Are you pregnant? Here are the early signs and symptoms

Every person and every pregnancy is different. So, if you are pregnant, you’ll likely experience a unique combination of common, not-so-common and sometimes overlapping symptoms. And, they may show up earlier or later than expected. 

A pregnancy test is the only way to know for sure. But if it’s too early to take a test, you may be on the lookout for early signs or maybe you think you’re already experiencing some early pregnancy symptoms.

Usually Missed Period is the first symptom of pregnancy

The most common early sign of pregnancy is a missed period. Your menstrual cycle is your body’s way of preparing for a possible pregnancy each month. Of course, a delayed or missed period doesn’t always mean you’re pregnant. If your body is under a lot of stress or you have a hormonal imbalance, you could be experiencing an irregular menstrual cycle.

So let's checkout other early signs of pregnancy

1. Spotting or light bleeding: Many women are surprised to learn that spotting or light bleeding can be an early sign of pregnancy, but about one-third of women experience it.

Implantation bleeding is light bleeding that typically occurs 10-14 days after conception, which is just before or right around the time your period is due which may start and stop over a couple days. 

2. Breast tenderness: During pregnancy, the breasts become fuller, swollen and tender. These changes are similar to those you may have noticed in the few days before your period.Pregnancy-related breast tenderness and swelling will likely be more intense than you’re used to and stick around.

3. Fatigue: Fatigue in early pregnancy is common, and some women might notice it before they know they’re pregnant. In fact, fatigue may set in as soon as one week after conception. This is thanks to those sudden changes in hormone levels, particularly increasing progesterone.

4. Frequent urination: If you’re making more trips to the bathroom than usual around the time your next period is due, it may be a sign of pregnancy.

So if you’re pregnant, you may notice you’re peeing a lot more – a symptom that can start early on and (unfortunately) last throughout your pregnancy.

5. Nausea with or without vomiting: Morning sickness, which can occur at any time of the day or night, often begins one to two months after you become pregnant. However, some women feel nausea earlier and some never experience it. 

6. Bloating or constipation: We all experience bloating or constipation from time to time, but both are quite common during pregnancy. Once again, those changing hormones are the culprit. They slow down digestion, which can cause a buildup of air in the gut and lead to constipation.

7. Sensitivity to smell: Many women's sensitivity to smell is one of their first signs of pregnancy. In fact, as many as two-thirds of women become more sensitive or reactive to the smells around them during pregnancy. Oftentimes, this heightened sense of smell can stick with you through the first trimester or beyond, and contribute to other symptoms such as nausea, food cravings or food aversions.

8. Mood Swings: From a stressful day at work to the natural wonders of your menstrual cycle, there are a lot of things that can affect your mood. But changes in mood are very common during pregnancy and they may be especially noticeable early on as your body gets a sudden burst of estrogen and progesterone.

9. Headaches: Headaches can happen thanks to the increasing blood volume and hormonal changes that occur in early pregnancy. You can also get headaches if you’re dehydrated as a result of nausea.

Every pregnancy is different and not everyone will notice all of these symptoms. If you're worried about any symptoms you're having, consult with your Gynecologist.