SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF PREGNANCY: HOW TO KNOW IF YOU ARE PREGNANT

Introduction

Pregnancy leads to significant hormonal changes in women. However, the symptoms of pregnancy may differ from one woman to another. While pregnancy can be confirmed by home pregnancy kits followed by an ultrasound, you can also watch out for symptoms of pregnancy to know if you are pregnant.

If you are looking for pregnancy symptoms, below are some common signs you may notice. It is important to note that you may not display all the signs of pregnancy.

Common Pregnancy Symptoms 

1. Missed Periods

Missing periods is the earliest sign of pregnancy. However, women can also miss periods due to other reasons such as excessive stress, excessive exercise or hormonal imbalance. Hence it is important to confirm the cause of missed periods.

2. Fatigue

One of the earliest symptoms to appear in pregnancy is fatigue. The high level of progesterone, one of the pregnancy hormone secretions leads to tiredness. The symptom decreases for some women in the second trimester. However, it returns by the third trimester.

3. Nausea

Women may feel nausea accompanied by vomiting on some occasions. This morning sickness may occur a month or two into the pregnancy. Although it is absolutely common to feel nausea during pregnancy, it can become a problem if you stay dehydrated.

4. Swollen or tender breasts

The hormones in early pregnancy impact the breasts leading them to be sensitive and sore. The soreness will most probably decrease a few weeks into pregnancy as a woman adjusts to changing levels of hormones.

5. Increase in frequency of urination:

A pregnant woman may feel an increased urge to urinate. This happens as the blood supply in the body increases during pregnancy. The kidneys thus need to flush out the extra waste, leading to an increase in the number of bathroom trips.

Less common signs that answer how to know you are pregnant

The uncommon signs that help women know if they are pregnant include:

1. Mood Swings

The release of different hormones at the beginning of the pregnancy may lead to moodiness. Women with early signs of pregnancy may feel unusually emotional.

2. Bloating

The baby bump will take time to appear. However, the surge of hormones leads to bloating as a symptom of pregnancy. It may also be a similar feeling as a woman may experience just before the onset of the menstrual cycle.

3. Spotting

How to know if you are pregnant even if you are experiencing light bleeding? Spotting occurs in early pregnancy as a result of implantation bleeding. After approximately 10 to 14 days from conceiving, the fertilised egg transports through the fallopian tube to the uterus.

In the process of attaching itself to the lining of the uterus, there occurs light spotting. It is important to note that spotting due to implantation may occur alongside the date of women expecting their menstrual cycle. Also, implantation bleeding is not experienced by all women.

4. Cramps

Mild, menstrual-like cramping may be experienced by some women as a symptom of early pregnancy.

5. Constipation

The changes in the balance of hormones during pregnancy lead to the digestive system slowing down. Hence, as a sign of pregnancy, women may experience constipation.

6. Food cravings or aversions

As a symptom of pregnancy, women may become averse to certain food while they may crave some. The sensitivity towards the taste and odour of the food may alter. Some women may feel that they are constantly hungry. In others, dislike towards their favourite food is a common symptom.

7. Nasal congestion

Stuffy nose may occur in some women as a sign of pregnancy. This occurs as a result of increased hormonal levels. The blood production in the body is also on the higher side. These conditions lead to the mucous membranes swelling in the nasal area. Pregnant women may experience dry noses that may bleed easily.

Final thoughts

There can be a lot of signs confirming pregnancy. For example, indicators such as bloating and cramps may indicate that the menstrual cycle is about to begin.

As mentioned above, a missed period is the most prominent sign of conceiving

Hence, as soon as you miss your periods or notice the symptoms of pregnancy, take a home pregnancy test or visit your nearest healthcare provider to confirm. The earlier you find out about your pregnancy, the better.

We at Wellness Forever have got you covered with all your pregnancy needs. Check out our buy medicine section for baby's growth and development medicine.