Symptoms of Pregnancy - 9 Early Pregnancy Signs

Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

It might seem strange to you, but doctors start the count of your pregnancy weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period(LMP). Your LMP date is considered the beginning of week one, even though you were not pregnant then. After that, your doctors determine the expected date based on the first day of your last menstrual period.

That is why the first few weeks of your 40-week pregnancy journey might pass without developing any noticeable symptoms. Are you curious about early pregnancy symptoms? Here are 9 early signs and symptoms you should discover if you are planning to conceive.

9 Most Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms to Discover

If you are looking for what are the early pregnancy symptoms before a missed period, it is essential to remember that the experience of developing pregnancy symptoms varies from woman to woman. Hence, you must not compare yourself to others or feel discouraged, as symptoms can differ significantly.

However, there are several early pregnancy symptoms you may experience, though you might not have all of them. Here are the most common symptoms described in the following:

1. A Missed Period

The most noticeable and common sign of early pregnancy is a missed period. After a female conceives, her body releases hormones that prevent ovulation and stop the uterine lining from shedding. This is why the menstrual cycle stops, and they will not have another period before giving birth.

However, a missed period is not always considered one of the apparent early pregnancy symptoms. Other significant factors such as stress, intense exercise, improper dieting, hormonal level fluctuations, and other health conditions can also cause irregular or skipped periods.

2. Bleeding and Cramping

After the fertilisation process, the fertilised egg implants itself into the uterus. This process can cause light spotting and, in some cases, mild cramping, which is considered the primary sign in the list of all early pregnancy symptoms.

It is called implantation bleeding. It generally happens between 6 and 12 days after fertilisation. Since the cramps feel like menstrual cramps, some females might confuse them with period cramps. However, the bleeding and cramping are usually minimal.

3. Frequent Urination

Getting pressure for urination frequently and incontinence is another common symptom during early pregnancy. The female's body pumps more blood during this time, so the kidneys process more fluid than usual. It is why it leads to more fluid in your bladder.

In addition, hormonal imbalances play a vital role in keeping your bladder healthy. So, running to the bathroom more frequently or accidentally leaking are all common.

4. Milky Discharge

Besides implantation bleeding, most females notice a white-coloured, milky discharge from their vagina. It happens due to the thickening of the vaginal walls, a procedure that starts right after fertilisation. The increased production of cells lining the vagina is what leads to white discharge early pregnancy symptoms.

Typically, it happens throughout pregnancy and requires no treatment. However, if somebody gets an unpleasant odour or experiences a burning sensation, they must visit the doctor. It can lead to bacterial infection or sexually transmitted disease (STD).

5. Breast Changes

Breast changes are among the earliest and most common early pregnancy symptoms. After the sperm does the fertilisation, hormone levels fluctuate rapidly. As a result, females experience swollen, tender, or tingly breasts within a week or two. They may also appear fuller, heavier, or sensitive. In addition, the areola may become even darker.

However, changes in breasts can result from other factors as well. If pregnancy is the cause, it may take a few weeks to adjust to the fluctuating hormone levels. After that, the discomfort in your breasts should gradually ease up.

6. Backache

According to a survey, back pain affects more than one in three women. It occurs due to the loosening of ligaments and changes in posture over time.

You can help reduce back pain (another one on the list of early pregnancy symptoms) by wearing flat-heeled shoes, using comfortable chairs, avoiding lifting objects, and doing gentle workouts. Free-hand exercises, physiotherapy, and acupuncture may also help reduce back pain.

7. Pelvic Floor Pain

Pelvic floor pain or lower pelvic pain, when considering early pregnancy symptoms, is a common occurrence for many women. While a stretching uterus is one possible cause, hormonal imbalances can also influence how pelvic floor muscles function.

The pain can manifest in different ways. Some females feel sensations occurring near the uterus, or some feel them near their bladder, vagina, lower back or abdomen.

8. Abdominal Pain

During pregnancy, hormonal shifts make the body's ligaments more flexible to help the body adjust as the baby grows. This improved flexibility also allows your bones to widen during childbirth. In addition, females need to bear the extra weight of the baby, which adds more pressure.

These combined factors can cause discomfort and stomach pain in early pregnancy symptoms.

9. Bloating and Constipation

Early pregnancy symptoms of bloating and constipation should be on that list. Significant hormonal changes cause bloating. It slows down digestion and may lead to constipation. That is why most women feel blocked or uncomfortable these days. During constipation, the feeling of bloating in your abdomen can worsen.

Some Uncommon Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Some additional early pregnancy signs are not as common as the previous ones. They are:

Metallic Taste in Mouth

Many women report experiencing a metallic taste in their mouths during the early days of their pregnancy. They report that it feels as if you are tasting a handful of coins. This sensation can occur while eating some specific foods. It can even appear unexpectedly at any time of the day.

Headaches and Dizziness

Headaches, along with feelings of lightheadedness and dizziness, are common in early pregnancy. A woman experiences these symptoms because of hormonal changes and the increased blood volume in your body.

Mood Swings

As your hormone levels rise and fall, you may experience mood swings, which are a normal part of pregnancy and considered among healthy early pregnancy symptoms. However, if you ever feel anxious or depressed and face persistent negative thoughts, it is crucial to seek support from your doctor.

Increased Acne or Skin Changes

Hormonal level variations and increased blood volume can affect someone's skin during early pregnancy. Some ladies develop healthier, glowing skin than ever. On the other hand,  others may experience more breakouts.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms After Ovulation

Early pregnancy symptoms by days past ovulation (DPO) are pretty similar to symptoms of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome). These are bloating or gas (fullness or tightness in the abdomen), breast tenderness, changes in nipples, cravings for specific foods, and more.

When Do Early Pregnancy Symptoms Start?

If you look at when early pregnancy symptoms start on the internet, the answer will likely be that it varies. Some women feel pregnant within a few days of conception, while others may not notice any symptoms for weeks and may need to take a pregnancy test. These symptoms can vary significantly between women and even between different pregnancies.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms vs PMS

Though symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and early pregnancy are often similar, there are several key differences, which are listed below.

Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

Early symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include:

• Missed Period - One of the first signs, just like in normal pregnancy.
• Mild Vaginal Bleeding - Often light spotting that may be mistaken for an irregular period.
• Pelvic or Abdominal Pain -Usually on one side (the side of the ectopic implantation). It may start as mild cramping and become more severe.
• Breast Tenderness - A common symptom due to pregnancy hormones.
• Nausea and Vomiting - Often occurs along with abdominal pain.

How to Deal With Early Pregnancy Symptoms?

Here are the natural ways to cope with the most common discomforts of early pregnancy:

• Eat small and frequent meals to avoid vomiting. For people experiencing continuous nausea, eat every one to two hours.
• Eat carbohydrate-rich foods as much as possible, including cereal, fruit, bread and rice. They are easier to digest and help you gain energy.
• Drink a lot of fluids, such as water and fruit juice, to prevent constipation. This also helps remove gas (regarded as one of the early pregnancy symptoms).
• Keep your digestion smooth by eating a fibre-rich diet to reduce the risk of haemorrhoids.
• Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep and rest as much as possible, as short naps will help combat fatigue.
• To cope with the issue of breast tenderness, you are supposed to wear a good support bra. It may help you feel more comfortable.
• One solution for leg cramps may be to increase your calcium intake. Ask your doctor about a calcium supplement and consume it accordingly.
• If you have heartburn, avoid highly seasoned, rich, and spicy foods. Instead of lying down flat after eating, walk for a few minutes.
• Frequent urination, among pronounced early pregnancy symptoms, gets stopped with time. Do not reduce fluid intake to normalise the frequency of urination.

Conclusion

Early pregnancy brings significant changes to your body, including common symptoms like nausea, breast tenderness, fatigue and the hallmark symptom-a missed period. As you move further into the second trimester, many of these early pregnancy symptoms may begin to fade.

However, if you think you are pregnant, consider a home pregnancy test. You need a pregnancy test kit that is available at pharmacies and stores without a prescription.

Once you get a positive result, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. They will confirm the result through an exam and additional tests, making it the first step toward starting your pregnancy journey.