Early Signs You’re Pregnant Before A Missed Period
Early pregnancy symptoms can overlap with common body changes, such as PMS. Here’s how to tell the difference.
Your menstrual cycle is your body’s monthly preparation for pregnancy — if you get pregnant, the lining in your uterus has a job to do and you won’t experience any typical menstrual bleeding. But while a missed period is many people’s first signal that they’re pregnant, it often isn’t the first clue your body gives you.
In the first weeks of pregnancy , the body starts producing a lot of hormones that can affect you physically and mentally. In addition to amping up its regular production of progesterone and estrogen, your body starts producing new ones, including human placental lactogen and human chorionic gonadotropin .
While your body is in hormonal overdrive during early pregnancy, you may feel some side effects. But if hormones are to blame, how do you tell if it’s PMS, ovulation symptoms or something else completely? Below, we outline some signals you might notice from your body during early pregnancy, before you even take a pregnancy test.
When Do Period Cramps Go Away And When Do They Go Away
Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway, MD says, The character and intensity of pain in period cramps and pregnancy cramps are very similar, but the timing of pain might provide clues. Period cramps, otherwise known as primary dysmenorrhea, occur 24-48 hours before your period and go away once menstruation starts.
Other Symptoms Of Pregnancy
There are other symptoms of early pregnancy you might experience, including:
- Youre bleeding, but only slightly. For some women, an early symptom of pregnancy is spotting. Its called implantation bleeding, and it happens about 10 to 14 days after conception when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This kind of bleeding doesnt last long, and it usually happens around the time youd normally have a period. This can be misleading. The difference is that implantation bleeding isnt typically as heavy as menstrual bleeding.
- Youre having mood swings. If youre feeling particularly emotional or find yourself bursting into tears, it can be a result of pregnancy hormones.
- Youre constipated. Its not comfortable, but a sluggish digestive system is another hormone-related issue that some women experience during pregnancy.
- Youre experiencing backaches. While lower back pain can be a problem for the length of a pregnancy, some women notice it very early on.
- You need to use the bathroom more frequently. Somewhere between six to eight weeks after conceiving, you may find that you have an increased need to urinate, but dont feel any pain or urgency.
While all of these symptoms can be signs of early pregnancy, they can also mean something else altogether. The reverse is also true: You may have none of these symptoms, but be pregnant.
A missed period can also be unrelated to a pregnancy. It could be due to:
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Signs You Are Ovulating
Counting off days to estimate ovulation is a process that works well for women who have regular menstrual cycles, but the process is much more challenging if their periods are irregular. For women who can’t rely on predictability in their monthly cycles, the frustration begins with trying to pinpoint when they will have their period and ends with calculating when they are likely to ovulate all while knowing the estimates could end up being meaningless if their period falls at a dramatically different time than the previous month.
Fortunately, other physical signs of ovulation are often present to help you pinpoint when your body is preparing to release an egg. Vaginal discharge or mucus around this time is thinner, clearer and more slippery to help sperm move more efficiently through the reproductive tract. You may experience cramping on one side around the time you ovulate, but this is not true for every woman.
Your basal temperature body temperature when you first wake up but before you get out of bed and start moving around may be slightly elevated around the time of ovulation. You may need to track this reading for a few months to confirm your pattern. Over-the-counter ovulation predictors have also helped many women determine their estimated ovulation dates. If you’re working with a doctor, he or she may test for LH levels, which start climbing about 36 hours before ovulation and peak at about 12 hours before.
How To Know If You Have Cramps But No Period
Cramps but No Period: 7 Early Pregnancy Symptoms 1 Cramps. Cramps are a typical part of your monthly menstrual cycle, 2 Your breasts feel different. Breasts that are tender, sore, 3 Youre feeling nauseated. Morning sickness is a classic symptom of early pregnancy. 4 Headaches. Blame this symptom on those early pregnancy hormones
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At What Point Should I Be Concerned About Prolonged Cramping
“If the cramps last for long periods of time, are extremely painful and not relieved by over-the-counter pain medicines, or if you’re experiencing other symptoms such as a fever or vomiting, it is best to talk to your doctor,” Dr. Taylor said.
The length of time can vary based on your body, and you know yourself best. Check in with yourself and make your best judgment call on when the cramping gets to be too much. If you regularly experience cramping while not on your period – perhaps from constipation or ovulation – consider calling the doctor if it goes on longer than usual. If cramping while not on your period is extremely unusual for you, you may want to call the doctor sooner rather than later.
How To Relieve Pregnancy Cramps
Pregnancy cramp relief depends on the cause behind the pain youre experiencing. These tips can relieve the most common causes of abdominal cramps during pregnancy:
- Lie down and relax for a while, which can relieve pregnancy cramps related to implantation, orgasm, increased blood flow to the uterus and round ligament pain
- Drink plenty of water, which may ease any cramping related to dehydration, bloating or constipation
- Soak in a warm bath, which can help ease pregnancy cramps related to increased uterine blood flow
- Wear a belly band, which can help relieve abdominal cramps linked to round ligament pain in the second half of pregnancy
- Change positions if you think youre having Braxton Hicks contractions
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Related Questions Answered On Yanswers
- If you are pregnant, will you have period cramps when your first period is supposed to start?
- Q: I usually have period cramps when I have my period. We are trying to get pregnant I am 3 days late. I feel like maybe I could be pregnant but I woke up today with cramps. There is no sign of a period besides the cramps. Can you have cramps or other symptoms of pms during your first missed period?
- A: Yes, You may be pregnant.The cramps you are having may be implantation crapms, which are very similar to period pains. It is when the egg attatches its self on the lining of your womb, This usualy occurs 7-10 days after conception.Good luck sweety x
- If you are pregnant, will you have period cramps when your first missed period is supposed to start?
- Q: I usually have period cramps when I have my period. We are trying to get pregnant I am 3 days late. I feel like maybe I could be pregnant but I woke up today with cramps. There is no sign of a period besides the cramps. Can you have cramps or other symptoms of pms during your first missed period?
- A: I am 7 months pregnant now and that is exactly what happened to me. I thought I was going to start because I had cramps. It was like this for about a week, and still nothing-So I took a test and it was postitive- I didnt believe it at first so I took another one, and got postive again..Congrats if yes, and good luck if no.
When To Seek Medical Care
If your periods are not regular, see your GP. They can investigate what is causing your irregular periods.
You should also see your GP if you have abnormal vaginal discharge. This includes:
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Vaginal discharge alongside vaginal itching, redness or swelling
- Yellow, green, grey or strongly coloured vaginal discharge
Although cramping is a common period symptom, you should see your GP if your cramps:
- Affect only one side of your body
- Become worse or dont go away
- Occur alongside fever or other symptoms
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Your Body At Week 33 Of Pregnancy
Your body produces more blood than usual, and your blood volume will be increased approximately by 40 percent. Your hair will start to pump faster in order to accommodate this change. You may even feel your heart skipping beats. This is normal, but if you notice that this is happening more frequently you should call your doctor.
What You Need To Know About Cramping In Early Pregnancy
Symptoms can vary so much from pregnancy to pregnancy that its often hard to know what exactly is going on in there. If you find yourself noticing every twinge, cramp or ache, youre definitely not alone. What kind of pain is considered okay and when should you actually worry? Most of the time, cramping during early pregnancy is no cause for concern. In fact, it can even be a good thing. Heres what you need to know about cramping in early pregnancy, including whats typical and what you might want to talk to your healthcare provider about.
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Getting Back To Normal
But what happens if you decide not to breastfeed or when you stop?
Most women will resume normal periods after having a baby, Dr. Young says. If your period is normal, it occurs every 21 to 35 days. Bleeding lasts from two to seven days, she says.
Back to normal likely applies to whatever was going on before your pregnancy, as well. Here are two examples:
Birth control: Using birth control pills for contraception often results in skipped, shorter, lighter and/or less painful periods. If you go back to the pills after pregnancy, the lighter periods may resume. If you dont, you likely will have normal, heavier periods.
Endometriosis: If you have endometriosis or a history of painful periods, you may have easier periods at first after your baby is born. But this change is typically only temporary. A holdover of increased levels of progesterone from pregnancy may cause endometrial implants to get smaller. The result is less painful periods. Your doctor will want to follow up with you regularly after your pregnancy, however. Painful periods are likely to resume, Dr. Young says.
How do the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth affect future periods?
Here again, things can go either way, Dr. Young says.
Some women experience heavier, longer or more painful periods after having a baby. These changes may relate to a larger uterine cavity causing more endometrium to shed.
For some women, however, their periods improve.
What else can make periods worse after pregnancy?
Changes In Bathroom And Stomach Habits
In addition to nausea and vomiting, you may experience other stomach problems when you first become pregnantlike constipation, frequent urination and bloating, to name a few.
Constipation is normally characterized by fewer than three bowel movements a week, hard stool, dry stool or stool that is difficult to pass. The progesterone that starts to form from the placenta slows the bowels down, says Brown. Constipation can occur early on in pregnancy, but can come back during the third trimester, too.
Frequent urination is common. Symptoms can start even earlier than your missed period, since the fertilized egg implants itself into the uterus and begins making the pregnancy hormone hCG, prompting you to run to the bathroom more often.
Bloating can happen early on in pregnancy, and may continue throughout your nine months. The progesterone hormone causes your muscle tissues to relax, slowing down digestion. That, in addition to an expanding uterus, can put pressure on your rectum and cause it to feel heavy.
Heres how to keep your stomach happy during pregnancy:
- Aim to get at least 25 grams of fiber a day from foods like leafy greens and whole grains.
- Stay hydrated.
- Talk to your OBGYN about any iron supplements youre taking.
- Discuss with your OBGYN whether you need to try over-the-counter medications.
- When you feel the urge, do not hold in bowel movements.
- Eat slowly.
- Take it easy on foods that may upset your stomach, like beans, cabbage and fried items.
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Care Advice For Menstrual Cramps
Treatments For Early Pregnancy Cramping
Early pregnancy cramps may be relieved without medication. Try the following home treatments to relieve pain:
- Lie down, sit, or change positions
- Take a warm bath
- Place a heating pad or hot water bottle at the site of the cramp
- Perform relaxation exercises
Drinking plenty of fluids may also help with cramp prevention.
In the case of more persistent cramping, you may want to try over-the-counter pain relievers. You may need to avoid some of the following medications, but a few are perfectly safe in your first trimester:
Acetaminophen
Most pregnant people can take low doses of acetaminophen without fear of harming either their fetus or themselves.
Aspirin
Aspirin can contribute to maternal or fetal bleeding. Low doses of the drug are most likely safe, but use sparingly. You may also want to avoid it if you are spotting.
Ibuprofen and Naproxen
These NSAIDs are safe for pregnant people during the first trimester. However, during late pregnancy they have been associated with an increased risk for a rare but serious fetal heart problem called premature ductal closure. If your doctor is concerned about this, they may recommend alternative pain-relieving medications.
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