7 Most Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms
Eager to get your pregnancy confirmed, but not sure if you've started to experience early pregnancy symptoms? We understand how difficult it is to wait for the pregnancy confirmation, especially if you've been trying to conceive for a long time.
In other scenarios, an unwanted pregnancy can feel catastrophic for some families, so it is important to find out as soon as possible, so that options can be explored. This is especially the case in 2022 where some American states have taken away women’s reproductive rights. Abortion clinic services in some areas are increasingly restricted and under threat of closure, thereby placing families (especially poorer ones who already have limited access to quality healthcare) under duress in deciding how to deal with their unwanted pregnancies.
Taking a pregnancy test at the appropriate time is always the best approach to find out whether you're pregnant or not. However, you may notice symptoms even before it’s time to take a pregnancy test. This is because hormonal and physical changes in your body can occur even in early pregnancy.
Around 15 days after ovulation (DPO), you may experience the earliest symptoms of pregnancy. A few women may have symptoms as early as 5 DPO, however, this is not a confirmation of pregnancy. Read on to know the early pregnancy symptoms and some health tips to deal with them.
1. Missed Period: A missed period is the most obvious indication of pregnancy. After conception, you will most likely miss your next period that is due in 2 weeks. However, this symptom could be misleading if your menstrual cycle is irregular.
Apart from pregnancy, you may miss your period due to fatigue, hormonal changes, stress, or other factors that cause irregular periods.
Tips
● Take a pregnancy test if your period is late and you suspect pregnancy.
● Consult your doctor if the result is positive.
2. Spotting or Light bleeding: Light bleeding after conception may indicate that the fertilized egg has attached itself to the lining of your uterus/womb. It's known as implantation bleeding, usually occurring 10-14 days from conception.
A brownish discharge or small drops of blood from your vagina will indicate implantation bleeding. It might begin around the time of your next period and may last for a few days.
Along with spotting, you might feel mild period-like cramps. You may also notice a white, milky discharge from your vagina. This is due to the thickening of the vaginal wall, which occurs immediately after fertilization.
Tips
● Avoid alcohol consumption, smoking, as they can lead to complications in the pregnancy.
● Consult your doctor if spotting is accompanied by fever, severe cramping, fever, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
3. Nausea and Vomiting: These symptoms are also known as morning sickness and affect half of all pregnant women. Regardless of the term, it can occur at any time of day or night. It happens because of changes in your body due to pregnancy hormones. Along with nausea and vomiting, you may have a loss of appetite. However, some women experience nausea earlier than others, and some never experience it at all.
Morning sickness often begins during the fourth to sixth week of pregnancy and decreases around the 13th or 14th week.
Tips
● Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water.
● Have small, frequent meals.
● Eat foods that are high in protein, low in fat, and easy to digest.
4. Fatigue: One of the most prevalent early pregnancy symptoms is fatigue or feeling tired. This pregnancy symptom occurs as a result of a sudden increase in progesterone levels (a female sex hormone).
Other factors responsible for fatigue are reduced levels of blood sugar, low blood pressure, and increased blood flow. You may start to feel unusually fatigued as soon as one week after conceiving.
Fatigue, like other early pregnancy symptoms, tends to improve in the second trimester. However, for many women, it returns in the third trimester.
Tips
● Get enough sleep.
● Consume more protein and iron-rich foods.
5. Breast Changes: During implantation, the hCG (pregnancy hormone) level rises due to which your breasts may become larger and feel tender, exactly like they do a few days before your period. The skin surrounding the nipples may darken and enlarge as well.
After one to two weeks of conception, breast changes can be seen. Other factors like premenstrual syndrome (a combination of symptoms that happen before your periods) might also cause breast changes. However, if the changes are an early sign of pregnancy, keep in mind that it will take several weeks to get used to the new levels of hormones. Breast pain is temporary and as your body starts adjusting to the pregnancy hormones it will gradually subside.
Tips
● Wear a maternity bra that is both supportive and comfortable.
● Run warm water over your breasts or take a hot shower to ease soreness.
6. Frequent Urination: You may feel the need to urinate more frequently than normal, even at night. This happens because there is an increase in body fluid levels during pregnancy, resulting in enhanced kidney efficiency. Your kidneys filter blood and remove waste from your body. This waste is excreted in the form of urine. The more blood in your body, the more frequently you will need to urinate.
Another reason is, the growing uterus/womb presses against the urinary bladder (the organ in which urine is stored). However, you may experience this much later on in the pregnancy as the fetus is developing in the uterus and adding pressure on the bladder.
Tips
● Drink more fluids in the morning and afternoon to avoid night time urination.
● Avoid caffeinated beverages such as tea, coffee, and soda.
7. Food Cravings, Unusual Tastes, and Smells: Cravings for certain foods are common throughout pregnancy. These food preferences, like most other pregnancy symptoms, can be due to hormonal changes. While some foods and tastes may appear to be delicious in early pregnancy, others may begin to taste unpleasant.
Food aversions can occur during pregnancy, causing you to dislike foods you previously enjoyed. You may also develop a strange taste for non-food items like soil or paper. This is known as ‘pica’ which occurs due to a nutrient deficiency. If this persists, consult your doctor.
Tips
● Avoid your aversions and just look for other healthy foods to replace them with.
● Make sure your house has proper cross ventilation to banish cooking or musty odors.
Other Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy
● Breathlessness
● Dizziness and fainting
● Headaches
● Backache
● Mood swings
● Irritability
● Bloating
● Constipation
● Heartburn and indigestion
● Metallic taste
● Constant hunger
● Nasal congestion
● Shortness of breath
● Itchy skin
● Increased vaginal discharge
FAQs on Early Pregnancy Symptoms
1. How early pregnancy symptoms can start?
Early pregnancy symptoms such as sensitivity to smell and breast soreness can develop as early as a few days after conception, while other early pregnancy symptoms such as spotting might occur 10 to 14 days after conception.
2. Can early pregnancy symptoms come and go?
Yes, it's perfectly natural that your pregnancy symptoms may come and go. Having no symptoms at all is also considered normal. You may experience a variety of symptoms during pregnancy. However, most of the symptoms have been seen to subside during term only to reappear later. In some women, some symptoms may not reappear at all while some may last until delivery.
3. Are early pregnancy symptoms similar to PMS?
For many women, the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy might be mistaken with those of her upcoming menstrual cycle, sometimes known as PMS (premenstrual syndrome). Breast swelling, enlargement, soreness, discomfort, or tenderness are common PMS and early pregnancy symptoms. But, symptoms such as nausea and vomiting are not common in PMS. Since all these are symptoms caused due to an increase in progesterone levels, you may experience them as a part of PMS or pregnancy. If your period is late or absent, take a pregnancy test to know the exact cause.
4. What are early pregnancy symptoms with twins?
Honestly, it is impossible to know whether you are carrying twins (or multiple babies) by assessing your symptoms. An ultrasound is the only way to confirm a twin pregnancy. However, as early signs of a twin pregnancy, you may have rapid weight gain and increased breast size. You may also notice an increase in hunger or tiredness. Some women also tend to show sooner if they are expecting twins.
5. Do all women get early pregnancy symptoms?
Every pregnancy is different and not every woman will experience all of these symptoms. Many of these signs and symptoms do not always indicate pregnancy. Some might occur if you are going to fall sick or if your period is about to begin. Similarly, you might be pregnant and not have many of these symptoms.
Summing It Up:
● If you’re trying to get pregnant, tracking ovulation is important for determining the most fertile days in your menstrual cycle.
● If you think you are pregnant, wait for one or two days after your missed period and take a pregnancy test.
● Wait for a few more days if the test result is negative. Pregnancy tests work best when hCG levels rise in your body (12 to 15 days after ovulation).
● According to the American Pregnancy Association, blood tests for hCG levels should be accurate 11 days post-conception, while urine tests should be done 12–14 days later.
● Listen to your body if you experience symptoms like nausea, breast tenderness, and, of course, the hallmark symptom of a missed period.
● Consult your doctor if the urine pregnancy test result is positive. He/She may recommend a blood test to confirm the pregnancy.
● The sooner you get pregnancy confirmation, the sooner you can begin prenatal care.
● Inform your doctor if any early pregnancy symptoms become severe or bother you.