Early pregnancy symptoms will vary from one woman to another woman. Initial signal is the missed period. A missed period is considered the first and important indication of pregnancy. If a woman who has been regular in her periods does not menstruate for a period of two months, it can be taken as certain that she has become pregnant.

The breasts of a woman undergo considerable changes in shape and size during her early pregnancy.

The blood vessels of the uterus dilate to increase the supply of nutrients to the fetus. The blood supply to the brain of the mother therefore decreases to some extent. This may sometimes cause dizziness or fainting.

Nausea and vomiting, especially in the morning, may occur from the second or third week of pregnancy, and may continue for some six or twelve weeks. This is generally attributed to hormonal changes.

During the first three months, the development of the uterus exerts pressure on the urinary bladder, causing the frequency of urination to increase; later on, this trouble spontaneously subsides, though it recurs later when the baby descends to the lower parts of the abdomen in the final stages of pregnancy.

The load on the heart increases with the progress of pregnancy. If the weight of the pregnant woman increases unduly, the load on the heart will be correspondingly greater. During pregnancy, the heart beats with a force ten times greater than normal. Some women experience in burning sensation in the chest. This is the result of decrease in the lower oesophagal sphincter tone, hyperacidity and gas in the stomach. The gas tends to exert pressure on the intestines, the diaphragm and the chest.

The shift in the hormonal balance causes certain changes in the color of the skin. These changes are more apparent in women whose skin is darker. The skin of the area from the breasts to the lower abdomen, the thighs, the areas surrounding the nipples and the genitals acquire a darker tint, which often does not revert to normal even after delivery.

A feeling of tiredness is very common in women during the first trimester of pregnancy, though in the subsequent months it tends to decrease. Pregnant women therefore should not over exert themselves, and should take adequate rest when the feeling of tiredness is experienced.

Often during early pregnancy a woman experiences mental tension and depression. She may be aroused to anger easily, and may burst into tears at even minor inconveniences. All this is normal and should cause no concern. The best way to counter these tendencies is for her to associate with people who can lighten her moods, friends who can entertain her with light hearted banter and pleasantries. In addition, it would be advisable to keep in touch with experienced persons who can give proper guidance about minor problems arising during such periods.

Usually constipation troubles a pregnant woman, in part because she tends to take rather excessive amounts of medicines containing iron. The changing proportions of hormones also make the intestines rather lax, and the developing fetus also presses upon the intestines.

Indigestion and gas in the stomach are other common complaints during pregnancy. It is therefore advisable to avoid foods which may produce gas.

Some women are greatly troubled by piles during pregnancy. Considerable pain is caused by the formation of clots of blood in the veins of the rectum. The condition is particularly pronounced in the advanced stages of pregnancy. These are the effects of constipation, which is in turn caused by progesterone.

Thus, in addition to the above symptoms and sufferings many others may arise in particular cases, as for instance headaches, pain in the abdomen, legs, joints, etc., feeling of numbness in certain limbs, bleeding from the nose, changes in visual acuity, etc.