symptoms of early pregnancy
Last reviewed 08/2022
The symptoms of early pregnancy are manifold:
- amenorrhoea:
- as the corpus luteum in the ovary maintains the endometrium with progesterone, there is an absence of normal cyclical hormonal variation
- this results in a missed period, and the patient may not present until two or more periods have been missed
- urinary symptoms: there can be an increased frequency of micturition, especially at night.
- nausea and vomiting:
- very common, quick in onset and especially frequent in first pregnancies
- may begin after two weeks of gestation
- commonly lasts until twelve to fourteen weeks
- breast symptoms:
- initially there is a tingling or irritation of the nipples and areola
- at 6-12 weeks breasts begin to enlarge