Our immune system comprises of a set of cells and how they possess the capability to cope up with antigens or any other Cold & Flu1harmful infection causing agents. The immune system is the body’s main defense organ and plays quite an important role in maintaining a healthy body and preventing the possibility of any infection. These are the most frequently occurring diseases worldwide. United States alone stands apart from the rest of the world with more than 1 billion people suffering from cold alone.
Normally 1-200 viruses compromise the formation of a cold & flu virus, these diseases is generally a self limiting illness. If someone possesses a weak immune system then he is at a greater risk of contracting a cold & flu virus. Generally there are many remedies which term effective in the curing of the virus which include herbal and homeopathic treatments.
Here are some of the herbal treatments for the prevention of cold & flu:-
Echinacea:- Echinacea is a medicine which helps boost the overall immune system tendency of our body to fight against allergies, cold and minor respiratory tract infections. Hence it is an effective remedy for cold as well.
Green tea:- it has an essential ingredient which contains antioxidants and as we all know that antioxidants help in boosting the immune system levels. It also contains other substances which stabilize the immune system by improving the quality of the white blood cells and increasing the number of T-Lymphocytes in the body.
Goldenseal:- Goldenseal contains essential nutrients which not only enhance the power of the immune system but also help fight the body against cold and flu. It shortens the period to which cold and flu would actually exist. This remedy is used by Americans for over 10 decades as it is an herbal combination of all the related respiratory issues.
Astragalus:- like goldenseal being popular among the Native Americans and particularly the west Astragalus is quite famous among the Asia due to its large use for over 1000 years. These herb posses all the carriers to stimulate the production of interferon in the body, which is a potent protein and acts as an immune regulator to fight against diseases and infections by boosting up your ability.
Peppermint:- Peppermint can be regarded as a decongestant and expectorant. It is quite influential for asthma patients as it offers some sort of relief for mild attacks of asthma by decreasing bronchial constriction. It promotes sweating thereby prompting body temperature during fever.
Normally 1-200 viruses compromise the formation of a cold & flu virus, these diseases is generally a self limiting illness. If someone possesses a weak immune system then he is at a greater risk of contracting a cold & flu virus. Generally there are many remedies which term effective in the curing of the virus which include herbal and homeopathic treatments.
Here are some of the herbal treatments for the prevention of cold & flu:-
Echinacea:- Echinacea is a medicine which helps boost the overall immune system tendency of our body to fight against allergies, cold and minor respiratory tract infections. Hence it is an effective remedy for cold as well.
Green tea:- it has an essential ingredient which contains antioxidants and as we all know that antioxidants help in boosting the immune system levels. It also contains other substances which stabilize the immune system by improving the quality of the white blood cells and increasing the number of T-Lymphocytes in the body.
Goldenseal:- Goldenseal contains essential nutrients which not only enhance the power of the immune system but also help fight the body against cold and flu. It shortens the period to which cold and flu would actually exist. This remedy is used by Americans for over 10 decades as it is an herbal combination of all the related respiratory issues.
Astragalus:- like goldenseal being popular among the Native Americans and particularly the west Astragalus is quite famous among the Asia due to its large use for over 1000 years. These herb posses all the carriers to stimulate the production of interferon in the body, which is a potent protein and acts as an immune regulator to fight against diseases and infections by boosting up your ability.
Peppermint:- Peppermint can be regarded as a decongestant and expectorant. It is quite influential for asthma patients as it offers some sort of relief for mild attacks of asthma by decreasing bronchial constriction. It promotes sweating thereby prompting body temperature during fever.
With more and more people being conscious these days on how they look, staying slim and fit are one of the most required and dGet That Perfect Abs by Swimmingesired aspects of people’s life. We all know that swimming can help us to do wonders with our body. It not only benefits one with physical fitness but also provides mental fitness. But with the trend all that we care about is how to get that perfect figure that you always dreamt of, how to get those perfect abs that give you all the stares that you wanted. Swimming can give you all of these.
2. By keeping your head out of water and trying to bring your knees to your chest. Even this helps in working out the abdominal muscles. As under water, the resistance is greater than that in the air, the extent of workout increases manifolds and so does its effect. Thus working out inside water can give you that better abs in a time less than working out on land.
3. By performing simple floatation exercises by lifting one leg at a time to the front, back and side. This helps in working out a major group of the muscles of the abdomen and as in this case we are moving against the water, a large number of calories are burnt. Thus this way, one can manage to get that perfect figure by loosing those extra calories while swimming.
It is generally suggested to maintain a routine and follow it as much as one can, but it is also suggested to progress at ones own pace. Swimming is not only an exercise but is also a recreation from the daily boring life. It is the best way to have fun and also enjoy health benefits from the same. This is why many people prefer swimming than the general land based exercises. By just learning a few strokes, one can manage to specify the effect of swimming to any particular area of the body. Like by using the above mentioned strokes, one can specifically workout the abs.
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Just a few steps that one needs to follow to get that perfect abs:-
1. By holding onto one side of the swimming pool and flexing at the hips to get them nearer to your chest, your flex the abdominal muscles. This activity helps working out the abdominal muscles and makes them stronger.2. By keeping your head out of water and trying to bring your knees to your chest. Even this helps in working out the abdominal muscles. As under water, the resistance is greater than that in the air, the extent of workout increases manifolds and so does its effect. Thus working out inside water can give you that better abs in a time less than working out on land.
3. By performing simple floatation exercises by lifting one leg at a time to the front, back and side. This helps in working out a major group of the muscles of the abdomen and as in this case we are moving against the water, a large number of calories are burnt. Thus this way, one can manage to get that perfect figure by loosing those extra calories while swimming.
It is generally suggested to maintain a routine and follow it as much as one can, but it is also suggested to progress at ones own pace. Swimming is not only an exercise but is also a recreation from the daily boring life. It is the best way to have fun and also enjoy health benefits from the same. This is why many people prefer swimming than the general land based exercises. By just learning a few strokes, one can manage to specify the effect of swimming to any particular area of the body. Like by using the above mentioned strokes, one can specifically workout the abs.
What Is NuvaRing
NuvaRing is a contraceptive option for female who wants to prevent pregnancy for certain period of time. The structure of this pill is similar to a small and flexible ring whose size is like silver dollar. The NuvaRing comprises of certain female hormones similar to other birth control pills.
This NuvaRing is inserted into vagina manually and is kept in vagina itself for 3 weeks so that low amount of hormones is secreted to avoid pregnancy. NuvaRing is removed from vagina for a time of one week during menstrual cycle. This NuvaRing is very effective in avoiding pregnancy when it is properly used. A woman using NuvaRing may experience following side effects: swelling in breast, unexplained weight gain resulting in obesity, severe headache and feeling of nausea.
Women who have diseases like blood clot, stroke and heart disease should avoid the use of NuvaRing. Also women who smoke more than 35 cigarettes a day, woman suffering from breast cancer should avoid the use of NuvaRing. Less bleeding during period, risk of developing ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer reduces, decrease in pain during menstrual cycle are some of the advantages associated with NuvaRing. Only one NuvaRing should be inserted and it should be
Can the birth control pill fail
In today’s world there are various birth control options available in the market including men’s birth control pills. Oral contraceptives, lotions, men and women condoms and jellies can be used; but none gives 100% guarantee. Each has their own side effects and failures. There are various reasons for the failure of the birth control pills. It is difficult o jolt all of them at one place. Some of the very basic may include:
Illness or supplementary medications: the effectiveness of the birth control pills may decrease due to the supplements consumed during illness. The contact between the supplements and birth control pills can sometimes cause the changes in hormone level in the blood and unplanned pregnancy.
Changing the birth control methods: it is very important to consult a right person or if needed a consultant before selecting any birth control method. This might unnecessary cause you any side effects. Constantly changing your birth control method may lead to unintentional pregnancy. You should be aware that if you are unable to take the pill for more than seven days after the last active birth control pill, you should use a back up contraception for the first seven days of consuming the new birth control pills.
Chance of vasectomy failure
Vasectomy, though very reliable does carry with it a risk of failure, however small. There occurs one failure for every two thousand vasectomies. Most failures occur during the first few weeks of vasectomy while its safety is not yet confirmed. Therefore it becomes imperative to ensure that your vasectomy is safe. This is done by testing the ejaculate for any sperms in it.
If sperms are found in the testing samples even after three months of surgery, another surgery has to be considered. One must wait for at least 30 to 40 ejaculations before proceeding with unprotected intercourse. Failure may also occur after years following the surgery. These are very rare. Pregnancy might happen after such a long period of time because sometimes recanalization occurs.
Recanalization means the joining together of the two separated ends of the vas deferens. It might happen due to the relative positioning of the two ends inside the scrotum. Recanalization may also happen immediately after the operation due to the combination of white blood cells, sperm granuloma and scar tissue, thereby creating a new channel between the two separate ends which then become connected. Only regular checkups, say once in a year, can ensure complete safety from failures.
Birth control with no hormones
There are several Birth control options that do not contain hormones. The reason for opting birth control without hormones can be due to its side effects. Some of the options that help in achieving the same results as with hormones are as follows:
Barrier methods: this option includes condoms for both males and females or cervical caps and diaphragms. They help in preventing pregnancy by stopping the sperm from entering into the cervix. The possibility that this method might fail is 10-15 percent.
Rhythm: in this method, abstinence is practiced when the fertile time is high in females. The woman’s ovulation cycle is planned and sex is performed accordingly. The chances of this option to not work are 20%.
Withdrawal: this works by taking the penis back from the vagina before he ejaculates sperms. In this way, the sperms are prevented from entering the cervix.
Sterilization: either the male or the female undergoes surgery wherein vas deferens of men is cut or fallopian tube of female is cut. After undergoing this surgery, there is no chance of getting pregnant. It is one of the most effective birth control options without hormones.
Spermicide: this is not very effective method as the failure rate is 20-50%. It comes in the form of cream, gel, suppository or foam that kills the sperm when it enters the vagina.
Barrier method for birth control
Barrier methods of birth control are almost as old as the human race is and involves implanting a barrier into the vagina in order to block sperm from entering the uterus. The diaphragm, the cervical cap and the contraceptive sponge are three barrier methods used in the present day and age.
These three barrier methods are most effective when used along with a good spermicide (jelly, cream or foam). No matter which of these three barrier methods are opted for, the barrier should be inserted before having intercourse and should be allowed to remain inside the vagina for six hours after intercourse. It is recommended to get the diaphragm and cervical cap inserted and set in place by a doctor
Female and male condoms are other popular barrier methods of contraception, but these do not need to be left on after intercourse. Barrier methods of contraception are not recommended for women who have just had an abortion or given birth. Apart from this, women who have had recent cervical surgery, frequent urinary tract infections (UTI) and women with weak vaginal muscles should avoid the barrier method. There are also the risks of infection and allergy to the components of the barrier used.
Desogen birth control pills
Desogen birth control pills contain desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. Its brand names include Apri, Cesia, Desogen, Kariva, Ortho-Cept, Reclipsen, Solia and Velivet. This pill has both estrogen and progestin. The pill works primarily by blocking ovulation. It also causes certain changes in the cervical mucus so that sperm cannot reach the egg. The medication also makes the uterine lining less receptive to the embryo so that implantation cannot occur. Desogen comes in a pack of 28 pills with 21 active hormonal pills and 7 sugar pills. The active pills contain 0.15 mg of desogestrel and 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol. You will have to take the pill at the same time daily. You may start your period while you are on the last seven pills. When the pack of pills is over, you will have to start the new pack.
There are some side effects like nausea and headache which are associated with desogen. These pills should not be taken by people who have a history of heart problems blot clots, high blood pressure, migraine, abnormal bleeding, breast lumps, and breastfeeding mothers. Take desogen only in the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Overdosing can cause symptoms like heavy bleeding, nausea and vomiting. If you miss a pill or overdose, contact your doctor immediately.
Can breastfeeding help in birth control?
Yes! It's true; breastfeeding can help in birth control. For first few months after the delivery, the mother feed her child with breast milk which acts as a natural form of birth control or complete natural contraception. It is the time given by the nature to have some time of gap between babies. The method of birth control through breastfeeding is known as Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM). The doctor says that it is a dependable way of stopping your fertility to take care of your baby completely. Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) works in such a way that while you breast feeding your baby, a hormone is produced in large amount by your body, the hormone is called as prolactin. This hormone induces the production of milk in you to feed your baby.
At the same this hormone also acts as a fertility suppressant which blocks the release of the hormones responsible for ovulation in your body. Os it is clear that the production of prolactin hormone stops your menstrual cycle temporally which in turn suspend the production of ovum and acts as a birth control at that stage. The more you feed your baby and the more smartly your infant suckles decides the duration of Lactational Amenorrhea Method of birth control.
Birth control with herbal ingredients
Herbs as birth control are very effective which can be used by both the men and women. The herbs has the ability to weaken the fertility in various ways such as affecting fertility in the uterus or blocking the ovaries, by stopping certain hormone production and even sometimes interfering in the production of sperm or by affecting nidation process. Herbs as birth control come in varieties of doses like daily dosage and whenever needed. First before taking any birth control method just learn about the menstrual cycle. Usually in women, periods occur 14 days after ovulation; calculate when your body will be fertile, so that you can choose the herb and their dosage depending on it.
Some of the herb used for birth control
* Neem oil is very effective herb in controlling pregnancy in women. Neem oil is used orally on a daily basis in men and in women it is introduced virginally.
* Wild carrot seeds, it is used only when needed and it must be taken within 7 to 8 hours of sperm exposure. This leads to vaginal dryness. It is advised that not to use this herb for birth control if you are a new mom or if you stopped taking other contraceptive pills very recently.
* Rutin tablets or vitamin P and wild yam are also used for birth control
Is birth control patch effective?
There are several birth control options available in the market and each is effective in their own way. Birth control patch is one of the effective options available in the market. It is very important to take a doctor’s advice before its use. If used in the correct way it can be 99 percent effective. Birth control patch is a small patch which looks like an adhesive bandage. It can be applied on abdomen, upper torso, upper arm, or buttocks. It should be used under the expert’s guidance for its best results. The misuse of the birth control patch can lead into pregnancy. Out of 100 females only five to seven can get pregnant while on the patch. The warnings and the instructions should be read and followed carefully to avoid any side effects and pregnancy.
There are basic rules which need to be followed during the use of birth control patch. The effectiveness of the patch can also change due to several natural conditions. The use of patch along with the other antibiotics can interfere in the effective of the patch. It won’t work well with the females weighting more than 89 kg. Use of makeup and lotion should be avoided to last it long on the skin to increase its effectiveness.
FC Female Condom - Quantity - 10 Pack
FC Female Condom - Quantity - 10 Pack What is emergency contraception?
This procedure of contraception is used for preventing pregnancy after having unprotected sexual intercourse. This can be used if regular birth control method fails or if you forget to use your regular form of birth control. Emergency contraceptive pills are also called morning after pills or the day after pill. These pills can be consumed somewhere in between immediately after sex and 5 days after the intercourse.
These pills contain a high dose of progestin only or a combination of progestin and estrogen. The first dose of the pill should be taken within 120 hours of intercourse and the second dose can be taken 12 hours after the first. Some brands require you to take a single pill within 72 hrs of the intercourse.
The timing and dosage varies from brand to brand and depends on the hormones used and their dose. Emergency contraceptives work by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg, thickness the cervical mucus so that fertilization does not occur and prevents implantation in case fertilization does occur. A woman may have her period a few days after using the emergency contraceptive. After this, she can resume using her regular birth control measure. The copper t intrauterine device can also be used as birth control. It works by preventing fertilization and implantation.
What is a Female Condom?
A plastic pouch that is inserted into the vagina before having sex. It prevents pregnancy and also helps aid in the reduction of STD’s. This is one of the few birth control methods that does help in the prevention of STD’s. The open end of the long plastic tube has a flexible tube that stays outside of the vagina. The closed end, also with a flexible tube stays inside the vagina. The condom is inserted just before intercourse. This condom can also be used in the same way in this anus.
The condom covers the vagina from the sperm. When a man ejaculates it catches the sperm, therefore not only reduces the risks of becoming pregnant but also aids in prevention of STD’s. Five out of every 100 women get pregnant when using a condom correctly. To further make the risk even more minimal use a spermicide with it. Any woman who uses tampons can use a female condom. They are safe to use and are also will help prevent you from getting a STD. It can be safely used in the vagina and the anus.
How effective is Seasonale?
Seasonale as a contraceptive medication is gaining popularity worldwide. Use of Seasonale offers you dual advantages. It safeguards you against unwanted pregnancy. Along with, it also frees you from monthly periods.
Estrogen and progesterone content of Seasonale help in altering cervical mucus and linings of uterus. As a result, uterus loses its receptive power for embryo temporarily. Uterus linings also can not initiate early signs of monthly period due to consumption Seasonale. But Seasonale is not effective for all women. It creates several physical and mental side effects. It can elevate your cholesterol and blood pressure level. Hence, women having history of heart disease, diabetes and obesity should not consider Seasonale. Age over 35; excessive smoking and Seasonale are a deadly combination.
Proper consultation with a gynecologist is also required to get the maximum benefit from consumption of Seasonale. There are several drugs which affect the effectiveness of Seasonale adversely. They are antibiotics, seizure medications and Barbiturates. Women using these drugs for other medical complications do not witness effectiveness of Seasonale properly. People having history of cardio vascular diseases are also vulnerable towards negative effects of Seasonale. Hence, before starting this birth control medication make a complete health checkup and consult your doctor.
Are there any drug interactions with taking Seasonique?
Yes, there are drug interactions with taking Seasonique. Seasonique (levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol) has the chances of interaction with several other medications. According to the available studies, nearly 430 medicines are said to interact with Seasonique. Out of that, 10 are major drug interactions, 282 are moderate ones and 138 are minor ones. Some such Seasonique drug interactions are mentioned hereunder:
Use of antibiotics like amoxicillin reduces the effectiveness of Seasonique. Even the medicines used for seizures can react with Seasonique. These medicines are Carbamazepine, Felbamate, Lamotrigine, Oxcarbazepine Phenytoin, and Topiramate. Barbiturates medicines such as Amobarbital, Secobarbital, and Phenobarbital are also studied to react with Seasonique. Cyclosporine, Modafinil and Protease inhibitors also have drug interactions with Seasonique. According to the studies, very serious interactions are found when this medication is used along with aromatase inhibitors, sodium tetradecyl sulfate etc. If you are taking any antifungal medications or you are the patient of hypothyroidism and having the medications for the same, it is very important to inform your doctor.
It is therefore important to inform your doctor about the current medications, whether prescription or non-prescription that you are taking, before starting Seasonique. Certain drugs can reduce the effectiveness of this birth control pill and in such a case, the birth control may fail. And certain drug interactions can cause health complications.
Could you be pregnant? Most likely you won't notice any symptoms until about the time you've missed a period — or a week or two later.
If you're not keeping track of your menstrual cycle or if it varies widely from one month to the next, you may not be sure when to expect your period. But if you start to experience some of the symptoms below — not all women get them all — and you haven't had a period for a while, you may very well be pregnant. Take a home pregnancy test to find out for sure!
10. Tender, swollen breasts
One of the early signs of pregnancy is sensitive, sore breasts caused by increasing levels of hormones. The soreness may feel like an exaggerated version of how your breasts feel before your period. Your discomfort should diminish significantly after the first trimester, as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes.
9. Fatigue
Feeling tired all of a sudden? No, make that exhausted. No one knows for sure what causes early pregnancy fatigue, but it's possible that rapidly increasing levels of the hormone progesterone are contributing to your sleepiness.
You should start to feel more energetic once you hit your second trimester, although fatigue usually returns late in pregnancy when you're carrying around a lot more weight and some of the common discomforts of pregnancy make it more difficult to get a good night's sleep.
8. Implantation bleeding
Some women have a small amount of vaginal bleeding around 11 or 12 days after conception (close to the time you might notice a missed period). The bleeding may be caused by the fertilized egg burrowing into the blood-rich lining of your uterus — a process that starts just six days after fertilization — but no one knows for sure.
The bleeding is very light (appearing as red spotting or pink or reddish-brown staining) and lasts only a day or two. (Let your practitioner know if you notice any bleeding or spotting, particularly if it's accompanied by pain, since this can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.)
7. Nausea or vomiting
If you're like most women, morning sickness won't hit until about a month after conception. (A lucky few escape it altogether.) But some women do start to feel queasy a bit earlier. And not just in the morning, either — pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting can be a problem morning, noon, or night.
About half of women with nausea feel complete relief by the beginning of the second trimester. For most others it takes another month or so for the queasiness to ease up.
Next: Six more signs you might be pregnant
6. Increased sensitivity to odors
If you're newly pregnant, it's not uncommon to feel repelled by the smell of a bologna sandwich or cup of coffee and for certain aromas to trigger your gag reflex. Though no one knows for sure, this may be a side effect of rapidly increasing amounts of estrogen in your system. You may also find that certain foods you used to enjoy are suddenly completely repulsive to you.
5. Abdominal bloating
Hormonal changes in early pregnancy may leave you feeling bloated, similar to the feeling some women have just before their period arrives. That's why your clothes may feel snugger than usual at the waistline, even early on when your uterus is still quite small.
4. Frequent urination
Shortly after you become pregnant, you may find yourself hurrying to the bathroom all the time. Why? Mostly because during pregnancy the amount of blood and other fluids in your body increases, which leads to extra fluid being processed by your kidneys and ending up in your bladder.
This symptom may start as early as six weeks into your first trimester and continue or worsen as your pregnancy progresses and your growing baby exerts more pressure on your bladder.
3. A missed period
If you're usually pretty regular and your period doesn't arrive on time, you'll probably take a pregnancy test long before you notice any of the above symptoms. But if you're not regular or you're not keeping track of your cycle, nausea and breast tenderness and extra trips to the bathroom may signal pregnancy before you realize you didn't get your period.
2. Your basal body temperature stays high
If you've been charting your basal body temperature and you see that your temperature has stayed elevated for 18 days in a row, you're probably pregnant.
And finally...
1. The proof: A positive home pregnancy test
In spite of what you might read on the box, many home pregnancy tests are not sensitive enough to detect most pregnancies until about a week after a missed period. So if you decide to take one earlier than that and get a negative result, try again in a few days.
If you're not keeping track of your menstrual cycle or if it varies widely from one month to the next, you may not be sure when to expect your period. But if you start to experience some of the symptoms below — not all women get them all — and you haven't had a period for a while, you may very well be pregnant. Take a home pregnancy test to find out for sure!
10. Tender, swollen breasts
One of the early signs of pregnancy is sensitive, sore breasts caused by increasing levels of hormones. The soreness may feel like an exaggerated version of how your breasts feel before your period. Your discomfort should diminish significantly after the first trimester, as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes.
9. Fatigue
Feeling tired all of a sudden? No, make that exhausted. No one knows for sure what causes early pregnancy fatigue, but it's possible that rapidly increasing levels of the hormone progesterone are contributing to your sleepiness.
You should start to feel more energetic once you hit your second trimester, although fatigue usually returns late in pregnancy when you're carrying around a lot more weight and some of the common discomforts of pregnancy make it more difficult to get a good night's sleep.
8. Implantation bleeding
Some women have a small amount of vaginal bleeding around 11 or 12 days after conception (close to the time you might notice a missed period). The bleeding may be caused by the fertilized egg burrowing into the blood-rich lining of your uterus — a process that starts just six days after fertilization — but no one knows for sure.
The bleeding is very light (appearing as red spotting or pink or reddish-brown staining) and lasts only a day or two. (Let your practitioner know if you notice any bleeding or spotting, particularly if it's accompanied by pain, since this can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy.)
7. Nausea or vomiting
If you're like most women, morning sickness won't hit until about a month after conception. (A lucky few escape it altogether.) But some women do start to feel queasy a bit earlier. And not just in the morning, either — pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting can be a problem morning, noon, or night.
About half of women with nausea feel complete relief by the beginning of the second trimester. For most others it takes another month or so for the queasiness to ease up.
Next: Six more signs you might be pregnant
6. Increased sensitivity to odors
If you're newly pregnant, it's not uncommon to feel repelled by the smell of a bologna sandwich or cup of coffee and for certain aromas to trigger your gag reflex. Though no one knows for sure, this may be a side effect of rapidly increasing amounts of estrogen in your system. You may also find that certain foods you used to enjoy are suddenly completely repulsive to you.
5. Abdominal bloating
Hormonal changes in early pregnancy may leave you feeling bloated, similar to the feeling some women have just before their period arrives. That's why your clothes may feel snugger than usual at the waistline, even early on when your uterus is still quite small.
4. Frequent urination
Shortly after you become pregnant, you may find yourself hurrying to the bathroom all the time. Why? Mostly because during pregnancy the amount of blood and other fluids in your body increases, which leads to extra fluid being processed by your kidneys and ending up in your bladder.
This symptom may start as early as six weeks into your first trimester and continue or worsen as your pregnancy progresses and your growing baby exerts more pressure on your bladder.
3. A missed period
If you're usually pretty regular and your period doesn't arrive on time, you'll probably take a pregnancy test long before you notice any of the above symptoms. But if you're not regular or you're not keeping track of your cycle, nausea and breast tenderness and extra trips to the bathroom may signal pregnancy before you realize you didn't get your period.
2. Your basal body temperature stays high
If you've been charting your basal body temperature and you see that your temperature has stayed elevated for 18 days in a row, you're probably pregnant.
And finally...
1. The proof: A positive home pregnancy test
In spite of what you might read on the box, many home pregnancy tests are not sensitive enough to detect most pregnancies until about a week after a missed period. So if you decide to take one earlier than that and get a negative result, try again in a few days.
