Early Pregnancy Symptoms: 9 Early Signs of Pregnancy You Can't Ignore

Signs and symptoms of pregnancy help many women understand if they are pregnant. While an ultrasound scan or pregnancy tests at the hospital is usually considered the most reliable way to test if you are pregnant or not, there are other symptoms of pregnancy you should watch out for to ascertain if you are pregnant or not. Early signs will tell you if you are pregnant, and some of them may occur even before you miss your period.

When & How Early Pregnancy Symptoms Appear?

It might sound strange, but the 1st week of your pregnancy is based on your last menstrual period. This means that your last menstrual period will be the 1st week of your pregnancy. The day you will be expected to deliver will be calculated using this date. Therefore, even if you did not experience any pregnancy symptoms during the early weeks, they will still be counted as part of the 40-weeks of pregnancy.

Timeline of Symptoms of Pregnancy

During the first to fourth week of pregnancy, you will likely notice mild cramps and spotting. Through the last days in week four, you will miss your period. From week four and five, you will have extreme fatigue. Week four and six is when you start having the early signs of nausea, breast ache, frequent urination, bloating, mood swings, and temperature changes. During week eight to ten, your heartbeat may increase.

What Symptoms will i Experience Before a Missed Period?

During the first and fourth week of your pregnancy, most activity will occur in your uterus on a cellular level. Then, a blastocyst is made when your egg is fertilized and then grows into your child’s organs and body parts. Several weeks post-conception, the blastocyst implants in the uterus that may lead to bleeding during implantation. It is typically mistaken for period spotting.

How to Differentiate Between True Period and Implantation Bleeding

The usual color when spotting is brown, pink, or red and the bleeding can be lighter than a typical period. You are likely to feel cramping and ache in addition to spotting. Bleeding due to implantation of the blastocyst can last for three days or less, but it does not require any treatment. Some women could notice a cramping sensation in their lower uterus for some weeks during their pregnancy.

When Will i Miss My First Period?

Your body begins to produce human chorionic gonadotropin, HCG when the blastocyst is implanted in the uterus. This hormone assists your body to preserve pregnancy and signals your ovaries to stop releasing more eggs. Typically, 4 weeks after conception, you will miss your 1st period. However, some women can notice irregular periods. Note that the use of contraception and stress can also cause a missed period.

Many home pregnancy products/tests can detect the HCG eight days after your first missed period. If you test for pregnancy and it comes out negative, it does not mean you are not pregnant but could tell that you took the test too early. It’s recommended to wait for a few days and test again.

9 Early Signs of Pregnancy You Can’t Ignore

1-Fatigue

Many pregnant women experience tiredness at some point. It is a very common symptom, especially during the early weeks. As progesterone levels increase, you will feel tired quickly. It is necessary to rest at this point. It may help to maintain cool room temperature. Cool room temperature will help you get a good night’s sleep and cope with pregnancy’s early symptoms.

Also Read: Storing & Expressing Breast Milk Safely - HowToGuide

2-Symptoms That Involve Your Breasts

You might begin to notice changes in your breasts as early as the fourth week of pregnancy. They will be swollen and softer due to hormonal changes during your pregnancy. In few weeks this symptom would disappear since your body will learn to adjust to the new changes. You might see some anomalies such as breasts becoming heavier or veins being more visible. Changes in your breasts and nipples will typically occur towards the end of the 1st trimester. The areola around the nipple will grow bigger and become darker. Even though breast softness can be uncomfortable, you can opt for a wire-free maternity bra that has adjustable clasps to help with the pain. Breast pads can help reduce nipple pain caused by friction.

3-Mood Swings

Your early weeks of pregnancy can be exhausting due to your increasing hormone levels. Estrogen and Progesterone are usually very high during pregnancy, affecting your mood dramatically. You become more emotional and sensitive than usual; going from feeling elated and happy one moment to feeling anxious or depressed.

It can be challenging to handle, it will pass as time goes. It’s highly recommended to see a healthcare professional If you feel you are continually suffering from a low-mood or finding it challenging to complete your day-to-day activities. Also, seek the support of your friends and family during this time.

4-Back Pain And Headache

Most pregnant women suffer from headaches and frequent back pain during the 1st few weeks of pregnancy. An increase in blood flow and volatile hormone levels are the primary cause of these symptoms. While headaches are expected at this stage, if you feel severe headaches, consult your physician for a checkup and advise you on what medication to take.

5-Frequent Urination

During pregnancy, the blood volume in your body increases. That results in your kidneys processing more fluid than usual, so more fluids enter your bladder, which means that you will frequently visit the bathroom. You might notice vaginal discharge, which is normal, so long as they are not due to soreness or irritation.

6-Bloating

Bloating occurs typically when your period is about to start and during the early pregnancy period. This can be caused due to hormonal changes that cause your digestive system to slow down. This leads to constipation and eventually bloating, which will likely be a reoccurring symptom throughout your pregnancy. Weight gain is hardly noticeable until around the twelfth week.

Also Read: Pregnancy Cravings – When They Start and What They Mean

7-Nausea, Morning Sickness, and Vomiting

Morning sickness is the most common indication of pregnancy. It usually starts to occur between the fourth and sixth week. Morning sickness does not mean it can’t happen at another time of the day. Though the cause of this is not known, it is assumed that pregnant women being more sensitive to smell is a significant factor.

Smell sensitivity can affect your diet tremendously as some of the food you enjoy will be repulsive to you. If you enjoyed fatty foods in the past, you might suddenly dislike the smell and taste. You might feel an unusual metallic taste in your mouth; your body starts to demand unusual types of food. The symptoms are usually less and become severe for women as they approach the first trimester’s end.

8-Light- Headedness and Dizziness

Most pregnant women experience dizziness in the early weeks of pregnancy due to low blood pressure. The expansion of blood vessels causes this drastic drop in blood pressure. When visiting your physician, he/she measures your blood pressure in order to detect underlying blood-related illnesses. It is sometimes advisable to begin an exercise routine safe for expectant mothers.

Ensure you eat well and drink enough fluid to stay hydrated and reduce dizziness; when you stand from a seated position, move slowly. During the eighth and tenth weeks of pregnancy, you will observe your heartbeat has increased. Palpitations and arrhythmias are very common symptoms that happen during pregnancy as your hormones go through changes.

9-Heartburn

Hormone fluctuations are the leading cause of pregnancy symptoms. One of such includes heartburn. Certain hormones affect the valve that is between the stomach and esophagus, causing the stomach acid to move upwards into the esophagus. You can prevent this from happening by eating small-size meals each day; sit upright for at least one hour.

Conclusion

If you are experiencing these symptoms and have not done any tests, you should do so. Though if you experience these symptoms but have not yet missed your period, then it is probably too early to go for a test as it may be inaccurate. After you eventually do the test, and the results come out positive, call your physician immediately to schedule an antenatal appointment.

Starting your pregnancy care earlier will help you to have a less stressful pregnancy. Even though some of these symptoms are very unpleasant, they don’t last long as they usually go away as the 2nd trimester arrives. Once the symptoms go out, you can start to enjoy the pregnancy glow associated with pregnancy.

The pregnancy symptoms do not always show in all women but can be confirmed by going for a pregnancy test whenever you notice you have missed your period. These symptoms are very pronounced in some pregnant women while faint in others. If you observe something unusual, and then you should reach out to your healthcare professional.