Planning a Baby  Discussion Forum

Hi Archie and Others,
Just want to know what are the first symptoms of pregnancy and when do they actually appear.(Before a missed period or after that).
Also , HCG test , can it be taken on any date , irrespective of the cycle.

Please reply asap. This is a bit urgent.

Thanks much Swati replied. Thanks Archie...actually from laste few days ...have been feeling dizzy and tired. Have been puking quite often and slight cramps in lower abdomen. It can be something else too...but just in case...so i thought i should ask you.
Well ...my cycle is due tomorrow ie 19th. It have been a 28 days cycle ...quite regular ...most of the times. Though it does prepones when i increase phycial activity ...like excercising. Hope thats normal.


So let me wait till tomorrow or may be 2-3 more days..then I wud take the test.
Thanks a ton.

archie replied. Swati,
regardless of urgency the length and regularity of cycle is very important factor to judge pregnancy before meeting Dr. or looking in to any pregnancy symptoms.
Yes, if you used method to detect ovulation and has a history of irregular cycle then one would take into account that predicted ovulation.

hCG starts to produce only after implantation, thats 3-7 days post ovulation.
the amount of hCG must reach to a detectable level inorder to order a blood test for urgent case or home pregnancy test, this automatically comes around expected due period date, which again bring down to cycle length and regularity.

There are a few symptoms one could look for but they could be misleading as the luteal phase (post ovulation) is controlled by hormone that's also happens to be a major pregnancy hormone and can give rise to symptoms raising hopes but no pregnancy.

feeling dizzy or giddy,
feeling to urinate more frequent than regular
veination on breasts and hands
breast enlargment and their tenderness
vaginal discharge
feeling like period is on it's way but not getting it
breathlessness or conjusted breasts
some even experience hot flashes
feeling nausea and at time throwing what you ate on regular basis.
and of course the main is missing your period.

no one symptom alone allows to predict pregnancy and has to be combination of many if not all and still chances of pregnancy are only 50%.

archie