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.

Headaches

Headaches Headaches occur for a variety of reasons whether or not you are pregnant. If you get a recurrent headaches, run through the following checklist to see if it is possible to identify a cause:

Braxton hicks

Braxton Hicks
Even as early as 8 weeks into your pregnancy the u...

Placenta Praevia

Placenta Praevia
Sometimes the position of the placenta is close to...

Oedema

Oedema
Some degree of swelling in your ankles and feet is...

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This is a description of the mucus discharge that ...

Nuchal scan

Nuchal scan
This is a high-definition ulstrasound scan that can identify the risk factor for Down's Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. It has an accuracy rate of around 85 per cent at 11 weeks' gestation.

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.