10 early pregnancy signs and symptoms: What you should be looking for

Pregnancy is such a joyful phase in a woman’s life but often very overwhelming, especially for those who are on their journey to get pregnant. The signs may vary slightly, and many women will initially misunderstand the symptoms for those of premenstrual tension. After knowing what signs to look out for, you can increase the chances of finding out you are pregnant before taking a test. The most obvious sign is, of course, a missed period, but there may be other symptoms before it as well. In this article, we will take you through 10 common early pregnancy signs and symptoms that will enable you to understand what to expect. These symptoms can help you prepare for a pregnancy and alert you that you could be pregnant.

1. Missed Period

Understanding Your Cycle

The first, and perhaps most persistent, sign of pregnancy is its absence during the normal calendar time. For women with regular menstrual cycles, this is usually the first sign. If you find it hard to believe that your period is even a week behind, then it might be high time you started thinking about pregnancy. More often, people associate missed periods with pregnancy, but this is not always the case. Hormonal fluctuations due to stress or changes in lifestyle can also result in a delay in your period.

When to Take a Pregnancy Test

However, if a woman experiences this symptom along with any of the others on this list, she should consider taking a pregnancy test.

2. Tender and Swollen Breasts

Hormonal Changes

It’s normal for your breasts to become sore or swollen during early pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations. This may occur as early as 1-2 weeks after pregnancy, much before even a delayed period makes an appearance. Some of the common changes that many women use to describe their breasts include discomfort, swelling, fullness, and increased sensitivity.

When to Seek Medical Advice

The discomfort is secondary to the hormonal changes involving estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help prepare your body for breastfeeding. Though this symptom can also be observed during PMS, breast discomfort in pregnancy seems to be more severe.

3. Fatigue

Causes of Increased Tiredness

Another early sign of pregnancy is feeling rather tired compared to normal. During the first weeks of pregnancy, a woman’s body is busy supporting the formation of the embryo. There is a higher level of progesterone in the body during pregnancy, and fluctuations in blood sugar and pressure levels bring about overwhelming fatigue.

Tips for Managing Fatigue

This is not just typical exhaustion after a day where you feel tired from simple tasks but rather an energy-sapping weakness. Some women may find that pregnancy leads to needing naps during the day or feeling exhausted for no apparent reason.

4. Nausea and Morning Sickness

What Triggers Nausea?

Nausea, which is sometimes called morning sickness, is one of the most easily recognizable signs of early pregnancy. Although it sounds like something that occurs in the morning, it can happen at any time of the day.

Home Remedies for Relief

Vomiting does not differentiate by day or night and typically starts around week four up to week six of pregnancy. The specific reason remains unknown, but increased hCG and estrogen levels are believed to be influential. Some women may also develop an aversion to certain foods or odors during this time, which can further contribute to feelings of nausea.

5. Frequent Urination

Why It Happens

Finding yourself running to the bathroom more often than usual? Increased urination is an early pregnancy symptom that many women experience. This happens because, soon after conception, your body increases blood flow to your kidneys to filter out waste more efficiently.

Managing Increased Urination

The growing uterus also begins to press on your bladder, making you feel like you need to go more often. This symptom usually becomes more noticeable around week six but can start earlier for some women.

6. Implantation Bleeding

Recognizing Implantation Bleeding

Implantation bleeding occurs 10–14 days after pregnancy, and some women may notice spotting or light bleeding. This is most often experienced when the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Mild implantation bleeding is often lighter and may last only a few hours to several days. The blood can be pink to brown and should not be fresh or contain clots. If you find that you bleed more than once and with a significant amount of blood, you need to see a doctor.

7. Food Cravings

Common Cravings During Pregnancy

Some early pregnancy symptoms include food aversions and cravings. Some women suddenly develop aversions to foods they once enjoyed, while others develop cravings for specific foods.

Dealing with Aversions

This is perhaps due to hormonal changes within your body. Cravings are undoubtedly signals from the body to provide specific nutrients, while aversions may relate to changes in the olfactory sense during pregnancy, especially in the first quarter.

8. Mood Swings

Understanding Hormonal Influence

Chemical changes brought about by hormones during pregnancy impact your emotions. You may find yourself angry one moment and crying the next, leading others to consider you emotionally unstable.

Coping Strategies

Some women have described feeling grumpy, fretful, or wanting to cry more than usual in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Mood swings like these can be very similar to what you might feel before your period, but if they are much worse or last longer, they may be a sign of pregnancy.

9. Bloating and Constipation

Causes of Digestive Changes

The hormone progesterone is known to reduce the rate of digestion, leading to bloating and constipation during early pregnancy. This hormone relaxes the muscles found in your digestive system, making digestion slower and causing gas buildup.

Tips for Relief

This symptom is not painful but can be irritating and may feel similar to bloating that occurs before the menstrual period. However, if it is accompanied by other symptoms of pregnancy, including missed periods, then it may well be an indicator that you are pregnant.

10. Dizziness and Lightheadedness

Causes of Dizziness in Early Pregnancy

Feeling dizzy or lightheaded is another early pregnancy symptom that occurs due to hormonal changes. During early pregnancy, your blood vessels dilate, leading to lower blood pressure.

When to Seek Help

This, combined with changes in your blood sugar levels, can make you feel dizzy, especially when you stand up quickly or move suddenly. If dizziness is frequent or severe, it’s important to stay hydrated and rest. Extreme dizziness, especially when combined with other symptoms like heavy bleeding or severe pain, should be checked by a doctor.

Conclusion

It is good to know some early signs of pregnancy, but everyone’s journey is different. While pregnant, some women may not experience all the symptoms listed here, while others may experience different symptoms altogether. To be sure about pregnancy, the best option is to take an over-the-counter home pregnancy test or consult a doctor. In doing so, you would have plenty of time to make the necessary modifications to your lifestyle and ensure that the pregnancy is healthy from the start. If you believe you are pregnant and are experiencing several of these symptoms, do not delay in taking the next step toward confirming your pregnancy.