Pregnancy is one of the wonders of life, and everyone’s experience is different. However, there are a few things that most women have in common in the first few weeks.
Are you anxiously waiting for those two pink lines to show on your test? You are not alone! There are many other indicators that can clue you in on your pregnancy, even before taking a test. Here are nine common symptoms of pregnancy that you should know.
9 Signs You Are Pregnant
1. Missed Period
If you’ve missed your period, it’s a good sign to take a pregnancy test. Some women experience bleeding in the first few months of pregnancy, so this may be mistaken for a period. In any case, if you know your cycle well and haven’t had a period, you might be pregnant. A pregnancy test will reveal the answer.
2. Morning Sickness
Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day or night, as you may have guessed by now. It is one of the most common symptoms that most women experience in the first trimester.
The cause is a combination of hormones, increased sensitivity to smell, and other pregnancy adjustments. Nausea and vomiting usually disappear during the second trimester but can last throughout the entire pregnancy in some women.
If you can’t stop running to the bathroom because of nausea or feel like throwing up, this may be a good indication you’re pregnant. Similarly, if you’re finding that you are extra sensitive to certain smells or that certain foods are becoming a real turn-off, you could be pregnant. Of course, it is not a definitive sign, but it’s something to consider.
Related: What Is Food Cravings During Pregnancy?
3. Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the things that many women feel in the early weeks of pregnancy. As your body works hard to ensure that your baby gets all the nutrients he or she needs, you may suddenly feel drained. With all the hormonal changes, plus the physical and emotional changes that occur, fatigue is very common.
If you find yourself falling asleep in random places or needing extra naps during the day, you could be pregnant. Your body is working extremely hard to ensure a safe pregnancy and nurture new life inside you. So, if you feel constantly tired and lethargic, it may be a sign of pregnancy.
4. Tender Breasts
Swollen, tender, or sore breasts may also be a good sign of pregnancy. It is similar to the feeling women get right before their period. The only difference is that you will feel this pain for a much longer period than a few days. The areola of your breasts can also darken, and your breasts may feel fuller and heavier.
Breast tenderness is usually one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. This happens because hormones such as progesterone and estrogen increase in the early days of pregnancy in preparation for breastfeeding. As the pregnancy progresses, the breast tenderness may either go away or remain.
Related: Crying During Pregnancy: This Is How It Affects the Baby
5. Frequent Urination
The last thing you expect to tell anyone about early pregnancy symptoms is that you urinate a lot. Believe it or not, frequent urination can also be a sign of pregnancy, even in the early days.
This is due to increased blood flow to the kidneys, which causes increased urine production. The pressure of the baby on the bladder may also increase as the uterus grows, making you urinate more often.
While it is annoying, you will urinate a lot more in the second trimester. In the meantime, just drink enough water and avoid a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Related: Safe Sleeping Positions During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy
6. Food Cravings and Aversions
Food cravings and aversions are another sign that pregnant women often look out for. Food cravings can hit hard and fast, and you may find yourself hankering after certain foods all of a sudden.
Cravings can be either normal (pickles and ice cream, anyone?) or slightly odd. However, the emotional reaction you have to certain foods can be intense.
Food aversions are common in the early stages of pregnancy due to sharpened senses. Pregnancy hormones can cause taste and smell to become super intense, so even the slightest odor or wrong taste can make you turn your nose up at food you used to love. Pregnancy hormones are also behind the sudden desire for certain foods. If you’re pregnant, you will experience both.
Related: 15 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
7. Mood Swings
The constant hormonal changes of pregnancy can leave you on an emotional roller coaster. You may suddenly cry without knowing why, feel sensitive for no reason, or get frustrated at the slightest thing. So, when you suddenly snap at your partner over a small issue or find yourself crying for no reason, your body might be signaling that you’re pregnant.
Progesterone and estrogen hormones can make women feel a lot more emotional when they’re pregnant. This hormone surge can lead to emotional outbursts as well as extreme sensitivity.
Another thing that can cause mood swings is physical discomfort, such as nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms that accompany pregnancy. It is very normal to have mood swings and feel more emotional during pregnancy.
8. Elevated Basal Body Temperature
Basal body temperature (BBT) refers to your body temperature when you are at rest. BBT is the temperature you measure when you first wake up in the morning. If you’re tracking your basal body temperature to predict ovulation, an elevated body temperature can be a sign of pregnancy.
When you ovulate, your BBT increases, and it usually returns to normal before your period. However, if you notice that your basal body temperature is higher than usual two weeks after your expected period, you are most likely pregnant.
If your basal body temperature is elevated for a long time after your period has been delayed, you might be pregnant. However, you will need to take a pregnancy test to know for sure.
Related: 10 Types of Housework Pregnant Women Should Avoid
9. Changes in Skin and Hair
Finally, you can experience changes in your skin and hair if you are pregnant. Many women get the so-called pregnancy glow because blood circulation and hormones make their skin bright and glowy.
At the same time, your skin may get extra oily and breakout-prone. This is also one of the first signs of pregnancy that some women experience.
Hair changes are also common during pregnancy. You may find that your hair gets thicker, shinier, or softer. On the other hand, some women experience hair loss or changes in hair texture due to pregnancy hormones.
What to Do if You Think You’re Pregnant
If you have a combination of some of these symptoms and think that you might be pregnant, it’s time to take a home pregnancy test.
The most accurate time to take the test is after you’ve missed your period. The pregnancy test works by measuring the levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in your urine.
The higher the hCG level, the more likely it is that you are pregnant. However, you can take a test before your period is missed, but it will only give an estimate.
Conclusion
Remember that every woman is different, and pregnancy is no exception. While most women experience all the symptoms listed above, others will only have a few or none at all. Even if you experience all the signs, there’s no guarantee that you are pregnant, so testing is the only way to know for sure.
That said, one thing is for certain: Pregnancy is an amazing journey. Once you confirm your pregnancy and see your doctor, you’ll be able to begin your pregnancy journey with the right care and treatment.
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