A female must not forget, however, that she may mistake her condition, and that such mistakes are not at all unlikely to arise from the circumstance that the symptoms which naturally accompany the _cessation_ of menstruation, much resemble those of pregnancy. She passes over the menstrual period;—she is struck with this. Other symptoms are soon manifested; the size increases—the breasts even become swollen and painful—the stomach disordered, and the appetite capricious;—flatulence collects in the intestines; and while on this account the size still increases, the air moving about the bowels gives an inward sensation which is mistaken by the female for the plunging of the child. Time alone, or the investigation of the medical attendant, detects the mistake; and the symptoms are then to be easily removed by the exhibition of carminative and purgative medicines, the use of active exercise, and bandaging the distended abdomen. It must be remembered, also, that _suppression_ of the monthly return may arise from a variety of causes, altogether independent of conception. Every female is aware, that exposure to cold, just before the expected period, is a frequent cause. Different forms of disease, hardship, or mental emotions, may produce the same result. It does not follow, therefore, because a woman ceases to menstruate, she _must_ be pregnant; which naturally presents this inquiry: what dependence, then, is to be placed upon the omission of menstruation as a symptom or sign of pregnancy? When a female ceases to be unwell, and experiences other symptoms of pregnancy, she must consider her situation as yet uncertain, because these signs are common to disease as well as pregnancy. But if toward the third month, while the suppression continues, she recovers her health, and if her appetite and colour return, she needs no better proof of pregnancy; for under other circumstances her health would remain impaired, and even become worse.[14] _Morning Sickness._ Soon after conception, the stomach often becomes affected with what is called “morning sickness.” On first awaking, the female feels as well as usual, but on rising from her bed qualmishness begins, and perhaps while in the act of dressing, retching takes place. This symptom may occur almost immediately after conception; but it most frequently commences for the first time between two or three weeks after. Now and then it is experienced only the last six weeks or two months of pregnancy, when it is attended, generally, with much distress and discomfort. And lastly, it is not unfrequently absent altogether. It continues, more or less, during the first half of pregnancy, and subsides about the time when the movements of the child begin to be felt.