If you are planning a pregnancy, it is important to be aware of all the potential symptoms you may experience in the early stages. These symptoms are your body’s way of responding to the changes that occur to support the growth of your fetus. By being aware of these symptoms, you can better monitor your health and ensure that you and your baby are healthy and happy.
If you are getting pregnant, you should be prepared to experience symptoms such as:
1. Missed period – A missed period is often considered a very early sign and symptom of pregnancy. However, your periods can be delayed under the condition of excessive stress or as a side effect of medication. If you wait to use a missed period as a sign of pregnancy, several weeks may have passed, and you may already be pregnant.
2. Vaginal spotting – Many women experience vaginal spotting in the early days of pregnancy. This slight bleeding is usually pink in color and is caused by the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterine lining. Although it can be alarming, vaginal spotting is usually nothing to worry about and is often one of the first signs of pregnancy.
3. Changes in breast and areola – One of the most noticeable physical changes during early pregnancy is the development of tender, swollen breasts. This symptom is attributable to the hormonal changes of pregnancy, which cause an increase in blood flow and engorgement of breast tissue. You may also notice darker areolas and small bumps on your breasts (called Montgomery tubercles) as pregnancy progresses. Some women experience soreness, pain, or a tingling sensation in their breasts, which is caused by the stretching of breast tissue.
4. Nausea and queasiness – When you’re pregnant, you may feel queasy and nauseous in the morning, or even throughout the day. To alleviate these discomforts, try to avoid particular odors or flavors of foods that seem to trigger this morning sickness or vomiting. You may find that you no longer crave the foods you used to love. Instead, you may have sudden cravings for greasy foods, chocolate ice cream, or sardine sandwiches. This is all normal and part of pregnancy.
5. Increased discharge – If you experience an increase in vaginal discharge, you may presume it as a very early sign of pregnancy. Such increased vaginal discharge is a result of the formation of a mucus plug in order to keep the womb at a safe distance from bacteria infections and toxins. Such discharge usually poses no harm unless it is greenish or grayish in color and has a foul odor. If you observe such vaginal discharge, call your doctor.
6. Increased fatigue – An enormous degree of tiredness and fatigue is a common symptom during the early stages of pregnancy. Low blood pressure during early pregnancy can cause fatigue and exhaustion, and may lead women to take a nap. They must take care of themselves as they might faint due to this low blood pressure, which is an early sign of pregnancy.
7. Frequent urination – You may find yourself needing to use the restroom more frequently as your pregnancy progresses and your uterus enlarges to accommodate your growing baby. In the early stages of pregnancy, this is your body’s response to hormonal changes. Later on, the increased weight of your uterus can put pressure on your bladder, causing you to need to urinate more often.
Pregnancy brings about a lot of changes in a woman’s body. It is important to be aware of these changes and how they can affect you. Paying attention to the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy can help you detect both progress and complications of pregnancy. For example, tracking your basal body temperature can help you detect ovulation and implantation. Similarly, monitoring your cervical mucus can help you confirm or rule out pregnancy.
