Small signs of pregnancy

Signs of pregnancy in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy are manifested by early symptoms such as amenorrhea, nausea, vomiting and irritability of the bladder. The mammary glands enlarge, the nipples expand (darken by the 12th week). The Montgomery glands (glands of the areola) become more convex. The vascularization of the vulva increases, and the cervix softens and looks bluish (cyanotic), which occurs by the 4th week of pregnancy. By the 6th to 10th week, the lower part of the uterus softens, at the same time the fundus of the uterus acquires a spherical shape (Hegar's sign). The basal temperature increases (more than 37.8 °C).

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Common Signs of Pregnancy

Headaches, palpitations, fainting are common signs of pregnancy, they occur much more often than in everyday life, which is due to a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance. Management tactics in such cases: increasing fluid intake and taking a shower. Increased frequency of urination is associated with pressure of the fetal head on the bladder in later stages of pregnancy. In such cases, it is necessary to exclude a urinary tract infection.

Vomiting and nausea are the most common signs of pregnancy, occurring in 50% of pregnant women. It appears at week 4 and worsens between weeks 5-10, disappearing by week 14. Most pregnant women are helped by a regimen of frequent, small, fractional meals. The need to use medications, such as Cyclizine 50 mg every 8 hours, orally, rarely occurs.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is rare (1:1000). Clinical manifestations: inability to swallow food or liquids, weight loss of 2-5 kg. If severe, hyperemesis gravidarum can lead to dehydration, hypovolemia, electrolyte imbalance with hyponatremic shock, vitamin deficiency (deficiency of B vitamins can be complicated by polyneuritis), liver and kidney failure. Treatment: hospitalization is indicated. To facilitate regulation of extracellular fluid volume by intravenous infusions, a vein is punctured or a permanent venous catheter is installed. Fluid loss with vomit is recorded. Urinary tract infection is excluded. Ultrasound examination excludes twins or hydatidiform mole. Intravenous antiemetics may be required (eg, metoclopramide, 10 mg every 8 hours). In most cases, the pathological condition regresses.

Abdominal pain is a sign of pregnancy, but in the early stages it may be a harbinger of miscarriage, and in later stages it is caused by abnormalities of the uterus (rupture, degeneration of fibromyomatous nodes), ovaries, appendicitis, which is more difficult to recognize during pregnancy, or a urinary tract infection. Contraction of the round ligament of the uterus may be accompanied by mild pain in the left iliac fossa.

It is also important to know such signs of pregnancy as constipation or difficulty in emptying the bowels, which are caused by a decrease in the peristaltic activity of the gastrointestinal tract. To prevent constipation, you need to drink an adequate amount of fluid and enrich your diet with fiber. Laxatives that stimulate the contractile activity of smooth muscles should be avoided, since in some women they can increase the contractility of the uterus. An increased tendency to stretching of the veins and plethora of veins in the pelvic basin predispose to the development of hemorrhoids (in case of prolapse of hemorrhoids, a woman should lie down with her head down and apply ice packs to the nodes) and varicose veins. In such cases, a woman can be advised to ensure an elevated position of the limbs during rest and wear elastic stockings.

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Rare Signs of Pregnancy

Reflux esophagitis, heartburn and lower chest pain are the signs of pregnancy that occur when the pyloric sphincter relaxes, causing bile to reflux into the stomach. You should stop smoking and eating spices, eat small meals and take antacids.

In the third trimester, back pain is often associated with relaxation of the ligaments and muscles of the pelvis and, as a rule, worsens at night. In such cases, it is recommended that a woman sleep on a hard mattress, wear low-heeled shoes and keep her back straight when standing.

Carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy is caused by fluid retention. Wearing a splint on the wrist area before labor begins solves this problem.

Itchy rash can be caused by physiological reasons (it is advisable to conduct functional liver tests) or dermatosis of pregnant women with intense itchy rash on the abdomen and extremities. If these signs of pregnancy appear, emollients are prescribed that relieve itching, and after delivery the rash disappears completely.

Swelling of the ankles and shins (occurring in 33% of pregnant women) is usually of no clinical significance, but if these signs of pregnancy occur, blood pressure should be measured and urine should be tested for protein content. The patient's legs should be examined to rule out deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. Swelling often decreases with rest. The woman should also be advised to elevate her lower extremities while resting.

Cramps and spasms of the limbs bother 33% of women in the second half of pregnancy and reach a significant degree of severity in 5% of cases, often worsening at night. Elevating the legs - 20 cm above the horizontal - alleviates this discomfort.