Early pregnancy
Early pregnancy is considered a pregnancy of under 16 weeks gestation.
It is important you take a pregnancy test to confirm you are pregnant. If you have a regular monthly menstrual cycle, a missed period is often the first sign you could be pregnant. This may not be obvious if you do not have regular menstrual bleeds. More information is here.
Your body has a lot of work to do during pregnancy and goes through many changes. Sometimes these changes can cause irritation or discomfort, and at times you may feel worried by some of the symptoms. Although these symptoms can be difficult to cope with, they are usually nothing to worry about, but you should always mention anything that’s worrying you to your midwife or doctor.
Learn more about common pregnancy problems: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/common-health-problems/
What pregnancy symptoms are normal?
Bleeding during pregnancy is relatively common and doesn't always mean there's a problem – but it can be a sign of complications. Call your midwife or General Practitioner (GP) immediately if you have any bleeding from your vagina. If the bleeding is heavy, please go to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department (link to directions). For more information about bleeding in pregnancy check out the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/vaginal-bleeding/
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, often known as morning sickness, is very common in early pregnancy. It can affect you at any time of the day or night or you may feel sick all day long. Being sick and feeling nauseous is unpleasant and can significantly affect your day-to-day life. It usually stops by weeks 16 to 20 of your pregnancy and does not put your baby at any increased risk.
There is a chance of developing a severe form of pregnancy sickness called hyperemesis gravidarum. This can be serious, and there's a chance you may not get enough fluids in your body (dehydration) or not get enough nutrients from your diet (malnourishment). You may need specialist treatment, sometimes in hospital. For more information about symptoms to look out for and treatments check out the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/vomiting-and-morning-sickness/
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