| A baby begins life even before he is born - from | | | | owing to uncontrollable appetite urges. On some |
| conception until the uterus finally pushes him out | | | | cases, "strong craving" is an understatement. |
| of his mother's body. This is the phenomenon we | | | | Mood swings and headachesA woman's emotions |
| call pregnancy. | | | | sometimes become slave to the hormonal |
| It starts when the male sperm unites with the | | | | changes linked with pregnancy. Quite common are |
| female egg and develops into an embryo. While | | | | bouts of depression, vagueness, listlessness and |
| several women say they can already detect | | | | irritability. SleepinessThis symptom is not due to |
| pregnancy from the moment of conception, | | | | fatigue. Women who are pregnant usually long for |
| some see the pregnancy symptoms much later. | | | | sleep early in the evening. Again, blame the |
| As the woman's body prepares itself for | | | | hormones. |
| child-bearing, she will notice several changes. The | | | | Frequent urinationAs the womb expands to make |
| telltale signs of pregnancy include the following: | | | | room for the growing fetus, it bears down on the |
| Absence of menstruation | | | | urinary bladder, causing constant urges to pass |
| This is usually the first sign of pregnancy. Take | | | | urine. Some women have also been observed to |
| note, though, that it should not always be linked | | | | develop white, creamy vaginal discharge during |
| with pregnancy symptoms, as missing your | | | | pregnancy, while the breasts tend to swell and |
| monthly period can also mean some other kind of | | | | grow tender (as the mammary glands brace |
| hormonal imbalance or condition. | | | | themselves for breastfeeding). |
| Morning sicknessIt would be prudent to note that | | | | Not all signs of pregnancy are obvious. But when |
| the pregnancy symptom called "morning sickness" | | | | the above mentioned symptoms present |
| does not happen only in the mornings. This feeling | | | | themselves to you, and you have enough reason |
| of dizziness can happen at any time of the day. | | | | to suspect that you are pregnant, you must |
| The hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy | | | | consult your doctor at once, preferably an |
| generally trigger bouts of nausea and vomiting. | | | | obstetrician. (An obstetrician specializes in caring |
| Another related symptom would be constant | | | | for women while they are pregnant and even |
| tiredness, which a possibly pregnant woman | | | | after pregnancy.) The doctor will then run tests |
| experiences even if no physical activity had been | | | | to find out whether you ARE pregnant and in |
| performed (but, then, again, it could also be due | | | | which pregnancy level you are already in. If your |
| to improper nutrition). | | | | doctor bears good news, that, indeed, a miracle |
| Strong craving for certain foodsThe cause of this | | | | has formed in your womb, congratulations! You |
| pregnancy symptom is still undetermined. But | | | | will soon be holding in your arms the greatest gift |
| pregnant women have been infamous for | | | | you will ever receive. |
| requesting/demanding different kinds of food, | | | | |