Feel like you could be pregnant? Here are some of the most typical first-month pregnancy symptoms.
While a missing period is frequently the first indication of pregnancy, there are several other signs you should watch out for. These can include mood changes, aching breasts, exhaustion, and morning sickness.
Each person’s and each pregnancy’s symptoms are unique. Additionally, it might be challenging to separate pregnancy symptoms from premenstrual symptoms. Take a pregnancy test as soon as your menstruation starts to lag in order to be certain. A pregnancy test or ultrasound is the only way to determine whether you are pregnant.
Common Early Pregnancy Signs
These symptoms are not always present, and the absence of them does not necessarily indicate that you are not pregnant or that your pregnancy is not viable. However, during the first few weeks of pregnancy, a lot of people do detect these signs and symptoms.
1. Missed or Strange Period
One of the most reliable indicators of pregnancy is a missed period. A missed period doesn’t automatically indicate pregnancy, though. If your pregnancy test is positive, a medical professional will inquire about the start day of your last regular menstruation (LMP). If you are pregnant, that day will also help you figure out when you are due.
Even while some people experience implantation bleeding right before their period is due, it is typically only spotting and lighter or shorter than their typical period. A few women may cycle throughout their pregnancy, however this is uncommon.
If your periods are normally irregular, it could be more difficult to notice a missed or unusual period. A pregnancy test and subsequent pelvic exam may be required in this situation. Your doctor will take steps to rule out other potential causes if pregnancy is ruled out as the reason for your missed period.
2. Morning Sickness
Morning sickness affects about 50% of pregnancies, though the intensity might vary substantially. Some people only get sick at night, some only get sick during the day, and some people only get sick sometimes but in a certain way. There may or may not be vomiting.
The quick increase in estrogen, which is made by the fetus and placenta, coincides with the unpleasant sensation. Because pregnant women have a more acute sense of smell, foods, perfumes, and smoke scents can make you feel sick.
This can start as early as two weeks after conception, although it usually starts between four and eight weeks of pregnancy.
3. A Higher Basal Body Temperature
The temperature you are at when you first wake up in the morning, prior to getting out of bed, is known as your basal body temperature (BBT). Hormones have an impact on it. Even before a positive pregnancy test result, a raised BBT might be the first sign of pregnancy.
Some people monitor their BBT all the time to try to get pregnant. If the temperature stays above or above the cover line temperatures on a BBT chart, it is a reliable sign of pregnancy.
4. Fatigue
Another pregnant symptom is the inability to maintain eye contact or the desire for frequent naps. For some expectant parents, fatigue sets in quite early as their bodies go through numerous changes in preparation for having a kid. In the early stages of pregnancy, progesterone levels that are really high can make you feel like you just want to sleep.
Try learning to power nap if you discover that you are extremely sleepy in order to get through the day.
5. Bloating
Although you won’t start to show in the early stages of pregnancy, some women describe an expanding belly as one of the signs. Instead of the growing baby, bloating usually causes this.
Usually merely a pound or two, weight increase during the first trimester is not very visible. Actually, as you alter your lifestyle, you might even lose weight as a result of a combination of poor health, food aversions, and a healthier diet.
6. Increased G1as
Being gassy — or, less gracefully, “farty” — is no big deal while you’re lounging around by yourself in your worn-out sweats, but it’s downright terrifying anywhere else. It’s regrettably one of the more typical early pregnancy symptoms.
Throughout the first few weeks of pregnancy as well as the following nine months, expect to have flatulence. An irregular gas will inevitably occur during a work meeting or a cool-down in your silent yoga class.
7. Headaches
Due to hormonal changes, headaches occur quite frequently during pregnancy. Although it could be an indication of pregnancy, this symptom is not always one. Your headaches could be brought on by a variety of factors, including stress.
Although it can happen at any stage of pregnancy, the first trimester is when it tends to happen the most regularly. Consult your doctor about which drugs, including over-the-counter painkillers, are safe for your infant if the pain is too great to bear.
8. Dizziness
During the first trimester of pregnancy, some women may experience fainting or dizziness. Wooziness can be caused by blood shifts throughout the body, particularly when a woman changes positions, such as from sitting to standing or when she gets out of bed. It can also be caused by low blood sugar or dehydration.
Sometimes you could feel lightheaded, but this normally only happens in the first trimester. If it persists or occurs later in your pregnancy, it is definitely something to discuss with a doctor or midwife.
9. Breast Tenderness
For many women, sensitive and sore breasts are one of the early signs of pregnancy. As your breasts prepare to create milk and nurture your baby, several changes occur both within and outside of them.
The second trimester is when this ache generally subsides. It’s another hormone-related symptom. Estrogen and progesterone surge when the breasts get ready for breastfeeding and produce the soreness.
10. Mood Changes
Your body undergoes a true hormonal rollercoaster in the first few weeks of pregnancy, and mood swings are extremely frequent. Don’t be surprised or angry if you find yourself suddenly crying or feeling really emotional.
11. Frequent Urination
A symptom that you could be pregnant is if you find yourself using the restroom more frequently than normal. Due to the expanding uterus, frequent urine is typical quite early in the first trimester and again in the third trimester. 2
There isn’t much you can do about this other than to be aware of where every restroom is. You should also drink plenty of water.
12. Cramping
Instead of thinking of cramping as an early pregnancy sign, you might relate it with your approaching period. Some women suffer early uterine cramps when their uterus stretches and undergoes changes.
Your doctor should be informed right away of anything serious. The same holds true if bleeding also occurs along with the cramping.
13. Cravings
Strange desires during pregnancy are a common occurrence. In actuality, early on and during your pregnancy, you could experience cravings for or aversions to particular meals, especially pungent or unhealthy ones.
14. Acne
Pregnancy symptoms can also include an increase in acne and other skin alterations. But be careful with the drugs you use to treat it. Birth deformities can be brought on by some drugs, including Accutane and those with high vitamin A content. The best course of action for treating skin issues while you are pregnant is to consult a healthcare professional.
15. Vaginal Discharge
In the early stages of pregnancy, vaginal discharge without itchiness or burning may be indicative of pregnancy. The cervix is forming a mucus plug to close off the entrance and help shield your unborn child from infections. You might detect a minor rise in vaginal secretions during this changeover.
The discharge from the vagina shouldn’t smell, burn, or itch. These infection-related symptoms call for medical attention.
Pregnancy vs PMS
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and pregnancy symptoms are frequently confused by people. Bloated a little bit? Since many people experience this around the time of their period, it’s simple to dismiss as common. The same holds true for conditions like cramps and backaches.
Only a pregnancy test or a doctor’s appointment can determine whether you are indeed pregnant. Additionally, doing this will help you feel more at ease.
Remember that most of these symptoms are natural for pregnant women. Usually, they only become a problem when they significantly impact your everyday life or health or when your pregnant symptoms suddenly and completely vanish.
Takeaway
Keep in mind that some pregnancy symptoms take time to manifest while others can appear quite early in the pregnancy. It is also possible to be quite normal to feel nothing.
Take a pregnancy test if you suspect that you are pregnant. Consult your doctor or midwife if you’re expecting or uncertain about your results.