As a woman, you are usually concerned if you miss a menstrual cycle because it could indicate that you are already pregnant. But is that true? The only way to be certain is to perform a pregnancy test with a kit obtained from a pharmacy or a test performed at a clinic or hospital.
On the other hand, many early symptoms may give you an indication that you are genuinely pregnant. During pregnancy, however, not all moms have the same symptoms, and the severity of the symptoms might also vary. If you do need to know, a woman’s symptoms do not always repeat themselves in subsequent pregnancies.
Below are some of the early pregnancy symptoms that develop in the first few weeks after conception:
1. Blood clots and cramps
The fertilised egg will connect to the uterine wall after pregnancy. This is what might produce blood clots and, in some cases, cramping, which are early indicators of pregnancy. Implant bleeding happens six to twelve days after the egg is fertilised and is known as implant bleeding. This bleeding is frequently misinterpreted as light menstruation.
The following are some symptoms of implant bleeding:
- Colour – these patches can be pink, red, or brown in colour.
- Bleeding – bleeding is often compared to a mild menstrual period. It is often only referred to as a stain when there is blood wiped off with a finger or a tissue or cloth.
- Pain – the pain could be mild, moderate, or serious. These symptoms are usually present when blood clots and cramps occur.
- Duration – Implant bleeding can happen in as little as three days and requires no treatment.
2. Missed menstrual period
You may be pregnant if you are of childbearing age and your menstrual cycle’s start date has been missed for a week or more. These symptoms, however, might be confusing, especially for those who have irregular periods or menstrual cycles.
After four weeks of pregnancy, you may not have your menstrual period. If you have an irregular menstrual period, do a pregnancy test to confirm this condition.
Most at-home pregnancy tests can detect the hormone hCG as early as eight days after the menstrual period in that month has ended. This type of pregnancy test can detect the presence of hCG in your urine and determine whether or not you are pregnant. If you want extra assurance, get the test done at a nearby clinic or hospital.
3. Fatigue
Another early indicator of pregnancy is fatigue. The hormone progesterone levels rise dramatically during the early period of pregnancy. If your levels of this hormone are too high, you’ll be easily drowsy and want to sleep all the time. Simultaneously, high sugar levels, low blood pressure, and increased blood production can all contribute to a loss of energy during pregnancy.
Within a week of being pregnant, a woman may begin to feel tired. If your tiredness is caused by pregnancy, you should get enough rest regularly. To regain your energy and balance your feeling of tiredness, eat foods high in protein and iron.
4. Sensitive and swollen breasts
One of the parts of your body that can reveal early symptoms of pregnancy is your breasts. Hormonal changes in the body might make your breasts sensitive or sore as early as two weeks during pregnancy. It may even be heavier and more full-bodied than usual.
On the other hand, other factors can cause changes in the breasts. If it’s an early indicator of pregnancy, you should be aware that it may take several weeks for your body to react to the hormonal changes. The breast pain you’re experiencing will normally go away and heal on its own after that.
5. Nausea
Feeling nauseous in the morning, also known as “morning sickness,” can hit at any time of day or night. It’s also a common sign of a woman who’s just gotten pregnant. This illness can start as early as two weeks after pregnancy for certain women.
It’s also thought to be caused by increased estrogen levels. This condition causes the stomach to empty more slowly. Pregnant women generally have increased sensitivity to smell and taste, particularly when it comes to cooking, food, perfume, and cigarette smoke. Such circumstances can sometimes cause discomfort and make pregnant women feel compelled to vomit.
Furthermore, this condition can usually last throughout the pregnancy. Fortunately, most women report that discomfort begins to reduce around the 13th or 14th week of pregnancy.
6. Sudden emotional changes
Hormone changes in the early stages of pregnancy might cause emotional instability and make you cry easily. Significant changes in these hormones’ levels can have an impact on the amounts of ‘neurotransmitters,’ which are chemicals that control your emotions. It commonly happens throughout the first trimester. During this time, most pregnant women report that their emotions are unpredictable and that they are easily impressed by seemingly irrelevant things.
These emotional changes, like other nonspecific symptoms, can be caused by things other than pregnancy. If your emotional changes during pregnancy are very distressing, tell your doctor or physician so that they can propose the best course of action or treatment to address the situation. It should not be left alone because worry might lead to other issues like anxiety or depression.
