Pregnancy is a wonderful time in a woman’s life. If you suspect that you are pregnant and you are feeling slightly nauseous, then you might want to know some of the early signs of pregnancy.
Cramping is usually one of the first signs that women experiences, but there are others that you should look out for. Keep reading to find out what are some early signs of pregnancy.
Some pregnant women who experience cramping in the first trimester usually panic because they think that it’s a sign of miscarriage.
However, you have nothing to worry about if you are having this symptom because cramping goes hand in hand with the early signs of pregnancy. In fact, it is a common occurrence and it’s normal to have cramps during pregnancy.
It is triggered when a fertilized embryo is implanted inside the inner uterine wall. The cramping also indicates that the uterus is making preparations to carry the embryo.
Let’ take a look at some of the other possible signs and symptoms that you can experience in the early stages of pregnancy.
What Are Some Early Signs of Pregnancy
Like some women, you might experience what is called implantation bleeding. This will happen when the embryo is embedded in the uterine wall. You can know this if you see a pinkish discharge that is called spotting.
Increase in basal body temperature is another early sign of pregnancy. The basal body temperature usually increases after ovulation, and its persist rise for more than two weeks indicates pregnancy.
Swollen and tender breasts are some of the earliest pregnancy signs. You could experience a sore feeling around the areola.
A feeling of nausea that is accompanied by vomiting is another common sign. If you are pregnant, you might also notice that you have a craving or an aversion for certain foods.
Dizziness and fainting spells are common occurrences as well. You experience this when the blood vessels dilate to cause a drop in your blood pressure. These symptoms are also accompanied by mild to a severe headache at times.
Constipation is another early sign and this is caused by increased levels of estrogen [1][2][3]. This hormonal increase causes food to pass through the large intestine slowly after digestion.
Bear in mind that intensive cramping can be one of the early signs as well as an indication that you have ectopic pregnancy.
This type of pregnancy occurs when the fetus is growing outside of the uterus. If this is the case, you have to pay attention to the changes and consult your doctor to avoid unwanted complications.
Shortness of breath may be something you’ll experience, even if you are fairly athletic and energetic.
- Due to the increasing size of the uterus, the diaphragm – a respiratory muscle- cannot move downward to help fill the lungs with air.
- Progesterone is a respiratory stimulant, causing breathing to become faster.
- The hypervolemia increases the cardiac load in a pregnant woman, causing her to feel short of breath during later pregnancy. As your baby grows, being short of breath will become a common occurrence.
Fatigue may happen anytime during pregnancy, but it is most common during the early stages, what with your progesterone levels shooting through the roof. This causes you to feel sleepy and to have a high body temperature.
Frequent urination and incontinence are also signs of pregnancy. This is due to the increased amount of blood that your body pumps, causing your kidney to work twice as hard in dealing with fluids. The result is more fluid in your bladder that you need to get rid of. In some cases, you may even leak accidentally.
Breast changes are also tell-tale signs that you might be pregnant. Hormone changes can cause tenderness or swelling between the 4th and 6th week. Around the 11th week, your breast could be bigger. The area around your nipple may also become darker in color.
An aching head that results from changes in hormone is a sure sign that you’re pregnant. If you suspect that this is the case, remember to take PG-safe acetaminophen to deal with the pain instead of ibuprofen.
If your lower back is a little sore more frequently than before, it is possible that you are pregnant and the backache is a result of your ligaments loosening.
During pregnancy, progesterone levels are ordinarily high, which is necessary for the internal structures of your body to increase in size, including the ureters. It is also responsible for transforming your uterus to accommodate a full-term baby.
Food cravings or aversions and sensitivity to certain smells may also happen, especially during the early stages of pregnancy. Although there is little scientific evidence to back food aversions or smell sensitivity during the first trimester, research showed that there is a relationship between smells and pregnancy.
Heartburn may also occur during early pregnancy with hormones causing the valve between your esophagus and stomach to relax and allow acid to reflux back into the lower esophagus.
Since not all antacids are safe for pregnant women, you should talk to your doctor if you suspect your symptoms are due to changes in hormones.
Although some pregnancy symptoms may overlap with menstrual signs, you should try to differentiate one from the other, so you don’t put yourself and your baby at risk.
After knowing some early signs of pregnancy, you can start to eat healthy foods, take medications on time, get plenty of rest and visit your gynecologist to get a routine checkup to ensure a safe and smooth pregnancy.
References
my last period was from November 23rd to November 27th and about a week after my period ended I notice that my breast are quite sore, more than usual. is that normal?
Hi,Sore breasts after a period can result from a variety of factors. Although it normally ceases during periods, there are also instances when it can be worsened because of too much ingestion of certain foods and taking some drugs.As long as your breasts are not reddened, not warm to touch, have no abnormal nipple discharges, and do not have extremely palpable bumps, then sore breasts after a period should not be a cause for alarm.
My period came Nov 14th and finished on the 18th. I had sex on the 26th of November and the 27th. I took the ovulation test the thursday, frid, sat and there were two lines. Does this means I could be pregnant? I have been taking my prenatal tabs too. I am hoping that a baby is on the way.
Hi
My last period was on 16th October, 2015. This November i took home pregnancy test on 15th, 16th, 17th…… It was positive…. Then i visited doctor on 18th of November…. She took a urine test and it was also positive…. Now i want to know if their is any possibility of the result is not true?? May be there is some other reason the result showing positive? um asking because that time i had symptoms like- breast tenderness, craving for foods, tiredness…. But suddenly from last week um having symptoms like craving for foods and tiredness… nothing else…. Doctor asked me to visit her 1st week of December… Should i need to visit her again right now?? Or its usual?? Please let me know….
You’ve tested positive so you’re pregnant and having the usual pregnancy symptoms. Visit your doctor the 1st week of December, your symptoms are normal.
Hi. I am 28 yrs old … trying to fall preg for over a year now. I have had very irregular periods for the last 3 months. I also cannot track ovulation.my cycle used to be 28 days but it now goes over to 35 days and it’s just a little spotting. I don’t know what to do and I’m going crazy between ovulation and pregnancy symptoms. What could be wrong with me?
Nothing may be wrong with you. Since your period is irregular, you first need to implement measures that will regulate your cycle and boost ovulation. Making certain lifestyle changes can eliminate or improve hormonal imbalances. You need to ensure that you have a healthy weight, eat healthy, exercise and take a fertility supplement and prenatal vitamins if you can. Since it is difficult and frustrating to identify your fertile window, you may need the help of a fertility monitor to track your cycle.
Hi, i got period last month its third week of october and till now haven’t yet my period.. And i had some signs, like being moody, backpain, it is possible that i can get pregnant? Thank you!
More information such as the exact date that your last period started, the number of days in your cycle and the days that you had unprotected sex would be needed to provide an accurate response.
Hi. My last period was October 15-24 and was expecting my next period November 15 but until now I have no period. Am I pregnant? By the way, I had unprotected sex last November 14.
You need to wait until at least one week has passed since you missed your period. Take a test then for confirmation. Your pregnancy cannot be confirmed without a blood or urine test or pelvic exam.
I started my last period on the 16th of oct and had unprotected sex on 6th of nov and I have not seen my period till now. Have been having mild cramps though. Pls how possible is it that I am pregnant? I have a 28 days cycle but it was 26 days the last time
Hi, Whenever you have unprotected sex its always possible to get pregnant.
hi can i ask?my last period is on last nov.14 2015 and nov 17 and 18 i have unprotected sex with my bf it is posible im getting pregnant? nov 17 and 18 i only have slight bleeding.pls reply me ty.
Hi
I had my period on 6th oct.Till now i didn’t have my period and i had unprotected sex on 8th nov.
Now i am feeling light cramp in my stomach.No sign of period as of now.
I have of cycle of 34 days
Thanks so much for advice
I want to get pregnant
Hello, Once you have unprotected sex its possible to become pregnant, take a pregnancy test or visit your doctor if the cramps become worse.
hello, please I need help, I suppose to have my period on 4 of November but up to now my period has not come, please does it mean that I am pregnant or what. help me.
Hi, If you have had unprotected sex then it could be possible you are pregnant but there are many other reasons for a missed period wait a week or 2 then take a pregnancy test.
I took two recall hpt and both was faint lines so I took it apart and seen the line…..is it ok to confirm I’m pregnant
I know its to early but im very curious to know since I just m/c in august……I’ve been having mild tireing cramps….I had a day of a headache….and I’ve been sick on and off I’ve been seeing a lot of cm clear stringy like (tmi) but I’m 5dpo tell me my chance on being pregnant please
Hi I had my period on the 14-18 nd had sex everyday since on the 24 I took a ovulation test it was positive test so I had sex on the 25 and 26….is it a chance I might be pregnant i know its too early to test but I really need to know my chances
You can get the most accurate result if you wait at least one week after missing your period. In addition, the result might be even more accurate if the test is done first in the morning as the urine is far more concentrated at this time. The urine-based home pregnancy tests offer great accuracy.
Hi, my last period was on September 13. My cycle last 28 days and it is now October 21 and my period still has not arrived. What are the chances of me being pregnant?
The chances depend on whether you had sex during your fertile days. It could be that your period is late for other reasons. To be sure, however, you can get the most accurate result if you wait at least one week after missing your period. In addition, the result might be even more accurate if the test is done first in the morning as the urine is far more concentrated at this time. The urine-based home pregnancy tests offer great accuracy
My period came on the 15th of September and the 28th also and now its Oct 19 and my period has yet to come and I’ve had cramping but no period what could it be?
You had a period twice in September – read this link to guide you on this occurrence http://womanjunction.com/menstrual-cycles-month/ You could have hormonal issues that need to be addressed.
Hi I had my period on September 29- October 4. I had unprotected sex on October 8, 9 and 10. Could I be pregnant.
An accurate response cannot be provided without knowing the number of days in your cycle.
I had sex with my fiancé on August 23 we did it 6-7 times that day and my period came on the next evening Aug 24 but now i have been having hot flashes where I break out into a sweat I am nauseous I’m sleeping a lot more I have been having minor cramps my period is supposed to come on today because my cycle is 26 days my period only last 3 days the 4th day its gone if I don’t get my period when can I take a pregnancy test
Hi JAllen, wait at least one week after missing your period before taking a test. find out more in this post: http://womanjunction.com/home-pregnancy-test/