it should be interpreted as meaning that there is some danger of
miscarriage. Since miscarriage often occurs about the time a
menstrual period would ordinarily be expected, there is unusual
opportunity for confusing the symptoms. At all events women err much
more frequently in suspecting that they are pregnant than in
overlooking the condition. Indeed, pregnancy is not likely to be
overlooked unless menstruation has been irregular or suppressed for a
month or more previous to conception. Thus, in the case of nursing
mothers in whom menstruation is already suppressed and who are,
moreover, deprived of certain evidence that the breasts give,
pregnancy may sometimes advance several months before it is
recognized.

_The Changes in the Breasts_.--Various sensations in the breasts
are accepted by women as a reliable sign of pregnancy; thus
throbbing, tingling, pricking, or a feeling of fullness will be
mentioned by one mother or another as having given her the first
intimation that she was pregnant. A few women also find their breasts
become tender immediately after they have conceived; this may be so
marked that they cannot bear pressure. But unless such symptoms are
accompanied by definite, visible changes, they have no value as signs
of pregnancy.

About the end of the second month the nipples become larger and more
erectile, and deepen in color. The pigmented, circular area of skin
which surrounds the nipple, called the areola, also darkens. The
shade that the areola assumes will vary according to the complexion
of the individual, growing darker in brunettes than in blondes.
Ultimately, within this pigmented circle a number of elevated spots
appear about the size of a large shot. These spots betray the