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'a?HE EARLY SIGNS OF PREGNANCY: Cessation of Menses 

 —Morning Sickness — Changes in the Breasts— Enlargement 

 of the Abdomen — Calculation of the Probable Date of Con- 

 finement. 



First Signs of Pregnancy. — The first circumstance to make a woman 

 suspect that she is pregnant is generally the non-appearance of her usual 

 monthly discharge. This is called the cessation of the menses, or monthlies, 

 and is one of the most constant signs of pregnancy. Cases, do, indeed, now 

 and then occur, in which, notwithstanding pregnancy, the customary flow 

 takes place for the first few months just as usual, and in certain still rarer 

 instances it has been known to appear regularly throughout the pregnancy. 



On the other hand its absence is by no means a sure indication of preg- 

 nancy, as it may be due to many other causes; such, for example, as an attack 

 of severe illness, a condition of general weakness, or even strong emotional 

 excitement. 



Another Symptom. — The next symptom to attract attention is usually 

 a feeling of siokness, often most distressing in the early morning, and some- 

 times accompftnied with vomiting. This commences about the fourth or fifth 

 T\eck, and continues to the middle of pregnancy, when it generally ceases. 

 Occasionally it lasts to the end of the pregnancy, while, on the other hand, in 

 some women it is entirely absent throughout. 



Shortly after pregnancy has commenced, a sensation of weight and fullness 

 is felt in the breasts. A little later these organs enlarge, and the nipples 

 become more prominent; the skin, too, just around the nipples becomes darker 

 in color, an alteration most marked in women of fair skin and light complexion. 

 Of course these changes are most noticeable in women who are pregnant for 

 the first time; for when they have once occurred, the breasts never quite resume 

 their original appearance, so that subsequent changes are less observable. The 

 "breasts may increase in size, and may even contain milk, without pregnancy; 

 as, lor example, in the case of certain diseases of the womb. 



Enlargement of the Abdomen.— About the end of the third month 

 the abdomen begins to enlarge, and continues to do so from that time forwards; 

 by the end of the seventh month the hollow of the navel has generally disap- 

 peared It need scarcely be said, however, that the abdomen may enlarge 

 from many other causes, so that not one of the four signs above described 

 affords, when taken alone, positive proof of pregnancy; although, when two 

 or more of them are found to be present, there is good ground for a strong 

 suspicion. "Whenever it is important that the question of pregnancy should b» 

 etilablished heyond a doubt, a doctor should be consulted. 



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