If you're like most women who are trying to conceive, you spend each month obsessing over your possible early pregnancy symptoms. But it can get to a point where you are actually starting to imagine the symptoms that, in reality, aren't really there. Instead of disappointing yourself yet again, try to take an objective look at your symptoms.
So, exactly how do you stay objective while keeping track of possible symptoms?
1. Keep a journal of possible symptoms each day of your menstrual cycle. Feel free, at this point, to write down even the most insignificant symptom, because looking back you may see a trend or something that sticks out to you. Some possible symptoms would include spotting, fatigue, breast tenderness, cramping or bloating. Some possible insignificant symptoms would include headaches, pinching sensations in the abdomen or bluish veins appearing in the breasts.
2. Have a significant person in your life be honest with you about their observations. Someone who sees you every day may notice that your coloring has changed or that you seem more tired than usual. Even things we don't notice in ourselves may be noticed by someone from the outside. Don't put the thought in their head by asking if they've noticed something in particular, but rather just ask them generally if they notice anything different about you.
3. Along with any symptoms you notice each day, write down any events occurring in your life that may explain them. For example, if you write down fatigue as a symptom, but also notice that you have a sore throat, you may want to make a note to yourself that you are possibly coming down with a cold.
It is very important to not only take an honest look at your possible early pregnancy symptoms, but to also look at them as a whole. Many symptoms are very similar to an impending menstrual cycle and so you have to be careful not to automatically assume that a symptom is an absolute sign, one way or another. Carefully listen to your body, but when all else fails, time will give you an absolute answer.
Planning Ahead While in the Early Stages of Pregnancy
Once you find out you are pregnant and you are in the early stages of pregnancy, there are a few things to consider and take care of. You now have a new life growing inside of you and have many changes in the future ahead. Keeping this in mind, preparation and planning are the key.One of the first things you will need to do is to contact your healthcare provider to schedule your first prenatal appointment. Typically your first visit will be some time between 6 weeks to 10 weeks into your pregnancy. During this appointment you will complete a health history, provide blood work and undergo a physical exam.
Next, you’ll need to decide when and how to break the news to your significant other as well as friends and family. Some will share the news right away, unable to contain their excitement. Others are more cautious and will choose to wait until the second trimester, or longer, before they let others know about their upcoming arrival. When the time is right for you, coming up with something unique is always a fun way to let others in on your secret.
And lastly, you should start considering the future of your career. Will you continue to work until you give birth? Will you continue to work after you have the baby? It is important to start to think about this early on because there may be a lot of preparation to do in order to make the transition. You should look into the policies within your company to find out how long your maternity leave can be. Then, iIf you decide to continue working after the baby is born, you will need to arrange for childcare as well as pumping if you’re going to breastfeed.s
Don’t rush things, you’ll soon be experiencing some of the discomforts of the first trimester and beyond. Most of all, when you’re in your early stages of pregnancy, you should be enjoying this special time of your life. You’re nurturing a brand new life that will soon enough make its entrance into this world.
By Leesuh L Smith
Early Pregnancy Symptoms - Imagined Or Real?
So, exactly how do you stay objective while keeping track of possible symptoms?
1. Keep a journal of possible symptoms each day of your menstrual cycle. Feel free, at this point, to write down even the most insignificant symptom, because looking back you may see a trend or something that sticks out to you. Some possible symptoms would include spotting, fatigue, breast tenderness, cramping or bloating. Some possible insignificant symptoms would include headaches, pinching sensations in the abdomen or bluish veins appearing in the breasts.
2. Have a significant person in your life be honest with you about their observations. Someone who sees you every day may notice that your coloring has changed or that you seem more tired than usual. Even things we don't notice in ourselves may be noticed by someone from the outside. Don't put the thought in their head by asking if they've noticed something in particular, but rather just ask them generally if they notice anything different about you.
3. Along with any symptoms you notice each day, write down any events occurring in your life that may explain them. For example, if you write down fatigue as a symptom, but also notice that you have a sore throat, you may want to make a note to yourself that you are possibly coming down with a cold.
It is very important to not only take an honest look at your possible early pregnancy symptoms, but to also look at them as a whole. Many symptoms are very similar to an impending menstrual cycle and so you have to be careful not to automatically assume that a symptom is an absolute sign, one way or another. Carefully listen to your body, but when all else fails, time will give you an absolute answer.
Planning Ahead While in the Early Stages of Pregnancy
Once you find out you are pregnant and you are in the early stages of pregnancy, there are a few things to consider and take care of. You now have a new life growing inside of you and have many changes in the future ahead. Keeping this in mind, preparation and planning are the key.One of the first things you will need to do is to contact your healthcare provider to schedule your first prenatal appointment. Typically your first visit will be some time between 6 weeks to 10 weeks into your pregnancy. During this appointment you will complete a health history, provide blood work and undergo a physical exam.
Next, you’ll need to decide when and how to break the news to your significant other as well as friends and family. Some will share the news right away, unable to contain their excitement. Others are more cautious and will choose to wait until the second trimester, or longer, before they let others know about their upcoming arrival. When the time is right for you, coming up with something unique is always a fun way to let others in on your secret.
And lastly, you should start considering the future of your career. Will you continue to work until you give birth? Will you continue to work after you have the baby? It is important to start to think about this early on because there may be a lot of preparation to do in order to make the transition. You should look into the policies within your company to find out how long your maternity leave can be. Then, iIf you decide to continue working after the baby is born, you will need to arrange for childcare as well as pumping if you’re going to breastfeed.s
Don’t rush things, you’ll soon be experiencing some of the discomforts of the first trimester and beyond. Most of all, when you’re in your early stages of pregnancy, you should be enjoying this special time of your life. You’re nurturing a brand new life that will soon enough make its entrance into this world.
By Leesuh L Smith
Early Pregnancy Symptoms - Imagined Or Real?
