Pregnancy: Pregnancy occurs when an egg is fertilized by a sperm, grows inside a woman's uterus (womb) and develops into a baby. In humans this process takes about 264 days, but the obstetrician will date pregnancy from the last menstrual period or 280 days (40 weeks).
Early Signs of Pregnancy: For women who have a regular monthly menstrual cycle, the earliest and most reliable sign of pregnancy is a missed period. Women who are pregnant sometimes have a very light period, losing only a little blood.
Some other early pregnancy signs and symptoms:
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You may feel sick and nauseous, and/or vomit. This is commonly known as morning sickness, but it can happen at any time of the day or night.
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It's common to feel tired, or even exhausted, during pregnancy, especially during the first 12 weeks or so. Hormonal changes taking place in your body at this time can make you feel tired, nauseous, emotional and upset.
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Your breasts may become larger and feel tender, just as they might do before your period. They may also tingle. The veins may be more visible, and the nipples may darken and stand out.
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You may feel the need to pee (urinate) more often than usual, including during the night.
Other signs of pregnancy that you may notice are constipation and an increased vaginal discharge without any soreness or irritation.
During early pregnancy, you may find that your senses are heightened and that some foods or drinks you previously enjoyed become repellent. You might notice:
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a strange taste in your mouth, which many women describe as metallic
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that you crave new foods
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that you lose interest in certain foods or drinks that you previously enjoyed – such as tea, coffee or fatty food
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that you lose interest in tobacco
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that you have a more sensitive sense of smell than usual – for example, to the smell of food or cooking
A healthy diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle at any time, but is especially vital if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Eating healthily during pregnancy will help your baby to develop and grow, and will keep you fit and well.
The Foods Standards Agency FSA recommends drinking no more than around four cups of herbal or green tea a day during pregnancy, and to seek advice from your doctor or midwife if you are unsure about which herbal products are safe to consume.