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Am I pregnant? - The early signs of pregnancy
Early signs of pregnancy are different for everyone. Some women feel the first twinges of pregnancy a week or two after conceiving, while others won’t notice any difference for weeks or even months. We have listed the most common and most reliable signs of pregnancy.
Early signs of pregnancy - What to look for
Missed period
One of the first, most obvious, and probably the most reliable sign of pregnancy, is a missed period. If the egg has been successfully fertilized, made its way through the fallopian tube and managed to implant itself into the uteruses, the menstrual cycle stops and a pregnant woman misses her period.
After a week of missed menstrual cycle you should taking a pregnancy test. If the test results are positive, you should consult a doctor.
Other reasons for missed periods are including stress, extreme exercise, weight loss or gain, and eating disorders.
In the first Trimester, some women experience light bleeding or spottings, but it is usually no cause for alarm.
2. Light bleeding or spotting
Some women experience light bleeding or spotting in early pregnancy. This is usually nothing to worry about and is a normal part of your body adjusting to pregnancy.
3. Mild stomach cramps
Some early pregnancy cramps feel a lot like period pain: dull, low and a bit uncomfortable. This is often caused by hormonal changes and the uterus beginning to adjust. If it feels mild and comes and goes, it’s usually normal. If pain is severe or persistent, always check with a healthcare professional.
Tender breasts
Another early sign is tender breasts. The women´s breast often becomes swollen and sore. It can happen around one or two weeks after conception and will be caused by the change of hormone levels and will ease up in couple of weeks.
Nausea
The most known sight will be the pregnancy nausea. It often starting around the 6th week of pregnancy, but not all women are affected.
Morning sickness is probably the most known and talked about symptom of pregnancy. Often starting around the 6th week of pregnancy. What exactly causes morning sickness, cravings or dislikes is not known for sure, but pregnancy hormones are likely to contribute.
Frequent urintation
Pregnant women often feel increased need to urinate during the first trimester of the pregnancy. The increased blood flow makes pregnant woman's kidney produce up to 25% more urine. The increased urination can start soon after conception, but is usually at a high between week 9 and 16 of the pregnancy. Then settles down and increases again in the third trimester, when the growing uterus puts pressure on the woman’s bladder.
Fatigue
Fatique or feeling unusually tired and exhausted is normal during pregnancy and can be one of the first symptoms. A woman can start feeling fatique as soon as one week after conceiving. This is mainly related to the high level of progesterone, but also affected by lower levels of blood sugar, lower blood pressure and increased blood production.
8. Mood Swings
Hormones can make your emotions feel like a rollercoaster. One minute you’re laughing at a meme, the next you’re crying over a commercial. This is normal in early pregnancy and usually eases over time.
9. Food cravings or aversions
You might suddenly crave pickles, chocolate, or some random combo, or find yourself hating foods you normally enjoy. Both cravings and aversions are common signs that your body is adjusting to pregnancy hormones.
10. Feeling achy
Hormonal changes, increased blood volume, and postural shifts can bring on mild headaches or backaches in early pregnancy. Stay hydrated, rest when you can, and check with your healthcare provider if the pain is severe.
What now?
Wondering what to do next? Here’s a quick guide:
How early can pregnancy symptoms start? Some people feel changes almost immediately, while others don’t notice anything until weeks later, or at all. Being pregnant without symptoms is more common than you might think.
When should you take a pregnancy test? The best time to test is from the first day of a missed period. Testing too early can give a false negative. If your result is negative but your period doesn’t arrive, try again a few days later.
Can you be pregnant without any symptoms? Absolutely. Every pregnancy is different, and a lack of symptoms doesn’t mean anything is wrong.
If you think you might be pregnant: Take a deep breath, take a test, confirm with a healthcare provider, and start making gentle, pregnancy-friendly choices, one step at a time.
Read more: I'm pregnant! What is the next step?
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.