Swelling In The Feet And Legs During Pregnancy
Pressure from your growing uterus on the blood vessels carrying blood from the lower body causes fluid buildup. The result is swelling in the legs and feet.
Additional weight during pregnancy can also make your feet bigger. Plus, pregnancy hormones loosen your ligaments and muscles so your pelvic joints open up to get ready for childbirth. This affects your whole body, even your feet. Call your doctor if any swelling is more than mild or if it suddenly gets worse.
Recommendations:
- Try not to stay on your feet for long periods of time. Avoid standing in one place.
- Drink plenty of fluids .
- Avoid foods high in salt .
- Elevate your legs and feet while sitting. Avoid crossing your legs.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing tight clothing can slow circulation and increase fluid retention.
- Soak your feet in cool water.
- Keep moving. Exercise your legs to keep fluid from building up.
- Don’t wear tight shoes choose supportive shoes with low, wide heels.
- Keep your diet rich in protein too little protein can cause fluid retention.
- Notify your health care provider if your hands or face swell. This may be a warning sign of preeclampsia.
- Rest on your side during the day to help increase blood flow to your kidneys.
Continued
When Do The Symptoms Start
Though it may sound odd, your first week of pregnancy is based on the date of your last menstrual period. Your last menstrual period is considered week 1 of pregnancy, even if you werent actually pregnant yet.
The expected delivery date is calculated using the first day of your last period. For that reason, the first few weeks where you may not have symptoms also count toward your 40-week pregnancy.
| Signs and symptoms |
How Reliable Are Home Pregnancy Tests
According to the NHS, home pregnancy tests are reliable as long as you follow the instructions correctly. It may not be reliable if you didnt follow instructions or youve taken the test too early.
Most pregnancy tests can be taken after the first missed period, with any tests taken before this time running the risk of being inaccurate. Professionals also recommend avoiding drinking too much fluid ahead of doing a test, as it can dilute the level of HGC.
Negative tests may not be reliable if youve taken it too early, as the level of HGC might not be enough at the time of taking it. Tests can also vary in their sensitivity and so its recommended you read instructions thoroughly before using one, as theres no guarantee each one will be the same.
You May Like: Is It Ok To Take Probiotics With Antidepressants
Not Sure If Hungry Or Sick
Oh dear, our appetite really can be a bit of a rollercoaster in early pregnancy. It can be a confusing time when youre not sure if youre feeling sick because you need to eat or youre feeling sick because youve got morning sickness and eating will make it worse.
Forum mum-to-be katie4matthew sums it all up when she says, I cant tell the difference between feeling sick and hungry at the moment. Im so confused!
Is It Normal To Experience Abdominal Pain While Pregnant
Most expectant women experience abdominal pain or cramps at some point in the nine months of their pregnancies. If you experience abdominal pain during pregnancy, you need not panic, as most of the time it is normal. As you carry your baby in the womb, the extreme pressure on the muscles and joints can make your belly feel uncomfortable at certain times and you might experience stomach pain. It is normal for pregnant women to have mild abdominal pain during early pregnancy. However, any severe or sharp pain in your abdominal area is a matter of great concern. If the abdominal or stomach pain persists for longer or is severe, it could be an indication of a severe pregnancy-related complication and you must consult a doctor immediately.
Don’t Miss: Diarrhea From Lettuce
Here Are The Possible Causes Of Upper Abdominal Pain Early Pregnancy
I Think I Might Be Pregnant
Nothing is more likely to make you feel like youre in limbo than suspecting that youre pregnant but not knowing for sure. Sure, it can cause you undue stress, worry, and anxiety, but it can also make you feel hopeful and excited.
Early warning signs and symptoms can give you a heads up that you may be pregnant. Just keep in mind that they are not to be taken as sure signs of pregnancy, but rather indicators instead. Youll want to take a pregnancy test to know for sure.
Not all women experience pregnancy the same, nor do they experience the same early pregnancy symptoms. While many do experience early pregnancy symptoms, they may be different for you than they are for your colleague or best friend.
Whats more, if youve been pregnant before, the early symptoms you experience this time around may not be the same as your last pregnancy. Keep in mind, that many of these symptoms mimic menstruation symptoms before you get your period and after so you might be pregnant and not even realize it.
Below are some of the common early pregnancy signs and symptoms. However, its important to know that these symptoms could be due to other things going on with your body other than pregnancy. Therefore, youre not necessarily pregnant if you notice any of the symptoms below. Again, as it bears repeating, the only way to know for sure if youre pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.
Recommended Reading: What Does It Mean When You Keep Having Heartburn
Spotting Or Light Bleeding
Its not unusual at all to have light spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy in fact, it can occur in around 20% of pregnancies.
Dr Larisa explains the science behind it: This is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy and is usually associated with implantation bleeding when the fertilized egg or embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. The embryo usually implants between 6 to 12 days after conception.
Not all women will get spotting though, so dont worry its not a reflection of how successful the implantation has been!
Forum mum xFran82x says she had implantation bleeding 8 days after ovulating. I had some watery pink discharge when I wiped a few times, she says, and then found 2 dots of brown blood on my pants. I tested the next afternoon and got a faint positive result.
And it was similar for BabyGirlsMummy: I had a regular 28 day cycle and the implantation bleeding was about a week before Id have expected my period. Mine was some pink cervical mucus for a couple of days enough that I needed a panty liner.
If you do bleed, our expert say you should definitely get anything unusual checked out by your doctor. In most cases, spotting is nothing to worry about, says Dr Amin, but it can be a sign of something more serious like an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. If you experience any bleeding thats not normal for you, seek immediate medical attention.
How Long Does Pregnancy Bloating Last
Sorry, but that ate-too-much feeling you’ve been experiencing is a pregnancy symptom that’s likely to get worse as your uterus keeps expanding and pressing on your stomach and intestines.
It’s a bit of a pain for you , but take comfort in knowing that your baby is oblivious to the discomfort of pregnancy bloating and the other pregnancy symptoms you’re experiencing .
You May Like: Does Peanut Butter Cause Heartburn
Warning Signs And Symptoms
Weight loss is one of the main warning signs for serious bloating. If you find yourself losing more than a few pounds without changing your diet or starting a new exercise regimen, that should be cause for concern, especially if its 10 percent or more of your body weight. Weight loss can be caused by tumors that press on the intestines, making you feel full after just a small amount of food, or from substances secreted by tumors that suppress your appetite.
Ascites is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen or pelvis. It can cause bloating, weight gain, and a rapidly expanding waistline. Ascites is usually caused by liver disease, but cancer is the culprit about 10 percent of the time. A large amount of fluid can make you look and feel like youre several months pregnant. The combination of bloating and jaundice, which turns the eyes and skin yellow, can be a sign of cancer thats spread to the liver, although it can also occur with more benign forms of liver disease like hepatitis.
Blood in your stool, vaginal bleeding in between periods, or postmenopausal vaginal bleeding can all be associated with serious bloating. Fortunately, the most common causes of these symptoms arent the most serious, but bleeding should always be evaluated because it can be a sign of cancer, particularly colon or uterine cancer.
What Are Five Common Signs Of Pregnancy
There are several signs of early pregnancy that you could experience. Not everyone will have all of these symptoms, and some women may not feel any of these things. Pregnancy symptoms throughout the entire pregnancy can vary dramatically between women. Its important not to compare your pregnancy to someone elses.
Common early pregnancy symptoms can include:
Also Check: Align Probiotics Supplements
Changes In Nipple Color
Women may notice a deepening of the color of the area surrounding the nipple, called the areola and/or a dark line going down from the middle of the central abdomen area to the pubic area . Some degree of darkening of the areola persists after pregnancy in many women, but the linea nigra typically disappears in the months following delivery of the baby.
What Is Pregnancy Bloating
Ahhh pregnancy. It is such a miracle of life, and yet symptoms like pregnancy bloating can make you feel anything less than glowing.
But trust us, mama, youre not alone. If this particular pregnancy symptom is getting you down, know that it doesnt mean that theres anything wrong with you or your baby.
So why is bloating during pregnancy even a thing when you have SO much else to deal with, and how can you help relieve the discomfort? Weve got the answers
In this article:
- Is it normal to be really bloated in early pregnancy?
- What does early pregnancy bloating feel like?
- Why do I feel so bloated pregnant?
- How do I get rid of bloating during pregnancy?
You May Like: Does Xanax Help With Ibs
Is Stomach Pain A Sign Of Pregnancy
Upper abdominal pain early pregnancy can be worrisome for many women. Most women feel that ectopic pregnancy or a possible miscarriage could be the reasons for their aches, whereas mild pain in these areas is usually normal in many healthy pregnancies.
For most of the times, abdominal pain during early pregnancy is caused by normal physical changes that occur in the body and there is nothing to worry about it. Though the condition doesnt indicate a serious medical condition and subsides in a short period of time, sometimes the pain becomes persistent or severe.
Increased Heart Rate During Early Pregnancy
Around weeks 8 to 10, your heart may begin pumping faster and harder. Palpitations and arrhythmias are common in pregnancy. This is normally due to hormones.
Increased blood flow due to the fetus happens later in pregnancy. Ideally, management starts before conception, but if you have an underlying heart problem, your doctor can help supervise low dosages of drugs.
Don’t Miss: Can Ibs Cause Dry Mouth
When To See Your Doctor
Although spotting usually isnt anything to worry about, you should see a health practitioner if it persists for more than two or three months. Theyll perform a physical exam, pelvic exam, or Pap smear to assess your symptoms and determine the underlying cause.
You should seek immediate medical attention if youre experiencing abnormally heavy bleeding or severe pelvic pain. These could be signs of an ectopic pregnancy, which is a potentially life-threatening condition.
Those in menopause should always follow up with a healthcare practitioner if they experience spotting. It can be an early sign of uterine cancer and other vaginal diseases.
How Quickly Can I Know If Im Pregnant
Pregnancy is a different experience for each woman. Some women may suspect theyre pregnant within the first few days of pregnancy, while others dont notice anything until they miss a period. There are also some women who dont know theyre pregnant until months after conception.
The most clear-cut way to know if youre pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. When you take a pregnancy test, its measuring a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin . This hormone starts building in your body from the moment of conception and will multiply rapidly in the beginning of your pregnancy. Despite its early appearance in the process, it takes some time for your body to build up enough hCG to register on a pregnancy test. Typically, it takes about three to four weeks from the first day of your last period before theres enough hCG in your body for a positive pregnancy test.
Don’t Miss: What Does It Mean When You Keep Having Heartburn
Way Beyond Morning Sickness
Pregnancy is an odd thing to live through. Though most women expect certain symptoms to come with the territory. Nausea, vomiting, even backaches are expected by most moms-to-be. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t symptoms that you’ve never considered in pregnancy before.
There are the closely held secrets of the pregnant women who have come before you. Here is a list of five pregnancy symptoms you may not have even thought about!
Increased Sensitivity To Smells
This is a big early sign for lots of our forum mums. Can you suddenly smell damp? Does your pet have a new whiff about them? And have you started thinking your partner could do with a good wash and a splash of cologne?
Oh yes, your sense of smell may be so heightened that you can smell things that you didnt even know had a smell, as MadForNO5 experienced: Seven days after ovulating, I started to get a strong sense of smell. I could smell absolutely everything!
The downside? The slightest odour can make you feel queasy.
Don’t Miss: Who Makes Align Probiotics
Causes Of Serious Bloating You Need To Know About And What To Do About Them
1. Ovarian cancer isnt the most likely, but it is one of the most lethal. Although ovarian cancer is only the fifth most common cancer in women, it causes more deaths than any other reproductive cancer mostly in women over 50. Risk factors include never having children or having them late in life, obesity, a family history of ovarian cancer, certain genetic abnormalities, and long-term treatment with hormone replacement therapy. Persistent bloating, feeling full faster, and pelvic pain are typical symptoms.
What to do if youre concerned about ovarian cancer:
A thorough pelvic exam or transvaginal ultrasound is the best way to diagnose ovarian cancer. The blood test CA-125 isnt a reliable screening test, but it can be helpful for following the course of treatment after diagnosis.
2. Uterine cancer. In addition to bloating, uterine cancer can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, a watery or blood-tinged vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, or pain with intercourse or urination. But its important to know that sometimes bloating or a change in bowel habits may be the only initial signs of uterine cancer. Important risk factors include taking tamoxifen taking estrogen supplements that dont also contain progesterone radiation therapy a family history of uterine cancer or a family history of a form of inherited colon cancer called Lynch syndrome.
What to do if youre concerned about uterine cancer:
What to do if youre concerned about colon cancer:
See More
Early Changes To Breasts: Tingling Aching Growing
Breast changes can occur between weeks 4 and 6. Youre likely to develop tender and swollen breasts due to hormone changes. This is likely to go away after a few weeks when your body has adjusted to the hormones.
Nipple and breast changes can also occur around week 11. Hormones continue to cause your breasts to grow. The areola the area around the nipple may change to a darker color and grow larger.
If youve had bouts with acne before your pregnancy, you may also experience breakouts again.
Read Also: What Does It Mean When You Keep Having Heartburn