Symptoms of Pregnancy: Understand Early Signs and Conditions of Being Pregnant

Am I pregnant? Could I be pregnant?

These are often questions asked by women who may or may not be pregnant. While a blood test at the doctor's office is the one sure way to tell if you are pregnant, there are also signs and symptoms of early pregnancy for which you can watch. As a mother of three, my most recent family addition about to turn 1, I have experienced different signs that helped me to know that I was pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, read about the early signs and symptoms that often indicate early pregnancy.

One sign of early pregnancy is nausea. Not all women however will have feelings of nausea when pregnant, that is the lucky ones. I only had the feelings of nausea early on with my second pregnancy which led me to take a home pregnancy test. I didn't have nausea when eating most foods, it actually came on when I tried to take a sip of beer. It appears that nausea, or "Morning Sickness", is different for most women. Some women are extremely sensitive to food while others only become nauseous with certain food types. At any rate, if you are feeling nauseous and you may possibly be pregnant I would recommend you take a home pregnancy test.

Another sign of early pregnancy to consider is food cravings. Many times we hear of women who have food cravings while pregnant. And while we may sometimes see them on TV with bulging bellies, the truth is that food cravings can strike during the early stages of pregnancy as well. With my third pregnancy I experienced strong cravings for something sweet. The funny thing is I never ate sweets that often before becoming pregnant. The craving for something sweet also hit me during the early stages of my first pregnancy.

The most telling sign of early pregnancy, for me personally, was that "gut feeling" I experienced. Call it a "mother's intuition" or whatever you want but when I was pregnant with each of my three babies I just KNEW I was pregnant. For example, my second pregnancy began with unending negative home pregnancy test results which had my husband doubting me when I told him I "knew" I was pregnant. However, a woman knows her body well and it appears that the "Mother's Intuition" starts early on. I was in indeed pregnant as my tenth, or maybe twentieth, pregnancy test told me so. If you feel like you may be pregnant but receive a negative result don't give up. Wait a few days and test again. It took me almost two weeks from the first pregnancy test to finally achieve a positive result.

I normally do not feel tired all of the time - well, at least before my baby came along. So another sign of early pregnancy that I experienced was the lack of energy and fatigue. This symptom can be a tricky one as it can be indicative of many different things such as low iron, the flu, or early pregnancy. If you do not typically have problems with low iron and are not experiencing symptoms of the flu within a few days then you may very well be experiencing an early sign of pregnancy.

When it comes to pregnancy every woman is different. There are other signs and symptoms besides the ones listed above which can indicate early pregnancy. While I never experienced these symptoms I know of other women, from a pregnancy support group, who have. Other signs and symptoms of early pregnancy include: swollen and/or tender breasts, headaches, and even moodiness. Of the symptoms above I found that experiencing swollen/tender breasts was the most common first sign of early pregnancy shared between the women in my pregnancy support group.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above for early pregnancy along with knowing you have a chance of being pregnant than I would recommend that you buy yourself a few home pregnancy tests, trust me you will need quite a few. If you receive a positive pregnancy test result then you will need to make an appointment to see your doctor for an official blood test.

Please note that the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy listed above are also common signs of illness, such as a cold or the flu.

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Ways to Increase Your Chances of Twins

The world has long been fascinated with twins. Twins are double the fun, and double the trouble, yet people from all over the world are fascinated with them. Many women who are trying to conceive a child find themselves playing with idea of having twins. Identical twins are a fluke of nature and happen randomly and can't be influenced, however, the incidence of fraternal twins can be! Here are some things you can do to increase your likelihood of getting pregnant with fraternal twins.

Fertility medications

Using fertility medications such as Clomid or Follistim may increase your chances of getting pregnant with twins. These medications stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs, and with this increased egg production, there is an increased chance of conceiving multiples. Be careful though, some of these medications carry a higher risk of high order multiples, such as triplets and quadruplets as well!

Folic Acid

Women who take folic acid are much more likely to conceive twins than women who do not. Folic acid is important for women trying to conceive a child as folic acid plays an important role in preventing neural tube defects in the baby, such as spina bifida. New research, however, indicates that folic acid could increase a woman's likelihood of having twins by nearly twice as much.

Dairy

Eating a diet high in dairy may be related to an increased likelihood of conceiving twins. Research conducted by Dr. Gary Steinman, a famous researcher in the subject of twinning, suggests that women who consume dairy and animal products, in comparison to vegan women, were as much as five times as likely to conceive twins than their vegan counterparts. Milk is a great source of calcium, but could help you double your conception!

Wait

The older a woman is, the more likely she is to have twins. Women in their thirties and forties are much more likely to conceive twins than women in their late teens and twenties. Waiting until you're older can greatly increase your chances of having twins, however, it could also increase the risk of maternal complications and chromosomal problems such as Down syndrome.

Cassava

A special type of yam that is abundant in west Africa known as cassava could increase a woman's chance of conceiving twins. You can't just eat any type of yam; it has to be cassava. Women living in west Africa, where cassava is a dietary staple have a twinning rate four times as high as the rest of the world. Using a cassava supplement could help boost your own chances of co

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Top Five Reasons Infertility is Hard

Infertility and Trying to Conceive

Are you TTC?

Infertility, it is the one thing that plagues millions of Americans. And yet, trying to conceive (TTC) pushes moms to try just about anything. No matter if it is an old wives' tale, or just some new invention to help fertility, women trying to become pregnant will try just about anything to help in the process.

If I sound like I know something or two about this subject, it would be because I do. Yes, I am not hiding my face, I can admit my own struggles, not for myself, but for all the women that have to dealt with this painful subject of trying to conceive and the infertility that comes with this process.

But in light of this serious subject, here are my own top reasons infertility is hard. And yes, each women or couple who have gone through this can come up with their own, as there are many reasons it is difficult.

Top Five Reasons Infertility is Hard

#5

One of the hardest things that come with infertility is the frustration that usually follows a woman month to month. No, it isn't just a once a month thing. It becomes a lifestyle of trying to conceive.

#4

You have to watch women around you get pregnant, have babies, and you still are left with nothing. Yes, you're happy for them, but there is that little place inside you that aches for a baby.

#3

Did you ever hear someone say, "Just be patient. It will happen it when you least expect it." Only a woman who is TTC can understand the frustration that comes with this statement.

#2

Whether you know why you can't conceive or merely are struggling with the infertility on your own, there are no words to say; it is just difficult. Especially, when you've tried everything you know to try and still nothing. Sometimes, patience can be a pill to digest.

#1

No matter what you try yourself, it all is in the hands of Providence. All you can do is make your body the healthiest you can. Do all the things we've heard so much about: exercise, drink water, take herbs, and watch for ovulation...And Wait! In the end, it is in God's hands of when you will conceive.

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Emotional Effects I Suffered from Years of Unknown Infertility

As a young girl, I always remember wanting to become a mother. I couldn't wait until I was mature enough and married so I could have children of my own. That dream took many heart-breaking years of disappointments and two miscarriages to come true. I never thought that I would have so many difficulties to conceive. I was healthy and in my twenties. No physical problems were found during my fertility workups. This article describes the emotional effects and difficulties I experienced throughout my journey to become a mother .

People Starting Families Around Me

It seemed like friends and family were getting pregnant and not even trying. I remember one of my Army buddies telling me she was pregnant by accident. I was so jealous. I didn't see how that was possible, considering I was trying on purpose with no luck. My older sister kept her pregnancy a secret from me for six weeks because she didn't want to hurt my feelings. I felt bad that she did not feel comfortable to celebrate her exciting news with me. I felt like time was running out before there would be a huge age gap between everyone else's kids and mine.

Not Having Control Over my Body

I would get so disappointed with my body and felt so helpless. I wished I could look inside my body to see what was happening. My reproductive organ was a such a mystery. My husband had his sperm tested and it was fine. The only thing the doctors could tell me was "Give it time". I felt less of a woman. I remember feeling like I was letting my husband down. The hardest part was not knowing if I would ever be able to conceive. I had limited control of how and when I would have children.

Becoming Obsessed

Getting pregnant became an obsession. I was constantly searching the web and visiting libraries to find that one piece of information I missed that might help me to conceive. I was hyper-alert to my body and even convinced myself that I was pregnant several times. The days surrounding my period were torture every month. I hated the waiting period to see if I had finally achieved conception. Every time I would go to the bathroom I would be relieved that I did not start, only to eventually be disappointed. Once I would start, I would feel stupid for dwelling on it so much and dedicating so much mental energy to this obsession. I went to a counselor to help me cope with the mental agony.

Sex Becomes a Chore

My sex life turned from love-making to procreating. It was not about affection, but getting that seed at the right time. Many times, I remember my husband not being able to perform because the pressure was too much. I did not want to have to wait a whole month to try again because I did not get what I needed in time. It was extremely frustrating.

Not Fitting in with People Around Me

As I was getting older, it was harder to fit in with family and friends that had children. I didn't want to go to the children's birthday parties and baby showers. I felt like it was not fair. I would think "Why did it come so easy to others?". It seemed so natural for them. I was desperate to have children and it seemed impossible. I was getting older, as was their children. I didn't want to be remembered as the Aunt that was childless.

In my late twenties, my husband and I went to training to adopt a child through the state. Artifical Insemination and In Vitro fertilization was too expensive, as well as adopting a baby. After the training, I decided to wait a little longer to see if nature would come around. At 29 years old after two miscarriages, I held my first son in my arms. The emotional journey I went through all of those years will stay in my mind. I'm lucky that eventually my dream came true, however, not all people are so lucky.

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Having Babies Has Come a Long Way

The Role Technology Plays in Those First Nine Months

I know when I first got pregnant, which was 25 years ago, I was amazed at how they had so many modern ways to know about the pregnancy and the baby as it grows. Who knew how far it would progress over the next 25 years.

Ultrasounds - These are so amazing. This wondrous machine has become a standard part of your doctors visit, your prenatal care and a welcome one at that. Originally designed to confirm your babies tiny and quick heartbeat, the type of pregnancy ultrasounds would soon screen for so much more.

You can count on a good look at the growth of the fetus, your placenta location as well as the umbilical cord and, of course, they get a great look at the babies anatomy. You really need to be in a clear agreement with your partner whether or not you want to know the babies sex, because it will be very clear to the doctor.

How an ultrasound is performed - Get ready for something cold and slimy to get rubbed on your bell,y because this is needed in order for the "transducer" or wand to do it's magic as they slide it around your stomach to get various views of your baby.

These are sound waves that are emitted and they basically bounce off of your baby and create an image. Most doctors will send you home with a picture of your baby or several so that you can share these with your family and friends. I thought this was just amazing and with my second child, I was given a VHS video of them, simply amazing!

3D Ultrasound technology - Many doctors have stepped up their game with the purchase of these newly designed machines. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and with the photograph that you will leave with after this ultrasound you will have much to say about your baby.

You can find pictures of these ultrasounds online and they are simply amazing, you can really see such detail, some say they can even see the little hairs sticking up or the baby sucking their thumb.

Like I said, we have come a long way since I had my children but imagine what it was like for those pioneer women when giving birth and their doctor visits. I have to say that I am all to glad to be part of what was their future and look forward to my children experiencing this amazing process.

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Desperately Seeking Baby

A Child Within

Wanting to expand your family and not being able to can cause a multitude of challenges for any family. My husband and I already had two grown children but desperately sought a third child to love and hold.

It didn't seem that hard of a choice to want another child, we could just have one. We never planned on the complications to be an option. After a period of time had gone by and we were still left wanting, we began a journey neither of us could have foreseen.

The first of many obstacles began with a diagnosis of abnormal pap smears that later proved to be precancerous cells. This was by far the simplest of fixes and posed little concern. When we still faced dim results, we had laparoscopic exploratory surgery which allowed the doctors to go in and take a look around as nothing seemed out of place anywhere else but I did experience heavy cycles and extreme abdominal pain. Once inside, it was found that I had endometriosis on both ovaries and well as on the side of the uterus where the tubes came in, cysts as well as a tilted uterus.

With all that fixed to be the of doctors abilities, we began our journey again. Knowing that now we would definitely have to undergo invitro-fertilization, our true journey and heartache would begin. Everything seemed to be perfect conditions for us to conceive on the first try. However, after cancelling two cycles half way through due to low egg counts, we were able to get a decent middle ground with the medications and followed through with a cycle. I can't explain the joy and anticipation that we would experience each time we went through this and each time, we lost it all within weeks. The fourth try held out the longest but failed to hold into the second month. We decided on one last try; just to say we did our best. We held onto to the pregnancy into the first and half way through the second month before severe problems threatened our success. On lab tests, my HCG levels were rapidly declining and I had to immediately be put on shots to mimic the hormones naturally produced in pregnant women. It was really a fifty- fifty shot at holding on to our pregnancy, and going forth with the knowledge that we could not miss a shot.

After almost nine months, we delivered a happy, healthy and smiling baby girl. As amazing as it was, we needed over a year to come down from the worry and need to keep her in our sights at all time. The process had taken an extreme emotional toll on our lives but loved lived on.

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Am I Pregnant? - Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Waiting to find out if you are pregnant can be one of the toughest things to do. Every twinge or gurgle can be suspicious, especially if you have been trying for a while. You are always trying to see if your body is doing something out of the ordinary. Although most pregnancy symptoms don't show up until at least a few weeks into your pregnancy, some people may experience pregnancy symptoms much earlier, even just a week after implantation. Knowing what to look for will help you get a better view of your chances. Remember, though, only a positive pregnancy test can tell you for sure, no matter how many pregnancy symptoms you might be having.

While a missed period is the most obvious sign that you could be pregnant, there are many other more subtle pregnancy symptoms you may experience early on. Tender breasts, though many people also experience this as a pms symptom, can be an indication of early pregnancy. Some people even claim that their breasts have gotten larger very early. Another, even more subtle sign of pregnancy, perhaps even the earliest detectable sign, is implantation pain. When a fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall, some women may experience discomfort. Some even have a little bit of implantation bleeding or spotting. For those of you that track your basal body temperature, eighteen elevated temperatures can also be a sign of pregnancy, though this is not necessarily any earlier than when you are expecting to start your period. In some women, their cervical mucus, which normally dries up and then turns watery right before they start their periods, can remain clear and stretchy, like fertile cervical mucus. This may make you suspicious of pregnancy as well. Even though morning sickness usually shows up a few weeks into your pregnancy, some women have experienced it much earlier. This pregnancy symptom can be identified by unexplained nausea, not liking foods you normally like, vomiting for no apparent reason, and a heightened sense of smell. Another more common pregnancy symptom is a metallic taste in your mouth. Some women describe it as tasting copper, like a penny.

The early pregnancy symptoms can begin to show very early in some women, but even if there are no symptoms at all, you can still be pregnant. Each woman's body is different than the next. Also, most of the early pregnancy symptoms can also be explained as pre-menstrual symptoms. Try not to read into every slight symptom you may be feeling. Some people's minds can even create symptoms that are not really there. Try to find things to distract you during your waiting time. Good luck!

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Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help Improve Painful, Heavy Periods

All-Natural Dysmenorrhea and Menorrhagia OTC Treatment

Menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding) and dysmenorrhea (painful periods) are common ailments that affect some women, and the treatment for these conditions almost always involve anti-inflammatory medication or hormones. Some women, however, cannot take hormones, due to conditions like a history of DVTs or pulmonary embolism, certain cancer treatment, or medication interactions. When medication or hormones to treat heavy bleeding or painful periods can't be used, the next step is invasive surgical intervention, most of which will result in infertility.

But there might be a solution that is as simple as your kitchen pantry that can help with both conditions, and many others as well, with almost no side effects, for only pennies per day: apple cider vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar as Medication

I wrote an article about the various over-the-counter uses in alternative, complementary medicine for apple cider vinegar. I posted that article's link on Facebook. Tons of my friends, who are also into natural and holistic healing and health practices, commented on the amazing wonders of apple cider vinegar. Some of these included help with high blood pressure, stomach indigestion, helping absorb nutrition in food, and much more.

But by far, the number one use most of the women came back with was that it helped with the menstrual cycle.

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Menstrual Relief

So after reading so many women who said apple cider vinegar helped with painful periods, I did a quick web search to find out if others agreed. Wow! The amount of information that can be found about this simple, inexpensive liquid that most people already have in their pantry anyway, was overwhelming. And sure enough, multiple articles, posts and websites all tout apple cider vinegar's efficacy for treating painful periods.

To help relieve the cramps and bloating of painful periods, WebMD suggests discussing it with your doctor. However, if there are no reasons why you shouldn't take apple cider vinegar, trying this has almost no side effects for most women (after all, we eat the exact same vinegar in salad dressings, marinades and other food dishes), so giving it a try before trying more expensive and potentially invasive or toxic options simply makes sense.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Painful Periods

At the onset of the first cramps from menstruation, take 1-2 teaspoons of organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar or two tablespoons of diluted, filtered apple cider vinegar and mix it with fresh, clean, filtered water. Stir and drink it slowly. If the flavor bothers you, add some honey and lemon to your water and enjoy it that way, but do not heat the apple cider vinegar tonic, because it will lose some potency if you do. Natural, organic and local honey is a great thing to add, because it has its own health benefits as well. Continue to drink this tonic 2-3 times per day, for the duration of your period and perhaps for a day or two afterward.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Taking apple cider vinegar as a tonic, like mentioned above, works pretty much the same as for cramping, but if your bleeding doesn't improve, you can slowly increase the amount of apple cider vinegar you use, up to 2 tablespoons organic and 4 tablespoons filtered, until the bleeding improves.

However, many women report that the heavy bleeding improves very quickly after sipping the tonic and will stay reduced as long as you drink the tonic 2-3 times per day during the week of your period.

Other Benefits from Apple Cider Vinegar

Whether apple cider vinegar helps prevent painful periods and heavy bleeding during your period if you drink the apple cider vinegar tonic every day instead of only during your period is unknown. Because of the other health benefits that you can gain from drinking this home remedy, it certainly shouldn't hurt anything to try.

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How to Recognize the Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

The early symptoms of pregnancy are numerous and can vary. If you are sexually active, you may become pregnant regardless of whether you consistently use birth control. At the first sign that you are feeling something out of the ordinary, ask yourself if you have any of the following symptoms:

Missing your period. For many, the first indication of pregnancy is a missed period. However, some women experience implantation bleeding around the time they would be menstruating. This can mean that the first symptom of pregnancy is missed. Implantation bleeding can also be accompanied by cramping.

Spotting. This can be caused by the implantation bleeding previously mentioned, but it can also be caused by the increase of blood flow to your cervix. Spotting can be exacerbated by intercourse.

Increased sensitivity to smells. Some women find that they suddenly hate the scent of deodorant, coffee, or even their favorite perfume. If you suddenly hate the smell of frying bacon, your husband's aftershave lotion, or anything else that you once enjoyed, consider taking a pregnancy test.

Unexplained nausea or weight loss. Everyone knows that women gain weight during pregnancy. However, early in the first trimester, you may find yourself actually losing weight due to a loss of  

Appetite. Sometimes a loss of appetite is caused by the sensitivity to certain odors as discussed above.

Unexplained cravings or weight gain. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes you gain. But any unusual fluctuations in your weight could be a sign that a baby is on the way.

Fatigue. An early sign of pregnancy can be excessive fatigue or tiredness. As your body's resources are diverted to the growing fetus, you may find your stores of energy running low.

Sore breasts. Unfortunately, some early symptoms of pregnancy mimic the symptoms of PMS. If you think you may be pregnant, but your only symptom is sore breasts, look for other signs.

Unusual taste in your mouth. One little discussed symptom of early pregnancy is a metallic taste that won't go away even with mints or brushing.

Increase in libido. You know what they say about the hair of the dog that bit you. Pregnancy can actually increase your desire level as hormonesbegin coursing through your body.

Dizziness or fainting. If you have either of these symptoms, consult a doctor for help.

Increased urination. This is first caused by the change in hormones. Later in pregnancy, frequent urination is caused by the swollen uterus pressing on the bladder.

If you are experiencing any of the preceding symptoms of early pregnancy, take a home pregnancy test. If the symptoms persist even if the pregnancy test is negative, consult your doctor. Remember that you know your body best. Pay attention to what it is trying to tell you.

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5 Key Items to Look for in a Fertility Clinic or Actually in ANY Doctor's Office for that Matter

I was calling another doctor's office with a simple question on behalf of my elderly parents yesterday, and had an incredibly hard time getting to a live human, and then finding the right person to answer my question. It made me start thinking about the consumer experience of being a patient, and of how my own patients are treated. I had the following thoughts about the service we provide to our fertility patients, but I believe these benchmarks apply to patients in general. If you agree, feel free to share this posting with your friends. If you disagree, share your own opinion.

•    FRONT DESK: Expect politeness and friendliness when you arrive and sign in at the front desk. Do be aware that an in-depth answer to some questions may not be possible, if the staff are very busy at the moment but always expect politeness. A staff that ignores your presence or acts as if your visit/phone call is an annoyance for them should be a red flag.

•    PHONE CALLS: Are your calls answered promptly or after 20 rings? Does a human answer the phone or are you required to "press 1 for billing…." Do you have to re-explain who you are and why you are calling every time? Your phone calls should be answered within a reasonable time period, such as within 24 hours if you called during business hours, on a non-holiday and more quickly for urgent matters.

•    MEDICAL STAFF: Are your questions answered? One of the most important reasons you come to the clinic is to understand your diagnosis, the recommended treatment and realistic expectations for different outcomes. You should be given enough information to make can make an informed decision. If you don't understand, ask questions and write down the answers. If you questions are repeatedly not answered because the staff is to busy, or you are made to feel foolish for asking a question, this is another red flag.

•    TEST RESULTS: Test results should be delivered promptly and appropriately. If you prefer to be contacted via email, or for the office to leave you a voicemail, are your wishes respected? Does the doctor him/herself call with any very important news? When you have tests done, are you contacted in a timely manner with the results, or are you told, "No news is good news" (Or possibly your test was lost, misfiled, etc…)

•    FINANCIAL MATTERS: Do you know what you are being charged and why? Does the office make the effort to verify your infertility benefits and to explain what tests or treatments will be covered by your insurance? Will the office call the insurance company on your behalf if needed?

•  WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOUR EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT BEING MET? Communication is key when you are working with your fertility provider. You should voice your any concerns that you have to either your physician or nurse, and expect answers about what can be done differently. On the other hand, your health care providers are not mind readers, so if you are unhappy with something, you should let them know and give them a chance to work with you.

•   NOT EVERY FERTILITLY CENTER IS THE SAME. At a very large, very busy center where hundreds of patients are seen daily, it may simply not be logistically possible to meet your expectations. They may not recognize you on sight, or be able to have a human being answer every call. It may not be possible for you to see the same physician with each visit, or even to see a physician at all. If these things are not important to you, you may prefer the convenience of going to a center with 10 doctors and 20 offices. If a high level level of personalized service is important to you, you may want to consider a smaller practice with one location.

•    MY VEIWPOINT: I have practiced Reproductive Endocrinology for 18 years and spent years at medium sized, large and ultra-large centers. As a physician, I prefer the level of service that can only be provided in a smaller practice, and for this reason, I opened my own office in 2006. At Pennsylvania Reproductive Specialists, your feedback is extremely important to us. If we are doing something right, please let us know. It is important for our staff to get positive feedback. If we are doing something wrong, please also let us know so that we can improve our service.
 

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