1. No Periods
2. Breast Tingling
3. Fatigue
4. Nausea
5. Passing Urine Frequently
6. Positive Pregnancy Test

Clue 1 – No Periods

It seems obvious, but it’s a crucial point – when you are pregnant, your periods stop. That rich lining of the uterus is needed to nourish the embryo until it has made the placenta, so your body hangs onto it once conception gas occurred.

Of course it isn’t that simple. Many women have irregular periods, and it can take them several weeks or evens months to work out that they are overdue. Others find that they have a light spotting at the time when their period would have been due for the first month or two, which can be mistaken for a period.

Clue 2 – Breast Tingling

This often starts as the feeling of fullness that is normal just before a period, but it persists and develops. Your nipples may feel tingly, your breasts are becoming bigger and tender, and generally feel “alive”. Now is the time to invest in a good, supporting bra – or two!

Clue 3 – Fatigue

It is common to feel weary in the first weeks of pregnancy. It becomes a real effort to do anything, and staying awake in the evenings is an endurance test. If at all possible, don’t resist the urge to lie down. Your body is preparing for a series of major changes, and it deserves as much rest as you can manage.

Clue 4 – Nausea

You have no doubt heard of morning sickness. The bad news is that for the majority of women, it isn’t confined to the mornings. However, it usually goes away by the 16th week of pregnancy. A sudden wave of nausea when your blood sugar drops is quite common, and can be combated by having a drink and biscuit beside your bed, ready to consume a few minutes before you get up, and by eating little and often throughout the day. Some women find that sea sickness wrist bands very helpful in preventing nausea.

Clue 5 – Passing Urine Frequently

You may not be getting up at night yet, but you will certainly need to go to the toilet more frequently during the day. This is all part of your body getting ready to clear out all the waste products from the baby and yourself that are in your blood. At the same time, you are likely to be more constipated than usual. The best solution to both problems is to drink more water or juice, as well as making sure there is plenty of fibre in your diet.

Clue 6 – Positive Pregnancy Test

Home pregnancy tests are now so sensitive that they can usually detect the hormones of early pregnancy at the time your period was due. However, they are not perfect, so if you have all the other symptoms but a negative test, it is worth repeating the test in a week or so to be sure. The tests that your doctor or pharmacist can arrange are no more accurate than the ones you can buy yourself from the chemist, and you may have to wait longer for the results

Calculating when your baby is due

1. Take the first day of your last period, eg 10th June
2. Add one week – 17th June
3. Subtract 3 months – 17th March
4. This is your due date. This will be checked by measuring the baby at your first ultrasound scan which very accurately shows how old your baby is.

Recommended Websites

Blooming Marvellous

The Blooming Marvellous store offers everything you may need during and after your pregnancy. Stylish yet functional maternity clothes, baby clothing, nursery equipment and much much more!

Mothercare

Mothercare provide a full range of products including maternity, nursery furniture, pushchairs, car seats, baby clothes, toys, gifts.

Early Learning Centre

ELC stock a great range of toys and games for babies and children of all ages that make learning fun, stimulate imagination and encourage development.