One may not notice the baby kicking until between 16 and 22 weeks of pregnancy, even though the baby actually begins to move at around 7 or 8 weeks. It is also believed that thinner women tend to feel the fetal movement earlier and also more often than woman who are relatively heavier.

This feel of the baby kicking has been described as being “like a popcorn popping”, a “goldfish swimming” or even “butterflies fluttering”. Initially, these “gentle taps or swishes” that are indicative of the fetus developing could be confused for pain associated with gas. But, as they begin to appear more regularly, confusion ceases to exist. It is believed that one has a greater chance of feeling the baby moving around, when one is lying or sitting silently.

In the beginning, the baby kicking may be minimal and far between. However, later, during the second trimester, the baby kicking is known to become stronger, and much more regular. It is believed that every baby has an individual pattern of activity.

Once the baby kicking begins to appear in a regular pattern, then it is important to sit up and pay attention. A decrease in the baby’s movement (if noticed) must be immediately informed to the doctor, as lesser movement could indicate that something is wrong with the development of the baby.

Some doctors are also known to ask the would-be moms to keep a count of the fetal movements in the third trimester to keep track of the development of the baby.

Frequent urination

Considered one of the most common and earliest symptoms of pregnancy, the urge to urinate frequently starts around six weeks into the first trimester. The reasons for this have already been discussed earlier. This urge reduces, once the baby is born.

Other reasons as to why this symptom could occur are:

A) Urinary tract infection
B) Diabetes
C) Increasing consumption of liquids
D) Excessive intake of diuretics, etc.

Food cravings

The overwhelming urge, to grab an ice cream or eat pickles during pregnancy, is experienced by many women during the development of the baby. In fact, some are known to even crave for unusual items such as laundry starch and clay and this type of craving for certain foods during pregnancy is called pica. If these food cravings point toward healthy and harmless food substances, one could
follow the cue, and consume what one likes to eat during pregnancy.

Apart from pregnancy, food craving can occur due to any of the following:

A) depression
B) stress

A medical practitioner’s guidance or clarification should be sought, in case of discomfort due to food craving.

Feeling itchy during pregnancy, around the growing breasts and the belly, as the skin stretches to accommodate them, is not uncommon.

About two thirds of white, and a third of black, women have also observed that their palms and soles get red and itchy during pregnancy. This is known as Palmar erythema. According to expert opinion, this is caused due to the increase in production of estrogen.

If factors such as dry skin, food allergies or eczema lead to itching, in normal circumstances, pregnancy aggravates this condition.

1. To get relief from this symptom, hot showers and baths should be avoided. These could result in dryness of the skin, and worsen the already itching pregnancy.

2. Using mild soaps and rinsing off well, after a wash, are recommended to reduce feeling itchy in pregnancy.

3. The use of an unscented moisturizer could follow next.

4. Wearing loose cotton clothes and not going out, when it is really hot during the day, could also help reduce itching.

A few women are known to get itchy red bumps during pregnancy and larger patches of hive-like rashes on the belly (usually observed in the second half of pregnancy). These are called pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP for short), or polymorphic eruption of pregnancy. It is observed that they first develop in or around the stretch marks (if there are any) on the belly and then spread to the thighs, buttocks and sometimes even the arms. But the good news is that they are harmless for both the prospective mother and child, but itch like crazy. PUPPP is less common among black women.

Around one in 300 women are known to develop a condition called prurigo of pregnancy (or prurigo gestationis). This is characterized by the presence of many tiny bumps that may resemble bug bites. This condition poses no risk to the baby. But it could lead to a very itchy pregnancy and be annoying to the pregnant woman. It can occur anywhere on the body but most commonly on hands, arms, legs or feet. Generally found to occur in the second half of pregnancy, this condition could develop in any trimester.

In very rare instances, few women could develop very itchy eruptions, that start out like hives and then turn into large blistering lesions called pemphigoid gestationis or herpes gestationis - a condition considered “more serious than PUPPP”, as it is usually associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery and fetal growth problems.

In any case, it is better to go to a dermatologist or one’s regular doctor to get such rashes evaluated, to insure proper treatment when feeling itchy during pregnancy.

A feeling of fatigue or extreme tiredness can occur as early as the first week of conception. Pregnancy can put an awful lot of strain on a woman’s body, thereby making her feel sluggish. Not being able to get a good night’s sleep during pregnancy, (due to the need to use the loo frequently), nausea and vomiting, as well as anxiety about the baby, could all lead to exhaustion during pregnancy.

Many women begin to feel like their old selves, around the second trimester. But this is not true in all cases. At around the seventh month of pregnancy, getting a good night’s sleep becomes difficult due to a number of reasons such as backache, heartburn, leg cramps and the baby’s movements in the womb, among others.

The following steps can reduce excessive fatigue or tiredness during pregnancy:

1. Going to bed a little earlier than usual is one way of managing the situation. Managing 9-10 hours of sleep definitely helps. Another way out is ‘cat naps’ during the day. Even a 15-minute nap could make a huge difference in coping with tiredness during pregnancy.

2. Leaving the office a little early at least once a week, or going on a vacation, could also help relieve fatigue. If there are children at home, leaving the children in someone else’s care, once in a while, and catching up on some sleep, would be a good idea. Taking a break, once in a while, helps beat fatigue not only during pregnancy, but at all times.

3. Eating right is definitely one way of handling tiredness during pregnancy (as 300 extra calories are needed per day during this time). Cutting down on junk food and caffeine, and consuming a healthy balanced diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grain, skimmed milk, etc., are recommended.

4. A short walk, or some other form of moderate exercise, could actually make one feel better. A qualified medical practitioner should be consulted first, before starting any of this. If the feeling of fatigue persists, a trip to the doctor is advisable.

A few other reasons for this symptom are:

A) Stress,
B) Depression
C) Common cold or flu
D) Other illnesses, etc.

Excessive saliva during pregnancy (especially while feeling nauseated) is not an uncommon feature. In fact, some women could salivate so much that they might actually need to spit into a tissue or a washcloth or even a cup, to deal with the increasing amounts of drool they produce.

The extreme form of excessive saliva during pregnancy (Ptyalism) is found to be most prevalent in women suffering from a severe form of morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum).

Experts are not able to ascertain the exact cause for the production of excessive saliva during pregnancy; however the hormonal changes happening in the body during pregnancy could be the reason. Nausea could be another reason, as it might result in reduced swallowing and cause a build up of saliva in the mouth:

Actually, saliva does not just do this. It performs a lot of other functions, such as lubricating the mouth, producing acids that aid in digestion, and has a protein that’s antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial - properties that help protect the mouth and teeth.

The following measures not only relieve nausea, vomiting and heartburn, but are also found to be helpful in combating excessive saliva during pregnancy:

1. Frequent brushing of the teeth.
2. Eating frequent and small meals.
3. Drinking more water. In fact keeping a water bottle handy and sipping water at frequent intervals is known to help combat problem of saliva during pregnancy.
4. Some women find sucking on a hard candy or chewing on a sugarless gum to actually help in swallowing the excessive saliva. Sour candies and gums must be avoided, as they could stimulate more saliva.

Excessive saliva during pregnancy is more annoying than harmful. This problem is known to lessen and even disappear around the end of the first trimester. But at times, it could last throughout pregnancy. Women who often feel the need to spit must remember that staying hydrated is essential.

Feeling dizzy or lightheaded during pregnancy is not uncommon. There are many causes for dizziness or fainting during pregnancy.

The increasing hormone level relaxes and widens the muscles to increase the blood flow to the fetus. But it also reduces the return of blood in the veins. This lowers the blood pressure. As a result, there may be a reduction in blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness.

Another cause for dizziness or in extreme cases fainting during pregnancy, is low blood sugar.

Dizzy spells during pregnancy, in the second trimester, might occur due to the increasing pressure on the muscles caused by the growing size of the uterus. Dizziness in the last trimester could occur while one lies flat on one’s back. The inferior vena cava gets pressed by the weight of the baby. The inferior vena cava is the large vein that carries blood from the lower limbs to the heart.

In a normal pregnancy, blood pressure first begins to drop in the earlier stages, takes a further dip in the middle stages and returns to normal, by the time the baby is due. The cardiovascular and nervous systems can cope with all these changes happening in the body, but sometimes they refuse to adjust, and it is then that this feeling of dizziness sets in that might lead to fainting during pregnancy.

The best thing to do, if one is feeling dizzy during pregnancy, is to lie down. If lying down proves difficult then the next best alternative is to sit down and keep the head between the knees. If dizziness occurs while driving, stop driving immediately.

It is believed that lying down on the left side increases the flow of blood to the heart, and subsequently to the brain. This thereby reduces the feeling of dizziness and, in turn, helps ease the feeling of light headedness as well as avoid fainting during pregnancy.

Some ways to cope with spells of dizziness and fainting during pregnancy are:

Avoid standing up suddenly. A sudden shift to standing posture causes the blood to pool into the lower extremities (feet and lower legs) of the body. And if the body is unable to adjust to this change, then not enough blood is able to go back to the heart from the legs. This in turn causes a drop in blood pressure. Hence, getting out of a chair or a bed, too fast, should be avoided. Get out of bed gradually. Come to a sitting position. Stay in that position for a few minutes, with the legs dangling on the side of the bed, and then gradually shift from a sitting to a standing position. And while standing, the legs should be shifted frequently, to increase circulation.

A few pregnant women (about 8% of them) in their second and third trimesters, develop a condition called “supine hypotensive syndrome”. Women with this condition feel nauseated, anxious and lightheaded, when they lie flat on their backs. The heartbeat rate also increases. They continue to feel like this, until they shift their position. Lying down on one side, especially the left side, helps. A pillow can be used behind the back or under the hips, while lying down on either side, to avoid dizziness.

Dizziness may be caused by hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) Not eating properly and not drinking enough fluids could lead to low blood pressure, and that, in turn, could cause dizziness or fainting during pregnancy. Staying sufficiently hydrated, having frequent small meals instead of larger ones and having healthy snacks, could all help in avoiding the feeling of light-headedness.

Anemia is another reason for feeling light-headed and dizzy. Fewer red blood cells carry oxygen to the brain and other parts of the body in an anemic person. Iron deficiency is found to be the most common cause of anemia. So, taking prenatal vitamins in the second and third trimester is essential. Pregnant women, who become anemic, might be prescribed a separate iron supplement by a qualified medical practitioner.

Getting too hot or overheated is another cause for dizziness or in some women, fainting, during pregnancy. If spending time in a very hot room or a hot bath or shower leads to dizziness, then these must be avoided. A hot bath or shower could cause the blood vessels to dilate, resulting in low blood pressure and light headedness. Taking a warm bath instead of a hot one, wearing clothes in layers so that they can be shed as and when necessary, and keeping one’s bathroom cool, are some ways of beating the heat.

Too much exercise or anxiety might cause fast or deep breathing. This results in loss of carbon dioxide from the blood, consequently leading to a fall in blood pressure. This could lead to a tingling sensation or spells of fainting during pregnancy.

An exercise routine must be started, only after consulting a doctor. The exercises must be done slowly and no routine should be overdone.

Persistent light-headedness during pregnancy, bouts of dizziness and dizziness resulting from a head injury, need medical help. Dizziness accompanied by severe headaches, blurred vision, impaired speech, palpitations, numbness, tingling or bleeding could indicate something really serious (abdominal pain accompanied by dizziness early in pregnancy could be a sign of ectopic pregnancy). Therefore these symptoms should not be ignored.

Pregnancy is accompanied by several problems. In this blog, I take a look at what these are:

Constipation:

Constipation is a common problem that occurs during pregnancy. Some physical problems occur during pregnancy because there is an increase in the production of female hormones. Of these hormones, progesterone works in relaxing the muscles. The outer wall of the bowel is muscular Relaxation of these muscles leads to constipation.

Constipation can also be caused due to the pressure the growing uterus puts on the rectum. Iron supplements have been seen to worsen some of the problems that occur during pregnancy.

To ease constipation:

• Fiber-rich food substances such as cereals, whole-grain breads, fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed. Adding about two tablespoons of unprocessed wheat bran to the cereal, and then consuming a glass of water, could also prove effective.

• Consuming plenty of water, at least 8-10 glasses per day, is beneficial. Fruit juices, especially prune juice (a glass every day), could also help.

• Regular exercise. Exercises such as swimming, walking, etc. swimming and walking are known to ease constipation. (Always consult a qualified medical practitioner, before trying anything new)

• The urge to use a bathroom should never be resisted.

• An over-the-counter fiber supplement may be taken after consulting a qualified medical practitioner.

• Straining during bowel movement could cause or even aggravate hemorrhoids. If severe constipation is accompanied by abdominal pain, consult a qualified medical practitioner immediately.

Darkening of areolas

The darkening of the area around the nipples is also considered as one of the symptoms of early pregnancy. Apart from this, a lot of other changes happen in the breasts. These ensure that the baby can be nursed after its birth.

Other reasons for this symptom could be:

A) Hormonal imbalance problems that occur during pregnancy.
B) Factors unrelated to pregnancy or a carryover effect from a previous pregnancy.

Delay in menstruation or difference in menstruation pattern

A delayed or missed period is the most common symptom that makes a woman suspect pregnancy.

There are times when a woman bleeds during pregnancy. But this bleeding is usually for shorter duration and lighter than the usual periods.

A few other reasons for this symptom are:

A) Excessive weight gain or loss
B) Fatigue
C) Hormonal problems
D) Tension, stress
E) Not taking birth control pills

Hormonal changes take place in a woman’s body during pregnancy. In this blog, I take a close look at the nature of these changes:

Vaginal bleeding or Vaginal spotting.

An increase in the amount of discharge or any change in the type of discharge (watery, mucous, or bloody (mixed with blood during pregnancy), even if it is only pinkish or blood-tinged).

Increased pelvic pressure (a feeling that indicates that the baby is pushing down)

Ache in the lower back (if that’s new)

Changes in hair during pregnancy

Thicker mane during pregnancy is not uncommon. It has also been observed that, some women develop hair on their chin, arms, cheeks and legs. Sometimes, hair appears on the belly, the breasts or the back, too.

Hormonal change due to pregnancy and increased cortisone are believed to be the reason for this type of hair growth and other body changes during pregnancy.

This abundant hair growth reduces in the 6th month of pregnancy and usually returns to its normalcy, six months after delivery.

Colostrum from breasts

The first milk produced by the breasts during pregnancy is colostrum. It is produced at around 14 to 16 weeks of pregnancy, and could be either a clear fluid, or golden in color. Colostrum provides the baby with a protective cover. It is full of antibodies and immunoglobulins. To manufacture it commercially would cost
around $80 an ounce.

While some pregnant women find colostrum leaking from their breasts, this symptom of how the body changes during pregnancy is not observed by all. The colostrum leak might cause a mild discomfort in some would-be mothers, whereas others might merely find it soaking their clothes.

There are plenty of ways to cope up with colostrum leak.

(i) Firm pressure must be applied on the breasts once the tingling sensation of leaking colostrum is felt. Pressing the nipple with the palm stops the breast leak.
(ii) If the colostrums leak is heavy, then being well prepared is the best option. Wearing protective cloth nursing pads with plastic lining can help keep clothes dry.
(iii) Carrying a jacket is a recommended safety precaution. If breast leak is noticed, putting on a jacket is an immediate solution.
(iv) The final option is releasing the excess milk by manually pressing the nipples.

There are several signs during pregnancy in the form of changes in the pregnant woman’s body. In this blog, I take a look at what they are:

Acne

Some women may develop acne during pregnancy, (especially those who were prone to acne during menses before pregnancy). Contradictory to this, some may actually find that their acne disappears during pregnancy!

Bluish or blotchy legs

A condition that disappears after delivery, temporary discoloration or blotchy legs, is observed in  a woman’s body during pregnancy, (especially true for those who live in colder climates). Hormonal changes are known to cause these signs during pregnancy.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Sporadic uterine contractions that actually begin at about 6 weeks of pregnancy are called Braxton Hicks contractions. One may not be able to observe them until mid-pregnancy (if at all they are noticed) and some may not actually notice these signs during pregnancy. John Braxton, an English doctor, was the first to describe these contractions, in the year 1872.

As the pregnancy progresses, these contractions could begin to appear more often. However, the  contractions in the form of Braxton Hicks symptoms tend to remain infrequent, irregular, and essentially without any pain, till the last weeks of pregnancy. The early signs of pre term labor could be confused for Braxton Hicks symptoms, as the two are
difficult to differentiate. It’s always better to avoid self-diagnosing signs during pregnancy.

The contractions become intense and frequent in the last few weeks of pregnancy. The contractions that occur in the body during pregnancy help the cervix to ripen; (they gradually soften and efface and could even dilate the cervix a bit). Apparently, this period is sometimes called as pre-labor. Sometimes, days or weeks before the due date, these contractions in the form of Braxton Hicks symptoms get rhythmic, relatively close together and occur at regular intervals. At times these signs during pregnancy may even be painful, leading one to mistakenly believe that labor has begun.

Contractions in the form of Braxton Hicks symptoms can be differentiated from labor contractions. The labor contractions grow consistently longer, stronger, and more frequent, unlike the Braxton Hicks contractions.

If the contractions cause some discomfort and the due date is just a few weeks away, then one could:

• Try changing your position or nature of activity. Sometimes walking provides much needed relief. However if the contractions are the real cause of labor pain, then the pain is unlikely to subside.

• Have a warm bath, that may help relax the body.

• Drink some water, as the contractions could also be brought on by dehydration.

• Try relaxation exercises, as this could help cope with the pain, even though it may not stop the contractions.

If contractions become frequent, rhythmic or painful, or other possible signs of pre term labor, as described below, are observed, and if the pregnancy is still not in its 37th week, it is better to seek the help of a qualified medical practitioner.

Abdominal pain, cramping, are signs during pregnancy that are similar to the the occurrence during menstruation, as well as more than four contractions in an hour, even if they don’t hurt.

The first few weeks of pregnancy bring about remarkable changes in a woman’s body, symptoms that enable a woman to detect pregnancy. These changes could vary from those that are extremely obvious to ones that are quite subtle. The release of new hormones into the bloodstream, increase in blood circulation and the adjustments made by the digestive system (and other systems as well) also help in detection of early pregnancy. These include the preparations the body makes, in order to support the growing fetus.

Some women experience symptoms of very early pregnancy, maybe within a week of conception, while others may experience them a few weeks later, or not develop symptoms at all. And just the way one individual differs from another, these symptoms vary from person to person, too.

A missed menstrual period constitutes one of the most important symptoms that help detect pregnancy. If a woman misses her period by at least ten days, then it could prove an indicative symptom pointing towards something important.

It is believed that many home pregnancy tests are not “sensitive enough” to detect pregnancy until about a week after the period is missed. So, if one such test to detect pregnancy gave a negative result, then it is better to try it again, after a gap of a few days.

However, the delay in menses could also be caused due to excessive weight loss/gain, hormonal disorders, birth control pills, etc. Listed below are the various symptoms of pregnancy. Pregnancy is a unique experience for every woman. A woman need not have all the early signs of pregnancy symptoms, to know that she is pregnant.

First Trimester	Second Trimester	Third Trimester
No menstruation	No menstruation	No menstruation
Tender heavy breasts	Enlarged breasts	Enlarged breasts
Darkening of areolas	Darkening of areolas	Darkening of areolas
Constipation	Constipation	Constipation
Dizziness	Nasal stuffing	More vigorous fetal activity
Nausea	Vaginal discharge	Vaginal discharge
Gas and bloating	Nose bleeds	Frequent fetal activity
Heartburn	Leg cramping	Swelling of extremities
Trouble sleeping	Trouble sleeping	Trouble sleeping
Vaginal discharge	Skin darkening	Braxton hicks contractions
Fatigue or tiredness	Back-aches	Back-aches
Frequent urination	Forgetfulness	Forgetfulness
Food cravings	Hemorrhoids	Fatigue or tiredness
Implantation bleeding	Anal fissures	Frequent urination
Increased temperature	Bleeding gums	Food cravings
Montgomery’s tubercles	Swelling of extremities	Leg cramping
Acne	Stretch marks	Stretch marks
Nose bleeds	Gas and bloating	Gas and bloating
Urinary tract infection	Red palms	Nose
	Healthy hair	Healthy hair
	Colostrum from breasts	Colostrum from breasts
Shortness of breadth	Feeling itchy	Feeling itchy
	Frequent urination	Montgomery tubercles
	Food cravings	Pregnancy gingivitis
	Montgomery tubercles	Restless leg syndrome
	Yeast infection	Round ligament pain
	Round ligament pain	Shortness of breadth
	Shortness of breadth	Skin darkening
	Spider veins	Spider veins
	Urinary tract infection	Varicose veins
	Varicose veins	Skin tags
	Skin tags	Yeast infection

The Emotional Symptoms During Pregnancy

First Trimester	Second Trimester	Third Trimester
Weepiness and mood swings	Reduction in mood swings	Euphoria
		Forgetfulness
		Overwhelmed feelings
		Mood swings
		Skin tags

• A normal couple has a 25% chance of conceiving a baby every month.

• There is only a 5 - 7 days window in which intercourse is most likely to result in pregnancy.

• Some women are said to have claimed to be able to feel the egg being released.

• About 80% of healthy couples are able to achieve pregnancy, within a year of cohabitation.

• Folic acid is very important in preventing brain and spinal cord defects. Lack of folic acid in women during pregnancy may result in severe birth deformities.

• Soaking in a hot tub could hurt the unborn baby in the first trimester of pregnancy. Research has shown that high body heat in women during pregnancy either from a fever, a hot bath or a hot tub during the first 3 months of pregnancy may cause common birth defects.

• Pregnant women should not clean a cat litter box. Cat litter may contain a parasite that can spread a disease called toxoplasmosis in women during pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects like blindness and brain damage.

• Cat litter is otherwise harmless, and does not affect children or adults.

• Eating raw or undercooked red meat or handling dirt containing cat feces can also lead to toxoplasmosis in women during pregnancy.

• A doctor who cares for women during pregnancy, childbirth and in the post delivery period is an obstetrician (OB). About 80% of women choose obstetricians to help them through pregnancy.

• The family doctor can be the health care provider during the whole tenure of pregnancy, and later on, become the baby’s doctor. Women during pregnancy on an average gain 25 to 35 pounds .  Overweight women during pregnancy stand to gain 15 to 25 pounds.

• An underweight lady may gain weight during pregnancy ranging between 28 to 40 pounds (depending on her pre-pregnancy).

• If you have a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets or more): see your health care provider. The weight gain will be greater in case of twins or multiples.

• Calcium is vital for the smooth functioning of the body. Steady levels of calcium are needed in the blood. The body takes calcium from the bones if there is a lack of calcium in the diet in women during pregnancy. Over a period of time this leads to the weakening of the bones and subsequent osteoporosis.

• The low lying placenta that covers part or all of the inner opening of the cervix is called as ‘Placenta previa’. This might cause maternal hemorrhage before or during labor.

• When women deliver a baby through a surgical incision in the abdomen and uterus it is called a cesarean section, or c-section. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has reported that one out of every fourth baby is delivered by a cesarean section.

• Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-induced condition. It is hypertension (high blood pressure), usually accompanied by proteinuria. It can prove a serious medical concern for both mother and child.