Are you pregnant? You could start showing symptoms quite soon, with the first month being a reliable indicator of conception.

The last few days have brought slight changes in your body. You feel unable to eat at times, your mood changes frequently, and your body feels and looks fuller. Could you be pregnant?

The first month of pregnancy care – start with knowing the symptoms

The first month of pregnancy care involves recognising the symptoms of pregnancy, and then drawing up an action plan to be at your healthiest and most relaxed during the ensuing months. A combination of the right diet, exercise, prenatal vitamins and low stress will ensure a worry-free pregnancy.

So how do you know if you are pregnant? The following are the most common symptoms:

* A missed period. The first giveaway of a pregnancy is a missed period. Most women know when their next period is expected – if you are late and if you have had unprotected sex, then it could be because you are in the first month of pregnancy. You’ve missed your period because the sperm from your partner has fertilised your egg. But if you used protection and have still missed your period, then you must take a blood test, pap smearor sonography to ascertain if another issue exists.

* Bloated abdomen. Another symptom in the first month of pregnancy is a bloated middle. You will look and feel fuller around your abdomen. Most women mistake this symptom as a sign of an impending period, when they experience more water retention that leads to bloating. However, the bloating is slight and occurs while the fertilised egg attaches itself to the uterine wall. The levels of the progesterone hormone rise during this time, relaxing the uterine and abdominal muscles and causing a mild build-up of gas – this causes bloating. You might also experience flatulence and nausea once pregnancy occurs.

* Tender breasts. Rising levels of progesterone also cause a slight inflammation in the tissues of the body. Apart from a bloated midsection, you will also experience tender and swollen breasts after you become pregnant. This symptom never really goes away; in fact, it is intensified in the third trimester, when your breasts start producing milk.

* Frequent urination. As the fertilised egg attaches itself to the uterine wall, the body responds by producing more blood to help the foetus grow. In response to the increased blood flow, your kidneys start producing more urine. This symptom is seen in the first month of pregnancy, and it increases in frequency as the foetus grows in size.

* Mood swings. Your hormones are completely out of whack in the first trimester, starting with the first month of pregnancy. A rise in progesterone (which happens also before your period) can lead to frequent changes in your mood and temperament. If you find yourself on edge, tearful, or losing your temper at the slightest provocation, then you should get a pregnancy test pronto.

Keywords: first month of pregnancy, first month of pregnancy care