Despite knowing the physiological processes, each woman’s pregnancy is unique. There is a difference in everything from the early pregnancy symptoms that the expectant mother will notice, to how her health will change by the time of delivery. Even the same woman who has given birth to multiple babies can have different pregnancy symptoms each time.
When do early signs of pregnancy appear?
In gynecology, the gestational age is not calculated from the moment of actual conception, but from the last day of the last menstruation. The duration of pregnancy is measured in weeks. They are called “birth weeks”. Depending on the processes occurring in the woman’s body, each obstetric week has its own characteristics.
Now we will analyze the symptoms of pregnancy in its early stages, with the most important sign being a late period, which is more common than others.
1 – Missed period
If the menstrual cycle is regular and lasts an average of 28 days, ovulation occurs and it occurs on the 14-15th day, then the absence of menstruation at the appointed time may indicate pregnancy.
The delay is due to the fact that after conception, the hormone hCG (chorionic gonadotropin) begins to be produced, which maintains the normal course of pregnancy and prevents the egg from ripening in the next cycle. Accordingly, the expected menstruation does not begin. Other symptoms of late early pregnancy may not appear.
It is worth noting that a missed period is not always the first sign of pregnancy. With an irregular cycle, nervous stress, and previous illnesses, these cycle disruptions can signal other processes in the body. The delay can also be a consequence of the cancellation of oral contraceptives.
In order not to guess and not worry once again, to determine pregnancy in its early stages, you should use a home test. Most will become pregnant as early as 8 days after their missed period. One of the options for how to find out if a woman is pregnant without a test is to donate blood for hCG in the laboratory.
- Another important point – in the first trimester, spotting may occur, which can be mistaken for menstruation. Because of this, a woman does not notice pregnancy in the early stages, especially if there are no unusual sensations.
2 – Fatigue
Other signs that are noticed in early pregnancy are fatigue, lethargy, and drowsiness. It can appear at any time, and it is completely normal. But in the beginning, many women notice that they often want to lie down and it becomes more difficult to get up.
This condition can be caused by several factors: high progesterone levels, low blood pressure, increased blood production, and low blood sugar.
3 – Breast changes: tingling, pain, growth
The period when the breasts begin to develop during pregnancy falls between 4 to 6 weeks. At this time, due to changes in the hormonal background, a woman may feel tingling, it may feel as if her breasts have become heavier or larger, swelling appears, and tenderness increases.
These early pregnancy sensations disappear as the body adjusts to the new hormone levels.
By the eleventh week, visible changes may become noticeable: an increase in breast size and enlargement and darkening of the areola (the area around the nipple).
4 – Cramps, secretions
Changes in the female body occur in the first week of pregnancy, but the signs of these changes are not always specific. For example, discharge and cramping resulting from the attachment of the fetus to the uterus:
- During the first 5-6 days after conception, a blastocyst develops – several hundred cells in the pre-implantation (before implantation) stage of embryonic development. In the future, these cells will form the baby’s organs.
- After 10 to 14 days (about 4 weeks after delivery), the blastocyst implants into the endometrium (the mucous tissue that lines the inside of the uterus). During implantation, bleeding may occur, which makes it difficult to recognize the pregnancy in the early stages – the sensations are similar to those that occur during menstruation.
The duration of implantation bleeding is less than the menstrual period. The discharge is usually over in a day or two. Discharges have characteristics that are taken into account when determining pregnancy in the early stages.
5 – Nausea and vomiting
If we talk about the sensations during pregnancy in the early stages that cause the most discomfort to a woman, then it is nausea and vomiting. They usually appear in the morning (morning sickness) from 4 to 6 weeks. For some women, unpleasant symptoms may appear during the day and in the evening.
There is no exact scientific explanation for morning sickness, but it is attributed to the action of hormones. The intensity of the sensations changes. During the first trimester, nausea can be mild or severe, but it usually worsens towards the end of the trimester (around week 12), and in the first half of the second trimester, the unpleasant symptoms diminish or disappear completely. There are cases where the pathology persists throughout the pregnancy, but its intensity decreases further.
- Some pregnant women may change their taste preferences. You may want some products that were not previously in the diet. Or vice versa, favorite dishes can cause rejection.
6 – High blood pressure and dizziness
From the first week of pregnancy, one of the signs may be dizziness. It is caused by dilation of the blood vessels and low blood pressure.
It is difficult to identify high blood pressure in early pregnancy. High blood pressure is not always accompanied by sensations. But almost always, high blood pressure for periods up to 20 weeks is not associated with a woman’s pregnancy. Often it is a symptom of a health problem.
The physician at the first appointment will help identify baseline pressure indicators. He will also give recommendations on preserving natural values.
7 – Frequent urination and enuresis
During pregnancy, the volume of blood in the circulatory system increases, so more urine is excreted. At the same time, the pressure of the uterus on the bladder increases. The changes can lead to frequent urges to go to the bathroom or spontaneous urination.
8 – Sensitivity to odors
One of the differences between PMS and pre-delay pregnancy is an increased sensitivity to scents or distortion of scent perception. Previously pleasant scents may become annoying and nauseating, while previously ignored scents may be admired.
9 – Heartburn
Hormones can cause the valve between the stomach and esophagus to relax. This allows stomach acid to escape, causing heartburn.
Be sure to check with your doctor before using heartburn medication (antacids). Some antacids (medications that reduce the acidity of stomach juices by neutralizing hydrochloric acid) can harm the health of the fetus.
How do you know you are pregnant if there are no typical symptoms?
How can you recognize an early pregnancy if a woman does not have the most common symptoms? Other manifestations can indicate an interesting situation:
- bloating and constipation: Due to increased progesterone levels, the food bolus begins to pass more slowly through the intestines, which can cause constipation. Drink more water, exercise, and eat plenty of high-fiber foods.
- Mood swings: Estrogen and progesterone levels increase during pregnancy. This can affect mood. The symptoms are implied, as increased agitation can also indicate premenstrual syndrome. There is almost no difference between menstruation and pregnancy before the delay. But after confirming the pregnancy, we recommend that you pay attention to your psychological state because severe irritability and mood swings can turn into depression.
- Headaches and backaches: Some women report mild headaches and backaches.