Early symptoms of pregnancy after ovulation: Changes, New Cravings

Pregnancy can cause many different physical findings in a woman during the early weeks. Some of the earliest symptoms may vary greatly between each individual. Even before you miss your first menstrual cycle, you may have some symptoms which are indicative of pregnancy. After ovulation or release of the egg into the fallopian tubes, the egg can be fertilized.

 The egg will only be viable for 12 to 24 hours, so if the egg isn't fertilized during this time it will start to degrade and will be absorbed or excreted by the body. If it is fertilized, it will implant into the walls of the uterus and may result in a bit of implantation spotting. 

This may be accompanied by some mild cramping resembling the cramping you experience during or after your menstrual cycle. The bleeding will be mild and will not be like you would experience with your normal cycle. Not every pregnant woman will experience implantation bleeding however it does happen in enough women for this symptom to be reported. 

One of the earliest symptoms which indicate you may be pregnant may be fatigue. The amount of energy you use will drastically increase even if your habits don't change. It takes a lot of energy to develop an egg into a child. You may need to take naps even if you have never done so before pregnancy. Indulge yourself and take a nap when you need to. 

You may experience many other symptoms which may indicate you are pregnant. One other symptom you may experience may be a slight increase in the size of your breasts. Your breasts may also feel tender and seem to feel heavy to you or just not feel as you normally feel. You may also notice some moodiness or perhaps a feeling that you're pregnant. 

Many women will know they are pregnant especially if they have been trying to get pregnant. The partner of the woman may also notice that they aren't themselves and that they are acting differently than they usually do. Two weeks into the pregnancy, you should be able to take a pregnancy test and have a positive test result.  

Not all women may know or understand the changes they are experiencing. Some will know when they miss their first menstrual cycle, however some may not know until they see the baby bump. There have even been instances of women not knowing they were pregnant until they are in labor and giving birth. 

There have been instances of those lucky few who sleep during their labor and only wake until the last stages of labor arrive. This however is not the normal progression of things and only happens in a few instances. 

You may experience cravings which are not normal or experience an aversion to foods or to smells that you don't usually experience. To walk into your favorite restaurant only to be overwhelmed by an odor that makes you nauseous is not something you wish to experience but it can happen. Your favorite foods may not taste right or they may make you feel ill. You may have some bloating and have more headaches than normal. 

Moodiness may also be one of the things you or those close to you may notice. These symptoms may also be joined by an increased number of trips to the ladies room. The uterus swelling in response to pregnancy hormones may cause slight pressure on the bladder which would account for the increased number of trips to the bathroom. 

The uterus will straighten up and lift off of the bladder in a month or so until the later months of pregnancy when the child will be against the bladder and may cause some leaking when you cough, laugh or sneeze. The trips to the bathroom will also increase again as the child moves or presses on the bladder. 

A feeling of nausea, or morning sickness can be evident from the first days of pregnancy. Morning sickness, contrary to the name, is not limited to the morning but may occur anytime during the day or be present all day. Some of the things that may help to calm the nausea are:

Move slowly when you first get up. Avoid sudden movement until your stomach has settled and nibble on crackers or bread before you get out of bed. 

Sip ginger ale, iced water, cold soda water or popsicles when you feel nauseous but sip, don't gulp. 

Take a walk in the fresh air or open a window, a breath of fresh air may help to settle your stomach.

Try eating small, frequent meals which may be easier on the stomach. 

Make sure you eat fresh vegetables and fruits with plenty of fiber; constipation is a common complaint in many pregnant women and the increased fiber will help move things along.

Don't eat heavily seasoned, spicy, or fried food. This will ease the work your digestive system has to do while you are nauseous. Avoid substances which will be hard to digest which may make the nausea worse. You will soon learn what foods or substances make you nauseous which will allow you to avoid them.  

That plate of french fries may look good but think how they will make you feel after you have eaten them. Many women also have heart burn during pregnancy even if they have never had it before. The pressure you will experience when the child grows will cause some esophageal reflux or heartburn. If you experience it often enough or you cannot find a food which will help it, contact your physician for advice.  

Make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water a day to help hydrate yourself and your child, and to lubricate your digestive system. Due to the hormones of pregnancy, your digestive system will slow a bit which may result in constipation. Prevention is always easier than treatment in this case and will make you feel much more comfortable. 

If you continue to be nauseous or cannot keep fluids or foods down, don't hesitate to contact your obstetrician's office. Remember, now is the time to abstain from unhealthy habits such as smoking, junk food and alcohol. 

All could affect the health of your baby so now is the time to get healthy for both of you. What you eat or are exposed to will also have an impact on your child, so be careful. Have a happy, healthy pregnancy.

YOUR REACTION?