Pregnancy Symptoms

There are many early signs that you may be pregnant. The obvious one is a late period but this can be caused by a number of things, an excessive weight gain or loss, a change in birth control methods, or just an imbalance of hormones.

Nausea and vomiting, commonly known as morning
sickness, will last for the first 2-8 weeks of
gestation. Though its common name is a little
misleading, as it can occur throughout the day, not
just in the morning. There isn't actually any known
reason as to why women go through this nausea and little is known on preventing it. Women differ in how they deal with it. Some women find that a cup of tea and a ginger biscuit in the morning help, others find acupressure and massage can help. It's all about finding what works for you best.

Fatigue is another common symptom in the earlier
weeks. This is due to the fact that your body is
going through some major hormonal changes. And also due to the increased amount of progesterone going round your body, your temperature will increase leading you to feel sluggish.

Sensitivity to tastes and smells can also occur.
Foods that you once enjoyed can now leave you
feeling nauseous.

The areola (the area around the nipple) will darken
during pregnancy. Though this can happen because of a hormonal imbalance if you're not pregnant

You may start feeling faint or dizzy if you stand
still for too long. This is because as your uterus
grows it can put pressure on the major arteries in
your legs causing the blood supply to slow making
you feel light headed. Also eating infrequently can
lower your blood sugar which is a vital nutrient to
the growing baby.

With your uterus swelling, this puts pressure onto
your bladder making you feel like needing a wee
more frequently. Most woman feel this a week or two after becoming pregnant.

The hormones during pregnancy slow down your bowel movements. This gives your body more time to get nutrients out of your food, thus causing
constipation. Unfortunately this will happen all
the way through pregnancy and in most cases get
worse as the pregnancy progresses. Making sure you eat a healthy diet full of fibre and nutrients can help ease the discomfort.

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Article by Beverley Brooke
Visit pregnancy symptoms to ensure a healthy
pregnancy and for more on pregnancy symptoms
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Selecting maternity and baby clothes as well as gaining pregnancy information is a big part of your pregnancy. Some sites providing some of this information are listed below:

Pregnancy Directory

Galt Educational Toys - Offers fun educational toys for infants, toddlers, children and pre-teens. Find everything from activity gyms and crawl mats to wooden toys, interesting crafts and challenging science experiments.

Custom Made Organic Cotton Onesies for boy and girl infants. - Organic Cotton Onesies for boy and girl infants. Available in 5 colors and customizable with text or images. Our cotton is certified organic.

Little Miss Priss - Love your Fairy tale, shopping for baby.

Breastfeeding.com - the one place for new moms & expectant mothers

New Baby Gift Baskets & New Baby Gift Ideas from Spartium.com - A new baby is the greatest gift in the world and the occasion should be celebrated. We have an assortment of new baby gifts and unique new baby gift baskets to mark the occasion that will not only delight the new baby - but also the new parents!

Baby Gifts & Maternity Gift Boutique - Best Place For baby gifts and expecting moms. Boutique specializing in unique personalized baby gifts, pregnant belly gifts, maternity shirts and more. We have that special baby shower gift for both baby and moms-to-be!

LaLa Baby Boutique - LaLa Baby Boutique is your source for designer baby diaper bags, organic baby products, handmade diaper bags, maternity T shirts, and cute and sassy accessories that is perfect for the mom or baby in your life.

Sweet Pea Cakes, Etc. - Specialty diaper cakes, handmade swaddle blankets, handmade reversible bibs, binkie clips, and nursing cover-ups. Also wedding towel cakes, spa towel cakes, pedicure cupcakes, travel manicure sets and graduation cakes perfect for gift giving!

Sleepy Old Town - A new CD of 14 original lullabies and children’s songs appealing to children, parents and grandparents. All the songs are written and performed by Steve Stapley and Lynda Hayes.

Eternal Maternal - All-Natural Pregnancy Belly Cast Kits and more. Every journey through pregnancy should be celebrated. Create a lasting memory of yours. Celebrate life!

SweetPeaGreetings.com - Premium quality photo birth announcements and christening and birthday invitations. Creating cards as beautiful and unique as your child!

Pink Taffy Designs - Exquisite collections of furnishings, gifts and accessories for babies and children.

The Daily Stroll

Bug on a Wall - Do It Yourself" full size mural patterns. Our mission is to make decorating with murals simple and affordable for everyone!

learn2potty - Animated Potty Training Videos for immediate download. Free Potty Training Charts, Tips and Resources!

Elementary school toys, teacher supplies, home school supplies and learning toys. - Little Froggies toy and teacher supply site built for teachers, students and elementary schools. Official purchase orders from elementary schools are always welcome!

Organic Baby Mattresses - Organic baby mattresses, baby mattress protectors, and sheets that reduce the risk of sickness, allergy attacks, and SIDS.

The Storks Store

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Bunting Resources - Resources and information on preconception, pregnancy, preparing for baby, breastfeeding, cloth diapers and newborn health.