It’s crazy to think that you can be pregnant for days, even weeks before realising it. Many of the symptoms of early pregnancy mimic the symptoms you feel when you are waiting for your period to start, so it can be confusing.
If you’re trying to figure out if you’re pregnant, here are a few things to look out for! If you’re actively trying to conceive you’re probably already very in tune with you body and can easily pick up on the small changes that happen during early pregnancy. But if you’re not expecting to be pregnant then you may only start to take notice when you realise your period is late.
The only way to know for sure if you’re pregnant is to take a test. I recommend an over-the-counter pee-on-a- stick urine test. This test measures the level of hCG in your urine and can pick up hCG from as early as 7 – 10 days after conception.
Here are some of other early signs of pregnancy:
Spotting/ Cramping
You could experience what is known as implantation bleeding. Some women mistake this as the start of their period because it happens right around the same time you would start your period.
SO HOW DO YOU TELL IF IT’S THE START OF YOUR PERIOD OR IMPLANTATION BLEEDING?
Implantation bleeding is actually just spotting, meaning you would only have blood when you wiped. Implantation bleeding usually only lasts 3 days or less.
If you know when you normally ovulate or when conception took place it will be easier to pinpoint the time you might expect to see implantation bleeding.
It usually happens about 5 to 10 days after ovulation. Depending on the length of your normal cycle, this is likely to be in the week between ovulation and the time of your expected period.
Sometimes implantation bleeding can occur closer to the expected date of your menstrual flow which can lead you to think your period is beginning.
Breast Changes
For some women, breast changes occur as soon as one week after conception. Your breast could feel:
- Sore
- Heavy
- Darkening areola (the area around your nipple)
- Itchy breast
- Your breast become more veiny
- Tingling sensation in the breast. This is usually due to the increased blood flow to your boobs during early pregnancy
Fatigue
Due to the increased levels of progesterone, you could start to feel more tired as early as 1 week after conception. Your body is working really hard to nurture the early stages of pregnancy and all your organ systems are gearing up to support the changes.
Nausea
Nausea or morning sickness is a dreaded common symptom for a lot of women. Don’t let the name fool you however because morning sickness can occur at any time during the day. Also, you don’t necessarily have to throw up with morning sickness, you could just be nauseous. Many women experience nausea throughout the day. It usually subsides by the end of the first trimester when levels of the hormone hCG peak. Despite how uncomfortable it is, it’s usually a sign that your pregnancy is healthy.
Missed Period
This is one of the biggest signs of pregnancy but a missed period could also be due to things like hormonal changes, stress, or weight loss. However if you’re actively trying to fall pregnant, then this would be a wonderfully positive sign.
Change In Cervical Mucus
You may notice that you have a lot more thick, milky white discharge in the early weeks of pregnancy. Increased hormones and vaginal blood flow cause the discharge.
Constipation/Diarrhoea
For some women, they become very constipated early in their pregnancy. For others, they could have diarrhoea.
Contradicting I know, but it just goes to show how different each pregnancy can be
Mood Swings
Due to the hormone changes many women experience mood swings early in pregnancy. If you start crying at things you normally wouldn’t cry over this could be an early sign of pregnancy.
Frequent Urination
If you find yourself making more frequent trips to the bathroom this could mean you are pregnant. This is due to the embryo implanting in the uterus, after which the body produces the pregnancy hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and progesterone, which in turn triggers more frequent urination. As the hormone levels stabilise towards the second trimester then the need to urinate decreases.
Dizziness
You may feel light-headed or dizzy in the early stages of pregnancy from the changes in your blood pressure. It’s a reminder to take rest as often as you can, even if it means a daily afternoon nap (aka nanna nap 😉 )
Twinges In Stomach
With so much happening in your belly, it’s hardly surprising that you don’t feel more than a couple of twinges, pulling and pinching – but just think whats going on in there – you’re making a baby!
Other Weird Signs Of Early Pregnancy
- Tasting metal
Some women report that it felt like they had eaten a mouth full of coins. This metal taste is caused by an increase in your hormones. - Increased sense of smell
- Bloating
- Vivid Dreams
Did you know that unlike traditional birth preparation classes, we start preparing you the moment you get a positive pregnancy test in The Due Date Club. We realise that this is the time when you most need support, especially if you have worrying symptoms like spotting and cramping. While everyone tells you not to do anything until the end of the first trimester – that’s exactly when you need support so that you know what to do if you experience worrying symptoms. You know that saying ‘start as you mean to go on”? At The Due Date Club we actively encourage you to start with the right information and to find your support network before the overwhelm and fear sets in. We have an extensive resource library and you will be able to join our live Ask the Midwife Q and A sessions.
Information ref: https://www.mommingadventures.com/early-signs-of-pregnancy/
