually starts discernibly growing inside the womb.
- The signs of vomiting persist even during the second trimester.
- Some new symptoms like restlessness, emotional changes, depression, or mental weakness do grow during this period.
- The woman's body also starts changing during the second trimester, especially after the 16th week. This is the time when she must look for maternity clothes.
- Regular checkups and tests should continue.
Symptoms of the Third Trimester
The 27th week to almost the 42nd week is the third trimester of pregnancy, though childbirth usually occurs by the 37th or 38th week.
- The third trimester brings some real annoying symptoms like the signs of heartburn.
- Constipation and acidity are the most common signs of this phase.
- Some women also face troubling signs like bleeding gums and swelling in the ankles.
- In case any complex symptoms or problems arise, consult your midwife and undergo the prescribed tests and medication.
- However, the most pleasurable symptoms during this phase are when the fetus can actually punch or kick and do other interesting fetal activities.
- Though the regular tests for fetal activity continue, this trimester actually helps a mother to be feel her baby stirring inside the stomach.
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