There are many early signs of pregnancy, but they vary from person to person. Body changes are one way your body may be telling you that you’re pregnant. You may also have other symptoms like fatigue, nausea, or lightheadedness. If you think you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test and see your healthcare provider to confirm.
As hormone levels fluctuate and your body adjusts to the changes, you may experience any or all of the early signs of pregnancy. The key is to know what to look for. Some women get one or two quiet signs at first, while others’ bodies practically scream “I’M PREGNANT” with all 10 signs at once. However, most women will go through all the early signs of pregnancy at some point.
Elevated Basal Body Temperature
If you’re trying to get pregnant, you may be charting your basal body temperature (BBT) to pinpoint when you ovulate. But did you know that your BBT can also give you a heads-up that you’re pregnant?
After you ovulate, your BBT rises slightly and stays elevated past when you would have had your period. This increase in BBT, usually one-half to one degree Fahrenheit, is a subtle early warning sign of pregnancy. To get this clue, you should have some idea what your normal (non-pregnancy) BBT is.
Tenderness In The Breasts And Nipples
This is a classic early sign of early pregnancy that often goes unnoticed. Many women attribute this tenderness to their bras or other clothing and tend to ignore it. However, the tenderness usually goes away after the body gets used to the new hormone levels.
It is important to listen to your body as it will give you indications when something is wrong. Paying attention to these signals can help you catch health problems early on, before they become more serious. ignoring these warning signs can lead to more serious health problems down the road. So, don’t take your body’s communications for granted – pay attention to what it’s trying to tell you!
Darker, More Prominent Areolas
As your breasts go through changes during pregnancy, the areolas will also swell and get bigger. This is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, and usually happens around the time when you would expect your period. Some people believe that the darker coloring of the areola helps the newborn find the nipple for breastfeeding. Once you have gone through pregnancy, your nipples and areolas should go back to their normal colors and sizes.
Pregnancy can cause constipation, as the hormones produced can interfere with the normal frequency and timing of bowel movements. This is another very subtle clue that you may be pregnant – especially if you don’t usually get constipated.
Constipation is a common issue for pregnant women. By paying close attention to your body and making some simple lifestyle changes, you can help ease constipation during pregnancy.
Spotting
Spotting is when you have slight bleeding that is usually brown or pink in color. Women may experience spotting a week to several days before their normal period is supposed to occur. This is called implantation spotting and is caused by the implantation of the fertilized egg into the lining of the uterus. Spotting may also occur a week or so after ovulation. This is normal and is caused by the hormone progesterone. Sometimes, spotting can be a sign of an early period. If this happens, look for other signs of pregnancy or take a pregnancy test.
Frequent Urination
Although it may not be the most glamorous symptom, frequent urination is often an early sign of pregnancy. During pregnancy, hormone levels increase which causes the kidneys to work more and blood vessels to get bigger, resulting in more frequent urination. For most women, this symptom will start around six weeks into the first trimester and will gradually subside as the pregnancy progresses.
Nausea And Vomiting
Though it’s called “morning sickness,” this early sign of pregnancy can affect women at any time of day. It usually begins around the sixth week of pregnancy and is thought to be caused by hormone levels. Surprisingly, many doctors feel that morning sickness is a good sign that all is well with your baby’s health and development. If your morning sickness is accompanied by vomiting, be sure to stay hydrated.
Menstrual Period Missed
If you think you might be pregnant, there are a few classic signs to look for, including a missed menstrual period. If you have a regular period but missed it, look for early signs of pregnancy. Stress, illness, food or medication reactions can also cause a missed period. These can include nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, and needing to urinate more frequently. If you’re experiencing any of these, take a pregnancy test to be sure.
Cramping
If you experience moderate to severe cramping, it could be a sign of pregnancy, constipation, or gas in the bowels. However, it could also be a sign of a more serious condition such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. If you are concerned about your cramping, be sure to speak with a doctor.
If you experience cramping or mild spotting after a positive pregnancy test, see your doctor to be sure everything is okay. You shouldn’t have to worry about cramps after a positive pregnancy test, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
Unusual Fatigue And Tiredness
In our modern world, it’s not unusual to feel tired at the end of a busy day. Fatigue is different – a feeling of lethargy and exhaustion that seems to happen no matter your level of activity or time of day. The truth is, your body is working very hard to accommodate a new life. And, this work takes energy – energy that is taken from your daily activities.
If you’re wondering whether you might be pregnant, it’s important to take a high-quality pregnancy test as soon as possible. These days, home pregnancy tests are quite accurate, and can normally detect a pregnancy 10–14 days after conception. If you get a negative result but still think you might be pregnant, be sure to see your doctor.
