Possible Signs Of Pregnancy
Many women experience signs of pregnancy not knowing they’re
pregnant. If you’re planning a baby, each of the pregnancy signs may
just be the most thrilling experiences you could have. If this is not
the case, understanding these signs of pregnancy remains important
because the symptoms may be related to health conditions other than
pregnancy. Below is a list of pregnancy symptoms, grouped into three
categories – possible, probable and positive. POSSIBLE SIGNS OF
PREGNANCY – Also known as presumptive signs of pregnancy, these
signs are often noted by the patient, which would make her suspicious of
a pregnancy and lead her to make an appointment with a doctor.
- Delayed or Missed Menstrual Cycle – Also known as
Amenorrhea, the cessation menstruation is the most common and
earliest sign of pregnancy. Most women miss a menstrual cycle
without bleeding, but about 20% experience painless spotting after
the onset of pregnancy. However, amenorrhea may also be caused by
excessive exercise, anemia, stress, menopause and chronic illnesses,
such as endocrine disorders, tuberculosis and abnormalities of the
central nervous system.
- Morning Sickness – Another common sign of pregnancy is
morning sickness, which is characterized by nausea and vomiting
experienced during early mornings. It often occurs during the first
weeks of pregnancy, but subsides within the 6th to 12th week of
pregnancy. Some pregnant women suffer from a severe kind of morning
sickness called “Hyperemesis gravidarum,” which lasts beyond the 4th
month of pregnancy. However, nausea and vomiting may also be caused
by indigestion, food poisoning, infections, gastrointestinal
disorders, common cold, depression and emotional stress.
- Fatigue – Most pregnant women experience fatigue in the
first weeks of pregnancy, but this symptom may also be caused by
infection, stress, anemia, a malignant disease or other illnesses
that can leave you feeling fatigued.
- Skin Changes – Two types of skin changes can be caused by
pregnancy – stretch marks and linea nigra. Pregnant women develop
stretch marks due to the increased production of hormones, but they
may also be caused by weight gain or Cushing’s disease. On the other
hand, linea nigra is the black line seen in the mid-abdomen that
appears before the third month of pregnancy. For first-time
expectants, the linea nigra can be considered a probable sign of
pregnancy. In rare cases, pregnant women on their sixth week develop
chloasma or “the mask of pregnancy,” which is characterized by a
bronze facial coloration.
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