Your body begins to give signals of pregnancy from the moment of conception ...
as it immediately begins to prepare for the greatest miracle the body will perform..
the development of another human being.
The first major symptom of pregnancy is a missed menstrual period.
This does not always on its own be a symptom of pregnancy, however.
A home pregnancy test can determine pregnancy almost as soon as you realize you have missed a period.
The hormone HCG becomes detectable in this test ..
the hormone that causes the ovary to produce testosterone which prevents menstruation from starting and also strengthens the lining of the uterus walls.
This hormone will rise in levels through your pregnancy and can be measured in the blood ..
which becomes very useful in cases of high risk pregnancies.
Once you have validated your pregnancy with a home pregnancy test ..
you may notice your breasts becoming large and tender, with the areola ..
the area surrounding the nipples...
darkening.
Your sense of smell may become heightened once you are pregnant.
You may be super sensitive to temperatures ..
feeling extreme warmth or chills where you wouldn't under normal conditions.
Certain foods may become a complete turn-off to you while you cannot get enough of others.
You may become nauseous ...
especially in the morning ..
thus the term "morning sickness".
Sometimes this nausea can be severe enough to cause vomiting.
Some experience "morning sickness' anytime of the day or night.
There are medications doctors can prescribe to ease the nausea.
In the first stages of pregnancy you may feel unusually tired ...
requiring an extra nap in the afternoon or find yourself falling asleep on the sofa then getting up in time to go to bed.
Your iron levels in your blood may drop and you will be told to take a prescribed iron supplement.
Prenatal vitamins will be added to your diet on a daily basis.
Super sensitive emotions due to hormone changes is a very common symptom of pregnancy ..
causing one to become irrationally irritable over minor incidences you may not even have noticed when not pregnant ...
and even over nothing at all.
Your spouse should be made very aware of what to expect here so he will understand and not make you more miserable by wondering out loud ...
"what in the world is WRONG with you?" Reminding him it is a small price to pay ..
putting up with it..
in return for the greatest miracle of all ...
the development of your baby.
Some mothers-to-be experience every symptom in the book during their pregnancy.
Others may experience none or very few.
The first major symptom of pregnancy ..
missing a period...
can send you to the closest drug store for a home pregnancy test.
If it reads pink ..
...
you are now prepared ...
and will not be alarmed should any of the above symptoms follow.
They are all signs of a very viable pregnancy.
Congratulations!