It can be confusing to try and figure out if you’re pregnant based on early signs, since they can often be attributed to other things (like your menstrual cycle). Women who are trying to conceive are always on the lookout for any possible signs that could indicate pregnancy. While the early signs of pregnancy are usually pretty noticeable, they can also be attributed to the symptoms of an upcoming menstrual cycle.
When you’re trying to conceive, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
While the conception of a fetus can occur within the first 24 hours of ovulation, usually women do not know they are pregnant until their menstrual cycle is missed. Doctors recommend taking a pregnancy test after 2 weeks of ovulation to confirm pregnancy.
The two-week wait to confirm a pregnancy can feel interminable. Many women try to find out their status during this time. Each woman experiences different signs of pregnancy, depending on her body. Symptoms can start from the date of conception and last until delivery, or a woman may not experience any symptoms at all.
Every pregnancy is special and unique, each with its own set of symptoms. For mothers who have already given birth, they may notice that their symptoms differ from one pregnancy to the next. This just goes to show that no two pregnancies are exactly the same!
Here are a few of the first signs of pregnancy:
Breast: Your breasts may appear to be larger or more sensitive than usual. This is because your body is preparing to produce milk. In addition, you may notice that your areolas (the dark area around your nipples) are darker than normal.
Cramps: Women experience cramps not just during their menstrual cycle, but at other times, too. The uterus swells up when it’s receiving a fertilized egg.
Fatigue: During pregnancy, a woman’s body is going through massive changes. The levels of estrogen and progesterone are higher than usual, which can cause fatigue – especially for first-time mothers. However, there are ways to help combat this fatigue. Taking breaks during the day, eating healthy and balanced meals, and getting enough sleep at night can all help a pregnant woman feel her best.
Craving or aversions: Women are not the only ones that feel this way; men experience these things as well. Sudden cravings or aversions to foods can be a sign of something else going on in your body. It is best to speak with a doctor if you are feeling these things more often than usual.
Urination: Women during pregnancy often experience pressure on their bladder from their enlarged uterus. This is caused by the extra fluid and tissue that their body is producing to nourish their baby. The pressure eases up during the second trimester when the baby grows and lifts the uterus off the bladder.
High body temperature: Progesterone levels in the body are high during pregnancy, which causes an increase in body temperature. This remains the case for a few weeks after implantation. This is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy.
Implantation spotting: After ovulation, there is a chance of bleeding due to implantation. This can happen during the first week after ovulation. The spotting is caused by the fertilized egg burrowing into the uterine lining.
Sickness: The hormones coursing through a pregnant woman’s body can cause all sorts of strange things to happen, like morning sickness.
An important point to keep in mind is that you might think you’re pregnant because you’re experiencing early signs like fatigue or nausea, but it’s also possible that these symptoms are caused by other things like your upcoming period, exhaustion, stress, etc. The only way to know for sure if you’re pregnant is to either not have a period or to take a pregnancy test that comes back positive.
Christina Ray is a pregnancy specialist who works for a pregnant woman’s health organization. She is a researcher in women’s health and USA medicine, and is an expert in writing pregnancy-related articles. She is currently working on pregnancy issues in a famous hospital. You can also see her articles about asthma in pregnancy, pregnancy stretchmarks and symptoms of pregnancy.
