The generally accepted pregnancy period is nine months. But experts clarify that overall, pregnancy lasts for ten months. An individual should already count pregnancy from the first day of the last menstrual cycle, which means that the count adds two weeks at the beginning of the pregnancy. Therefore, full-term pregnancy takes a total of 40 weeks or 280 days.
Although pregnancy is an exciting event for many women, most have to undergo many physical changes and inconveniences because the timing and symptoms of pregnancy vary from woman to woman. Some women notice early signs of pregnancy seven to fourteen days after conception. Others will only begin to feel symptoms one month or more after conception.
Surprisingly, some women do not have any symptoms until late into their pregnancy. According to a study, about 59 percent of women feel the early signs of pregnancy in the fifth or sixth week. Some women (72 percent) feel the symptoms by the end of the sixth week, but 89 percent experience the onset by the eighth week.
Know the journey to motherhood by learning to identify the early signs of pregnancy right here.
Missed Period
For women, the most prominent early sign of pregnancy is a missed period, although, according to experts, a missed or delayed period does not mean a woman is pregnant. After conception occurs, the female body produces hormones stopping the ovulation and shedding of the uterus lining. Thus, the menstrual cycle stops.
Aside from the missed period, women will be experiencing a variety of symptoms. Therefore, healthcare providers recommend that women visit their doctors at the first signs of pregnancy to determine if they are indeed pregnant and receive prescriptions to ease the symptoms. For example, if there is bleeding in the first weeks, the person should know if the bleeding is normal or an emergency. Further, female individuals must see a doctor if they miss their period when their menstrual cycle is irregular.
A missed period could be due to weight loss or weight gain. Some women miss their period after discontinuing birth control pills, performing excessive exercises, or suffering from stress, fatigue, and hormonal problems. A woman should schedule the first prenatal visit to an OB/GYN within eight weeks of gestation.
