Whether you’re anxious to find out if you’re finally pregnant or you’re not sure if you have an unplanned pregnancy, your body will probably give you several clues early on. Unfortunately, sometimes these signs are subtle and resemble those you experience before or during your period.
In a typical 28-day cycle, your ovaries release an egg around the 14th day during ovulation, when there is the greatest chance for fertilization. When an egg is fertilized, you have conceived. The fertilized egg still needs to travel to the uterus and become implanted in the uterine wall, a process which releases the hormone hCG that is used to detect pregnancy with home and blood tests. This can take up to 5 to 6 days after conception and it’s the earliest time at which you can experience symptoms.
1.Tender, Swollen Breasts
Swollen breast and tenderness is a common indicator you are pregnant. Breast changes can begin as soon as 1-2 weeks after conception. For some women, tenderness and swelling last for just the first week, but other women have some level of tenderness for the entire pregnancy. This tenderness may be mild or it can be extreme enough that water from a shower or a loose t-shirt can be uncomfortable.
This tenderness is caused by increasing levels of progesterone and estrogen, which boost blood flow to the breasts. This is also why many women also experience breast tenderness around ovulation and PMS as these hormones fluctuate then, too.
Supportive, lightweight, and comfortable maternity bras can help ease tenderness and avoid irritation.
2. Fatigue
Fatigue or extreme tiredness is perhaps the most common early indicator you are pregnant. Many women report lethargy and fatigue for the first 12 weeks which improves before returning again in the third trimester. The exhaustion of early pregnancy can feel like nothing else and make it difficult to even keep your eyes open despite a full night’s rest.
Excessive tiredness is the result of your body working harder than ever. Your body must produce more blood to carry nutrients to the growing fetus. Your blood pressure and blood sugar levels are also lower than usual. These factors are combined with rising levels of progesterone and estrogen which can make you feel out of sorts.
3. Slight Bleeding
Slight bleeding during the first trimester is so common, it’s reported by 25% of pregnant women. Light spotting is also one of the most common early pregnancy symptoms. Also known as implantation bleeding, this spotting happens when the embryo gets implanted in the lining of the uterus. Many women mistake this light bleeding for a period, especially because it can come with cramps.
Implantation bleeding is usually pink or brownish spotting about 6-12 days after you ovulate. This bleeding lasts for 1 to 2 days for most women and it typically happens right around the same time as a pregnancy test turns positive.
4. Cramping
Cramps, along with sore breasts, are among the earliest signs most women notice. The cramping of early pregnancy can feel just like the cramps you experience before your period, although these cramps are the result of increased blood flow to your uterus, not increased prostaglandins as during your period.
The cramping may be most noticeable when you change positions, cough, or sneeze. This is because it happens when your uterus expands and causes the supporting muscles and ligaments to stretch. Mild cramping is no cause for concern unless the pain is very severe, only on one side, or you are also experiencing bleeding but not on your period.
5. Nausea
Nausea and vomiting — also known as morning sickness — may be the first sign you notice that you’re pregnant. Some women experience morning sickness very early, but most develop this symptom after the 6th week. Despite the name, morning sickness can strike at any hour, it’s just most likely to happen when your stomach is empty.
Nausea is the result of rising levels of pregnancy hormones after implantation. According to researchers, some women are simply more at risk for developing morning sickness because the nausea center of their brain is more sensitive. If you get motion sickness, vomit easily with the stomach flu, or feel sick when you witness someone else vomiting, you are more likely to get morning sickness while pregnant.
6. Headaches
Headaches can happen during any stage of pregnancy due to changing hormone levels, but they are most common in early pregnancy. This is when hormone levels first begin to skyrocket. During the first 12 weeks, headaches can be the result of rising hormone levels as well as an increase in blood volume. With some women, stress can trigger headaches during pregnancy. Some women prone to migraines and headaches may find they are reduced while pregnant but others find they get worse.
Getting more rest and staying off your feet can help alleviate a headache. Tylenol is safe during pregnancy when used as directed to alleviate pain. Some research has found that aspirin and ibuprofen during early pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, however.
7. Constipation
Constipation is one of several early signs of pregnancy that happens when the body produces more gas than usual. Muscle contractions that are supposed to move waste through the intestines also slow down due to increasing levels of progesterone. The longer waste remains in the intestines, the more water gets reabsorbed back into the body. This makes waste harder to pass. Some women also experience bloating and diarrhea, which may happen even before you miss your period.
There are a few healthy and safe strategies for combating constipation while pregnant. Peppermint tea can help, as can increasing water intake and eating more fiber in the form of whole grains. Avoid large meals and gas-producing foods like onion and beans.
8. Mood Swings
The massive changes in hormone levels brought on by pregnancy can affect neurotransmitters that regulate mood. Mood swings are a common symptom experienced by pregnant women during the first trimester, especially between the 6th and 10th week. Hormonal changes, increasing blood volume, and reduced blood sugar and blood pressure can also trigger extreme fatigue and metabolism changes. These may contribute to mood swings.
This symptom that you’re pregnant may be subtle, however, and you may not be the first to notice moodiness. it can also be mistaken for PMS, especially when combined with cramping and spotting. Moodiness can also be different depending on the woman. Some feel heightened emotions, such as extreme elation and fear. Others just feel more anxious and depressed.
