Signs and symptoms of early pregnancy vary from person to person as each pregnancy is a unique experience. A lot of physical and emotional changes occur owing to the fact that a hormonal flood occurs in the body. The expected mommies go through a roller coaster ride and face plenty of symptoms that can be similar or different from the ones commonly known.
Some prevalent signs and symptoms are listed here. Read to know about the management of these signs and symptoms as prevention is not an option. Thanks to the hormonal changes during pregnancy.
Classic early signs and symptoms of pregnancy
Pregnancy tests and ultrasounds confirm the pregnancy but the listed early signs and symptoms may be an indication of pregnancy if you are not diagnosed yet.
For your information: A sign is an observable character while a symptom is a personal feeling.
1. Morning sickness
Although named morning sickness, it can occur at any time of the day. Research shows that almost two-thirds of women experience morning sickness during their pregnancy. This nausea and vomiting, usually common in the first trimester, is considered a natural defence of the embryo against the teratogenic chemicals present in certain food & beverages. It gets worse towards the end of the first trimester but the symptoms almost disappear as the second trimester starts.
Ways to manage
- A gynecologist may prescribe specific medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting
- Stay hydrated
- Keep salty snacks near your bed
- Drink lemon water
2. Missed menstrual periods
Among the widely known early pregnancy signs and symptoms are your missed periods. Once implantation is complete, a messenger hormone, hCG, is released to convey a message to your ovaries to stop the release of mature eggs, monthly. Hence the periods stop, indicating a pregnancy.
You’ll hopefully miss your next periods preceding 4 weeks after the successful implantation. Light spotting may occur which is called implantation bleeding.
Perform a home pregnancy test as soon as you miss your date. The good news is waiting for you!
Ways to manage
- Perform home pregnancy test to detect pregnancy at the earliest
- Consult a good gynecologist for further management
- If you are on any medicine, inform your doctor about the pregnancy as certain medicines may have negative effects on pregnancy
3. Breast tenderness
Among the most common early pregnancy signs and symptoms are breast changes and tenderness.
During the first 4-6 weeks, you may feel pain, swelling or tenderness in your breasts as the hormonal level is continuously increasing. As you approach your second trimester, these discomforting signs may not bother you much as the body becomes used to the changes.
The color around your nipples may change slightly.
Ways to manage
- Purchase supporting maternity bras
- Purchase breast pads that support your nipples to help reduce the pain
4. Frequent urination
During early pregnancy, the blood flow in the body is increased to satisfy the needs of the growing fetus and the mother. This assists the kidneys in filtering more fluid than usual and increases urine production.
The swelling uterus presses against the bladder which makes you run for the washroom more than usual. This sign can start as soon as the 4th week of pregnancy.
Ways to manage
- Do not limit your fluid intake
- Plan your washroom trips ahead of time to avoid incontinence and sleep disturbances. Research showed that frequent urination was behind sleep disturbances in 83.1% of women
5. Food cravings and aversions
If you feel sick even by the smell of certain foods, you are not alone. Data shows that almost 6 in 10 women feel food aversions during early pregnancy. Food aversion is an intense dislike for a particular food and its odor accompanied by physical symptoms like nausea or vomiting. A reason for this may be the smell sensitivity that is a self-reported symptom of early pregnancy.
Well! The good news for your smell sensitivity is it generally resolves within 6-12 weeks postpartum.
Food cravings are very common in early pregnancy as well. It is the exact opposite of food aversion, you crave to eat food that may not necessarily be your dearest before pregnancy. According to the reproductive health journal, these changes may be attributed to the hormones messing up your body in early pregnancy.
Read to know how soon can you take a pregnancy test.
Ways to manage
- Eat the food that you can tolerate easily
- Eat small and frequent meals
- Stay hydrated
- Eat or drink citrus foods
6. Heartburn and indigestion
A prevalent symptom in early pregnancy is heartburn and indigestion with an incidence percentage of 17% to 45% in pregnancy. Though it is one of the common concerns in early pregnancy, the prevalence elevates from 22% to 72% in the third trimester.
It has been found that increased progesterone levels relax the intestinal muscles, causing a delay in gastric emptying. Also, the lower esophageal sphincter is displaced to the area of negative pressure, causing the gastric acid to reflux from the stomach into the esophagus thus producing burning sensations. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is reported in about 80% of pregnancies.
A common myth says heartburn in pregnancy means a hairy baby. Well! In reality, it means a high progesterone level.
Ways to manage
- Symptoms severity can be reduced by using the prescribed antacids
- Take small but frequent meals
- Sit upright for at least 1 hour after a meal
- Avoid excessively acidic food
7. Mood swings and depression
Women are more vulnerable to depression indicating a prevalence ratio of 4 to 20% in pregnancy and 7.4% in the first trimester, as surveyed.
If you are feeling extremely sentimental and cry on even slight discomfort or literally without any reason, simply blame your hormones. High progesterone and estrogen levels particularly in early pregnancy contribute to emotional changes. Depression during pregnancy is faced by a lot of expectant mothers.
These hormonal changes may not resolve soon after pregnancy and lead to postpartum depression.
Ways to manage
- Eat healthy
- Get plenty of rest
- Talk to your loved ones
- Indulge in mild exercise
- Seek professional help if required
8. Fatigue
If you are feeling dog tired and lack the energy to even get out of bed, don’t blame yourself because pregnancy and the resulting hormonal changes are the real culprits.
If you have not been diagnosed yet, perform the pregnancy test as fatigue is a common sign of pregnancy in the first 12 weeks experienced by 80% of pregnant females in their first trimester. Hormonal changes, especially the spike of progesterone in early pregnancy can make you feel exhausted and tired.
Another point of attention is the increase in the blood supply to facilitate the developing placenta and fetus in early pregnancy days. This makes your heart beat rapidly and strongly. It’s a huge transition for workaholics but giving rest to your body is what you and your baby need.
Ways to manage
- Iron supplements prescribed by your gynecologist can help
- Take as much rest as possible
- Take small and frequent naps
- Go on a brisk walk when possible
- Keep your body hydrated.
9. Heart palpitations
Early pregnancy symptoms may include arrhythmias or fluttering and pounding of the heart. Although they are harmless but may cause discomfort and breathlessness even while talking.
Blood volume is increased to meet your and your baby’s needs so the heart rate (HR) is also increased by almost 25% and your body gives flight and fright responses like missing the beats, anxiety and shortness of breath. If these arrhythmias worsen, consult the best gynecologist.
Ways to manage
- Avoid caffeine
- Keep your mind and body relaxed
- Practice breathing exercises
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid fatiguing work.
10. Constipation
Early pregnant women are often seen struggling with reduced gastric motility. The American Pregnancy Association says that this symptom is seen in almost half of the total pregnant population and results in reduced bowel movements. Progesterone hormone which is abundantly produced during the early weeks of pregnancy relaxes the intestinal muscles thus, the food moves slowly through your system. Certain iron supplements may complement the symptoms.
In general, stress, anxiety, and low-fibre intake may also act as contributing factors to constipation.
Ways to manage
- Consume a high-fibre diet
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain good fluid intake
- Consult your gynecologist for a change in iron supplement or its dosage.
11. Head and back aches
Pregnancy in the early stages brings along another symptom which is head, back and full body pains. They may get excruciating at times. These are harmless to you and your baby but hamper your daily life. They settle down as the pregnancy progresses to the second trimester.
A headache can be a warning sign of preeclampsia (high blood pressure & excess proteins in the urine) if it occurs later in pregnancy. Back pains occur in pregnancy as the ligaments in your body become soft and stretch to prepare you for labor. The strain due to this on the joints causes aches.
This is a common pregnancy symptom as research shows its prevalence in 20-50% of pregnancies.
Ways to manage
- Paracetamol or any prescribed pain-killers
- Hot or cold compresses can reduce the symptoms
- Practice good posture & sleep on your side
- Don’t lift heavy objects
- Relax your mind as much as possible
- Exercise regularly
Confirm your pregnancy
- The Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that the home pregnancy test can give the best results when performed 1 week after your missed periods and other stated early signs and symptoms of pregnancy.
- If you are experiencing the mentioned early signs and symptoms of pregnancy but the home strip test gives a negative result, repeat the test after a week.
- In almost 97% of cases, the strip test results are accurate. However, if you are experiencing the early stated symptoms and signs are also visible, chances are the test is giving a false negative result. So, to rule out the confusion, blood and urine pregnancy tests are performed by your doctor.
- The stated signs and symptoms can be felt and seen as early as 1 week after conception.
- Don’t ignore these signs as they are the indicators of the first trimester of a long journey ahead.
Consult your gynecologist
Undiagnosed pregnancies can cause complications. Look for the commonly known early signs and symptoms of pregnancy in your body and pay attention to them. These are the pregnancy alarm clocks to bring your notice to the growing changes in your body. Consult the best gynecologist online as soon as the signs appear and the strip test announces pregnancy for further precautions and management.
Take-home note
The stated early signs and symptoms are not the absolute indicators of pregnancy. They may not be present in some but may be severely affecting others in the first trimester. This is due to the unique hormonal and genetic makeup of every individual.
Some other rare and hidden pregnancy signs may also occur in some females. However, based on the research and studies, missed menstrual bleeding, breast tenderness, morning sickness, and frequent urination are all the signs and symptoms most commonly experienced by the majority of expecting mothers. Perform a home pregnancy strip test for confirmation. Visit your gynecologist as early as possible for further prescriptions.
Read Also: Can you Take Tylenol While Pregnant?
FAQs
1. How soon do pregnancy symptoms start?
The pregnancy symptoms may start as soon as the first or second week after conception. A home strip test will give a positive result at this time as well.
2. What are the pregnancy symptoms in week 1?
Missed menstrual bleeding, breast tenderness, morning sickness, fatigue, and food aversions are the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy.
3. What is the first sign of pregnancy?
The implantation bleeding or light spotting can be the first sign of pregnancy which occur after 7-14 days of conception.