Feeling a little different?
If you’ve found yourself reading this article, you may be wondering whether you’re experiencing early signs of pregnancy symptoms. It can be hard to find the answers to your queries or to understand what the symptoms may look like because there are so many sources out there, which may or may not have differing information…
So, we’ve done our best to find the most up to date and accurate information to help you outline the early signs of pregnancy and the symptoms to look out for!
And if you are pregnant and want to find out when you’re due or how your baby will grow, check out our pregnancy calculator and calendar blog!
Symptoms & Early Signs of Pregnancy
Here are the most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy, as noted by the NHS.
1. Missed Period
The most obvious sign of early pregnancy is having a missed period. If you have regular periods and are always on time and have missed one, pregnancy may be the cause of it and you should take a pregnancy test. Even if you’re someone who doesn’t have regular periods when there’s a missed period or a prolonged time without one, then taking a pregnancy test is the first point of call for most.
However, not all missed or delayed periods are caused by pregnancy, as it could be down to hormones, stress, weight gain/loss and other possibilities, so check with your GP if you’re unsure!
2. Nausea
The most noticeable and early sign of pregnancy is nausea, more commonly known as morning sickness. This tends to start 4-6 weeks after conception. However, it doesn’t always occur in the morning and not every woman experiences nausea!
You can either feel sick or end up being sick – maybe even finding it difficult to hold anything down… In which case, it’s important to go see your GP!
3. Fatigue
A very common symptom of pregnancy is feeling tired, which can happen as soon as one week after conception. It can affect you the most for the first 12 weeks or so, but many can feel tired of the duration. It’s said to be linked to high levels of the hormone progesterone, as well as low blood sugars or low blood pressure. So, if you can, you should try to get plenty of rest and eat healthy foods that are rich in iron and protein, but if you feel like it’s getting worse, then a trip to the GP is encouraged.
4. Sore Breasts
Some women experience sore and tender breasts during PMS – well this can also happen with early signs of pregnancy or throughout the duration of a pregnancy. Your breasts may also become larger, sore and tender, the nipples may become darker and even stand out than normal. In some cases, the veins may also be visible and the breasts may also tingle. This is partially due to hormone levels changing within your body, causing them to swell. But it is normal during pregnancy, so don’t fret if it starts to happen. But if you do feel like something is odd, then checking in with your doctor is important.
5. Pelvic Pain or Discomfort
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6. Changes to Bathroom Habits
Another common symptom is having the urge to pee more often than usual. As well as changes in your bowel movements, such as increased frequency, looser stools and loss of appetite. These could indicate that you’re pregnant, but they’re also symptoms of bacterial vaginosis and haemorrhoids.
So, don’t panic! Simply visit your GP if these symptoms persist.
7. Weight Gain
In the first few weeks of your pregnancy, your weight will likely remain approximately the same, however between 8-10 weeks into your pregnancy it may begin to increase significantly. This is usually attributed to several factors including increased breast size, fluid retention and fetal growth.
8. Experiencing Strange Tastes, Smells and Cravings
During the early stages of your pregnancy, it is common that you may no longer like foods, smells or drinks that you did before… And you may develop food cravings for things you didn’t use to like or even haven’t tried before! You could also notice a strange taste in your mouth, which some women have described as metallic, as well as gaining a more sensitive smell than normal.
Maybe you can smell something that others can’t?
If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, then maybe taking a pregnancy test will be the answer as to why. And if it’s positive, then make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can! If it’s negative and these symptoms persist or you’re worried, then seeing a GP is also important. Listen to your body.
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