| Early Pregnancy Symptoms
The onset and degree of pregnancy symptoms will vary within women. Many women experience them within days of conception, others take a few weeks before pregnancy symptoms kick in and a lucky few feel no discomfort at all. The early pregnancy symptoms listed on this page generally can be felt once implantation occurs (8 - 10 days from ovulation) and will lessen after the first trimester.
It is frustrating to realize that many pregnancy symptoms are very similar to those that occur right before menstruating. However, combined with high temperatures and a longer luteal phase - they are key indications that you have achieved pregnancy success!
If you have these pregnancy symptoms and you believe that you are pregnant
Stress, illness, changes in diet and other situations can cause the pregnancy symptoms as well. The only way to confirm your pregnancy is to take a pregnancy test and then visit your doctor for confirmation. Home pregnancy tests are very reliable and most can show results as early as 10 to 14 days after fertilization.
Even if you have a postitive pregnancy test and have some or all of these pregnancy symptoms, you will need to visit your health care provider and get a blood test done to get the absolute confirmation of your pregnancy.
If you have these pregnancy symptoms and you believe that you are pregnant, be sure to take care of your health. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. If you are taking prescription or over the counter medication, be sure to check with your doctor to make sure they are safe to take while pregnant. Start taking folic acid to help ensure the health of your unborn child.
Pregnancy eases arthritis
When Denise Swanson developed rheumatoid arthritis nearly three decades ago, it was like a sudden storm of pain, swelling and fatigue. It was excruciating for the then-21-year-old college student just to pick up her backpack. She couldn't even write. Medication eased her pain and stiffness, but not much. "I would move like an old lady," said Swanson, now a 49-year-old special-education teacher. "It was scary." But then a few years later Swanson and her husband, Tom, did something that happened to bring total relief from the devastating disease: They decided to have a baby. All of Swanson's symptoms disappeared about a month after she became pregnant. "With all the things you're supposed to cope with in pregnancy, this was a joy," Swanson said.
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