The Tell-Tale Signs

When I was trying for my first child, I got a bit obsessed... after all, I had finally started trying to fulfil my life's ambition of becoming a mother. Well, each month I 'felt different' and thought I had this symptom and that symptom and might be pregnant. And each month I felt utterly disappointed as I took the test and it was negative.

Don't feel sorry for me, it only took 5 months, I know I have nothing to complain about there.

But I did spend a lot of time researching pregnancy symptoms on the internet. Some seemed a little misleading as they were the same symptoms I experience every month when a period is pending, but some were really helpful and I did kind of know when I was being a little to wishful.

Last week, however, before I did the test (and as much of a shock as it was to actually SEE the fact there in front of me), I did know I was pregnant. I just knew. I guess I recognised feelings from the first time. So here's my top list of symptoms, which may hopefully help others in the future.

1. My breasts were noticeably larger. Now I know many people get this every month, but I haven't tended to recently (maybe a bi-product of having breast-fed number 1 child? Still worth it though).

2. And my nipples were really rather sensitive (have I gone to far? Was using the N word 'crossing the line'? If I blog you through my birth, expect MUCH MUCH worse). The spray from the shower was where I particularly noticed it and I had to angle myself just right to avoid it. Ouch.

3. My period was late. Well d'uh. Obviously. I normally have a pretty regular 4-weekly cycle, but the month before, it had been 6 weeks. So I waited 6 weeks and one day before doing the test. But like I said, in my gut, I already knew.

4. I kept weeing. Now, I drink a lot of water on an average day and therefore go to the loo a lot. But this was excessive even for me. I just constantly needed a wee.

5. And I was oh so tired. I did have a couple of late nights which I talked myself into believing might be the cause. But it would just hit me in the middle of the day. I didn't have the energy to get on and do things (also not particularly unusual for me) but knew I felt way more tired than usual.

6. Don't forget, morning sickness doesn't only happen in the morning. The day I did my test, I spent the afternoon on the computer working. And I felt slightly sick ALL afternoon. I didn't really get morning sickness first time round and hope that what I've had so far is going to be it. No more. But there was definitely no good explanation for feeling a bit delicate in the stomach, other than impending motherhood.

7. There were two mornings where I woke up with a nasty pain in one of my hips. I sleep on my side normally and I definitely recognised this pain from pregnancy number 1. If I hadn't experience it before, I think it would have passed me by. But it's the only time I've ever had a problem sleeping on my side (and of course in the later stages, you shouldn't sleep on your back as it can cut off baby's blood supply, so you have to put up with it) and it was undoubtedly the same pain. I guess the relaxin hormone has got to work already then!

I don't remember where I did my research first time round, but last week I had a little peek at the Top 10 Signs of Pregnancy article on www.babycentre.co.uk - an invaluable tool for all expectant parents and parents of young children. I trust this website like no other.

I'm off now to contemplate a little longer how I'm going to tell my mum I'm pregnant. I tried to tell her on the phone last night, but the words just didn't come out!