what are pregnancy symptoms ?

Nausea and vomiting : 

Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting is a normal part of pregnancy, but there are steps you can take to feel better.

If you are pregnant and have nausea and vomiting, you’re not alone. Over half of all pregnant women suffer from this common ailment, sometimes called ‘NVP’.

The symptoms can be very unpleasant and can interfere with your daily routine. The good news is that nausea and vomiting isn’t usually harmful to you or your unborn child.

And, there are many ways of easing your nausea and vomiting. Your doctor, nurse or midwife can help you find the right solution for a comfortable and healthy pregnancy.

Helpful tips to control nausea and vomiting:

What you eat, and when

• In the morning, eat a few crackers and rest for 15 minutes before getting up.
• Get up slowly and do not lie down right after eating.
• Eat small meals or snacks often so your stomach does not become empty (for example, every two hours). Try not to skip meals.
• Eat what you feel like and eat when you are hungry, though you may want to avoid cooking or eating spicy, fatty or fried foods because of the smell.
• If cooking smells bother you, open windows and turn on the stove fan. If possible, ask someone else to cook. Eat cold food instead of hot, as it may not smell as strongly.
• Sniffing lemons or ginger can sometimes help an upset stomach.
• Eating salty potato chips can help settle the stomach enough to eat a meal.

Tips to get enough fluids

• Sip small amounts of fluid often during the day.
• Avoid drinking fluids during, just before or immediately after a meal.

Food ideas to help relieve nausea

• Salty: Chips, pretzels
• Tart/sweet: Pickles, lemonade
• Earthy: Brown rice, mushroom soup, peanut butter
• Crunchy: Celery sticks, apple slices, nuts
• Bland: Mashed potatoes, gelatin, broth
• Soft: Bread, noodles
• Sweet: Cake, sugary cereals
• Fruity: Watermelon, fruity popsicles
• Liquid: Juice, seltzer, sparkling water, ginger ale
• Dry: Crackers

Getting enough rest

• Get plenty of rest, and try napping during the day; nausea tends to worsen when you are tired. Many women find they need more sleep in the first three months of pregnancy.
• You may need to take some time off work or make other arrangements for household chores and childcare.
• Get help and support from friends and family.

Lifestyle strategies

• Get plenty of fresh air and avoid warm places as feeling hot can add to nausea.
• Try acupressure wrist bands.
• Acupuncture can help some women. Speak to your health-care professional first and look for an experienced and licensed acupuncturist.
• Try ginger, an alternative remedy thought to settle the stomach. Doses of up to
• 250 mg four times a day appear to be safe.
• If multivitamins make your nausea worse, try taking your prenatal vitamins with food or just before bed. There are also pills that are smaller or have lower iron content. If you can’t take any multivitamin, take a folic acid pill (0.4 to 1.0 mg) alone until you feel better.

sore breasts(breast pain) :

Many women have breast tenderness and pain, also called mastalgia. It may come and go with monthly periods (cyclic) or may not follow any pattern (noncyclic) .

Here, we look at the treatments for cyclical and non-cyclical breast pain

Cyclical 

Evening primrose oil: It is thought that women who suffer from cyclical breast pain have low levels of gamolenic acid (GLA) - fatty acids found in our bodies which affects the way our bodies respond to its own hormones causing greater breast sensitivity. 

Three quarters of women who suffer from cyclical breast pain find boosting levels of gamolenic acid helps ease symptoms. The best treatment is evening primrose oil which contains the active ingredient GLA. However, evening primrose oil bought from the chemist is unlikely to contain enough GLA to work effectively. 

Doctors usually prescribe between 240-320mg a day throughout the cycle - which can take up to three months before feeling the full benefit.

Pain killers: Some women gain relief by taking simple painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen but they are generally only of value in milder cases. Antibiotics, diuretics (water tablets) and vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) are not effective for breast pain.

Danazol: If you are still in pain after four months, you might consider stronger hormone tablet treatments which are prescribed by your GP. Danazol works by counteracting your own hormones. The once daily dosage can be adjusted to relieve symptoms, however higher doses carry the risk of possible side-effects such as weight gain, nausea, greasy skin and deepening of the voice. Pregnancy should be avoided during treatment as this treatment could damage the foetus. Danazol should not be combined with the Pill, so to avoid pregnancy during treatment, use other methods of contraception.

Bromocriptine: This hormone tablet is taken once or twice daily. Possible side-effects include dizziness, nausea or constipation. Pregnancy should be avoided during treatment as treatment could damage the foetus. Bromocriptine should not be combined with the Pill, so use barrier methods.

Treatment with hormones is generally continued for six months and many women will need no further treatment. Using a pain chart - where you log your pain on a daily basis - also helps you and your doctor to determine how well the treatment is working.

Non-cyclical 

Ibuprofen: Non-cyclical breast pain caused by inflammation of the joint between the top rib and breastbone - a condition called Tietze's syndrome - can make the breast bone feel sore and tender. Dr Eleanor Clarke, adviser to breast care campaign recommends ibuprofen - a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ideal for muscular pain relief.

Ibuprofen acts by reducing any inflammation or irritation that surrounds a wound, thus speeding up the healing process.

If symptoms persist, a one-off steroidal injection using a local anaesthetic can help reduce more severe pain.

Antibiotics: Non-cyclical pain can also be caused by breastfeeding. Nursing mothers often report tender hot spots - or abscesses - when feeding, This is when milk ducts in the breasts become blocked. Doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics - and in more severe cases - will drain the abscess under general anaesthetic.

Examination
If you are referred to a breast clinic for either non-cyclical or cyclical pain, you may have a mammogram (a breast x-ray) or ultrasound (an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves for medical examination).

A specialist may then insert a needle and draw fluid or cells from the lump to assess whether it is a cyst or abscess. If the lump remains solid, breast tissue will be sent for examination. If you are over 30, the lump may be removed and examined. This is a small operation and there is little scarring to the breast.

When to see a doctor
Most of the time breast pain is nothing to worry about - and is unlikely to lead to cancer. But visit your doctor to reassure yourself if you have any of the following symptoms 

• If you notice a lump that feels different in texture to the rest of your breast.

• If the pain is severe and interfering with your way of life.

• Some women have breasts that feel like a bunch of grapes - which is normal for them. However, if you notice new lumps - or a change, seek medical advice.

• If pain in one breast persists through a menstrual cycle.

How to prevent breast pain
• Make a habit of examining your breasts. Stand in front of the mirror and raise your arms above your head. Notice any new difference in size or shape between the breasts, any wrinlking of the skin or alteration of the nipple. Slight changes are easier to see if you stand with the light coming from the side.

Lie down, with your fingers flat, feel over the whole surface of both your breasts and armpits for anything which is different from last time (some women find it easier to do this in the bath using a soapy hand).

• Make sure your bra fits properly. Both cyclical and non-cyclical pain can be caused by badly fitting bras. If necessary, visit a bra specialist where you can be properly measured.

• There is some evidence that suggests reducing caffeine can help eliminate symptoms. One study found that cutting caffeine reduced pain and helped smooth out lumpy breasts.

• Other studies show eating plenty of fruit and vegetables can help ease breast pain. Antioxidants absorbed by our body when we eat certain foods helps us to fight off free radicals - highly-reactive molecules that may lead to premature ageing and disease.

 mood swings :

Thrilled, terrified or just downright freaked out? There’s no doubt that as soon as you see that positive pregnancy test, your whole world changes.

Your hormone levels are surging, as the amount of oestrogen and progesterone in your blood increases. These increased hormone levels can affect your mood, making you feel tearful or easily irritated. 
Much of your moodiness, though, may simply be due to the fact that pregnancy is a time of tremendous change. You may be overjoyed at the thought of having a baby one minute, then just as quickly wonder what you've got yourself into. 

remedies for mood swings?

Although much of your moodiness will be hormonally driven and out of your control, there are ways that you can help yourself. 

Ask for help. It's understandable that you want to get everything done before your baby arrives. But don't feel you have to decorate the nursery, clean out every cupboard and shop for every piece of baby equipment single-handed. If things are getting on top of you, lean on your partner, friends and family. 

Get plenty of rest. Take naps when you can. If you're working and feeling very tired and stressed, think about having a holiday. You might want to consider taking your maternity leave earlier than you'd planned, so that you have time to recharge your batteries before your baby is born. 

Make time for fun 

Go and see a feel-good movie, catch up with friends over coffee, sit in your garden or the park if the weather's good. Anything, basically, that will help you to take your mind off pregnancy niggles for a while. Take time out to pamper yourself at home. 

Talk it out 

One of the best antidotes to feeling down is to talk to someone. Friends and family are sure to lend a sympathetic ear. Or chat to your GP or midwife. You may find support by posting in our community, where you can share your feelings with other mums-to-be. 

Take some exercise 

Exercise is a well-known mood-lifter. Next time you feel irritated or anxious, go for a swim or take a walk in the fresh air. Or try a class designed to soothe your mind as well as exercise your body, such as pregnancy yoga. 

Bond with your partner 

It's likely that your partner's bearing the brunt of your mood swings. Letting him know you still love and cherish him may help him to take your outbursts less personally. In your calmer moments, try to spend some quality together. It will help to strengthen your bond before your baby arrives. 

Stop feeling guilty 

Pregnancy is a life-changing event. You're bound to feel overwhelmed, irritable and anxious at times, even if you've wanted a baby for years. So give yourself a break!

desire of  strawberries :

Wanting to eat fruit, fruit and more fruit is the most common craving pregnant women have. There are different ideas and opinions about what causes cravings and what cravings actually mean, though as of 2011 the scientific evidence is sparse. Doctors and other health professionals generally agree that it’s safe to indulge fruit cravings in moderation – and even to redirect cravings for other sweet foods to fruit, because it’s high in nutrition and relatively low in calories.

To conclude ,the pregnancy symptoms are varied and sometimes very personal!