Pregnancy symptoms - signs and early detection

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Pregnancy symptoms can vary widely from woman to woman. Understanding what your body is going through can help you deal with your symptoms, both physically and mentally. Here we look at the common signs and methods for early detection.

Some of the first changes you'll notice in your body such as mood swings, changes to your breasts and an altered sense of taste and smell are covered in early signs of pregnancy but as your baby develops your body reacts in different ways.

Some women enjoy a trouble free pregnancy, look and feel great and only report feeling a little tired. Others suffer from a range of symptoms and high levels of anxiety. Feeling anxious about a baby growing inside you and later on, about the impending birth is perfectly natural, particularly if it's your first pregnancy. Talk to your partner, other mums and your doctor.

One of the main pregnancy symptoms during the first trimester of pregnancy is morning sickness. The seemingly unending bouts of nausea can occur in the morning or plague you all day until about week 12. See our page on morning sickness for more information on dealing with this symptom.

Pregnancy symptoms also include warmer hands and feet due to increased blood circulation. You'll also feel thirstier as your body requires extra liquids. Make sure you drink at least a litre and half of water each day to keep your body hydrated.

By about week nine your waistband will begin to feel tighter although you will not look pregnant at this stage. As you gain weight you'll begin to perspire more and may experience backache and pelvic pain. Attending antenatal classes and learning exercises to strengthen your back and improve your posture will help.

Pregnancy symptoms such as increased sensitivity and changes to your breasts decrease as the weeks go by but breasts will become heavier and by about week 22 begin to produce and possibly leak colostrum. The small bumps, known as 'Montgomery's tubercules', around your nipples will become more obvious and secrete an oily liquid in preparation for breastfeeding.

As your abdomen grows you may also experience indigestion and heartburn. Discomfort under the ribs is also common as pressure grows and causes the lower ribs to spread out. Increased pressure on the veins may result in swollen legs or possibly varicose veins.

Towards the end of your pregnancy hormones are released to expand your pelvic area and this may cause some discomfort for you. The same hormones may also cause extremely vivid dreams.

For more information on what to expect during pregnancy see our page on pregnancy week by week.

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