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PMS or Pregnancy: Symptoms & Differences
As you step into the week before you start your period, you might experience various physical and emotional symptoms. However, some of these symptoms are similar to the symptoms of pregnancy. Let us look at some information that you can bank upon to clarify your concerns about pregnancy symptoms and premenstrual symptoms.
What Is PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome, also known as PMS, refers to various physical and emotional symptoms that women experience one or two weeks before their menstrual period. These symptoms vary from person to person and disappear when the period begins.
PMS Versus Pregnancy Symptoms
Some symptoms of PMS are similar to those of pregnancy. The intensity of PMS varies from woman to woman, and similarly, the symptoms of pregnancy are also person-specific. As is the case with both PMS and pregnancy symptoms, some women may be affected badly, some may experience only mild discomfort, while some may be less impacted overall. Symptoms such as nausea, frequent urination, fatigue, mood swings and headaches are part and parcel of both PMS and pregnancy, which is where the confusion lies - the difference between the two can be quite challenging.
Let us look at symptoms related to PMS and pregnancy and analyse ones that are common to both. Let us also understand how to differentiate if these symptoms indicate PMS or early signs of pregnancy.
Common Symptoms of PMS
Some women experience emotional stress during PMS, while others experience aches and other physical discomforts. Let us look at some common symptoms of PMS:
1. Tender and Swollen Breasts
Some women feel that their breasts become tender or even swell up during PMS. Breast sensitivity or tenderness can vary from woman to woman and can range from mild to severe. The tenderness increases before the period starts and decreases as the period progresses. In most cases, the tenderness disappears after the bleeding stops. In some cases, the tissues of the breasts may feel different and women might experience heaviness coupled with pain and tenderness.
2. Muscle Cramps, Back Pain and Spotting
Many women experience cramps before their periods, which often continue through the periods. Cramps (dysmenorrhea) are intense and last for more than a day. These cramps decrease during the days of the flow, and gradually disappear till the flow stops.
Some women also experience spotting alongside cramps before their period begins. Pain in the lower back is another common symptom that women experience before and during their period.
3. Aversion to Food or Food Cravings
Some women crave for specific food items like chocolates, sweets or savoury items, while other women feel nauseated looking at food and don't feel hungry.
4. Mood Swings
Mood swings are a common PMS symptom. Many women experience a rollercoaster of emotions before they start their period. They tend to cry, feel low, overwhelmed, extremely happy, and generally sensitive.
5. Fatigue
Some women feel extremely exhausted before their periods, even when they have not indulged in any strenuous activity.
6. Pimples or Acne
The effect of hormone fluctuations before periods can have an impact on the skin as well. A majority of women experience acne and pimples, and this is known as premenstrual acne. Premenstrual acne disappears easily, but in some cases, a doctor may prescribe hormonal contraceptives to reduce the occurrence of premenstrual breakouts.
7. Weight Gain and Bloating
The body tends to retain water just before the period begins. This is why some women experience bloating before their period, and they notice minor changes such as clothes feeling tight around the body and the feeling of the stomach bulging out as if they have just had a large meal. Many women also gain weight before their period begins. These symptoms vanish as soon as bleeding begins.
Let us now look at some symptoms of pregnancy.
Common Symptoms of Pregnancy
It is important to note that not all women experience the same symptoms. However, most women will experience at least some of these symptoms, and knowledge of these symptoms will help you figure out if you are pregnant. A better way to confirm pregnancy is by performing relevant pregnancy tests.
1. Breast Sensitivity
Breasts are sensitive, and you may experience tenderness, heaviness or soreness if you are pregnant. Breast sensitivity is one of the first and most common signs of pregnancy. Changes in your breasts can be experienced about two weeks after conception.
2. Sleepiness
You may experience fatigue and exhaustion because of the metabolic changes occurring in your body to support a new life.
3. Nausea and Dizziness
Another common symptom of pregnancy is feeling nauseous, especially in the morning. This is called morning sickness, and it is caused due to the rising levels of progesterone. It is usually accompanied by dizziness.
4. Increase in Basal Body Temperature
If you are pregnant, your basal body temperature will increase. The temperature may rise between 0.5 and 1.5 degrees and will remain high.
5. Mood Fluctuations
Feelings of depression, crying spells and feeling extremely overwhelmed are some symptoms related to moods and pregnancy. The hormonal changes in the body are responsible for these mood swings and sensitivity.
6. Food Cravings and Aversions
Food cravings are common if you are pregnant. Your food cravings may be completely wild or totally normal - you may crave foods like pickles or other savoury items, or food that you have never liked or enjoyed before. These cravings may come and go, or stay during the entire duration of pregnancy. Some women may also have severe aversions to certain foods - even foods they once loved.
7. Darkening of Areola
The oestrogen levels in the body increase during pregnancy, and this increase leads to the expansion of the size of the areola or the nipple. The areola may also darken during this time.
8. Cramps
If you are pregnant, you might experience mild cramps in the lower abdomen area or lower back.
9. Skin Darkening
Some women experience a sudden change in their skin colour. This phenomenon is referred to as melasma, and it most commonly occurs on the chin, the upper lip, the forehead, and cheeks.
10. Frequent Urination
The need to relieve yourself frequently can indicate that you might be pregnant. During pregnancy, the uterus grows and pushes the bladder, leading to frequent urination.
11. Headaches
Sudden headaches might occur due to hormonal changes, which are common during pregnancy.
Symptoms Common to Both PMS and Pregnancy
Now that you have seen some of the symptoms of PMS and pregnancy separately, here are the symptoms of PMS vs pregnancy to help you identify what are you experiencing. Some symptoms that are common to both include:
Food cravings
Breast sensitivity
Mood swings
Exhaustion or fatigue
Cramps
Difference Between Periods and Pregnancy Symptoms
If you have a delayed period, you might wonder if your symptoms are pregnancy-related. A comparison of the signs of periods vs pregnancy would give you a fair idea. Following are the signs that can help you decide whether it is PMS or pregnancy:
1. Breast Pain
Is breast pain a sign of pregnancy or periods? Well, here's the difference:
PMS
Pregnancy
The breasts are usually swollen and tender and are accompanied by some pain. The tenderness, swelling and pain subside when the period starts.
In addition to being sensitive, the breasts get sore; this occurs two weeks post-conception. The pain may last longer.
2. Food Cravings and Food Aversions
Some women crave specific food items during PMS or pregnancy.
PMS
Pregnancy
You might crave sweet or savoury food items. However, you can resist your temptations most times.
Your craving can range from pickles to any other item that is not a part of your usual diet. These cravings cannot be controlled; you will feel satisfied only after eating the food.
3. Feeling Bloated
PMS
Pregnancy
Bloating is natural due to fluid retention, which can give a feeling of fullness. Your weight might increase and then decrease when your period starts.
You may bloat more during pregnancy, especially after eating a meal because of the steadily fluctuating hormones.
4. Cramps
PMS
Pregnancy
During PMS, cramps can be intense, accompanied by back pain.
The cramps can be mild and occur in the lower stomach and the lower back region.
5. Acne or Pimples
PMS
Pregnancy
Acne or pimples appear before the period, and some women take it as an indication that their period is around the corner. However, in many cases, they disappear after the period or when the period starts.
Acne that appears during pregnancy persists for a longer time and can be one of the distinguishing signs between periods and pregnancy. In some cases, skin darkening can also be observed during pregnancy.
6. Mood Swings
PMS
Pregnancy
Mood swings are very common during PMS and they subside when you get your period.
Mood swings last for a longer period and might recur in some women.
7. Fatigue
PMS
Pregnancy
If you feel tired and your periods are around the corner, it could be PMS.
If you feel extremely tired and want to sleep the entire day, it could be a sign of pregnancy.
8. Headaches
PMS
Pregnancy
Headaches occur due to hormonal changes and subside as the period begins.
Changes in the hormonal levels can cause sudden headaches that last for longer periods and can be extremely painful.
9. Feeling Gassy
PMS
Pregnancy
Hormonal surges slow down the gastrointestinal tracts, which can make women gassy. However, they can often control it from letting out.
As you do not have control over your muscles, it becomes difficult to control the gas and you may let it out.
10. Spotting
PMS
Pregnancy
Spotting is rare during PMS and might occur in some cases along with cramps.
Women experience spotting with mild abdominal pain during the first few days after conception.
PMS Versus Pregnancy Symptoms Chart
The following table is a quick reference to help you identify whether you are pregnant or experiencing PMS, based on the symptoms.
Symptoms
PMS
Pregnant
Breast pain
Swollen and tender
Sore
Food cravings or aversions
Cravings can be controlled
Cravings are uncontrollable
Aversions towards some food items
Feeling bloated
Bloating due to fluid retention
Feeling more bloated after eating
Cramps
Intense cramps
Cramps stay for a longer period and occur in the lower abdomen and lower back
Acne or pimples
Disappear soon
Remain for a longer period
Mood swings
Subside soon
Last for days
Fatigue
Tired at times
Extremely tired and sleepy through the day
Headaches
Might be severe but do not last long
Sudden headaches due to hormonal changes
Spotting
Spotting might occur, followed by bleeding during periods
Mild spotting
Delayed periods need not always be an indication that you are pregnant. It can be due to various reasons such as stress, hormonal imbalances, use of contraceptives, etc. So, the most appropriate way to figure out whether you are pregnant is to consult your doctor and perform the required medical tests.
Resources and References: Healthline Read more
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Is Your Baby Sleeping Enough for His Age? 5 Tips to Help Your Baby Sleep Peacefully!
Learn everything about baby sleep. How many hours of sleep does a newborn need? What can hinder a peaceful sleep? How can you help your baby make the transition to peaceful night sleep? Here are the answers of all your questions.
You must have heard horror stories of sleepless nights and insomniac babies. Some of it are definitely true. However, with a night-time routine in place and some luck, within a few months of bringing your baby home, you can look forward to happier nights.
How Much Sleep is Enough?
The good news is that a newborn sleeps for about 16 hours a day. The bad news is it’s never at a stretch. In the first few months, he will probably nap for two or three hours only. His stomach is small and needs frequent refills. Don't look forward to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep even at night, the first 6 months. Generally, babies between 2 and 12 months sleep for 9-12 hours, most of which will be at night. Don’t try a sleep routine too soon. Let the baby decide when he wants to wake up – whether due to hunger, wet diapers or simply because he’s had his fill of sleep.
Deconstructing Baby Sleep
Like adults, babies also experience sleep cycles from drowsiness to light sleep, deep sleep and dream sleep (REM – a state when his eyes are active under his closed eyelids, but the rest of his body is still) and then all the way back from dream sleep to wakefulness. When he returns to being awake, if there are no distractions (like an empty stomach) he slips back into sleep. Some babies are self-soothers and do it on their own, while others may need to be patted or fed before they fall asleep again. During quiet sleep, it is normal for the baby to have some sudden starts called hypnagogic startles. Hynagonic startles means the sudden movements of the baby’s body in quiet sleep.
Baby Sleep and New Skills
Some of the baby’s newfound skills might interfere with his sleep patterns.
1. Crawling
As the baby learns to crawl, his brain stimulation increases and even though he might be tired, he may find it tough to sleep.
2. Object Permanence
As he turns six months old, he realizes that things do not cease to exist when he cannot see them. He might refuse to sleep when you’re not around.
3. Separation Anxiety
He will start missing you, and might insist on you being around each time he opens his eyes.
Co-sleeping
Traditionally in India, co-sleeping has been propagated and it does lead to stronger emotional - parental bonds. However, if you find it uncomfortable, especially in the case of multiple babies, you can move them from the crib to the bed.
A Few Tips to Make the Night Time Easier
Create a soothing environment. Remove bright colours and noisy toys.
Soft toys, heavy blankets or pillows aren’t a good idea for small babies, as they act as hindrances and offer risk of suffocation.
The mattress should be firm, and the baby should be put to sleep on his back to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Swaddling the baby with his arms inside the blanket gives him a sense of familiarity, mimicking the pressure he feels in the womb, and helps him sleep longer.
Establishing a night time routine between two and three months is a good idea.Parents need not panic about sleepless nights, with some patience and efforts, you can solve your baby’s sleeping problems.
Parents need not panic about sleepless nights, with some patience and efforts, you can solve your baby’s sleeping problems. Read more
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Insufficient Milk? Try This Healthy Recipe for Baby!
Hello to all the beautiful moms out there! As a mother, we know it for a fact that feeding a child is the most difficult task in the world! As they grow up, they get naughtier and throw tantrums towards eating food. For infants, mothers milk is the best and at least for 6 months, a mother should feed her child. But, what if the milk is insufficient for your baby? Usually, formula milk powders are available in the market. But in case the baby doesn't like the taste of powdered milk or you want to take a step further, try this healthy recipe!
Ingredients
100 grams of rice
100 grams of wheat
100 grams of almonds
1 clove
2 black pepper balls
Preparation
Take a pan and heat it.
Add rice and dry fry in for 1-2 minutes.
Now, in another pan, dry fry wheat till it turns brown.
Soak almonds in water a night before and peel off the skin. Chop into smaller pieces.
Keep all the ingredients separately after frying dem it will b easy to make d powder!
Preparation of the Powder
Now to make powder, grind the rice and add the clove and black pepper in it. Now grind till it becomes a fine powder.
Next, add wheat and almonds. Grind together.
Take a cotton cloth and sieve all the items in a jar.
The powder is ready for your baby!
To Make the Healthy Recipe
Take half a litre of blue milk packet in a pan. Take 1 glass of water aside add 1-2 spoons of powder in the cold water mix well till the lumps are gone. Next, add that powdered water into the milk and boil till consistent.
The healthy and safe recipe for your little bundle of joy is ready!
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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The Best Parenting Advice for Nurturing Your Children
According to Dada Bhagwan, a spiritual scientist of Akram Vignan, “The responsibility of a parent is more than that of a Prime Minister.” This is because parenting is all about making your child grow physically, psychologically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. It involves bonding with your child to nurture in a way such that the little one becomes a happy, healthy, and obliging human being.
This is the bonding of true love! Pure love and stability are its roots, due to which the child blossoms spontaneously. This is perhaps the best parenting advice on being a good parent or how to parent effectively.
The two most apparent indicators of best parenting are as follows:
The child never feels like leaving the parents and going out in search of happiness, and
The child is overjoyed to see the parents no matter after how long they are greeting.
Have we been consistently observing any one of these behaviors? Most of us would say, “No!” Well, this is not the actual problem; it is a symptom of the problem. The real problem is that we do not know the root cause or are doing nothing to eradicate the root cause.
So, what is the root cause? Well, it is the lack of a clear understanding of true love versus attachment. It is said that the love of parents towards the child is always there. However, what we do not realize is the difference between true love and attachment.
Let us find this out by knowing the characteristics of true love, which are as follows:
Pure love is unwavering and unchanging. The flow of this love is constant; it does not get elevated when the child does something good, and it does not demote when the same child does something bad. Instead, you deal with empathy and care with your child in all circumstances. This equilibrium inherently gives your children happiness.
Pure love or real love has no feeling of separation; there is no ‘yours and mine.’
Pure love does not expect to fulfill all expectations.
Pure love does not keep a permanent note of a fault of a child; instead, it makes an ideal way to bring the child out of the committed fault forever.
According to Saint Kabir, “It is enough for one to understand the word love; that which increases one moment and decreases the next is not love. That which resides in the heart and always remains as it is that is real love.” Children are drawn to this love. Indeed, the world improves with this love. Without love, there can be no solutions.
Here are some ways to shower pure love on your child:
Perform Caring Gestures: For growing a plant, you need to nurture it with love. Merely pouring water over it is inadequate. When you water it with love and talk to the sapling, the plant gives big, lovely flowers. Similarly, when you speak with your child with utmost care and love, it conveys the most sought message, “My parents are there for me and are always with me.” This makes the child feel happy and secure.Patting on your child’s shoulder, stroking the child’s hair, and running your hand gently over the little one’s head are the gestures that relish the child. These gestures are especially more essential to show when you come to know that your child has done something wrong. Yelling, punishing, and acting rude are just overreactions!
Become a Role Model: A child learns from parents. If parents are quarreling, the child learns how to fight just by observing the quarrel. Whatever is seen, the child learns to do it automatically. So, when you listen to your parents, when you never argue with or disobey your parents, and when you love and respect your parents, your child will automatically listen to you, obey you, and love and respect you. If either parent makes a mistake, the other parent should forgive. The child will witness this and learn the virtue of forgiveness. This is how you can be a role model in teaching good values.
Trust Your Child: Trust is an integral part of love, and it gives immense strength to your parent-child relationship. Those who have more negative worldly experiences tend to have more suspicions, even for their children. These suspicions neither allow them nor their children to be happy. There is no benefit from such groundless mental anguish. Therefore, do not harbor suspicions. Whenever doubts arise, eradicate them immediately by keeping only one affirmation, “I trust my child.” If your trust gets broken, show the above loving gestures and explain to your child why what they have done was not worth doing. Do so with the inner affirmation, “I still trust my child. My beloved one will come out of this bad habit of breaking trust.”
Mold with Equanimity: Love does not mean fulfilling your child’s demands all the time or overlooking their wrongdoings. You need to pay attention to all aspects of your child’s development. If your child is doing something wrong, you must undoubtedly caution them, but with stability. Sit with the little one and tell gently that civilized and respectable people do not do such things. Talk with love so that things do not get ruined. With love, you will be able to say in such a manner that your child will not feel bad. In other words, do not keep insistence, opposing opinions, or unrealistic expectations, which are all forms of ego. Instead, keep patience, positive ideas, and complete trust before, during, and after explanation. It may be so that your child may not understand or obey you when you explain for the first time. In that case, change the style of your explanation by including examples and ill-effects such that the child, without any fear, feels like not doing so. The same approach holds when your child is asking for something inappropriate at an early age. Many times, parents face helpless situations. They say, “Even when we explain more than once with love, my child still does not understand. What do we do when he does not understand our love?” If your speech does not produce any results, you should stop talking to him on that matter for now. Rather than you losing your peace of mind, start praying effectively! Take good care and keep an eye on your child. Whenever there is hatred, slowly change it to love. It is because of hate that this world appears callous.
Be Friendly: Interact with your child as a friend. When you speak in a friendly manner, the child understands, “I can share everything here (with my parents).” Do not micromanage your child, meaning do not keep nagging or interrupting in everything the little one does. Just parent the little one as you would handle a friend who is younger than you.
Become Spiritual: No, this does not mean to become an ascetic, meditate for hours, seek a crystal healer, or approach an astrologer. It means to seek all-embracing guidance that can come only from an experienced spiritual master. Find out from such a master how to resolve problems with children such that both parents and children live in harmony forever despite having different viewpoints. This is possible! There should be scientific understanding behind all your dealings, which will come only from all-embracing spiritual guidance.
Our love should be such that it never goes away, no matter what happens. Only such love is valuable. At times, you may not see the results immediately, but try remaining equanimous in every situation and keep showering your love on your child; you will surely be rewarded with its fruits. When your child feels your love, you will leave a deep-rooted impression on the small one who will surely listen to you and accept your values.
When you handle your child with love, their arguments decrease. Teaching with love means teaching without a trace of ego. There is no anger, pride, attachment, and greed in love.
Attachment is not love! Unlike love, it triggers a lot of worries, induces suffering, and gives rise to hate. These negative results veil your constructive energy for nurturing your child. You can do much more for your loved one when you do not have worries.
Attachment is the result of ego. So, ego and pure love cannot co-exist. You do not have to leave your child or forsake your relationship; you only have to let go of the ego.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
Sunita Mahato has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
2 hours ago
Q. sir job vacancy are avalable
Sunita Mahato
Mom of 3 children
2 hours ago
A. not the platform fr this question
take care...
Sunita Mahato has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 m old child
2 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts why my 1 month old baby latch every every 10 15 mins in the afternoon
Sunita Mahato
Mom of 3 children
1 hour ago
A. every 10 to 15 mins baby wants attention and all the time to be in lap so
dnt develop that habit...
maintain a feeding gap of 2 hrs...
always burp after feed..
take care
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
1 hour ago
Q. Hello doctors.. I am 32 weeks pregnant... I am getting vibration feeling near right upper abdomen... mostly when I lying on left side it's getting vibration feeling... it's normal?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
1 hour ago
A. Different women have different feeling during the time of pregnancy so it would be normal but if it is happening constantly with you then it would be good for you to get it checked with your doctor whatever is required doctor advise you after examining
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
1 hour ago
Q. I want something very good products to my coming baby
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
1 hour ago
A. Hello dear! Try Babyhug skin care and clothing products for the baby. There are safe and effective for almost every skin type. Consult your doctor for further assistance in this regard. Good luck and take care
Dr. Minal Acharya has added a new answer
Mom of a Newborn child
1 hour ago
Q. Hello Mylo family
Can someone help me to select the baby girl's name. We would like to choose our baby girl a beautiful name which starts from G, Also it would be a great help if it is created from the parents name.
Mom's name - Harshitha
Dad's name - Karthik
Thanks in advance 😀
Read moreDr. Minal Acharya
Nutritionist
55 mins ago
A. dear mum, the name of a baby girl starting with the letter G can be Gayatri, for example. you can do a Google search and browse the internet for all the options.
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
1 hour ago
Q. can we get all item in one parcel which I orderd
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
58 mins ago
A. This is a place which is associated with parenting if you have any questions associated with parenting I can help you with that but if you have any associated with your orders kindly check with the concerned department that they can give clarity about these things
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