Early Pregnancy Symptoms, You Need to Know
Do you have doubts about whether you are pregnant or not? You can always know for sure by using the pregnancy test. But every time you miss your period, you somehow suspect or hope you are pregnant. Every woman is different. So are their experiences of pregnancy. Not every woman has the same symptoms or even the same symptoms from one pregnancy to the next. Also, because the early symptoms of pregnancy often mimic the symptoms you might experience right before and during menstruation, you may not realize you are pregnant. So, get to know the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy and why they occur.
Some most common and weird early symptoms of pregnancy include:
- Having a missed period
If you are in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. However, this symptom can be misleading if you have an irregular menstrual cycle. The most obvious early sign of pregnancy and the symptom that encourages most women to have a pregnancy test is the absence of menstruation. However, not all menstrual failures and late stages are caused by pregnancy. Bleeding can also occur in pregnant women. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about what to do if you are bleeding. For example, when bleeding is normal and when it is a sign of an emergency. In addition to pregnancy, there are other reasons for not having menstruation. You may have gained or lost weight. Hormonal problems, fatigue, or stress are other possibilities. Some women miss their period when they stop taking the pill. However, if your period is slow and you can get pregnant, it is advisable to have a pregnancy test.
- You may have tender or swollen breasts
Early in pregnancy hormonal changes might make your breasts sensitive and sore. Breast changes are another very early sign of pregnancy. Hormone levels in females change rapidly after conception. Due to the changes, your breasts may become swollen, painful, or tingling after a week or two. Or they feel heavier or richer or more delicate. The area around the nipple, called the areola, can also be darkened. The discomfort will likely decrease after a few weeks as your body adjusts to hormonal changes. Others can cause breast changes. But if the changes are an early symptom of pregnancy, keep in mind that it is going to take several weeks to get used to the new levels of hormones. But when it does, breast pain should ease up.
- Nausea with or without vomiting
Morning sickness, which can occur at any time of the day or night, often begins one to two months after you become pregnant. However, some women feel nausea earlier and some never experience it. While the cause of nausea during pregnancy is not clear, pregnancy hormones likely play a role. Morning sickness is a well-known symptom of pregnancy. However, not all pregnant women get it. The exact cause of morning sickness is unknown, but pregnancy hormones may be the cause of this symptom. Nausea during pregnancy can occur at any time of the day, but the most common is in the morning. Also, some women are hungry or intolerant of certain foods when they become pregnant. This is also related to hormonal changes. The effect is so strong that it makes you sick when you think about the foods that pregnant women like. Nausea, thirst, and food aversion can persist throughout pregnancy. Fortunately, for many women, symptoms begin to subside around the 13th or 14th week of pregnancy. In the meantime, eat a healthy diet to ensure that you and your growing baby get the essential nutrients. You can ask your doctor for advice on this.
- Increased urination
You might find yourself urinating more often than usual. The amount of blood in your body increases during pregnancy, causing your kidneys to process extra fluid that ends up in your bladder. Frequent urination, for many girls, begins off evolving across the 6th or 8th week after conception. Although this may be due to a urinary tract infection, diabetes, or the usage of diuretics, if you are pregnant, it is maximum probably because of hormonal ranges.
- You may experience uterine cramps
After conception, the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. It may cause spotting and cramping. This is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. It is called implantation bleeding. It occurs anywhere from 6 to 12 days after the egg is fertilized. The cramps resemble menstrual cramps, so some women mistake them and the bleeding for the start of their period. The bleeding and cramps, however, are slight. Besides bleeding, a woman may notice a white, milky discharge from their vagina.
- Chances of vaginal discharge
Many women experience vaginal discharge, which has little to do with pregnancy. However, most pregnant women tend to secrete mucus, white or pale-yellow mucus throughout the first trimester and pregnancy. This is associated with the thickening of the vaginal wall that begins shortly after conception. The overgrowth of cells that line the vagina causes secretions. The discharge is caused by increased hormonal and vaginal blood flow. It increases, when the cervix and vaginal wall become soft during pregnancy, to prevent infection. This secretion can persist during pregnancy and is usually harmless and does not require treatment. Talk to your doctor if the discharge starts to smell, burn, itch, turn greenish-yellow or very thick or watery as these can be signs of infection.
- Pregnancy can cause fatigue
Fatigue also ranks high among early symptoms of pregnancy. No one knows for certain what causes sleepiness during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, a rapid rise in the levels of the hormone progesterone during early pregnancy might contribute to fatigue. Severe fatigue is normal during pregnancy and begins early. If fatigue is associated with pregnancy, it is important to get enough rest. Eating foods rich in protein and iron can help balance this. Females may experience abnormal fatigue as early as one week after pregnancy.
- Your body might heat up
When you wake up for the first time in the morning after ovulation, your body temperature will rise a little. It stays that way until you get your next period. However, if this temperature, called basal body temperature, remains elevated for more than two weeks, it may mean that you are pregnant.
- You may have dizziness as one of the symptoms
It is not uncommon for pregnant women to feel lightheaded or dizzy in the first trimester. Pregnancy causes blood pressure to drop and blood vessels to dilate. But pay close attention to your symptoms. Severe dizziness coupled with vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Seek medical attention immediately to avoid life-threatening complications.
- Constipation issues
During pregnancy, better ranges of the hormone progesterone could make you constipated. Progesterone causes your meals to pass more slowly through your intestines. To ease the problem, drink lots of water, exercise, and consume lots of high-fiber foods.
- Higher chance of getting sick
Pregnancy weakens your immunity. This means you are more susceptible to coughing, colds and the flu. It is not uncommon for pregnant women to experience symptoms such as colds and flu early in pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about safe treatment options for pregnancy. Pregnant women are more susceptible to serious illnesses caused by the flu. This can cause serious health problems for your baby.
- Mood swings may grow to be your partner
These are common, particularly at some stage in the primary trimester. These also are associated with adjustments in hormones. A surge in hormones in the body during early pregnancy can make you extra emotional and weepy.
- You may also have headaches and back pain
Many pregnant girls document common slight headaches, and others revel in again pain.
- Sensitive to odors and food
Food aversion can happen too. During pregnancy, you may become sensitive to certain odors and change your taste sensation. Like most other symptoms of pregnancy, these dietary preferences can be attributed to hormonal changes.
- You may have a stuffy or congested nose
Increased hormone levels and blood production can cause the lining of the nose to swell, dry, and make it easier to bleed. This can cause a stuffy nose and runny nose.
- If you have heartburns
Hormones change everything during pregnancy. This includes the valve between your stomach and esophagus. This area becomes relaxed during pregnancy, which can cause stomach acid to leak into your esophagus, causing heartburn. Fight back by eating smaller, more frequent meals. Also cut out fried grub. Avoid carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, juices, and spicy foods.
- Some of you have a metallic taste
Increased estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy can cause taste changes in many pregnant women. A condition called dysgeusia has some pregnant women tasting metal. You will feel like you were chomping on some old pennies with your lunch. You can easily get rid of the metallic flavour by munching on saltines and chewing sugarless gum. Also, try drinking colder liquids or eating spicier foods.
Many of these signs and symptoms are not unique in pregnant women. Some can indicate that you are getting sick or that your period is about to start. Likewise, you can be pregnant without experiencing many of these symptoms. Still, if you miss a period and notice some of the above signs or symptoms, take a home pregnancy test or see your health care provider. If your home pregnancy test is positive, make an appointment with your health care provider. The sooner your pregnancy is confirmed, the sooner you can begin prenatal care. A pregnant woman could have all these symptoms or maybe have only one or two. So, if any of these symptoms become bothersome, talk with your doctor about them so you can make a plan to offset them.
