Home » Pregnancy & Parenting  » Pregnancy » Are you pregnant? First of all, remember each and every pregnancy is unique. No two women will feel of experience the same symptoms. There are however, a few guidelines that we can give you about what most women go through during the first few weeks of their pregnancy. You may identify with all or just a few of these.

• Missed period - is one of the earliest recognizable symptoms of pregnancy.
• Tender breasts - It is your hormones that have begun to prepare for breastfeeding the baby! You might have swollen, tender and sore breasts with extra sensitive nipples.
• Darkening of the areolas - The area around your nipples will darken in colour and there is an accompanying tingling sensation.
• Light spotting - This might occur when the fertilized egg implants itself on the wall of the uterus especially three to six days after ovulation. This is not a very common symptom though and nothing to get scared about.
• Nausea accompanied by heartburn - You might develop a sensitivity towards certain foods and smells and might even actually vomit. This is called morning sickness but for some women it can happen during any time of the day or night especially during the first trimester. What you could do is to eat smaller and more frequent meals.
• Increased body temperature - a slightly elevated basal body temperature is quite common and is nothing to worry about.
• Frequent urination - This will happen because of the swelling of the uterus which puts extra pressure on the bladder. This condition can last for the entire 10 months of the pregnancy and is especially more during the last trimester.
• Tiredness and fatigue - This fatigue that you will invariably feel may be just to remind you to get your quota of rest and for you to take nutritional foods that will give you energy.
• Indigestion and constipation - Just remember that the uterus is swelling and is pushing against the intestines and the stomach. Eat smaller, more frequent meals so as not to burden the stomach. Drink lots of water. See that you have plenty of fruits, vegetables and other high fibre foods to avoid constipation.
• Light-headedness or dizziness - You might have a drop in your blood sugar levels or blood pressure levels that might cause dizziness. Again, eating smaller, more frequent meals will help.
• Pregnancy test - If you have a good home testing kit, wait for a couple of days after your missed period and test yourself. Should the first results be negative in spite of your missed period, you can take another one a few days later.
• Serious mood swings - Your body is undergoing hormonal changes that are beyond your control. Be prepared for a roller-coaster ride with mood swings that you cannot understand. Consult your doctor about balancing your hormones - this will not only improve your moods but also contribute to a healthy pregnancy and reduced post partum depression.

These are but a few guidelines that might help you to recognize some symptoms of pregnancy, but it is always better to go to a good gynaecologist as soon as you feel the changes taking place in your body.