From the time you first get pregnant and have the necessary tests until you realize you are pregnant, one of your main concerns is whether pregnancy attempts were successful. Many women experience early pregnancy symptoms but not the same symptoms.
A woman does not necessarily experience pregnancy symptoms similar to her previous pregnancies or those of others during pregnancy. Still, certain symptoms, such as the absence of menstruation and weight gain, are common in all pregnancies.
Early pregnancy symptoms
You may experience many early pregnancy symptoms before taking a pregnancy test and knowing you are pregnant. But because many of these early signs of pregnancy are similar to those you had before your period, it may be difficult to diagnose. While pregnancy tests and your doctor can provide a definitive answer, here are 18 signs of early pregnancy that may show you are pregnant.
1. Missed period
A missed or late period is the first sign of pregnancy. It is best to get a baby checked a week after your period is missed, or it is much better if you see your doctor for a blood test.
2. Spotting and Cramping
After fertilization, the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. This can be one of the first pregnancy symptoms. At this time, you have spotting and sometimes cramping. This bleeding is called implantation. This bleeding usually occurs between 6 and 12 days after fertilization.
Abdominal cramps are similar to menstrual cramps, so some women confuse them with bleeding to begin their period. But bleeding and cramping in pregnancy is less than during menstruation.
3. Fatigue
Progesterone levels rise sharply early in pregnancy, causing fatigue and lethargy. Sometimes you may suddenly feel tired or drowsy. Fatigue, a symptom of pregnancy in the first month before menstruation and the beginning of pregnancy has various reasons, including that blood flow to the fetus increases. Be sure to get enough rest. Eating foods rich in protein and iron can reduce fatigue.
4. Tender, swollen breasts
One of the most common pregnancy symptoms is breast tenderness, especially nipples, which usually show clearly during the first three weeks. Swollen and sore breasts are similar to before menstruation. This pain is greatly reduced after the end of the first trimester because the body has adapted to the number of hormones.
5. Smell sensitivity
If you are pregnant, the smell of garbage may make you feel bad. If you dislike certain odors, have a strong sense of smell, and are sensitive to odors, this may be a sign that you are pregnant.
6. Morning sickness or nausea
Morning sickness is a well-known pregnancy symptom, but not all pregnant women experience it. The exact cause of morning sickness is unknown, but pregnancy hormones may be involved. Nausea during pregnancy may occur at any hour of the day but is usually more severe in the morning. Some women crave or cannot tolerate certain foods during pregnancy.
This is also related to hormonal changes. Nausea, cravings, and food avoidance may last throughout the pregnancy, but in most cases, the symptoms subside for many women around the thirteenth or fourteenth week of pregnancy.
7. Mood swings
Mood swings are one of the pregnancy symptoms that can range from mild to severe. This drastic change in emotions during pregnancy is perfectly normal. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy can cause mood swings in you. So get enough rest, eat well, get enough sleep, and have ways to increase your sense of calm.
8. Frequent urination
Two to three weeks after the onset of pregnancy, you may feel more urinary than before. This discomfort is caused by the pregnancy hormone hCG, which increases blood flow to the kidneys. Your growing uterus will start to pressure your bladder, leaving less room for you to urinate and go to the toilet more often.
9. Bloating
Early pregnancy bloating is difficult to diagnose with premenstrual bloating. Pregnancy bloating is caused by the hormone progesterone, which slows down digestion. Unfortunately, bloating is often associated with constipation. Getting the right amount of fiber in your diet can improve constipation.
10. Blood pressure changes and dizziness
In most cases, blood pressure drops in early pregnancy symptoms. And for this reason, it causes dizziness. The decrease in blood pressure is due to the dilation of the arteries. But if you have high blood pressure during pregnancy, it usually shows up in the first twenty weeks. The obstetrician measures your blood pressure each time you visit to ensure you do not have high blood pressure during pregnancy.
11. Glow and acne
Many people may tell you that your skin is very shiny. Increased blood volume and higher hormone levels cause more blood in your arteries. This will make your skin oilier. This increase in the activity of your body’s oil glands gives your skin a fresh and radiant appearance; however, you may also get acne.
12. Headaches and back pain
Headaches are caused by hormonal changes and occur during pregnancy. Back pain is a common symptom of late pregnancy but can also start early in pregnancy.
13. Increased heart rate
By about 8 to 10 weeks, your heart may be pumping faster and harder. Heart palpitations and arrhythmias are common in pregnancy. This is usually due to hormones. Increased blood flow due to the fetus occurring during pregnancy.
14. Weight gain
In the first few months of pregnancy, you gain about 1 to 4 pounds. The number of calories needed for the first few months of pregnancy will not change from your healthy diet, but as the pregnancy progresses, you need more calories.
15. Vaginal discharge
Some women may notice a milky discharge from their vagina in early pregnancy symptoms. This discharge occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy with the thickness of the vaginal wall. These discharges may occur during pregnancy. If there is an unpleasant odor with discharge or itching, it indicates an infection, and you should inform the obstetrician.
16. Shortness of breath
In early pregnancy, you may feel short of breath due to the body’s increased oxygen supply to support the developing fetus.
17. Constipation
Hormonal changes in early pregnancy can cause some women to develop constipation.
18. Food Cravings
Food cravings happen to many women. Sometimes the tendency to eat everyday foods may increase, such as the tendency to consume carbohydrates. Sometimes there is a tendency to consume unusual foods.
How to relieve your pregnancy symptoms?
There are some home remedies and self-care solutions that can help relieve some of the unpleasant pregnancy symptoms. Do not take medication during pregnancy to reduce its symptoms without a doctor’s prescription. Some self-care measures can help reduce some of the signs that may be problematic:
- Have a proper diet
- Use abdominal belts to support the abdomen
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Do not lift heavy objects
- If you feel discomfort in your chest, use a bra that you are comfortable with
- Eat enough fruits and vegetables to prevent constipation
- To combat nausea, eat small, frequent meals and avoid foods that cause nausea
- Keep a pack of salt crackers by your bed and eat some food before you wake up in the morning to help relieve morning sickness
Having any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. Many of these symptoms indicate the onset of menstruation.
A blood test is the best way to tell if you are pregnant if you miss a period. Also, a pregnant woman can have all these symptoms, perhaps just one or two. If any of these symptoms cause you discomfort during pregnancy, be sure to consult your obstetrician.
Additional questions
- When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?
In general, the best time is the first morning urine. However, some pregnancy tests are sensitive enough to detect HCG regardless of when the test is taken.
- What types of cramps indicate pregnancy?
Implantation cramps may be an early sign of pregnancy. Understanding the causes and key differences between implantation and period cramping can help people distinguish between them.
- How many days delay in period confirms pregnancy?
It takes time for the body to produce enough human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to appear in the test. If you have a 28-day cycle, this will be about 12-15 days after ovulation.
- In what week of pregnancy is implantation?
About 30 hours after fertilization, the fertilized egg divides into two parts. At this stage, it is called a zygote. The cells continue to divide and multiply in number, and the zygote gradually moves from the fallopian tube to the uterus. The egg implants itself in the uterus at the end of the fourth week.
- What is the right diet for pregnancy?
Use a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy, and protein foods. Choose foods and beverages that are lower in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium.
References
https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/pregnancy-am-i-pregnant
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9709-pregnancy-am-i-pregnant
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/early-symptoms-timeline
https://www.ssmhealth.com/blogs/ssm-health-matters/april-2022/12-early-signs-of-pregnancy
https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/first-symptoms-of-pregnancy/