A-Z Pregnancy Symptoms

Did your pregnancy dreams include visions of a neat rounded belly, and little kicks that made your heart flutter? While it's true that pregnancy has its share of wonderful moments and experiences to cherish, it also has a raft of less than fabulous pregnancy symptoms - including many you'd rather not discuss in public and many you'd probably like to forget (which you will, by the way, since forgetfulness is another symptom).

There are pregnancy symptoms you expected (like morning sickness – which also arrives in the evening) and symptoms you almost definitely didn't (like constipation, nosebleeds and bleeding gums). It's probably reassuring to know that you're not alone suffering these ailments - you're actually joining millions of other expectant women who are also wading their way through a different selection of pregnancy complaints. But it also helps to have some tried and true remedies at your (swollen) fingertips that will allow you to navigate around the majority of pregnancy grumbles.

Overdue

Overdue If the average pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, you can be said to be overdue if you exceed this.

Induction

Induction
This is generally taken to mean the initiation of ...

Cervical incompetence

Cervical incompetence
This is the medical term given to a cervix that is...

Quickening

Quickening
This is an old-fashioned but very descriptive term...

Fainting

Fainting
During the first three months of pregnancy the hor...

Constipation

Constipation
Constipation is common in pregnancy because the hormone progesterone relaxes the smooth muscle in the bowels, making them sluggish. Up to 40% of pregnant women become constipated.

Weight gain

Weight gain
Average weight gain during pregnancy is around 10 to 12 kg (22 to 26 lb). You gain around 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) during the first 20 weeks, and then only about 0.5Kg (1lb) per week until your baby is born.