Do you belong to the women whose menstruation works like a clock and who are always on time? Or do you belong to those whose period is irregular and you worry every month if you are pregnant or not?
A missed period can be an early sign of pregnancy but even before you miss a period there may be other early signs that can tell you whether or not you are pregnant. However, the problem with most early signs of pregnancy is that they may be similar to what you normally observe before you have your period.
If you suspect that you are pregnant and you want to be sure you can do a home pregnancy test. In case you want to be absolutely sure you need to have a pregnancy test done by your doctor.
Below you will find a list of the top 9 early signs of pregnancy. Please bear in mind that:
- Certain signs and symptoms of being pregnant can also be confused with pre-menstrual symptoms or illnesses.
- During pregnancy you will experience a variety of physical and emotional changes and that the symptoms can vary in their intensity, frequency, duration and the time you experience them.
- Every woman and every pregnancy are different and for that reason some women will experience some symptoms more subtly while others may have very strong pregnancy symptoms immediately from the very beginning.
- Some women may experience some, all or none of the signs stated here.
EARLY PREGNANCY SIGNS
- MISSING YOUR MENSTRUATION
The most obvious early symptom of pregnancy is when you’ve missed your menstruation. You might not experience any of the pregnancy signs listed here until around the time you notice you’ve missed your monthly cycle or you had a much lighter period compared to your usual one (check implantation bleeding below).
Please note that that even though missing your menstruation is one of the most common sign and symptom of being pregnant, there may be some other reason why your menstruation is late. A delay can also be caused by stress, shock, illness, weight fluctuations or coming off the oral contraceptive pill. Irregular periods are a common symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition in which the menstruation can occur several months apart. If you still feel like you are experiencing other pregnancy symptoms you may want to do a home pregnancy test to be sure.
2. IMPLANTATION BLEEDING
Another pregnancy symptom that is not so known is the implantation bleeding. This is a slight bleeding or spotting that can be caused when the fertilized egg begins to implant itself into the uterus. It usually takes place 8 days after ovulation. Sometimes implantation bleeding is confused with a light menstruation.
3. TENDERNESS OF THE BREAST, SWOLLEN BREAST and DARKENING OF THE AREOLA
The changing of size and feel of your breasts may also indicate an early pregnancy. This pregnancy symptom may occur as early as a few days after conception. Your breasts are beginning to enlarge, as it gets ready for breastfeeding. Many women claim that their breasts are very sensitive and that they sometimes experience a very sharp, tingling sensation as well. The tenderness of the breast often disappears after a few weeks.
The darkening of the areola is also a sign that could indicate a pregnancy. Nevertheless the darkening of the areola is something that can occur also in latter stages of your pregnancy.
4. NAUSEA
Considered another one of the classic sign of being pregnant, nausea can be experienced as soon as one week after you
conceived. Many women experience nausea in the morning that’s why this symptom is mostly addressed as morning sickness.
The reasons for it can be:
- an increase in the circulating level of the hormone oestrogen,
- low blood sugar
- an increase in progesterone relaxes the muscle in the uterus and this can also relax the stomach and intestine resulting in an excess of stomach acids
- an increase in human chorionic gonadotropin
- an increase in sensitivity to odours
- your body is craving food and you have not eaten all night so your tummy feels queasy
- you are sensitive to aromas and foods and the usual breakfast you typically have may not settle well in your stomach during this time.
Most women experience nausea and vomiting from weeks 5 to 6 of their pregnancy. It can occur at any time of the day, and can vary from an occasional faint sensation to overwhelming nausea and vomiting. Normally morning sickness is one of the pregnancy symptoms that tend to disappear when you are in your second trimester.
What may help? Try to eat lighter but more frequently; snack size meals, saltine crackers, fruits and drink milk.
5. TIREDNESS and FATIGUE
One of the earliest pregnancy signs for some women may be fatigue and tiredness. You may start going to bed earlier, or find it harder than usual to get out of bed in the morning. If you are working, by noon you may feel like you need to lie down. Exercising seems like too much effort. A simple activity like shopping may leave you feeling wiped out and lightheaded. This early pregnancy symptom is caused by all of the changes that your body is going through, plus the increasing levels of hormones.
If you know you are pregnant, try to take frequent rests or naps of 15 minutes to a half-hour whenever possible.
Please note that although this might be a sign of being pregnant, it can also point to other things as well. So if you know you are not pregnant, make an appointment with your doctor to find out why you feel this way.
6.FREQUENT URINATION
This pregnancy sign may be experienced already as early as two weeks after you conceive. You experience that you are urinating more frequently. The reason for it is that your body starts producing the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and it stimulate the bladder muscles, so that it feels full, even though you might not need to urinate.
7.FOOD CRAVINGS and CHANGES IN TASTE AND SMELL
A well-know pregnancy cliché is food cravings and the desire for midnight snacks or unusual combinations of food i.e. pickles with jam. While it’s not a sure sign if it’s encountered alone, if it is accompanied by other signs and symptoms you should consider taking a home pregnancy test. Note that some women feel cravings for non-food items . A craving can also indicate that the body is lacking a specific nutrient.
Some pregnant women claim that they feel a strange metallic taste in their mouth and that they are more sensitive to smell.
8. CONSTIPATION
One of the most uncomfortable symptoms of being pregnant is constipation. This is caused by hormone changes that may slow down digestion and bowel functions to allow the body to absorb as much nutritional value, vitamins and minerals as possible.
What to do? Drink plenty of water, eat fruits, vegetables, raisins and bran cereal to your stimulate your digestion. Be aware that chocolate and coke can have a constipating effect. Ask your doctor for advice before taking a prenatal multivitamin food supplement. Some multivitamins supplements also contain digestive enzymes (from pineapple and papaya fruits). They can help your body get the nutrients it needs for your growing baby and help you to ease the constipation.
9. ELEVATED TEMPERATURE
It is normal to have a slight increase in body temperature when you ovulate. If your basal body temperature stays elevated after ovulation until after the moment when your period should begin this can be one of the very early signs of pregnancy.
How to know if you are really pregnant?
DO A HOME PREGNANCY TEST
These tests can be purchased at local pharmacies and can confirm pregnancy by detecting the level of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin – a pregnancy hormone) in your urine. Some tests can be done as early as the first day of your missing menstruation. Read the instructions carefully before doing the test since the accuracy of some tests depends on the time you do the test. If you receive a positive result, you should make an appointment with your gynaecologist so that she can confirm your pregnancy and advise you on what to do next.
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