Early Signs of Pregnancy

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It's Spring again here in Chicago-land and it seems like everywhere I look I see pregnant bellies. At the park I'm always amazed at second-time-around pregnant mamas chasing around their tots. My downstairs neighbors just had their second beautiful baby boy only 2 weeks ago and it seems like more and more of my friends are coming up pregnant. Maybe it's the Spring air or maybe I've just caught a bit of the baby fever, but it got me thinking about the joys of pregnancy, especially the early days when you and your partner are the only ones in on the secret. If you drank the cool-aid and are hoping you're preggo too here are some early signs to look for that might show up before you can pee on a stick...




Early Signs of Pregnancy

• Sooooo tired: One of my friends was talking about how she knew she was pregnant with number two when everyday she felt like she hit a wall right after lunch and barely made it past 8 o'clock before passing out cold. Feeling tired is often the very first sign that your body is working overtime to start the creation of a new human inside of you. 
• Nausea (morning sickness): A lot of women start having food and odor aversions before they even have a positive pregnancy test. This actually has really important biological significance. In the days before refrigeration and safely preserved foods, a heightened sense of smell (and the accompanying nausea it causes when those smells turn your stomach) kept newly pregnant women away from foods that were potentially spoiled and could cause harm to their new little bundle of cells inside. Morning sickness (or all day queasies, as I found to be a more accurate description) also is associated with healthier newborns and lower rates of miscarriage. 
• The missed cycle: This one is usually the biggest sign. Many women experience a little spotting on the day of implantation, which can sometimes throw women off a little thinking it might be their period. But the missed cycle is usually the safest way to know that you've indeed got a little passenger on board. 
• Breast tenderness/changes: Big boobs was one of the BEST parts of pregnancy for me, who always tended to be on the smaller side of the lingerie department but getting larger breasts also meant some real discomfort. Nipples can get a little over stimulated too. For mamas who are still nursing a toddler, they may notice nipple sensitivity during ovulation and then again early in pregnancy. All of this of course is due to your body getting ready to produce more milk for the new baby.
• Cravings: See that big bowl of kale chips? Yes, that's the one....And you ate it all, in one sitting. That's okay, it's probably a good sign. Many cultures around the world believe that expectant mothers must be fed the foods they crave or their babies may come out deficient in some way. Other's (like the French, who amazingly seems to stay nice and slim throughout pregnancy) believe everything in moderation is best. I tend to agree with both. If you're craving something healthy, like say a bowl of blueberries, go for it. Indulge. But if you drive by a McDonald's and think "Ohh I really need those fries", you can probably skip it knowing that your baby is not going to miss them. Remember, your growing baby literally eats (and drinks) everything you do...
• Pulling pain in your nether regions: You may never have noticed your uterus before unless it was bothering you with some lovely cramps, but as your baby grows so does your uterus. And guess what? Your uterus is held in place by some mighty fine round ligaments which stretch for the first (or second) time when you get pregnant. This usually just feels like soreness or general discomfort. Anything sharp should be reported to your midwife or practitioner.
• Peeing, like all the time: Most people associate frequent urination with a symptom of late pregnancy, however it can be one of the very first signs of pregnancy. Your body is working over time producing pregnancy hormones, which in turn makes you have to pee more often. Later, the frequent trips are due to Jr.'s head pushing on your bladder.