When you’re trying to conceive, every month brings with it the potential of pregnancy,
where you’re hoping that your body is getting ready to welcome a baby. There are some
common signs and symptoms, caused by a rise in several early pregnancy hormones,
released in the right amounts at the right time, which indicate that you may be pregnant.
Let us introduce you to these early signs and symptoms of pregnancy.
1. Missed period - For most women, the 1st obvious sign of pregnancy is a missed
period, if she has regular menstrual cycles. This is because the ovaries have
created the egg and the uterus has received the fertilized egg.
However, if you usually have irregular periods due to PCOD (PCOS) for example,
this can be misleading. A period could also be late due to stress, dieting and over-
exercising.
You could take a pregnancy test once your menstrual cycle is a few days late, to
confirm or to rule out the possibility of pregnancy.
2. Sensitive breasts - You may find that your breasts are tender, swollen and sore or
they may just seem heavier or fuller thanks to early pregnancy hormones.
3. Nausea and morning sickness - Queasiness and vomiting are two pregnancy
symptoms that not every woman faces. But if you do, then you’ll know that
morning sickness is not just limited to the morning! You could be throwing up
morning, noon or night, all thanks to pregnancy hormones. And this could last up
to the second trimester of pregnancy.
However, if you are unable to keep anything down and are feeling weak and
dehydrated, it is time to call a doctor. You could be experiencing Hyperemesis
Gravidarum (a very severe form of morning sickness) and may need IV fluids.
4. Food aversions - You may find certain smells and tastes off-putting in early
pregnancy. This is a symptom that goes hand in hand with nausea and/or morning
sickness.
5. Smell Sensitivity - You may find that you have a heightened sense of smell and
that makes it difficult to tolerate certain odours, like the smell of food cooking,
certain perfumes etc. They may make you queasy and you may even have to leave
the room to get away from the smell!
6. Increased urination - The hormone hCG leads to a higher blood flow in a
pregnant woman’s body. This in turn leads to the kidneys processing this extra
blood, absorbing what the body needs and creating more urine. This is another
symptom that could have other medical reasons like UTIs and diabetes, so if
you’re worried, just check in with your healthcare provider.
7. Fatigue - This is usually caused by the increased progesterone levels in the body.
Feeling sleepy and exhausted is very common in early pregnancy and if this is
what your body is communicating to you, make sure you get enough rest!
8. Moodiness - This is a symptom that closely resembles the moodiness you feel
right around the time you’re about to get your period (PMS). Once again, this is
orchestrated by pre-pregnancy hormones. You may find yourself feeling emotional
and upset, even crying at the drop of a hat. However, if you find yourself so
anxious or depressed that you are unable to handle it, then please reach out for
help. Talk to your partner, family and friends and if that doesn’t make it easier,
contact a medical professional.
9. Bloating - This is another pregnancy symptom that mimics PMS. It occurs
because the hormone progesterone slows down the body’s digestive system and
this can cause bloating and gas.
10. Light spotting - This is also called implantation bleeding that occurs when the
fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine wall and usually occurs 6-12 days post
fertilization. The spotting is usually pink or light brown rather than the red
spotting at the beginning of a period but if you don’t know you are pregnant, it
could seem similar to the start of your menstrual cycle.
11. Cramping - Yet another period-like symptom, this occurs because of the
cramping in the uterus as the fertilized egg attaches itself to its wall.
12. Constipation - Your body’s digestive system slows down thanks to progesterone
and food passes more slowly through the digestive system, leading to constipation.
Try to stay hydrated and eat more fibre-rich foods.
13. Nasal congestion - The increased hormonal levels and blood flow in your body
can make the mucous membranes in your nose swell and dry up. You could even
have some nose bleeds.
Not all bodies and pregnancies are the same so you may experience very few of these
symptoms or most of them. But if you miss your period or it is delayed, try a home
pregnancy test. If it is positive, congratulations! Your body is displaying these symptoms
and adaptations as a part of Nature’s design - they may seem uncomfortable, but remind
yourself that your body is preparing for the awe-inspiring journey of turning a single cell
into a complex human being. Isn’t that miraculous?
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