11 Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Last updated on November 17th, 2022 at 07:45 pm

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Stay a few steps ahead of the stork and watch out for these early pregnancy symptoms!

In this article:

Breast Changes
Implantation Bleeding
Fatigue
Nausea
Dizzy Spells
Headaches
Constipation
Mood Swings
Food Aversions or Cravings
Raised Basal Temperature
Missed Period

Is There a Bun in Your Oven? 11 Early Pregnancy Symptoms to Watch Out For

1. Breast Changes

9 crazy ways your breasts change during pregnancy: https://t.co/rcpS0S11eC pic.twitter.com/mCVaB5mjva
— Fit Pregnancy (@fitpregnancy) August 23, 2016

Are your nipples more sensitive than usual? Maybe your breast feels extra tender or even swollen? If they are, it can be a sign you’re pregnant.

Women can experience breast discomfort as early as the first or second week of pregnancy. When women become pregnant, the body starts preparing their body for breastfeeding.

The milk ducts found in the nipples start to increase in size and, in general, the breasts begin to store more fat. This rapid change leads to tender, swollen, and extra-sensitive beasts.

2. Implantation Bleeding

Some women mistake implantation bleeding as a very light and short period. It’s probably because it’s accompanied by symptoms we’re all familiar with — light bleeding or spotting and light cramping.

Unlike a regular period, though, it doesn’t usually last as long and the blood usually has a lighter color. Implantation bleeding is actually something that can happen as the embryo is implanted on to the uterine lining. This usually happens about a week or two after conception.

3. Fatigue

Many women report they were inexplicably tired during the first few weeks of their pregnancy. At the beginning of a pregnancy, the body works overtime to accommodate and care for the growing baby.

The body begins to produce more blood to bring nutrients to the embryo. The increase in blood production leads to lower blood sugar levels and lower blood pressure. On top of that, a sharp increase in the levels of one of the main pregnancy hormones, progesterone, can lead to sleepiness.

What is progesterone? This is a steroid hormone released by the corpus luteum. It controls a woman’s menstrual period and fertility.

4. Nausea

Morning sickness is a textbook example of an early pregnancy symptom. Morning sickness is characterized by nausea and, sometimes, vomiting. Unfortunately, morning sickness doesn’t just happen in the morning. It can strike in the afternoon, at night, or it can even last all day long.

Nausea may be caused by a rapid increase of the other pregnancy hormone, estrogen. Some women also report feeling nauseous because of a heightened sense of smell.

For some pregnant women, familiar and formerly inoffensive odors can suddenly make them feel sick, but there is good news! For most women, morning sickness goes away by the second trimester.

5. Dizzy Spells

Dizzy spells, feeling faint, or lightheadedness are all early symptoms of pregnancy. Changes in the circulatory system caused by an increased level of progesterone can lead to these symptoms.

Progesterone causes low blood pressure and the blood vessels to dilate. When your blood pressure drops, you may start feeling some dizziness.

6. Headaches

Hormonal changes or the increase in blood circulation may lead to a few mild headaches. While headaches are a common experience and may not be pregnancy-related at all, managing it while you’re pregnant can be trickier since most expectant mothers try to avoid medication.

7. Constipation

If you’re spending more time in the bathroom these days, you may be experiencing an early pregnancy symptom. The increased levels of progesterone can lead to slower digestion, which then leads to constipation.

There are also some doctors who prescribe prenatal vitamins that contain iron. Iron can be tough on the digestive system and can also cause constipation.

8. Mood Swings

Are you extra sensitive and emotional these days? Did a seemingly random video clip make you burst in tears? Or maybe you snapped at your partner over something inconsequential?

Pregnancy hormones can be causing all of that. The increase in progesterone and estrogen can affect the brain’s neurotransmitters and lead to mood swings.

Hormonal changes aside, preparing for a baby can be exciting and stressful at the same time. So, it’s also natural for expectant moms to become more emotional during their pregnancy.

9. Food Aversions or Cravings

Did you develop food aversions during #pregnancy? Let's hear them! For me, it was shellfish. Even the most mild smell made me nauseous. pic.twitter.com/DgGiJTCQn4
— My Pure Delivery IBCLCs (@MyPureDelivery) March 9, 2017

We’re still unsure about what causes a woman’s taste and preference in food to change during pregnancy, but food aversions may be due to all the hormonal changes women experience early on in the pregnancy. Morning sickness and that heightened sense of smell can lead to certain food aversions.

Some pregnant women begin to crave for certain things they won’t normally eat. While the reason for pregnancy cravings is unknown, expectant mothers are generally encouraged to listen to their bodies. Unless it goes against their doctor’s explicit medical advice, it’s okay to give in to their cravings.

10. Raised Basal Temperature

The basal temperature is your body temperature while at rest. It’s usually measured using a basal thermometer every morning, as soon as you wake up. Women normally track their basal temperature for a few months to figure out when they are ovulating.

The basal temperature increases by 0.5-1 degrees a day after ovulation until the next period. If this increased temperature lasts for more than two weeks, it’s possible you’re pregnant!

11. Missed Period

Missing your period is one of the most telling early pregnancy symptoms. Many of the symptoms discussed earlier can be related to other conditions. In fact, many women shrug off those other symptoms and only begins to consider they can be pregnant when they realize their period is late.

When you become pregnant, your body produces another pregnancy hormone, the human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which signals your body to produce more progesterone. The increased level of progesterone will keep you from menstruating.

If you notice your period is late, it might be a good time to take a home pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests actually measure the level of hCG in your urine.

When do pregnancy symptoms start? Watch this video to know the classic clues from Good Health Good Life:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRTlOBuLzS8

It’s good to remember that each pregnancy is different and not all women will experience these symptoms. The best way to confirm your suspicion is to take a home pregnancy test. If you take it before you miss your period, it might be too early.

It’s recommended to take the test one week after you’ve missed your period. If you get a positive result, no matter how faint that second line is, it’s time to make an appointment to see your doctor!

Have you been experiencing any of these symptoms? Let us know in the comments section!

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11 Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms