Could you be pregnant? There are many early symptoms of pregnancy, but here are the 10 most common ones (in no particular order):
1. Missed period
A missed period is the ultimate sign of pregnancy. However, it could also be caused by many other reasons such as stress, a change in lifestyle, medication, etc. If your periods are usually irregular, it could also be a reason why you haven’t gotten yours yet. Other symptoms of pregnancy could also appear before you miss your period.
2. Spotting and discharge
Usually occurring only a few days after conception, spotting is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. It is caused by the implantation of the fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus. Spotting may also be accompanied by cramping, which makes it easy to confuse with menstruation.
Aside from bleeding, a woman may also produce discharge from her vagina. This white, milky substance is normal and usually isn’t something to be worried about. However, if it causes pain or itchiness, you should see a doctor immediately because you might have an infection.
3. Nausea
Even though nausea caused by pregnancy is often referred to as “morning sickness,” it could happen any time of the day. When a woman is pregnant, her body becomes more sensitive to the things around her. Things such as scents and certain types of food could trigger nausea even though they never bothered you before. Some nausea attacks are accompanied by vomiting, while some are not.
4. Breast changes
Similar to when you have your period, your hormones undergo changes when you are pregnant. Your breasts might feel more tender and sensitive. As pregnancy progresses, your breasts will get fuller and heavier.
5. Frequent urination
Early into pregnancy, the uterus starts increasing in size and pushing down on the bladder. Also, the hormonal change in your body makes blood flow through your kidneys into your bladder at a faster rate. The amount of blood in your body will continue to increase throughout pregnancy, causing your kidneys to process more fluids into your bladder.
6. Constipation
The amount of progesterone in your body drastically increases when you are pregnant. While it makes blood flows through your kidneys faster, progesterone makes food flow through your intestines slower. Having a steady intake of fluids, exercising, and eating foods high in fiber can help reduce constipation.
7. Fatigue
High levels of progesterone in the body can also make you feel drowsy and tired. Activities that don’t usually take that much effort, such as standing for a short period of time, could already make you very tired. Headaches, backaches, dizziness and fainting are also common when you are pregnant.
8. Cravings
Food cravings can start as early as two weeks into pregnancy. You might find yourself craving for certain types of food that you don’t usually eat. You may also notice that you like different kinds of food from before. Cravings can apply to practically anything when you are pregnant, but food cravings are the most common.
9. Mood swings
Have you been easily irritated or annoyed lately? Hormonal change in your body doesn’t only affect you physically; it can affect your emotions as well. Mood swings are usually the strongest during the first trimester of pregnancy. Even the smallest things (such as dropping a pen) could make you cry or burst out in anger when you are pregnant.
10. A positive pregnancy test
If you have taken a pregnancy test that and had a positive result, you could be pregnant. A positive pregnancy test does not always mean that you are pregnant. There are many factors that could cause a false positive result such as contamination, improper testing, and medical conditions. Taking more than one pregnancy test would give you better accuracy.
Remember: If you are having some of these symptoms, it doesn’t automatically mean that you are pregnant. Before deciding anything, pay your doctor a visit to make sure whether you are pregnant or not.
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