The difference between normal pregnancy symptoms and pregnancy symptoms of concern
Pregnancy is a unique experience for a woman. Our physicians believe that when a woman understands her body and what to expect during pregnancy, she can take better care of herself and her baby. As soon as a woman thinks she is pregnant, she should contact our office to schedule an appointment to confirm the pregnancy and begin the all-important prenatal care. Our team can also help her understand the difference between normal pregnancy symptoms and pregnancy symptoms of concern.
Hormonal changes can cause normal pregnancy symptoms
Normal pregnancy symptoms can occur anywhere from one week to a few weeks after conception. A woman’s body experiences a variety of hormonal changes during pregnancy. Estrogen levels increase rapidly during the first trimester and contribute to many signs of pregnancy. Progesterone levels are also very high during pregnancy.
Which symptoms should a woman expect to experience if she is pregnant? Every woman is different, but here are the most common pregnancy symptoms.
- Missed periods
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Swollen, tender breasts
- Upset stomach, with or without vomiting, known as “morning sickness”
- Mood swings, including sadness and irritability
- Constipation
- More frequent urination
- Food cravings and/or feeling disgust when seeing or smelling certain foods
- Heartburn
- Headache
- Weight changes
These signs are all normal pregnancy symptoms.
A woman can also experience pregnancy symptoms of concern
Sometimes women have concerning symptoms during pregnancy, which can cause anxiety and discomfort. Here are a few symptoms that women should watch for.
Spotting or slight bleeding can sometimes occur early in a pregnancy, especially when the fertilized egg implants after conception. However, bleeding can sometimes signal a miscarriage.
If a woman feels faint or begins fainting, it can sometimes be a normal symptom of early pregnancy. However, she should contact her physician to make sure no further workup is needed based on her medical history.
Shoulder pain, vaginal bleeding, severe cramping or severe abdominal pain could signal an ectopic pregnancy, so it’s vital to contact our physicians.
Morning sickness is one of the normal pregnancy symptoms many women experience. However, if the vomiting is severe and occurs several times a day, accompanied by dehydration, feeling faint or weight loss, it becomes one of the pregnancy symptoms of concern. Thankfully, one of our ObGyns can recommend treatments to help.
How to stay comfortable during pregnancy
During the first days and weeks of pregnancy, a woman needs to find ways to cope with normal pregnancy symptoms. One of the hardest things to deal with is morning sickness. Physicians recommend eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding foods and food smells that cause nausea. Eating dry toast and crackers also helps some women.
During early pregnancy, women should also try to find extra time to sneak in a nap or get sleep. Pregnancy is a normal state, but it can also be tiring.
Our compassionate physicians understand normal pregnancy symptoms and pregnancy symptoms of concern. Contact us for an appointment and learn what’s normal and what’s not.
