When conception occurs, pregnancy hormones kick into overdrive and cause some serious changes in the female body. These changes are not limited to promoting the healthy growth of the baby. Pregnancy hormones are also responsible for loosening ligaments, increasing fluid retention and blood volume and preparing the woman's body to care for her baby. Some of these changes can be painful, but the woman should feel better knowing she is not the only one suffering from common pregnancy pains.

Breasts
From the first weeks after conception, the breasts will feel tender and a bit swollen. This is due to pregnancy hormones preparing the milk ducts and breast tissue for breast feeding. Even if the woman plans on bottle feeding, the breasts will still prepare for the day of birth. Pain in the breast can be minimized with ice packs and tight fitting bras.

Back
One of the most common pregnancy pains occurs in the back. Hormones work to loosen ligaments in the birth canal so the canal can expand during birth. These hormones cannot limit that loosening effect to just the necessary ligaments, so women's back muscles are going to be less resilient when it comes to holding the extra front weight as baby grows. Wearing a tummy sling to disburse the weight throughout the abdomen and back can help ease the pain. Sitting and resting will also help dramatically.

Abdominal
Some women are surprised by the pain they feel in the abdomen early on in the pregnancy. Again, loosening ligaments are responsible from much of this early pain. The tummy is preparing to growth to new widths so pain can be expected. As the pregnancy grows closer to the end than the beginning, the expanding skin and weight of baby can lead to sensitive areas on the tummy and cramping. Cramping or early contractions are called Braxton Hicks contractions. These are just learning tools for the uterus.