Pregnancy Signs ............................................................................................................................................ 5
First trimester ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Implantation bleeding or spotting – the first indication of pregnancy......................................................... 5
Missed or late menstrual period................................................................................................................... 6
An unusually short “period” AKA early pregnancy spotting ......................................................................... 7
Instinctively “knowing” that you are pregnant............................................................................................. 7
A positive pregnancy test.............................................................................................................................. 8
A bloated or tender abdomen ...................................................................................................................... 9
Pregnancy nausea and/or vomiting ............................................................................................................ 10
Aversion to certain foods, drinks, or smells................................................................................................ 11
Extreme fatigue, and low energy................................................................................................................ 12
Sore and tender breasts.............................................................................................................................. 13
An increase in the frequency of urination .................................................................................................. 13
An altered libido – wanting more sex, or none at all.................................................................................. 14
Unusual vaginal discharge .......................................................................................................................... 15
Mood swings or feeling very emotional ..................................................................................................... 16
First trimester weight loss .......................................................................................................................... 17
Skin changes – impurities on the facial skin ............................................................................................... 17
Linea negra – a dark vertical line on your tummy ...................................................................................... 18
Loss of appetite in pregnancy ..................................................................................................................... 19
Second trimester......................................................................................................................................... 20
A growing uterus......................................................................................................................................... 20
Feeling fetal movement .............................................................................................................................. 21
Pregnancy weight gain................................................................................................................................ 22
An increase in appetite – “eating for two” ................................................................................................. 22
Cravings for certain foods ........................................................................................................................... 23
Montgomery’s Tubercules .......................................................................................................................... 24
Enlarged breasts – your body is preparing for breastfeeding .................................................................... 25
Blood pressure changes – hypertension or hypotension ........................................................................... 25
Skin changes – that pregnancy “glow” ....................................................................................................... 26
Water retention – edema ........................................................................................................................... 27
Swollen ankles as a pregnancy symptom ................................................................................................... 28
Separation of abdominal muscles – making space for your growing baby ................................................ 28
Braxton Hicks contractions ......................................................................................................................... 29
More frequent headaches .......................................................................................................................... 30
Itchy nipples during the second and third trimesters................................................................................. 31
Lower back pain in the second and third trimesters .................................................................................. 31
Frequent episodes of heartburn – acid reflux ............................................................................................ 32
Third trimester ............................................................................................................................................ 33
Heavy fetal movement and hiccups............................................................................................................ 33
Pregnancy hemorrhoids.............................................................................................................................. 34
Shortness of breath in pregnancy............................................................................................................... 34
Gestational Diabetes – diabetes in pregnancy ........................................................................................... 35
Abdominal “popping” sounds ..................................................................................................................... 36
Pelvic Girdle Pain ........................................................................................................................................ 36
Nesting instinct – the natural urge to prepare your house for the new baby............................................ 37
Hip pain and aching joints........................................................................................................................... 38
Weak bladder control or pregnancy incontinence ..................................................................................... 38
Belly button “popping” outwards ............................................................................................................... 39
Colostrum leaking from the breasts ........................................................................................................... 40
Prodromal labor – irregular contractions ................................................................................................... 40
Baby “dropping” into the pelvis.................................................................................................................. 41
Losing your mucus plug............................................................................................................................... 42
Insomnia due to uterine size....................................................................................................................... 43
Development of stretch marks ................................................................................................................... 43