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
Hi, I had my period on the 1 February, 2016 and had sex on 13 to 17 February which are my fertile days but yet I didn’t get pregnant and had my period again on the 29 February, 2016. Pls can someone tell me why I didn’t get pregnant? I really need an answer.
Hi Steffy. Can you help me? My last menstruation was last February 3rd and I had intercourse with may husband last February 23. Is it possible that I got pregnant? I am three days delayed today and I’m worried.
Hello. It depends on the number of days in your cycle and whether your periods are regular or irregular. Based on the dates given, your menstrual period was expected to start on March 04, 2016; you have a 30 days cycle. It’s possible that you were most fertile from February 17 to 21, 2016. You may not be pregnant but wait until the end of this week and take a pregnancy test.
Last date of my period was the 16th Feb 2016, I had unprotected sex 4 times in my fertile window and I’m due on on the 16th March, but I’m getting some cramping in my lower abdomen and a sore left breastfeeding, could I be pregnant.
Just need some help please
Hi Holly. There is always a chance of pregnancy if you have unprotected sex. You could be having some premenstrual pain. You should take a pregnancy test to be sure.
I am new. i have a question my period is 2/6 2016 and i had unprotected sex in 2/16 to 19 2016. I feel very tried and don’t want to do anything. I tested, it came negative and my due period came in 3 days. what should i do? thank you
Hi. There is always a chance of pregnancy when you have unprotected sex. You stated that you did have a period. If you are still concerned you should talk to your doctor about your fatigue,
I was supposed to get my period yesterday but i didn’t get it i’m worried.
Hey! The first day of my last period was on Jan. 22 and it’s usually a regular 28 days cycle. My expected period was on Feb. 19…. it’s now Feb
22… time for a pregnancy test?
No, there are numerous reasons why a period could be delayed. If your cycle doesn’t show by the 26th, I would take one.
I have took one and went to the hospital cause I have acid reflux because I am expecting . I am 4 weeks 🙂
congrats 🙂
hi i got my period last january 2 and last for five days..and we have unprotected sex for a week and i have period again january 30..and after 1 week i feel cramping and nausea..it is possible to get pregnant?
Since you had your period afterwards, then no it is extremely unlikely that you could be pregnant.
Hello Steffy.
My last period was between 29th december 2015 and 3rd of january 2016. My period has always been irregular. I had unprotected sex on the 5th of february after which I took an emergency contraception pill. I don’t feel any pain, dizziness or anything listed above. What are the chances that I am pregnant?
i had my period from 28th to 2nd December. Up to date my period has not come. I’am getting frequent dizziness, back ache pain, both nipples are sensitive, urinating frequently, eating frequently and have higher interest in sour food plus my mood changes from time to time. Is there a sign that I’m pregnant?
Hello,It is possible i think you should take a pregnancy test
How to count if how many days or weeks my pregnancy is if my last period is december 22 till 27 , 2015 and i have intercourse to my husband last january 1 , 2 and 8, 2016? When do i start the counting?
Hello, I experience a normal monthly menstrual cycle last November 22, 2015 and my period came on December 22, till 27, 2015. Me and my husband had intercourse last January 1,2 and 8, 2016. My period did not come on January 22, 2016. After 2 days delayed I used a pregnancy test and got a positive result. I bought buy another test on January 27 to make it sure and the result is also positive. If I’m pregnant, how many weeks pregnant am I? I hope you can email me first the answer thank you in advance. God bless to all.
The two tests have confirmed that you’re pregnant. You conceived on January 5 and you’re five weeks pregnant.
Thank you.. Hope this pregnancy become successful at this time after experience 2 miscarriage. I have faith in God and i believe in His Power. Godbless
Steffy, do u think is it normal that i don’t feel any pain in my boobs? Only lower back pain, bloated, pelvic cramps, feel very lazy..
Hi I had an abortion on the 23 of December and I had a heavy bleeding for 2 days so after that I went to the clinic for injection that prevents us from getting pregnant. After a week I had unprotected sex so this January I haven’t seen my period since I last saw my period on December 24. So I want to know if I’m pregnant or what.
The contraceptive injection is effective in your body for three months – during that time you will not get pregnant. You may or may not have a period while you’re on the injection. The contraceptive becomes effective once you’re injected so it is likely that you’re not pregnant.
Hello. My period ended on the 21st of January and I had unprotected sex on the 22nd of January. Am I at higher risk of pregnancy? Am a bit nervous as I want to believe that I was safe. How can I be sure?
Hi! My last first day of period was on Dec 12, 2015 I have a 26 days cycle, my breast is sore and cramps like period days and have sensitive smell sometimes, kinda moody. I checked online my next period will be on Jan 7 so I took a pregnancy test but the result is negative, my question is how many weeks am I pregnant? Or am I pregnant? Please answer me asap I’m super excited thanks a lot, God bless.
You may be testing too early. 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. Good luck!
Hi steffy thanks! but I have my period but really light like theres no even stain on my pads, I had it just today then I went to the OB to tell her bout it and she did internal exam and my blood then came out like I gave birth so I wonder why and how that happen then light period turn into heavy and I did another PT and it was negative im kinda depressed right now, am I be pregnant is it possible to be though I have my monthly?? thanks again
Hi, the first day of my period was on December 13, my period usually ends five days after, i had unprotected sex on December 19. Can i ask if that day is safe?
Hi, To be honest there is no such thing as a safe day as a woman can get pregnant anytime after she has had unprotected sex.if you dont want to get pregnant i suggest you consider birth control.
Can I be pregnant because I have unprotected sex with my lover on my period day, pls I need your answer.