Whether it’s your first, second or third pregnancy , the signs and symptoms are the same – and easy to recognize. However not every pregnancy may be the same. During one pregnancy, you may experience incredible breast tenderness or morning sickness, while during another you might not experience these symptoms at all.
What are the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy?
- One of the first physical signs of pregnancy is swollen, tender or sore breasts and/or nipples. The reason your breasts and/or nipples are often sore, swollen or tender during early pregnancy is because the breasts are undergoing changes to prepare for breastfeeding.
- Keeping up with all the changes in your body when in the first stages of pregnancy can be exhausting. So it’s not surprising that fatigue or unusual tiredness is a sign of early pregnancy. Feeling tired is due to the increased production of hormones, as well as the fact that the heart is pumping harder and faster due to the escalation of blood flow necessary to bring nutrients to the growing fetus. Another reason for fatigue and unusual tiredness during early pregnancy are the emotional ups and downs. It’s not unheard of for a pregnant woman to burst into tears at the drop of a hat (and no apparent reason) due to the hormonal fluctuations that occur. This symptom is also a good indicator for you to get lots of sleep before your bundle of joy arrives – you’ll need all the energy you can get!
- Another first sign of early pregnancy is a late period. If your period is late and you suspect you may be pregnant see your doctor for a pregnancy test and pelvic exam – this will positively tell you whether you are pregnant or not.
- Light bleeding and/or cramping during early pregnancy most commonly occurs during implantation. Implantation bleeding is when the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine lining and usually occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception. The bleeding is very light, often the only sign you might notice that indicates implantation has taken place is a small spot (size of a pinhead) of blood left on your underwear. Cramping, similar to menstrual cramps, occurs very early during pregnancy and happens when the uterus begins to expand to make room for the embryo to develop into a fetus.
- Nausea during pregnancy can happen with or without vomiting. While morning sickness is most common during weeks four and eight, many women experience this symptom beginning about two weeks from their date of conception. The term “morning sickness” is a misnomer since it can, and often does, occur at anytime of the day and night. The common cause of morning sickness seems to be the rapid rise in estrogen, produced by the placenta and fetus.
- During the first trimester of pregnancy, you may find yourself constantly running to the bathroom as the growing uterus causes frequent urination.
- Headaches that occur are often intense and caused by increased hormone levels.
- Don’t be alarmed if you suddenly develop atypical mood swings or if you find yourself highly emotional during pregnancy, these are very normal reactions and are caused by increased hormone levels.
- Feeling weak, faint or dizzy is caused by the circulatory system as dilation of the blood vessels occur.
- Your basal body temperature is your temp immediately upon rising in the morning. Basal body temperature normally increases during ovulation and decreases when menstruation occurs. However, when pregnancy takes place increased basal body temperature continues after your period is late. It is usually a good indicator of pregnancy for women who have used it.
- Food digests slower than usual during pregnancy due to increased progesterone production. This can lead to constipation.
Now that we’ve reviewed the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy there is one thing to know. These don’t necessarily mean you are pregnant, you may just be sick or about to get your period. And to confuse you even more, while these symptoms are common during pregnancy, sometimes none of them occur. Your best bet, if you think you may be pregnant, is to buy a home pregnancy test and see your doctor. Your doctor will help you confirm the pregnancy or determine the cause of your symptoms if you’re not pregnant.
BirthControlBuzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line.
For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
