Pregnancy Symptoms: Do you have a feeling you might be pregnant? The only way to be certain is to take a pregnancy test. However, after conception, your body may offer some clues that a pregnancy is beginning.
Conception occurs midway through a regular menstrual cycle, when an egg is free into the fallopian tube and subsequently fertilised by a sperm. It takes between 6 and 12 days for the fertilised egg to graft in the uterus. At that moment, pregnancy begins.
Early Signs of Pregnancy
At the onset of pregnancy, the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is released into the bloodstream. Pregnancy tests detect hCG (often referred to as the “pregnancy hormone”) approximately 11 days after conception. Hormonal changes trigger the early symptoms of pregnancy.
Spotting and cramping
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy—spotting—occurs when the fertilised egg attributes to the uterine wall. This is known as implantation bleeding. It occurs sometime between 6 and 12 days after the egg is fertilised.
You may also experience muscle pain, such as an ache or tightness. Due to the pain and bleeding, you might mistake this for the onset of your menstrual period. However, the bleeding and pain are typically milder than those associated with menstruation. Alternatively, you may not even notice the bleeding or pain.
Breast Changes
Your breasts may throb and become tender, sore, or swollen one or two weeks after the fertilised egg implants in the uterus. As hormone levels continue to rise, your breasts may feel heavier, firmer, or softer to the touch. The area around the nipples—known as the areola—may also darken. Breast pain usually improves after a few weeks as your body adapts to the new hormone levels of pregnancy.
Fatigue
Feeling very tired is normal during pregnancy, especially in the early stages. It is often associated with elevated levels of a hormone called progesterone. However, other factors—such as lower blood sugar levels, a drop in blood pressure, and improved blood production—can also contribute to it.
Nausea (Morning Sickness)
Morning sickness is a renowned symptom of pregnancy. However, not all women experience it.
The exact cause of morning sickness is not yet known, but pregnancy hormones likely trigger it. Nausea throughout pregnancy can happen at any time of day, although it is most common in the morning.
Morning sickness typically subsides around the 13th or 14th week of pregnancy. However, it may persist throughout the entire pregnancy. If you experience vomiting throughout your pregnancy, inform your doctor and take steps to avoid dehydration.
Missed Period
The most obvious early symptom of pregnancy—and the reason most people take a pregnancy test—is a missed period. However, not all wasted or delayed periods are due to pregnancy.
The cause could be excessive weight gain or weight loss. Hormonal issues, fatigue, or stress can also cause a missed or delayed period. It is also possible to miss a period after stopping birth control pills. Nevertheless, if you have a delayed period and there is a possibility that you are pregnant, you can take a pregnancy test.
Additionally, you may experience light bleeding during pregnancy. If this occurs, consult your doctor to determine when the bleeding is normal and when it warrants emergency treatment.
Raised body temperature
During pregnancy, the volume of blood circulating through the body increases to support the growth of the fetus. This may cause you to feel warmer than usual.
Increased Heart Rate
Throughout pregnancy, your heart rate increases by 10 to 20 beats per minute. Because there is a larger volume of blood in the body during pregnancy, the heart must pump slightly harder than usual.
Frequent urination and incontinence
Increased hormone levels during pregnancy lead to an increase in the body’s blood volume. Since the kidneys must filter this blood, the amount of urine you produce also increases. You may notice that you need to urinate more frequently, beginning as early as the first stages of pregnancy. Furthermore, as the fetus grows throughout the pregnancy, you may experience urine leakage (incontinence). These leaks may occur when coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
Bloating and Constipation
During pregnancy, you may experience difficulty having a bowel movement because your stool becomes too hard. The explanation is as follows:
Elevated levels of the hormone progesterone slow the passage of food through the intestines. This can lead to bloating and make bowel movements difficult.
- If you take prenatal vitamins, the iron they contain can cause stool to remain in the intestines for an excessive amount of time—especially if you do not drink enough water.
- As the baby grows, the uterus may exert pressure on the bowels, making it difficult for stool to pass through.
- To alleviate the problem, drink plenty of water, exercise, and eat plenty of fibre-rich foods.
Cravings and food aversions
Some women crave certain foods during pregnancy. Others cannot stand specific foods. The effect can be so intense that the smell, the sight, or even the mere thought of a food that was once a favourite can trigger nausea.
Cravings and aversions are linked to hormonal changes. And you may experience both!
Food cravings and aversions may persist throughout the entire pregnancy; however, they typically subside by the second trimester.
Weight Gain
You likely won’t notice significant weight gain early in your pregnancy—perhaps between 1 and 4 pounds—as initial changes occur, such as breast enlargement and an increase in blood volume. Weight gain typically occurs more rapidly during the second and third trimesters.
During this stage, the placenta grows, the uterus and fetus develop, the body produces more amniotic fluid, and a certain amount of fat accumulates. In total—and depending on your weight at the start of the pregnancy—you will gain between 11 and 40 pounds over the course of gestation (between 25 and 50 pounds if you are expecting twins).
Heartburn
Heartburn has absolutely nothing to do with the heart. It is a burning sensation in the chest that occurs when stomach acid rises toward the throat. It is, without a doubt, an unpleasant sensation. During pregnancy, progesterone levels rise. Progesterone has various effects that can trigger heartburn:
- Food moves more slowly done the digestive system, increasing the likelihood of heartburn.
- Tissues—such as ligaments and muscles—relax and stretch, including the sphincter between the stomach and the oesophagus. This relaxation allows acid to flow back into the oesophagus, thereby causing a burning sensation.
- The uterus grows as the fetus grows, and the placenta releases progesterone. As the uterus enlarges, it may exert pressure on the stomach, leading to mild heartburn.
If you experience heartburn during pregnancy, consult your doctor before taking any over-the-counter antacids. And remember: once your baby is born, this unpleasant symptom should disappear.
Pregnancy glow and acne
Some pregnant women exhibit a special glow in their skin. Others develop acne. And some experience both. The cause of this is hormones. As blood volume increases, you may notice a certain flush or reddish glow in your skin. However, as hormone levels change during pregnancy, your skin may also become oilier. This can make your skin look shiny, but it can also lead to acne.
This is more likely to occur if you have already suffered from acne before becoming pregnant. If you develop acne during pregnancy, consult your doctor before treating it. Some oral medications and topical retinoids are not safe to use during pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, four topical ingredients can be used during pregnancy:
- Azelaic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Glycolic acid
- Salicylic acid
Does Everyone Get Early Symptoms of Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is different for everyone. Not all women experience early signs or symptoms. And those who do experience signs and symptoms may not experience the same ones. The same woman may experience different signs and symptoms with each pregnancy.
Since early pregnancy symptoms often mimic symptoms you might experience before and during your menstrual period, you may not realise that you are pregnant. The only way to be sure is by taking a pregnancy test.
Takeaways
When it comes to pregnancy, every woman’s experience is unique. Some women may think they are pregnant even before they miss a period. Others may not realise they are pregnant until some time has passed. Some early signs of pregnancy can give you a clue. Early pregnancy symptoms may include breast tenderness, a missed period, nausea or headaches, fatigue, and more. Hormonal changes trigger many of these signs and symptoms as your body transforms to support the pregnancy. If you think you might be pregnant, the only way to confirm it is to take a pregnancy test.
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Pregnancy Symptoms
How long does it take for early pregnancy symptoms to appear?
Early symptoms of pregnancy, such as fatigue, can appear as early as 1 week after fertilisation.
What symptoms will you feel in the first three days of pregnancy?
As the fertilised egg confers to the uterine wall, you may notice symptoms such as light bleeding (spotting) or cramps. Later the fertilised egg implants in the uterus, the pregnancy begins. At that point, your hormones will start to change. Your breasts may become tender, and you might feel tired.
Can you feel like you are pregnant before you miss a period?
Yes, your body can give you some signs of pregnancy before you miss a period. Pregnancy can begin as early as six days after fertilisation. This could occur approximately one week before your next period is due. During the week leading up to your period, levels of the pregnancy hormone (hCG) are on the rise. By the time your period is late, your hCG levels are typically high enough to be detected by a pregnancy test.
Can you experience these symptoms even if you aren’t pregnant?
Of course. Many of these symptoms can occur even if you are not pregnant. For example, you might miss a period if your cycle is irregular. You might feel tired, nauseous, or have a fever due to a virus. And you could suffer from heartburn after eating spicy wings or greasy pizza—not just during pregnancy.