Implantation Cramping Is An Early Sign Of Pregnancy
Another sign of early pregnancy before a missed period is implantation cramping.
When the fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus, this causes small contractions in the abdominal area. Dr. Trina Pagano on WebMD says that slight cramping before you expect your period is often a sign of implantation. For some women, this can resemble premenstrual cramping before their period, while for others the cramping is only very slight and barely noticeable.5
Dr. Pagano advises that the signs of early pregnancy are light bleeding and cramping. If you notice severe abdominal pains and significant bleeding, you should call your doctor.6
What Are The First Signs Of Pregnancy
As noted above, the most widely known early pregnancy symptom is a missed period, which usually appears about two to three weeks after conception.
However, some other very early signs of pregnancy could appear even before you realise your period is late or you experience bloating. Such symptoms include:
- tender breasts: due to higher levels of progesterone, you will probably start experiencing tenderness and swelling in your breasts
- sensitivity to smell: hormonal changes in pregnancy can also cause changes and sensitivity to smell
- spotting: spotting might occur as early as six days after conception, so it can represent one of the earliest signs of pregnancy
- frequent urination: frequent urination can start as soon as two weeks after conception, so its another very early sign of being pregnant
- fatigue: progesterone is to blame for the constant tiredness that is usually experienced within the first few weeks after conception, even though fatigue is common throughout the whole duration of pregnancy
- mood swings: just like with PMS and hormonal changes, pregnancy can also result in various mood swings, that vary from feeling excited, depressed, irritated and so on. So brace yourself for an interesting nine-month ride!
The above-mentioned symptoms represent some common signs of pregnancy at its earliest stages. Later on, they can be accompanied by morning sickness that usually develops before the ninth week of pregnancy, again due to an increase in pregnancy hormones.
Early Signs Of Pregnancy 1st Week
A woman who is aware of her body can see the slightest change in herself. It is undoubtedly an advantage, but in some cases, it might make you worry for nothing. A self-aware woman can pick up the slightest change in herself and detect pregnancy before missed period.
It is easy to see external early pregnancy signs like bloating. After having unprotected sex, you feel bloated for a day. However, if this bloating stays for long, it may be a sign of pregnancy.
Another unusual thing like going to the bathroom more often also is an early pregnancy sign before missed period. The frequent urge to pee is a sign of pregnancy.
The bloating pushes the bladder, and hormonal flux makes you feel full. It lasts for a few weeks of early pregnancy.
Later in the second trimester, it is not as frequent. Again in the third trimester, as the uterus grows in size, it forces your bladder to feel full all the while.
Congestion of nasal passage is also a sign of pregnancy before missed period. It is due to hormonal fluctuations.
The nasal membranes swell, and you develop an aversion to certain smells.
Early signs of pregnancy discharge: Cervical mucus changes during early pregnancy. The cervical discharge during early pregnancy is in abundance. The early signs of pregnancy discharge look mucus like discharge.
Almost immediately after conception, the vaginal walls tend to thicken up due to the growth of the cell lining the vagina releasing white milky discharge from the vagina.
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What Is The Best Way To Confirm Pregnancy
Pregnancy symptoms vary for everyone and are easy to confuse with a menstrual period. Thats why its impossible to tell whether a woman is pregnant based on symptoms alone. Alternatively, women can take a home pregnancy test or see a doctor if they suspect pregnancy. Home pregnancy tests are fairly reliable but may occasionally be a false-positive. This can occur for several reasons, including having an ectopic pregnancy or even taking certain medications. Following a positive home pregnancy test with a doctors visit for a urine or blood test to confirm the pregnancy is the best way to confirm a pregnancy.
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Early Changes To Breasts: Tingling Aching Growing
Breast changes can occur between weeks 4 and 6. Youre likely to develop tender and swollen breasts due to hormone changes. This will likely go away after a few weeks when your body has adjusted to the hormones.
Nipple and breast changes can also occur around week 11. Hormones continue to cause your breasts to grow. The areola the area around the nipple may change to a darker color and grow larger.
If youve had bouts with acne before your pregnancy, you may experience breakouts again.
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Is Bloating Or Gas An Early Sign Of Pregnancy
One of the very early signs of pregnancy in the first week is bloating. Even though it can be hard for many women to distinguish early pregnancy bloating and period bloating, most of them find it normal to be bloated during these times.
But what causes gas after conception? Is being bloated before period a sign of pregnancy? Not always, but if accompanied by other pregnancy symptoms, it is likely to be a sign that will be followed by a positive pregnancy test.
High levels of progesterone after ovulation reduce contractions in the gut leading to bloating and accumulation of gas.
What Are Some Uncommon Signs Of Early Pregnancy
If youre wondering if youre pregnant and have started scouring the internet for every single pregnancy symptom you can find-
Welcome!
Were going to go through every single symptom from common to rare.
But first, I wanted to go over a basic timeline of conception and pregnancy because I felt like I still had trouble understanding even with my third pregnancy!
Ovulation> If fertilization occurs, you are already considered 2 weeks pregnant.
Fertilization > 5 minutes to 5 days after intercourse.
Implantation> 5-15 days after conception.
Pregnancy symptoms> 2-4 weeks after intercourse.
This post contains affiliate links. Please see our full disclosure here.
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Am I Pregnant 12 Early Signs Of Pregnancy
ByCari Nierenberg, Sarah Wild, Ailsa Harveypublished 15 December 21
The early signs of pregnancy can differ between women. Here are some of the clues your body may provide.
Looking out for the early signs of pregnancy in the body can help you to find out if you have become successful in conceiving. When discovering you are pregnant, it can be the start of a remarkable, life-changing experience. That journey often starts with the question: Am I pregnant?
The first sign is usually a missed period, followed by a pregnancy test, said Lia Moss, a certified nurse midwife at Northwestern Medicine, who delivers babies at Prentice Womens Hospital in Chicago.
Pregnancy tests, whether done at home or at a doctors office, measure the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin in a womans urine or blood. This hormone is released when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Urine pregnancy tests can detect levels of hCG about 10 days after conception, Moss told Live Science, while blood tests, usually done at a doctors office, can detect a pregnancy about seven to 10 days after conception. Testing too soon can produce a false negative result. A womans due date is calculated from the first day of her last period.
The first trimester can be very hard for some women, Moss said, but after that many mothers-to-be start feeling better.
Here are 12 clues that a woman may notice during her first trimester to indicate she may be pregnant.
About Our Fertility Expert Dr Amin Gorgy
Dr Gorgy co-founded The Fertility & Gynaecology Academy in 2004 and is now its co-director. Previously, he was the deputy director of the Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.
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When Should You Take A Pregnancy Test
Its usually recommended that you take a pregnancy test after youve missed your period. This is because pregnancy tests measure the level of human chorionic gonadotrophin in your body, which is a hormone that starts to build up when you conceive. It can take around three to four weeks from the first day of your last period for there to be enough hCG in your body to show up on a test.
Mood Swings Are An Early Sign Of Pregnancy Before Missed Period
Even before your missed period, you may start to experience mood swings as an early sign that you are pregnant.
However, because symptoms of implantation often occur when you expect your period, it could be easy to confuse them with signs of premenstrual syndrome. Doctors from WebMD say that hormonal fluctuations can play havoc with your mood and feeling of well-being. The result is that you could be more emotional in the days before your period.
If you are experiencing mood swings in early pregnancy, you could try some of these 18 quick and natural ways to boost your mood. You also need to make sure that you get enough nutrient and vitamins in your diet that can boost your mood and are essential if you are pregnant.
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Strange Taste In The Mouth
Hormones could play strange games during pregnancy, and you may find yourself having a strange awkward taste in your mouth, also called Dysgeusia. You could feel like you have swallowed some unsavoury metal. This metallic taste could well be an early sign to tell you that you have started your journey to motherhood. The symptom generally disappears after the first trimester, but could last longer in some women.
Pregnancy Sign: Lower Pelvic Cramping
Pelvic cramping as an early pregnancy sign? Yep, it can be, according to Nordahl. That might seem counterintuitive, as cramps are super-typical symptoms of Aunt Flow. You were probably hoping that being pregnant meant you could kiss cramps goodbye, but sadly thats not the case. Light cramps can be caused by early pregnancy hormonal shifts and implantation of the fertilized egg on your uterine lining.
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Take A Pregnancy Test
If youre still not too sure whether the cause pf your missed period and bloating are lifestyle changes, the best way to determine whether youre experiencing the very early symptoms of pregnancy would be to take a pregnancy test at home.
Such tests can be purchased in any pharmacy or even online, if youd like to avoid buying yours in person. However, bear in mind that home pregnancy tests can show false results, especially in the early stages of pregnancy.
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Metallic Taste In Mouth
Early in the first 3 weeks, you may experience a metallic taste in your mouth. The change in your taste to a metallic feeling is also called dysgeusia. That strange metallic taste can make you feel like you are chewing aluminum or a coin.
A bad taste in your mouth is part of the major changes on your senses of smell and taste. You can remedy it by chewing on acidic fruits such as oranges, sipping lemon juice etc.
You can also rinse your mouth with a mild saline solution to get rid of this weird symptom during early pregnancy.
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Morning Sickness Or Nausea
That telltale, queasy feeling known as morning sickness can hit you at any time of day and it typically begins when you’re about 6 weeks pregnant, though it can vary and strike even earlier. For most women, nausea starts by week 9.
Hormones, mainly increased levels of progesterone , can cause the stomach to empty more slowly, resulting in this early pregnancy symptom resembling seasickness.
What Causes Bloating And Gas In The First Two Weeks Of Pregnancy
The cause of bloating in early pregnancy is the increased levels of hormone progesterone. This hormone causes smooth muscles to relax.
For pregnancy to carry on, it is crucial that you have this hormone in place until childbirth. Progesterone triggers gas, burping and bloating since it causes smooth muscles including those of the digestive tract to weaken.
- The muscle relaxation is what prompts nutrients to move gradually to reach the developing baby.
- However, the problem is that as this process takes place, your overall metabolism slows down causing bloating.
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Bloating During Early Pregnancy
- Bloating during early pregnancy is something that a woman easily detects. Early signs of pregnancy before missed period cannot go without mentioning bloating.
- During early pregnancy bloating is because of two reasons. Flatulence and constipation cause bloating during early pregnancy before missed period.
- In the first week of pregnancy, you will experience bloating after unprotected sex.
Tender Tingly Darker More Sticky Out Nipples
Your nipples may also change significantly during the early weeks of pregnancy. Your nipples may begin to ache, tingle or protrude more than usual, says midwife Ellie. The areoles the dark circle around your nipple may also become even darker and larger.
Tender nipples were the first sign for Tamarabell on our forum. I started to get a feeling I was pregnant about 1.5 weeks before I was due on, so pretty early, she says. I had really tender nipples and sort of butterflies in my tummy for a few days. My test came up positive the week before I was due. The doctor didnt believe it and made me do another one. I just sort of knew that something was different!
Whod have thought wed ever get excited about sore/dark nipples! adds lynz_81, whos been pregnant before. Be warned: they will only get bigger and darker now!
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Changes In Cervical Mucus
Have you become a student of your cervical mucus? Then check it out now: If it becomes creamy and stays that way after ovulation, its a good sign youll have a positive pregnancy test.
As your pregnancy progresses, youll also notice increased vaginal discharge, called leukorrhea. This thin, milky-white discharge is normal and healthy, but speak to your practitioner if it appears lumpy or thick.
Changes In Nipple Color
Women may notice a deepening of the color of the area surrounding the nipple, called the areola and/or a dark line going down from the middle of the central abdomen area to the pubic area . Some degree of darkening of the areola persists after pregnancy in many women, but the linea nigra typically disappears in the months following delivery of the baby.
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When Can I Take A Home Pregnancy Test
Although you may start to feel early pregnancy symptoms before your period, most women have to wait for an average of two weeks from the time they ovulate for a positive home pregnancy test result. Home pregnancy tests measure levels of human chorionic gonadotropin in your urine.
This placenta-produced hormone makes its way into your urine almost immediately after an embryo begins implanting in your uterus, between six to 12 days after fertilization. You can start using most home pregnancy tests as soon as hCG can be detected in your urine and hCG levels usually arent high enough to be picked up by a home pregnancy test until your periods expected.
Cant wait until then? Some HPTs promise 60 to 75 percent accuracy four to five days before you expect your period. Wait until your period and the rate jumps to 90 percent wait another week and the results are 99 percent accurate.
Know that false negatives are much more common than false positives, so if the time for your period comes and goes without your monthly flow, check in with your health care provider. Either way, youll want to get a blood test to confirm your pregnancy status.
No matter what symptoms you’re having, the only way to know for sure that you’re pregnant is to make an appointment with your OB/GYN.
Missed Or Strange Period
A missed period is probably one of the most reliable signs of pregnancy. However, pregnancy isn’t always the reason for a missed period. This is why you are asked for the first day of your last normal menstrual period . That date will also help determine your due date if you are indeed pregnant.
Although some people will experience implantation bleeding around the time that their period is due, it is usually just spotting and lighter or shorter than their normal period. Although rare, a few people may continue to cycle throughout their pregnancy.
It may be harder to note a missed or strange period if you typically experience irregular cycles. In this case, a pregnancy test followed by a pelvic exam may be necessary. If your doctor rules out pregnancy as the cause for your missed period, they will take steps to rule out other possible causes.
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