A missed or delayed period is usually the most common sign of pregnancy. However, a pregnant woman may still undergo spotting or bleeding at the time of the first missed period during pregnancy. In most cases this is at 6 to 12 days after conception. This is referred to as implantation bleeding and it is not as heavy as menstrual bleeding nor does it last for long. This type of bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg implants itself into the lining of the uterus. Besides a missed period, there are some other pregnancy symptoms as well. Also, a delayed or skipped period does not necessarily mean that the woman is pregnant.
This can also occur due to physical or emotional factors. At the time of the 1st missed period during pregnancy, certain other symptoms may be experienced. There may be a drop in body temperature which is usually apparent on the day implantation takes place.
Lower abdominal cramps are also common during implantation. Some amount of bleeding is also common. This spotting or bleeding may be in the form of brown or pink spots. A common symptom of early pregnancy is morning sickness or nausea. Pregnancy symptoms before missed period include tiredness, lethargy and fatigue. Frequent urination is also a common symptom of early pregnancy. There may be an urge to empty the bladder almost every 2 to 3 hours. Pregnant women often experience food cravings. This may occur during the first month. Due to hormonal changes taking place in the body, mood swings are common. Another early symptom that occurs before a missed period during pregnancy is breast and nipple tenderness. The breasts may enlarge and the areola may also darken. These symptoms may occur in some women and may be absent in others. The symptoms may also occur before a missed period or during normal menstruation. Some women may experience such symptoms during their normal period and hence may take no notice of them when pregnancy actually occurs. A second missed period during pregnancy is often the time when the surety of the pregnancy actually sets in and so it can be a very time for the proud parents.
A pregnancy test helps to confirm pregnancy by detecting the presence of the hCG hormone in the circulatory system and urine of the woman. Home pregnancy tests are able to detect the hormone on the first day of the missed period itself. However, in some cases the hCG levels may not be very high and hence the test may produce negative results. If this happens, it is advisable to conduct the test again after 72 hours.
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