Early Pregnancy Symptoms - Missed Period, Swollen Breasts, Nausea, Morning Sickness

Women tend to have different early pregnancy symptoms, similarly most women will have different labor and delivery experiences. So whilst we can learn about pregnancy and what to expect from others, it is entirely possible that our own pregnancy and therefore our own early pregnancy symptoms will be completely different to everyone else.

That said, pregnancies in general are quite similar. You will start to think there is a possibility you are pregnant because you have experienced one or more of the more common early pregnancy symptoms. During the early stages, these early pregnancy symptoms tend to be physical and will include one or more of the following:

• Missed period
• Enlarged or swollen breasts
• Nausea or morning sickness
• Tiredness
• More frequent visits to the bathroom

These early pregnancy symptoms are signs from our body that it is preparing itself ready to carry a baby. You will notice the changes because of the physical output of the changes, for example; the growth in breasts are because they are preparing to produce milk. Or the more frequent visits to the bathroom are because the uterus is growing and is pressing against your bladder.

If you think you are experiencing early pregnancy symptoms the best thing to do it confirm whether or not you are pregnant. The quickest and easiest way to achieve this is by purchasing a home pregnancy test kit. These kits are around 99% accurate at predicting a pregnancy and work on the fact that when you are pregnant, certain hormones are present in your urine. If you've had the early pregnancy symptoms and a positive pregnancy test kit, you will need to visit your doctor for their inevitable confirmation.

Once your doctor has confirmed your pregnancy, you will enter what we refer to as the pregnancy process. What actually happens is that your medical team are made aware of your pregnancy and the necessary support group is put in place. This support will include and initial session with your doctor followed by more regular appointments with a midwife. Your medical support team will also schedule scans and more thorough tests at the appropriate times.

For all of us that start to experience the early pregnancy symptoms, the change is not just physical but emotional as well. Whilst our body is busy preparing itself to be pregnant, our mind is awash with worries, concerns or even fear. This is completely normal, your doctor should explain that whilst we expect physical changes, we often forget about the emotional early pregnancy symptoms.

These emotional changes are mostly about fear, uncertainty and doubt. If you think about it rationally, we have every right to feel like this. Becoming pregnant is a big thing, it means big changes in our lives. Our fears and doubts are multiplied because of the influx of hormones raging around inside our bodies, again this entirely natural.

If possible, it is important that you try to relax and let your body make all of the necessary changes during the first trimester. Remember, the early pregnancy symptoms are a sign to you that you're pregnant, take the opportunity to get used to being pregnant and then you can start to enjoy it and look forward to a lovely new baby.