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