Morning Sickness & Pregnancy Symptoms

Some women can detect symptoms of pregnancy within a week or two of conception, according to MayoClinic.com. Other women may not notice anything amiss or may assign the symptoms to other causes, such as the flu. If you want to get pregnant, keep an eye out for symptoms, the most obvious of which may be morning sickness.

Symptoms

Common early pregnancy symptoms include an increase in body temperature, a feeling of fatigue and tenderness in the breasts, according to MayoClinic.com. Some women may notice that their period is late or hasn’t come at all, while others may bleed slightly after the egg implants. Bleeding after implantation is usually not as heavy as a regular period and does not last as long, according to MayoClinic.com. Hormonal changes in the body from pregnancy can also cause headaches.

Morning Sickness

Morning sickness is perhaps the most well-recognized pregnancy symptom. It can happen as early as two weeks after conception, according to the American Pregnancy Association. It typically lasts throughout the first trimester, although some women experience it throughout their pregnancy. A woman with morning sickness can experience nausea alone, or nausea along with vomiting. Its name can be confusing, since a pregnant woman can experience morning sickness at any time of day.

Coping

If you are pregnant and experiencing unpleasant symptoms such as morning sickness, you can take several steps to prevent them. Try to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. According to American Pregnancy Association, you should drink a lot of water to stay hydrated, but avoid drinking fluids with your meals. If a particular food or smell triggers feelings of nausea, avoid it. Try to get plenty of rest to deal with feelings of fatigue.

What to Do Next

When you experience any symptoms of pregnancy, you should take a pregnancy test. See your doctor if the test is positive so that you receive the appropriate care and treatment as early in the pregnancy as possible. If the pregnancy is unplanned, you may want to visit a counselor who can advise you on the next steps and help you make any decisions regarding the pregnancy.

Misconceptions

Unfortunately, sometimes the signs and symptoms of pregnancy are not actual signs and symptoms of pregnancy. Many women experience tenderness in their breasts just before their menstrual cycles, for instance. You could miss your period because of stress or a change in weight or you could feel fatigued from lack of sleep or too much stress as well. A cold or the flu can also bring on tiredness and body pains, such as a headache.