Pregnancy Symptoms (cont.)
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are also common in early pregnancy. Traditionally
referred to as "morning sickness,"
the nausea and vomiting associated with early pregnancy can occur at any time
of the day or night. Its typical onset is anywhere between the 2nd and 8th weeks of pregnancy. Most women who have morning sickness develop nausea and vomiting about one month after conception, but it may develop sooner in some women.
Sometimes women report an increased in sensitivity to certain odors or smells
that can sometimes cause nausea and/or vomiting.
Elevations in estrogen that occur early in pregnancy are thought to slow the emptying of the stomach and may be related to the development of nausea. Accompanying the characteristic
"morning sickness" may be cravings for, or aversions to, specific foods or even smells. It is not unusual for a pregnant woman to change her dietary preferences, often having no desire to eat previous
"favorite" foods. In most women, nausea and vomiting begin to subside by the second trimester of pregnancy.
Food cravings
Many women report cravings for certain foods during the early stages of pregnancy. These cravings can persist throughout the entire pregnancy.
Fatigue and tiredness
Fatigue and tiredness are symptoms experienced by many
women in the early stages of pregnancy. Some women report feeling fatigued
even in the weeks immediately prior to conception. The cause of this fatigue has not been fully determined, but it is believed to be related to rising levels of the hormone progesterone.
Of course, fatigue is a very nonspecific symptom that can be related to many
causes other than pregnancy.
Abdominal bloating
Some women may experience feelings of abdominal
enlargement or bloating, but there is usually only a small amount of weight
gain in the first trimester of pregnancy. In this early stage of pregnancy a
weight gain of about one pound
per month is typical. Sometimes women also experience mild abdominal cramping during the early weeks of pregnancy, which may be similar to the
cramping that occurs prior to or during the menstrual period.
Next: Frequent urination »
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