Facts about pregnancy and pregnancy tests
Stopping birth control and getting pregnant are major decisions in a woman's life, and it's important that you educate yourself on what to expect during pregnancy. This will help you distinguish natural changes in your body from potentially troubling symptoms, which will make the entire pregnancy a smoother, less worrisome process and allow you to enjoy the many rewards of this special time in your life.
During pregnancy, your body goes through a series of natural changes which help you nourish and care for your growing baby. Each trimester comes with specific pregnancy symptoms that you should learn about with the help of your doctor.
Getting a Pregnancy Test
The first step is to confirm your pregnancy. If you're sexually active, not using birth control and you've missed your period, you should get a pregnancy test.
Pregnancy tests look for the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) hormone, which is released by a woman's body when she has conceived a child. There are two ways you can test for HCG: through a blood test administered in your doctor's office, or by using a home pregnancy test that checks your urine for the presence of HCG. Blood tests have superior accuracy, but home pregnancy tests are more convenient and private.
Pregnancy Symptoms by Trimester
A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, and there are specific symptoms you can expect to encounter from week to week. However, it's also useful to know what to expect, generally speaking, from each of the three trimesters that make up this 40-week period:
- First trimester. Your first trimester is defined as the initial 12-week period of your pregnancy. During this time, your menstrual cycle stops and your body undergoes many hormonal changes. First-trimester symptoms include fatigue, tender and swollen breasts, distended nipples, mood swings, morning sickness, constipation, increased frequency of urination, weight gain, food cravings and headaches.
- Second trimester. From about the 13th to the 28th week of your pregnancy, your nausea and fatigue will subside, and your abdomen will expand. You may also start to feel the fetus move and kick during the second trimester. Physical symptoms include back, groin, stomach or thigh pain (caused by the expansion of your abdomen), stretch marks, darkening of the skin, itching, and swelling of the ankles, fingers and face. If you experience extreme swelling or rapid weight gain, call your doctor right away as this may be a sign of a pregnancy complication.
- Third trimester. Your pregnancy's third trimester runs from about the 29th week until the baby is born. As the fetus continues to grow and expand, your womb puts more pressure on the surrounding organs, which may cause even more frequent trips to the bathroom. You may also notice shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, hemorrhoids, heartburn and muscle contractions.
During your pregnancy, you should get several ultrasounds, including a 3D ultrasound, to make sure the baby is developing normally. Many health insurance plans cover this procedure, entitling you to a specified number of free ultrasounds over the course of your pregnancy.