Pregnancy establishes when a male’s sperm fertilizes a female’s ovum (egg) enabling the fertilized ovum to attach in the lining of the uterus. Usual hormone patterns of a woman are modified with the pregnancy, one of the first signs of pregnancy is a missed menstrual period. Other pregnancy symptoms include following:
· Breast tenderness and swelling,
· Fatigue,
· Nausea or
· Sensitivity to smells,
· Increased frequency of urination,
· Mood swings,
· Weight gain.
Some other symptoms inlcude cravings for unusual substances like:
· Ice
· Clay
· Cornstarch
This condition is called pica and indicates that the pregnant woman have dietary deficiency or iron or other nutrients. By the 12th week of pregnancy, not all of them, but some of these symptoms are diminished and some other symptoms may appear. For example, size of a woman’s breasts is enlarged with darkened nipples. The most noticeable symptom is increased weight. Most doctors suggest that there should be a gain of about 9 to 12 kg (about 22 to 26 lb) by the end of pregnancy.
