14 Common Signs of Early Pregnancy You Need to Know

Right from the onset of your pregnancy journey, you will experience different kinds of symptoms. Some signs of early pregnancy occur quite early, even before you miss your period in some cases. You must consult a healthcare professional at once you notice such symptoms, and undergo an HCG blood test for pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, here are some common early signs to check for:

Sore Breasts

In the first couple of weeks of pregnancy, you might feel extra tenderness in your breasts. Once you conceive, your body releases oestrogen and progesterone resulting in growth of your breast. This hormonal increase causes more retention of fluid in the breasts, making them heavier, more sore and sensitive than the usual tenderness.

Cramping and Back Pain

Most women tend to misunderstand backache and cramping as normal PMS symptoms, when these might occur during early pregnancy. Uterine growth and hormonal changes are mainly responsible for these symptoms.

Cramping is common in nearly 30% of women during conception. Moreover, implantation of fertilised egg on the wall of the uterus triggers cramping as well. Implantation may cause your uterus to stretch a little, and cramps are basically the preparation for that expansion.

Implantation Bleeding

When the fertilised egg is implanted in the uterine lining from 6 to 12 days after conception, it may cause light vaginal spotting. While implantation bleeding or spotting is mistaken for period by many women, it is lighter than menstruation. It may be brown or pink instead of red in most cases.

It is a harmless pregnancy sign but you may consult a doctor to rule out chances of other reasons for bleeding if you think you are pregnant. However, an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or certain infections may be responsible for bleeding in the first trimester.

Fatigue

The body functions round the clock in the first couple of weeks of pregnancy to for additional support. This might result in fatigue in many women. Release of excess progesterone after conception leads to rise in your basal body temperature which results in lack of energy.

The heart pumps faster for transporting oxygen to the uterus, which is again a major cause of fatigue. Drinking plenty of fluids is essential for maintaining blood pressure. Having healthy foods, prenatal vitamins, and adequate rest are equally necessary at this time.

Pregnancy Nipples

During the onset of pregnancy, the nipple might become darker. Hormones released during pregnancy influence melanocyte activities. Melanocytes are the cells imparting colour to the nipples. Women of dark colour usually cannot notice this sign until advanced pregnancy, usually around 10^th week.

Nausea

About 85% of pregnant women report morning sickness during the first few weeks, while others experience this symptom after a couple of weeks. Onset of pregnancy may come with subtle motion sickness, usually after 2 weeks from conception.

Progesterone is responsible for slowing down different body processes, including the digestive system. This might lead to ingestion and constipation in some cases. As stomach takes greater time to empty, it tends to purge through the gut or the mouth.

Nausea may also result from the HCG hormone. HCG hormone can be detected from the blood or urine of a pregnant woman. High HCG might indicate multiple pregnancies, and make you feel sicker.

Bloating

The rise in progesterone slows down your rate of digestion, causing your stomach feel bigger than usual. It is also common in PMS, but this bloating stops during period, resulting in a drastic reduction in progesterone. Persistence of bloating and missing of period conclude you may be pregnant.

Frequent Urination

Although frequent urination may occur in many pregnant women mostly at advanced stages, early pregnancy might witness the same sign as the baby presses on the bladder. Swelling of the uterus exerts pressure on the bladder, and extra blood flow resulting in increased urine production. This overall results in a frequent urge of urination.

Food Cravings

In early pregnancy, fatigue might require you intaking extra calories to boost your energy levels for increased metabolism.

Headaches

Pregnancy increases the blood volume which triggers mild but frequent headaches. Headaches might also take place in case you are anaemic or do not intake sufficient fluids. Book work is important if you face such symptoms. With the progress of pregnancy, the frequency of headaches decreases. Hormonal fluctuations can further worsen headaches.

Constipation

Hormones causing bloating may lead to constipation. As the activity of digestive system reduces during this period, clearing up of food slows down and ends up in constipation. Progression of pregnancy makes this symptom worse.

Mood Swings

Elevated levels of HCG hormone cause fatigue, affecting your mood. Constipation, breast pain, bloating, and headaches can all lead to mood swings.

Basal Body Temperature

Basal body temperature is the temperature when your first wake up. Measuring this temperature indicates your ovulation period when you release and egg. This temperature rises by about half a degree and remains high until you get your period.

If you are recording your basal body temperature and not noticing any reduction for over 2 weeks, you may be pregnant. A special digital basal thermometer is used for a more accurate reading of this.

Nose Nuisances

Bloody nose, post nasal drip, and congestion are all common pregnancy signs. All these symptoms point to an elevated blood pressure which exerts additional pressure on your nose’s delicate vessels and increases your hormones.

Final Thoughts

Always remember that the above discussed signs are common symptoms of pregnancy at early stages. But it is not necessary that all pregnant women would get all of these symptoms, or there may be rare signs as well beyond these discussed ones which indicate pregnancy.

Once you experience these signs of early pregnancy, book an appointment at Private Blood Tests London for a private HCG blood test.