An early sign of pregnancy, during the first trimester, are swollen or sore breasts. This can begin as early as a week after conception, often before a woman ever misses her period. The breasts might become larger, tender, and ache when they are touched. But what causes this tenderness?

A woman’s breasts are made up of fat, tissue, blood, and milk glands and their sole purpose is for breastfeeding. It is just a coincidence that the men seem to like women’s breasts as much as the babies do.

When a woman gets pregnant her breasts immediately start preparing to feed that baby nine months down the road. Extra blood begins to run through them and the milk glands grow, causing the swelling and pain that a woman might feel. A woman’s breasts will continue to grow throughout pregnancy, although the tenderness should fade after the first trimester. It is normal for a woman’s breasts to be 2-3 cup sizes bigger by the time her baby comes and she begins nursing.

Swollen and sore breasts do not necessarily mean that a woman is pregnant. Many women experience some swelling and tenderness in their breasts every month right before their period comes, or even at ovulation. Sore breasts can also be caused by a hormonal imbalance or starting, stopping, or changing birth control pills midway through a cycle. When in doubt, be sure to call your doctor.

Pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy, however one of the most significant pregnancy symptoms is a delayed or missed menstrual cycle. Understanding pregnancy symptoms is important because each symptom may be related to something other than pregnancy. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms within a week of conception. For other women, symptoms may develop over a few weeks or may not be present at all. Below is a listing of some of the most common pregnancy symptoms.

Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding is the earliest pregnancy symptom. About eight days after conception the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting as well as some cramping. Other Explanations: Actual menstruation, altered menstruation, changes in birth control pill, infection, or abrasion from intercourse.

Delay/Difference in Menstruation

A delayed or missed menstruation is the most common pregnancy symptom leading a woman to test for pregnancy. When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed. Many women do bleed while they are pregnant, but typically the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period. Other Explanations: Excessive weight gain/loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, ceasing to take the birth control pill, or breast-feeding.

Swollen / Tender Breasts

Swollen or tender breasts is a pregnancy symptom which may begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Women may notice changes in their breasts such as tender to the touch, sore, or swollen. Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance, birth control pills, impending menstruation (PMS) can also cause your breasts to be swollen or tender.

Fatigue/Tiredness

Feeling fatigued or more tired is a pregnancy symptom which can also start as early as the first week after conception.Other Explanations: Stress, exhaustion, depression, common cold or flu, or other illnesses can also leave you feeling tired or fatigued.

Nausea/Morning Sickness

This well-known pregnancy symptom will often show up between 2-8 weeks after conception. Some women are fortunate to not deal with morning sickness at all while others will feel nauseous through most of their pregnancy. Other Explanations: Food poisoning, stress, or other stomach disorders can also cause you to feel queasy.

Backaches

Lower backaches may be a symptom that occurs early in pregnancy, however it is common to experience a dull backache throughout an entire pregnancy. Other Explanations: Impending menstruation, stress, other back problems, and physical or mental strains.

Headaches

The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in pregnancy. Other Explanations: Dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, impending menstruation, eye strain, or other ailments can be the source of frequent or chronic headaches.

Frequent Urination

Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may find yourself making a few extra trips to the bathroom. Other Explanations: Urinary tract infection, diabetes, increasing liquid intake, or taking excessive diuretics.

Darkening of Areolas

If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get darker. Other Explanations: Hormonal imbalance unrelated to pregnancy or may be a leftover effect from a previous pregnancy.

Food Cravings

While you may not have a strong desire to eat pickles and ice cream, many women will feel cravings for certain foods when they are pregnant. This can last throughout your entire pregnancy. Other Explanations: Poor diet, lacking a certain nutrient, stress, depression, or impending menstruation.

If you think you are pregnant you may purchase a home pregnancy test such as those made by Clearblue Easy, or you may contact the Association for a local pregnancy testing center that provides free or low-cost pregnancy tests.

If you are pregnant, when are you due? Find out with Babies Online’s FUN Due Date Calculator and Birthday Fun Facts

Source:
Early Pregnancy Symptoms, from American Pregnancy Association. Article Reprinted by permission.

For further information, call the American Pregnancy Association helpline at 800-672-2296 to speak with a Reproductive Educator. © 2000-04 American Pregnancy Association. All Rights Reserved.

As a new mother I’m sure that I do not need to be the one to tell you that there is no wrong moment to take a picture of your bright shiny beacon of joy, even when he or she isn’t all that joyous. However, there are times that are simply too special and too intimate to pass up as far as tempting photo opportunities go. The problem is that all too many of us feel that every photo opportunity needs to be staged. The truth of the matter is that unplanned tender moments often create the sweetest baby pictures you will ever have the pleasure of taking.

With this in mind, be sure that you keep your camera in a convenient location and that whenever it is not being used it is in that location. This will mean that you won’t lose those special moments while searching for your camera. Believe me I have lost plenty of great “Kodak” moments searching for the camera (this is especially true if older siblings and children are involved in those perfect picture moments that are so very rare). While I am by no means advocating total structure and rigidity in your life, the camera is a special tool that you will want convenient throughout most of your little one’s childhood.

When it comes to baby photos, there is absolutely nothing wrong with point and shoot photography. You can get the beautiful pictures you desire without having so many bells and whistles on your camera that you have difficulties figuring out which button actually snaps the shot. Believe me, I’ve been there when it comes to cameras and the simplest cameras in the hands of the untrained provide far superior results than a fully loaded camera with countless bells and whistles if you don’t know how to properly use them. Find a camera that you are confident of your abilities to use and let that be your camera. Beyond that my only real recommendation is digital if you can afford the investment as they provide you with the most options for sharing photos and not paying for the photos you aren’t happy with. Even more than that however, I’m an instant gratification kind of girl after waiting 9 months to see my baby’s beautiful face I don’t want to wait one hour let alone a few days for processing. Most of the digital cameras of today offer you the option of viewing your shot immediately.

Sneak attacks work best when attempting to capture those tender moments. Camera shy adults will shy away, turn away, or grimace and camera hogs will send out their cheesiest grins and poses. Sneak attacks allow for a more natural setting and a much more beautiful, unstaged baby photo that will look great in your baby photo album.

All in all, the most important things when it comes to capturing those tender baby moments in pictures is to take the photo of baby and whomever else may be included without either being aware, with a camera that you are comfortable with and can place your hands on before the moment is lost. There will be many moments that are special throughout your baby’s life so don’t despair of the moment passes before it is captured on film or disc. Just remember to keep a vigilant eye out for opportunities and seize them when they appear.