Am I pregnant? A pregnancy test will help you determine if you are. However, even before you missed your monthly period, you already have a hunch that you are because of early pregnancy signs and symptoms.
There are many subtle and obvious signs of pregnancy. These usually appear during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Some women know when they’re pregnant because they seem to feel it; some experience various signs and symptoms while others may not have any at all. Most of these are results of hormonal imbalance during pregnancy.
What are the early classical symptoms of pregnancy?
Morning sickness is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms and can be felt as early as 3 weeks after conception. A pregnant woman may feel nauseous and her stomach may feel queasy. This usually happens in the morning the reason why it is called “morning sickness.” With some women nausea and vomiting may happen all day long. To prevent or remedy morning sickness, women are advised to eat dry crackers in the morning and instead of eating 3 full meals every day, small frequent feedings are highly recommended. Nausea and vomiting may last up to 12 weeks of pregnancy but in some cases, it becomes severe and may cause Hyperemesis Gravidarum (severe form of morning sickness).
Breast Tenderness, Swollen Breasts
Breast tenderness is one of the early pregnancy symptoms and can be experienced 2 weeks following conception. Aside from being tender to touch, a pregnant woman’s breasts may also feel sore, fuller and heavier. These breasts changes are brought about by the increase in pregnancy hormones.
Frequent Urination
Because of your growing uterus pressing over your bladder, you will find the need to urinate every now and then, especially during the night. However, this can also be a sign of bladder infection. To confirm infection, try to look for other signs like a burning sensation when urinating.
Increased levels of the hormone progesterone during pregnancy can trigger dizziness, sleepiness and fatigue. Low blood sugar levels and blood pressure plus the increase in blood production can altogether drain the pregnant woman’s energy and she will end up feeling tired.
Food cravings or aversions
Some women may lose appetite or food can be unappealing for them. Food cravings are usual too. Pregnant women tend to eat sweets, dairy products, salty and sour foods.
The most unusual pregnancy craving is called pica. It is a term used to describe eating a non-food item such as soap or toothpaste. These pica cravings are dangerous to both the mother and her baby. Researchers have come up with a lot of theories but no one has a definite answer as to why pregnancy pica happens.
Food cravings and aversions, like any other pregnancy symptoms are attributed to hormonal changes especially during the first trimester.
Other pregnancy symptoms include:
Cramping With or Without Bleeding
Implantation is the process wherein the fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall. This happens approximately 9 to 14 days after fertilization. Implantation can cause abdominal cramping and some women bleed although the bleeding is lighter than your regular menstrual period and normally doesn’t last very long.
Mood Swings
It is common to have mood swings during pregnancy because of hormonal changes that can affect the brain’s neurotransmitters and of course a woman’s feelings towards becoming a mother. Mothers-to-be experience heightened emotions that sometimes end up to anxiety or depression. Mood swings begin on 6th week, eases during the second trimester and reappears at the later stage of pregnancy.
Constipation
The primary cause of constipation during pregnancy is the hormone progesterone. It relaxes the smooth muscles of the bowel thereby decreasing the strength of contractions that are needed to move food, wastes and fluid through the intestines.
What are the obvious signs of pregnancy?
As pregnancy progresses, a pregnant woman may notice some obvious signs of pregnancy such as:
Skin changes – During pregnancy, the secretion of the skin pigment called melanin can cause the appearance of linea nigra which is a brownish line that runs from the pubic area up to the breastline. This streak can last until the delivery of the baby and disappears eventually.
Montgomery tubules – These are raised areas that look like goosebumps on the areola of the breasts. They are glands that enlarge during pregnancy and remain large while nursing.
Chadwick’s Sign – This is a skin color change in the vagina that is caused by increased blood flow to the uterus and cervix.
Colostrum – This is the first form of milk that is produced by the mammary gland. This appears late in the pregnancy in preparation for breastfeeding. It appears like a clear and sticky liquid that comes out of the woman’s breasts.
Quickening – This refers to fetal movement that is first felt around the 20th week of pregnancy. Some women feel it as early as the 16th month.
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