5 Common Pregnancy Concerns During the First Trimester

After posting on Internet pregnancy message boards for two pregnancies, I have noticed that there are quite a few questions that seem to come up on an almost daily basis. It is understandable that pregnant women have many of the same concerns. Here are the most commonly asked questions during the first trimester of pregnancy and the answers to those questions.

"Could I be pregnant?" - It is common to over analyze every possible symptom once you suspect that you could possibly be pregnant. The only way to answer this question is to simply take a test. Home pregnancy tests are readily available and priced reasonably. Many tests can even detect a pregnancy before a missed period. Be sure to check the instructions on your test and follow them carefully in order to get the most accurate result.

"Could I have gotten a false positive/negative test result?" - Most pregnancy tests are extremely reliable if taken correctly. There is a chance of a false negative due to low levels of hCG, the hormone used to detect pregnancy. If you get a negative test result but still suspect that you may be pregnant, it is a good idea to wait a few days and then retest. The chance of a false positive is very small because the hCG hormone detected by the test only shows up during pregnancy. Some tests use more dye than others and so the results may be faint, but any positive result can usually be considered conclusive.

"I am bleeding. Could I be miscarrying?" - Miscarriage is a very real concern during pregnancy, however bleeding is not necessarily a sign of a miscarriage. According to WebMD, "Up to 25% of pregnant women experience spotting to heavier vaginal bleeding. Of these women, about 50% do not miscarry" Bleeding in the first few weeks of pregnancy can be due to implantation bleeding, which is a natural byproduct for some women of the fertilization process. Some bleeding is also common after engaging in sexual intercourse during pregnancy. Any bleeding should be immediately reported to your doctor or midwife, but unless the bleeding is severe and accompanied by pain, there is usually not cause for immediate concern.