What Are Pregnancy Symptoms?

Pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman, even from one pregnancy to another. Though some women may experience noticeable symptoms in their first week, some may not notice anything until after a missing period. Knowing early pregnancy symptoms is essential for women trying to have kids or who suspect they are pregnant.

Interestingly, the first week of pregnancy is calculated on the date of the last period you had, even if you were not pregnant at the time. Your last monthly cycle counts as week one of pregnancy, even if you were not pregnant then. The expected date of delivery is calculated by taking the first day of the last period you had. Consequently, you may not have noticeable symptoms in the initial weeks of your pregnancy. However, some women experience early signs of pregnancy before missed period.

This page looks at the early signs of pregnancy, including those before a missing period.

What Is Typically the First Sign of Pregnancy?

A missed period is one of the most common and early symptoms of pregnancy. Every month, the menstrual cycle helps the body prepare for pregnancy. As part of this process, the lining of the uterus thickens to provide a favourable environment for a fertilised egg to implant and develop.

When pregnancy fails to occur, the body sheds this lining through menstrual periods. However, if conception occurs, the uterine lining remains intact, and the expected period does not arrive. This is the reason why missing your period is frequently the first noticeable indicator of pregnancy.

However, delayed or missing periods are not necessarily a reliable indicator of pregnancy. Hormonal imbalances , elevated stress levels, and irregular cycles can all lead to changes in period schedule.

13 Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Each individual and each pregnancy is unique. So, if you are pregnant, it's likely you have a unique set of not-so-common, common, and, at times, overlapping signs and symptoms. Furthermore, they can show up sooner or later than expected. Here are some of the early symptoms of pregnancy.

1. Implantation Bleeding

Light bleeding or spotting, often known as implantation bleeding, can be early pregnancy symptoms before missed periods. Approximately one-third of pregnant women encounter this. It occurs when a fertilised egg attaches to the uterine wall. Unlike menstrual bleeding, implantation bleeding is usually light in colour and lasts a short period of time.

2. Abdominal Cramps

Mild cramping can occur during the early stages of pregnancy when the embryo implants in the uterus. This pain may feel like something like tingling or slight pulling, as opposed to the more intense discomfort associated with menstruation cramps.

3. Pregnancy Discharge

Apart from bleeding, among the early symptoms of pregnancy is increased cervical discharge. You may observe a milky, white discharge coming from your vagina. That is due to the vaginal wall thickening, which occurs after the sperm fertilises the egg.

This discharge can occur throughout pregnancy and is usually harmless and does not require treatment. However, if you notice a foul odour or a burning and itchy feeling, consult your doctor to find out if you are suffering from a bacterial infection, yeast infection, or sexually transmitted disease (STD).

4. Swelling, Tenderness, Or Tingling in Breasts

Your body undergoes significant hormonal changes during pregnancy, particularly increased progesterone and oestrogen, to help the developing foetus. Breast tenderness is one of the many pregnancy symptoms that this hormonal change can cause.

Usually, a few days prior to a missed period, increased breast swelling, tenderness, or tingling starts to become noticeable.

Pregnancy-related breast discomfort and swelling can potentially be more intense than you are used to when your period starts. Nipple soreness is another possible symptom in some cases.

5. Extreme Fatigue

One of the 1 week pregnancy symptom is a continuous sense of tiredness, which can emerge as early as a week after conception. This sudden fatigue is caused by hormonal changes, particularly increased progesterone levels.

6. Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea, often known as morning sickness, can develop as early as two weeks of fertilisation. Despite the term, this pregnancy symptom may show up at any time of the day or evening and varies in severity among pregnant women.

7. Frequent Urination

If you happen to find yourself wanting to urinate more frequently than normal, this could be related to pregnancy. Increased blood amount due to pregnancy causes the kidneys to work harder, resulting in more frequent toilet trips.

8. Bloating and Constipation

Hormonal changes tend to slow down digestion, causing bloating and constipation. These symptoms can start early and continue throughout the pregnancy.

9. Appetite Changes and Food Aversions

Pregnancy hormones, particularly oestrogen, can affect your sense of taste and smell. Many pregnant women have aversions to specific foods and smells, and they sometimes feel a metallic taste in their mouths. Conversely, some women may have intense cravings for particular foods.

10. Increased sensitivity to smells

Many women describe increased sensitivity to smells as one of their initial pregnancy symptoms. Certain scents can become extremely unpleasant, causing nausea or dietary aversions.

11. Mood swings

Hormonal changes in early pregnancy can result in fluctuations in mood. Pregnant women can get unusually emotional, irritated, or sensitive, particularly in trimester 1.

12. Increased body temperature

During pregnancy, the basal body temperature can increase. At this time, stay hydrated and exercise with caution.

13. Nose congestion

Increased levels of hormones and blood volume can lead your nose's mucous membranes to dry out, swell, and bleed easily. This can result in a runny or stuffy nose.

When to Consult a Doctor?

If you have missed your period and received a positive pregnancy test, the next step is to contact your healthcare practitioner to schedule your first appointment.

If you suspect that you are pregnant, you should take an at-home pregnancy test. If the results are positive, you should schedule an appointment with the doctor immediately. Early prenatal care is important for both you and the baby's development.

Additionally, visit a doctor if you have:

• Intense abdominal pain or cramps.
• Heavy vaginal bleeding or discharge.
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Burning sensation when urinating (possible infection)

The doctor will confirm your pregnancy with blood tests, an ultrasound, and a physical examination. Regular prenatal appointments allow you to monitor foetal growth and handle any issues that may arise.

Takeaway

Everyone's pregnancy is different; however, there are certain early indicators to look for. Early signs of pregnancy may include missed periods, cramping or spotting, tiredness, vomiting, and other issues. Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that result in a number of changes. If you believe you might be pregnant, consider taking a test and then see a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When do the first signs of pregnancy appear?

It does vary. Some people feel pregnant in the initial days of pregnancy, while others do not feel pregnant for several weeks after receiving a positive pregnancy test result. Pregnancy symptoms differ between individuals and even pregnancies.

Is it possible to feel pregnant before missing your period?

Yes, you can have pregnancy symptoms before missing your period. Some people report experiencing pregnancy symptoms in the first few days of conception (around a week prior to a missed period).

Can I have early pregnancy signs but not be pregnant?

Many early pregnancy symptoms coincide with other health problems as well as the normal menstrual cycle. Premenstrual symptoms can appear quite a lot like pregnancy symptoms. This makes it tough to detect the difference. Also, you can miss your period and still not be pregnant.

Taking a pregnancy test is the most accurate approach to determine whether you're pregnant.

How soon can you take a pregnancy test?

Pregnancy tests detect a specific level of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in your urine. You can get a test for pregnancy just as when you miss your period. However, for the most accurate results, you should wait a minimum of one week after missing your period.

Do all women get morning sickness?

No, while nausea is quite common, some women do not experience morning sickness at all.