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7 Signs of a Pregnancy
It’s true that the first sign of pregnancy is missing your period, but there are actually many other signs that you may not be aware of. If you suspect you may be pregnant, keep an eye out for these 7 common pregnancy signs and symptoms, from swollen breasts to bleeding from the vagina. Even if you’re not pregnant yet, these can also be signs of PMS or other medical conditions, so always consult with your doctor if you are concerned about any physical changes.
The first sign of a pregnancy is a missed period, but sometimes you can miss your period without being pregnant, most cycles are within 21 to 40 days, any shorter or longer could be abnormal. But some people do not have regular periods, some people go as much as two months without having a period. It might seem like pregnancy symptoms occur right away, but the truth is that it usually takes several weeks after conception to start noticing symptoms of pregnancy such as morning sickness and tender breasts. Signs of early pregnancy can include nausea, breast tenderness, and more.
7 Signs of a Pregnancy
- Swollen Breasts,
- Bleeding from the Vagina
- Extreme Fatigue, Nausea, and Vomiting
- Headaches, Increased Cervical Fluid
- Mood Swings
- Food Aversions/Cravings
- Frequent Urination
Missed Period
One of the first signs that you may be pregnant is missing your period. If you’ve been sexually active with a partner, it’s possible to become pregnant without having missed your period, since sperm can live inside your body for up to seven days. There are also other reasons you could be missing your period besides pregnancy.
- Swollen Breasts
When you first get pregnant, your breasts may feel tender and swollen. These changes are temporary, but they can be an early sign that you’re expecting. Also check out: what are some early signs of pregnancy?
- Bleeding from the Vagina
A missed period may not be your only symptom. If you’re pregnant, you may have some bleeding from your vagina. Don’t panic—this is perfectly normal and most likely nothing to worry about, but it’s always good to check with your doctor if you’re concerned about any bleeding. However, if bleeding persists for more than 3 days or turns bright red or heavy, go to an emergency room immediately.
- Extreme Fatigue
If you’re suffering from extreme fatigue, you may be experiencing early signs of pregnancy. If your fatigue is coupled with any other symptoms on our list, it’s possible that you could be pregnant. Extreme fatigue is often an early sign because some hormonal changes during pregnancy cause these effects in many women. Also, if your thyroid function has slowed down or becomes irregular as a result of getting pregnant, fatigue can ensue.
- Nausea and Vomiting
Perhaps one of the most common and noticeable symptoms is nausea, which many women experience prior to realizing they’re pregnant. Nausea is often caused by elevated hormones. Elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can be detected in your bloodstream around 6-10 days after conception, which is also when nausea typically starts. Although it usually subsides within about three months, it can persist until day 40 or so during some pregnancies.
- Headaches
Bleeding from your vagina may be one of your first signs. If you are using birth control, it’s important to call your doctor if bleeding lasts more than seven days. Some people do not have regular periods and will miss their period without being pregnant, and others go as much as two months without having a period. Most cycles are within 21 to 40 days; any shorter or longer could be abnormal.
- Increased Cervical Fluid
When you’re sexually aroused, your cervix produces more cervical fluid. When you’re not, it produces less. If you want to test whether or not you’re pregnant, check for increased cervical fluid in your underwear. It may be stringy or sticky and white or slightly yellowish; if it is, you’re most likely not pregnant and just going through a normal cycle.
- Mood Swings
During pregnancy, you may notice that your emotions are more intense than usual. It’s perfectly normal to experience emotional ups and downs during pregnancy. Mood swings may occur as your hormones change throughout pregnancy, or when you find out if you’re pregnant after trying for some time. You can try to ease these symptoms by keeping yourself well-hydrated, getting enough sleep each night, and talking to friends or family members if you need support.
- Food Aversions/Cravings
One early sign of pregnancy, especially in very early pregnancy, is food aversions and cravings. You may find yourself suddenly hating foods you used to love and craving foods you never wanted to eat before. In fact, a study in Human Reproduction found that women who tested positive for chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) actually consumed fewer calories on average than non-pregnant women.
- Frequent Urination
As early as 2 weeks into pregnancy, some women notice that they are urinating more frequently. This is due to an increase in hormones that relaxes and widens your bladder. There are many other causes of frequent urination besides pregnancy. See your doctor if you experience frequent urination prior to becoming pregnant, or if it continues after having had intercourse with your partner and getting pregnant. It could be a sign of an underlying problem such as diabetes, overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), or kidney disease.
Finally
A woman’s body undergoes many changes during pregnancy, some of which may be noticeable to others around her even before she knows she’s pregnant. Most women will experience at least one early sign of pregnancy, such as missed periods or tender, swollen breasts. Other early signs of pregnancy may not be visible to anyone but the woman herself, including nausea, food cravings, and frequent urination. If you’re trying to determine whether or not you’re pregnant, pay attention to these seven signs of pregnancy and consult your doctor if you have any concerns or notice any of these early signs of pregnancy.
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