The first signs of pregnancy: a chronicle of happiness in the making!

You're probably familiar with the classic signs of early pregnancy: nausea, tiredness and missed periods. But did you know that there are many others? Do you know how long these more or less uncomfortable symptoms last, and whether they're enough to tell you that you're really expecting a baby?

CONTENTS : 

• How can you recognize the first signs of pregnancy?
• 3 months of symptoms: your first pregnancy calendar pregnancy calendar
• Is it possible to be pregnant without any signs?
• You're almost sure you're going to have a baby: how do you confirm your pregnancy?

How can you recognize the first signs of pregnancy?

It's true that a few days late on your period doesn't make you a mother-to-be just yet. But you're still wondering. What if a new life is already nestling inside you? Discover the main signs to look out for to be sure.

Late menstruation: the most important sign

If your period doesn't start on time, you may be pregnant. But irregular cycles or high levels of stress can, among other things, delay or suspend your period, from a few days to several cycles. This is calledamenorrhea.

The first intriguing physical changes

As soon as the embryo is implanted, your body sends you other signals, more or less subtle, which may arouse your suspicions.

• Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. This is also known as implantation, which takes place around 6 days after conception. But you won't necessarily notice it - it can be very discreet.
• Very early on, your breasts may be more sensitive and rounder, more swollen or tauter. They're getting ready for lactation. These changes are due to the rising levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body.
• Right from the start, intense, overwhelming fatigue sets in. You feel like sleeping all the time, and that's normal- your body is working hard. Progesterone levels rise to strengthen the uterine wall and maintain the pregnancy, while your blood pressure and blood sugar levels fall. Sleepiness, a symptom you'll find again in the third trimester.
• It's not long before you find yourself craving foods all the time, such as pickles, strawberries, watermelon, spring rolls... that you didn't like before. Pregnancy cravings are hard to resist!

Hormonal upheavals that raise doubts

The accumulation of symptoms helps you to refine your intuition and gradually obtain confirmation of your condition. If you tick all the boxes, there's a good chance that you're expecting a baby.

• Nausea appears, especially in the morning, around the first month of pregnancy and throughout the first trimester. It may be accompanied by vomiting, and you may suffer from it when you jump out of bed (which is often the case), during the day following a smell, the sight of a dish... or not at all. The pregnancy hormone HCG released by the placenta is the main factor behind their appearance. 

Do you know what hyperemesis gravidarum is? Mothers-to-be who suffer from this condition experience vomiting so intense and frequent that they can't keep down any food or drink. Fortunately, this condition is usually treatable.

• Hormones, stress and fatigue often lead to sudden, unexplained mood swings, crying or irritability, which can also be a red flag.
• Increased blood flow to the pelvic area and higher levels of estrogen and progesterone in the blood result in more abundant vaginal discharge (light, odorless) at the start of pregnancy. Called leucorrhoea, it's an additional clue for you.  

Delayed menstruation: other explanations

Late menstruation is always a cause of stress, because it happens for a reason. However, the causes of this delay are very varied and do not always indicate an ongoing pregnancy.

Intense stress, a change of job, exams, jet lag, a restrictive diet, intense exercise, certain medications, infections,ovarian cysts or thyroid disorders can all upset your cycle.

However, if you notice repeated delays without explanation, if your cycles are very irregular, if your periods have been absent for more than 3 months without pregnancy, if bleeding starts between your periods and if you are in unusual pain, contact your doctor or gynecologist for an examination.

On the other hand, if you're pregnant, you may still (albeit rarely) have your period on the due date. Known as the "anniversary period", this discharge can mask the onset of pregnancy, especially if there are no other symptoms, or only mild ones.

Differentiating the first signs of pregnancy from premenstrual syndrome

It's true that PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is very similar to the first symptoms of pregnancy: food cravings, fatigue, mood swings... except that your period eventually starts.

If you're in doubt and don't want to wait without knowing, go to the pharmacy and buy an early detection pregnancy test! These devices are capable of detecting a minute level of beta-HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced by the placenta) in the urine, of the order of 10 mIU/ml.

3 months of symptoms: your first pregnancy calendar

Of course, every woman and every pregnancy is different. So you may experience very few of these symptoms or, on the contrary, see others added to them.

These less frequent but very real signs that you are probably pregnant

• You'll also need to pee more often. This is because your uterus is growing and pressing on your bladder. This change can also lead to cramps and temporary pain, which can be relieved by applying a hot water bottle.
• You may also feel bloated or swollen. This time, as so often, it's your hormones that are to blame.
• Pregnancy slows down digestion, so temporary digestive problems (diarrhea, constipation) can affect your quality of life. Drink plenty of water and eat a diet rich in fiber to help alleviate them.
• In the same way and for the same reason, headaches can become more frequent. To prevent them, mineral water is still your ally, and to relieve them, avoid self-medication. Instead, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
• Your nose may be clogged more often : rising hormone levels and blood flow are causing congestion. To help, consider a saline-based nasal spray.
• Also, your skin can play tricks on you with an acne flare-up that's as sudden as it is unpleasant. Here, there's only one remedy: patience.
• Some women still experience a metallic, iron-like taste in the mouth. Called dysgeusia, this relatively frequent phenomenon is mainly due to hormonal fluctuations such as increased estrogen levels.
• Because the skin stretches, especially on the belly and around the breasts, itching may occur. However, if they are intense and generalized, they may indicate gestational cholestasis. As a precaution, don't hesitate to consult your doctor. 
• Insomnia is a common pregnancy symptom in the 3rd trimester. However, due to hormonal changes, pregnancy-related anxiety and nausea, an early onset is possible.

How long do pregnancy symptoms last?

The duration and nature of early signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman. While they generally begin in the first few weeks, they can appear as early as the first few days and last for 9 months or more, although their intensity also varies. In general, the first trimester is the most difficult, marked as it is by intense hormonal changes, while the second is more stable.

Is it possible to be pregnant without knowing it?

Yes, it's quite possible to be expecting a child without showing any signs of motherhood. The symptoms, whether premature or not, are different for each baby. What's more, learning to detect them also depends on how well you listen to your body.

It is also said that the signs are more subtle for the first child, and become more pronounced with each successive pregnancy if you have more than one.

You're almost sure you're going to have a baby: how do you confirm your pregnancy?

To confirm your doubts, the first thing to do is to take a pregnancy test, preferably one or two weeks after your expected period, with your first morning's urine.

Available over the counter in pharmacies and now in supermarkets, there are many different types, all working on the same principle. They measure beta-HCG levels in the urine, which appear around 10 days after fertilization of the egg by the sperm. But beware: even if they are 99% reliable, a false positive or false negative is never impossible. 

To be sure of yourself and to be able to announce your pregnancy to your partner, ask your doctor to prescribe a beta HCG blood test. This blood test is 100% reliable just a few days after conception.

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Your first medical appointment while waiting for baby

Once your pregnancy has been confirmed by a test or blood test, make an appointment with your doctor or midwife, ideally before 8 weeks of amenorrhea. This first consultation is essential.

• A complete check-up will be performed to verify your state of health.
• It's the start of your pregnancy follow-up!
• And the right time to ask any questions you may have about your pregnancy declaration (to be sent to Social Security before the end of the 3rd month).

Finally, congratulations from Team Élhée! If you're expecting a baby, you'll find all the kindness, advice and accessories you need, including birth bottles and physiologicalpacifiers , to make the most of parenthood.

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