First Signs of Pregnancy – Recognition of Becoming Mum

Many women say they knew they were pregnant even before taking a pregnancy test. If you are in tune with your body then that’s very likely. But others say they had no early signs of pregnancy and went into their second trimester before noticing something was happening. So what are the first signs of pregnancy you can look for? Tender breasts Similar to how many women feel before getting a period. A sort of heavy feeling, a little more tender and fuller than usual. Nipple bumps The areolas around the nipple getting darker – and often bigger – is a classic early sign of pregnancy and you may also get tiny bumps on the areolas which are known as Montgomery’s Tubercules. They look a bit like goose bumps, but are actually hard-working glands producing oils to lubricate your nipples in preparation for breastfeeding. Peeing more often A classic first sign of pregnancy around two to three weeks after conception is the need to urinate more often. This is triggered by hormones, an increasingly effective kidney cleansing action and your growing uterus pressing on the bladder. Best stock up on loo paper because this will probably last the whole of the first trimester and return in the third. Tiredness Oh boy there is nothing quite like the all over body tiredness that can affect women in the early weeks of pregnancy. Basically your pregnant body is working so hard to create and maintain your baby’s life-support system that fatigue is a totally unsurprising first sign of pregnancy. Your hormone levels are up, you’re producing more blood and pumping it harder than ever, your metabolism is burning energy even when you are resting and all added together it spells TIRED. Don’t worry, it gets better in the second trimester when the placenta is fully prepared and you’ve got used to the soaring hormones. Sickness Unlike the movies, when every single pregnant woman seems to have morning sickness, nausea does not blight everyone. And it’s not confined to mornings. It usually kicks in around week six – so isn’t one of the very first signs of pregnancy – and can last throughout the nine months, but usually trails off in the second trimester. Smell and food sensitivity A sudden craving for tomatoes, or anything you’ve never craved before, can be a tell-tale early sign of pregnancy. So can a sudden distaste of something you previously enjoyed (Saturday night’s curry? Coffee?). You could also have an increased awareness of smells which can be unpleasant if you work in an office where several perfumes vie for attention. Missed period If you are always regular (and haven’t been ill) then a missed period will be a clear early sign of pregnancy for you.