Can gas be a sign of pregnancy
7 early pregnancy signs: Heartburn, gas, tender breasts, and more
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When you’re hoping to be pregnant and you haven’t missed your period yet—or it’s a day or two late—it’s pretty easy to interpret nearly any physical symptom as a sign of pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to feel symptoms in the first week or two of your pregnancy—or even earlier. “Some women experience pregnancy symptoms from the moment of conception,” says Karen Nordahl, a general practitioner and obstetrician in Vancouver and co-author of Fit to Deliver. “Usually, this is second- or third-time moms who remember a particular sensation, such as increased gas.” But many first-time moms miss these early pregnancy signs because the very first symptoms aren’t necessarily the ones we associate with having a baby on the way. So, yes, while some women experience nausea or hypersensitivity to smells, these seven symptoms are among the most common during the first few weeks of pregnancy.
Digestive changes are one of the most common early pregnancy signs, says Nordahl. If you feel a burning sensation in your chest after scarfing down your usual black coffee and egg-salad sandwich from the deli near your office, it might not be that the deli changed the recipe to include green onions or switched coffee brands; it could actually be pregnancy-related heartburn. One telltale sign of heartburn is that the burning sensation can feel worse when you bend over or lie down. It’s safe to reach for an antacid to relieve the burning, but also try to avoid certain foods, such as citrus fruits.
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2. Pregnancy sign: Sore breastsBefore you start cursing your bra for suddenly feeling more like a contraption from the hardware store than the lacy lingerie that took a serious chunk out of your paycheque, consider that your newly sore boobs could be a sign that you’re pregnant.
Breast tenderness is another common early pregnancy sign, according to Nordahl. For many women, what can make this symptom particularly confusing is that breast soreness is also a very common sign of your period. But early on in your pregnancy, your breasts may hurt because they’re expanding in preparation for producing milk.
Being gassy—or, less eloquently, “farty”—is no problem when you’re chillaxing alone in your threadbare sweatpants, but it’s next-level horrifying when you’re out and about anywhere else. Unfortunately, it’s one of the more common early pregnancy signs. Expect flatulence during not only the first few weeks of pregnancy but also the next nine months. Inevitably, your unruly gas will strike right in the middle of a work meeting or during a cool-down in your silent yoga class.
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4. Pregnancy sign: BloatingCan’t zip up those light-wash jeans that fit like a glove a few weeks ago? It could be that extra-large soda and popcorn you inhaled while transfixed on the onscreen hunk at the cinema last night, but it could also be a sign that you’re expecting.
Like breast tenderness, abdominal bloating is a symptom that’s common before your period, making it hard to tell apart from monthly premenstrual symptoms. The usual tactic to fight extra bloating and constipation is to ease up on excess salt and stay hydrated with water, both of which are good habits, whether you’re pregnant or not. But you might also want to buy a pregnancy test.
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5. Pregnancy sign: Lower pelvic crampingPelvic 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 that’s 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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6.
Pregnancy sign: Fullness The unusual sensation of feeling “full” is yet another early symptom of pregnancy. “Fullness can be experienced before a period is missed, but a first-time mom may miss it,” says Nordahl. “A second- or third-time mom may pick up on it right away, especially if she is actively trying to conceive.” If you’re getting a feeling of déjà vu from previous pregnancies that you’re experiencing at the gut level (literally), congrats, you could be preggo!
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7. Pregnancy sign: A missed periodWell, duh, of course a missed period is the most common of early pregnancy signs. For many women who haven’t been pregnant before, this is usually the first symptom they notice, explains Nordahl. But hindsight is often 20/20. “A first-time mom usually thinks back and realizes that a few things were different but wasn’t sure what they meant,” she says.
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Pregnancy sign: fatigue
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is a general sense of fatigue and tiredness.
Nobody's really sure what causes this issue. However, during early pregnancy, the levels of the hormone progesterone quickly increase. Your blood sugar levels and blood pressure also tend to drop.
Together, these issues could leave you feeling exhausted. The tiredness tends to persist through the first trimester but will usually improve by the second trimester.
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Pregnancy sign: Increased need to urinate
Frequent urination is a key—and annoying—sign of pregnancy. The exact definition of frequent urination will vary from person to person since everyone has different bladder needs. A typical person urinates between four and ten times a day. Some pregnant people experience only slight changes to their urination pattern, but others may feel like they are constantly in the bathroom.
This symptom often begins around the same time as your first missed period or about two weeks after conception. Make sure to drink enough fluids to compensate for the extra bathroom trips and avoid excess caffeine.
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Pregnancy sign: Nausea
In movies and TV, the audience often figures out that a character is pregnant when they rush into the bathroom first thing in the morning. That is just how iconic morning sickness is as a pregnancy sign. Despite the name, morning sickness can occur at any time of the day. It may or may not trigger vomiting.
Most people tend to experience morning sickness between one and two months after becoming pregnant. Some people have nausea before this, while others may not have it at all. The cause of morning sickness is still unknown, but experts assume it is due to the many hormonal changes that pregnancy brings.
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Read more:Due date calculator Pregnancy by week: Follow along as your baby grows Pregnancy food guide
This article was originally published on Apr 01, 2019
15 Early Signs of Pregnancy
When you’re trying to conceive, any slight new symptom can get your heart pounding.
Waiting to see if two pink lines are in store for you this month can be agony, so it’s hard not to read into every twinge, cramp and extra trip to the bathroom. But what are the first signs of pregnancy you should really be on the lookout for? Will you really start craving strange food combinations? And what about morning sickness? Does every woman experience the same pregnancy symptoms?
Here, with the help of medical experts, we break down the most common early signs of pregnancy, why they happen and what you can do to ease any ensuing discomfort. (Because let’s be honest, the symptoms of pregnancy don’t always feel the greatest.)
When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start?
There’s no hard and fast rule for when early pregnancy symptoms kick in. Some women may begin noticing the first early signs of pregnancy a week or two after conception, while others will start to feel symptoms closer to four or five weeks after, when your period is conspicuously late, or even farther into pregnancy.
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, most women (59 percent) experienced an onset of pregnancy symptoms by their fifth or sixth week, while 71 percent reported symptoms by the end of week six and 89 percent by week eight.
Remember, each woman is on her own unique path to pregnancy, so symptoms and timing can vary. Whether you start to sense early symptoms of pregnancy immediately or later in pregnancy, don’t fret. “All women are different and don’t experience the same symptoms of early pregnancy,” says Michele Justice, MD, an ob-gyn at Inova Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg, Virginia. “Also, her second pregnancy can be different from her first.” And of course, just because you experience something that could be chalked up as a sign of pregnancy, it’s never a guarantee there’s a baby on board. If you think you might be pregnant, Justice says, your best bet is to take a pregnancy test.
Pregnancy symptoms in this article:
Sore breasts
Darkening areolas
Cramping
Spotting
High basal body temperature
Fatigue
Frequent urination
Missed period
Morning sickness
Heightened sense of smell
Food cravings
Food aversions
Bloating
Constipation
Additional symptoms
1.
Sore BreastsAre your boobs killing you? Do they feel tender and swollen? If so, it’s possible you’ve conceived this cycle. Sore breasts are often among the first early symptoms of pregnancy that women experience, which means you can also expect sore nipples in early pregnancy. You may start noticing differences in the way your breasts look, and it’s not uncommon for them to feel heavy and swollen. This is an early sign that your body is gearing up to start making milk.
Unfortunately, a lot of women experience soreness as a normal part of their monthly menstrual cycle, so it can be hard to tell the difference between the typical breast tenderness before your period vs an early pregnancy sign. But there’s one key difference: In pregnancy, the tenderness doesn’t go away like it normally does with PMS, Justice says. Instead, the painful, tingly sensations tend to get worse as time passes, often leveling off around the end of the first trimester.
Why does it happen?
During early pregnancy, levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones spike, which causes increased blood flow to your breasts.
These hormones are also why some women experience breast tenderness around the time of ovulation and as part of PMS—but in that case, the hormones begin to plummet as you get closer to the start of your period, and the breast pain subsides. If you’ve conceived, your hormone levels will rise rather than fall and your breasts will become increasingly tender.
Is it common?
Don’t worry, you’re not the only one dealing with tender breasts and sore nipples in early pregnancy—it’s one of the most common early symptoms of pregnancy. For many women it lasts just a week or so, but others experience some level of breast tenderness for their entire pregnancy. Take comfort in the fact that this pain and tenderness means your breasts are preparing to nourish baby after they’re born!
What should you do?
Get a supportive bra to ease the discomfort of this pregnancy symptom. Talk to a professional who can help you with a fitting, and be sure to leave a little extra room.
Trust us, they’re going to keep growing. And don’t be afraid to use either warm or cold compresses if things get really uncomfortable—just use whichever feels right for you.
2. Darkening Areolas
If you’re searching for early signs of pregnancy, you may want to take a look at your areolas—aka the area around your nipples. They can start to appear darker and larger as early as one or two weeks after conception, making this one of the more noticeable early signs of pregnancy. And that’s not all—look closely and you’ll see that the veins in your breasts are more visible as well. You might also notice little bumps popping up around the edges of your areolas. They’re called Montgomery tubercles, designed to help lubricate your nipples once baby is here and ready to nurse. If you haven’t realized it yet, your breasts will undergo lots of changes during pregnancy!
Why does it happen?
Like so many early signs of pregnancy, darkening areolas and veins are likely a result of surging pregnancy hormones.
Although it’s not completely understood yet what causes the darker color, the most widely accepted explanation is that estrogens and progesterone cause the pigment cells in the skin (melanocytes) to be more active.
Is it common?
Darker areolas and veins will probably be one of the first signs of pregnancy you’ll notice, and they’re both extremely common. And it doesn’t stop there: Your areolas may continue to grow and deepen in color as your pregnancy progresses. Sometimes the changes are permanent, sometimes they’re not.
What should you do?
As with so many other pregnancy symptoms, this is one that requires a grin-and-bear-it approach. The deepening color shouldn’t be a cause for concern—it’s a harmless part of the pregnancy experience. Your nipples are probably much more tender now too, especially when you’re cold or something rubs against them. Applying warm compresses and wearing a lightweight, soft cotton bra can help.
3. Cramping
Similar to sore breasts, cramping is among the early signs of pregnancy.
The cramping shouldn’t be severe, though, so contact your doctor if you’re doubled over in pain, if you feel intense pain on only one side, or if you’re experiencing simultaneous bleeding and cramping (outside of your menstrual period, of course).
Why does it happen?
It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between early pregnancy symptoms and signs that your period is on its way, especially when it comes to cramping. But even though they feel identical, cramps in pregnancy and period cramps are caused by different things. “The cramping that occurs during early pregnancy comes from the increased blood flow to the uterus,” Justice says. “The cramps before your period are due to increased prostaglandins that help the uterus prepare to shed its lining.”
Is it common?
Most women experience at least some cramping during their pregnancy. Just remember to contact your doctor if you’re worried or if it becomes severe.
What should you do?
If you’re having cramps, don’t panic.
Many women immediately fear a miscarriage, but according to Kimberly Harney, MD, a clinical associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and maternal fetal medicine at the California-based Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, “mild cramping in the pelvis that’s symmetrical and generally in the center above the pubic bone could be normal in early pregnancy.”
4. Spotting
Having some light pink or brown spotting about a week before your period is due? If you’re wondering “can bleeding be a sign of pregnancy?” the answer is actually yes. It could be what’s called implantation bleeding, one of the early signs of pregnancy.
Spotting happens six to 12 days after conception, when a fertilized egg burrows deep into the lining of your uterus, causing a bit of mild irritation. When it’s happening, it can easily be confused with the onset of your period, so it’s one of those pregnancy symptoms that’s often noticed only in hindsight. “You probably won’t know that the irregular bleeding you had was implantation bleeding until you get that positive pregnancy test and remember that you had some spotting,” Justice says.
Why does it happen?
It means you’ve got a baby on the way! A few days after conception, the fertilized egg travels down the fallopian tubes and settles in your uterus. There, the egg will attach to the wall of your uterus. Since your uterine lining is rich with blood, a little spotting can often occur and isn’t cause for concern.
Is it common?
Implantation spotting occurs in about 25 percent of women, according to Justice, so you may or may not encounter it. Remember, every woman is unique and will experience pregnancy symptoms differently.
What should you do?
Keep your fingers crossed—this could be a good sign! Be sure to take a pregnancy test if your period is late to arrive to determine if your spotting really is an early sign of pregnancy. If it turns out you haven’t conceived, note the date the spotting occurred and which cycle day you were on. Pay close attention to your next few cycles and see if you notice any spotting—mid-cycle bleeding can be a sign of a medical condition that would require a doctor’s diagnosis, so definitely visit your ob-gyn if you notice a pattern.
5. High Basal Body Temperature
If you’ve been charting your basal body temp, you may be privy to one of the subtle signs of pregnancy that many women won’t even notice: a higher than normal reading. When you’re charting, your basal (or waking) temperature peaks when you ovulate, then gradually decreases during the latter part of your cycle until your period begins. But if you get pregnant during the cycle, your basal temperature won’t plummet; instead, it’ll stay high.
Why does it happen?
Like so many pregnancy symptoms, those pesky pregnancy hormones are to blame yet again. If you don’t get pregnant, your levels of progesterone and estrogen will decrease, signaling your period to begin. But if an egg is fertilized, the opposite happens, and these hormones begin to rapidly rise. Your basal body temp will reflect that rise and you won’t see a dip after ovulation.
Is it common?
It’s not just common, it’s biology, baby! Progesterone and estrogen are the hormones that sustain a healthy pregnancy.
When you’re pregnant, a sustained high basal body temperature is one of the pregnancy symptoms you’re guaranteed to see.
What should you do?
If you’ve been charting, just keep doing what you’re doing and enjoy seeing those high temps. If you haven’t been tracking it and are trying to conceive, consider starting a basal temperature chart to become more familiar with your cycle. The best time to start your chart is the day your period begins.
6. Fatigue
This can be one of the more difficult early signs of pregnancy to deal with. It’s not just a loss of energy we’re talking about here—it’s more of a can’t-keep-your-eyes-open-another-second total exhaustion that you’ll likely deal with throughout the first trimester. This mind-numbing fatigue sets in thanks to those pregnancy hormones and, more importantly, from your body’s efforts to nurture baby’s development.
Why does it happen?
Your body is working overtime to make sure baby has everything he needs to grow for the next nine months, and boy, will you feel it! Your body is producing more blood to carry nutrients to your growing baby, and your blood sugar levels and blood pressure are lower.
These factors, combined with high levels of pregnancy hormones estrogen and progesterone, can all make you feel super sleepy.
Is it common?
Excessive fatigue is (unfortunately) among the common pregnancy symptoms during the first trimester and isn’t a cause for concern. The good news: You’ll probably enjoy a dramatic bump in energy as you round the corner of the second trimester.
What should you do?
Don’t be afraid to press snooze or take that early evening nap you’ve been daydreaming about. The better you feel, the better baby will too. There are also certain energy-boosting foods for pregnancy that can help you cope with first-trimester fatigue.
7. Frequent Urination
Peeing more than usual? It may not be one of the first early signs of pregnancy you notice, but having to urinate more frequently is definitely among the standard pregnancy symptoms and tends to kick in about two to three weeks after conception.
Why does it happen?
Once an egg has implanted in your uterus, the hCG hormone ramps up production and begins to rise dramatically.
One of the side effects? It can make you feel like you’ve got to use the restroom every five minutes. If there’s a silver lining here, it’s that heightened hCG levels in your urine are used to detect pregnancy, which is how you’ll get a positive result on your home pregnancy test.
Is it common?
Every pregnant woman will have increased hCG levels, but not everyone will have that frequent urge to pee. If you do, there’s no cause for concern, since higher hCG levels are a good thing. As your pregnancy progresses, baby will get bigger and put more pressure on your bladder, so you might as well get used to making multiple trips to the bathroom.
What should you do?
If you’re slipping away to visit the ladies’ room all night and it’s not because of one too many margaritas, pick up a pregnancy test and call your doctor. It’s possible you have a baby on board!
8. Missed Period
If you’re hoping to start the journey to motherhood, your heart probably races every time you visit the bathroom around the time your period is due.
So it’s only natural to feel pretty excited if you’re late, even by a day! A missed period is often one of the telltale symptoms of pregnancy. In fact, sometimes it’s the first signal that you may have conceived. While the accuracy of a pregnant test increases the longer you wait to take one, many pregnancy tests these days are able to detect hCG levels up to five days before your period is supposed to start.
Why does it happen?
Here’s a little refresher: You get your period every month when your egg isn’t fertilized. The egg breaks apart, causing hormone levels to drop and your body sheds the lining of your uterus. If you skip your period, it’s a good sign there’s a baby on board, busy nestling into your uterine wall.
Is it common?
A missed period is one of those pregnancy symptoms that all expectant women will have (does the phrase “I’m late” sound familiar?), but it isn’t uncommon to have a bit of spotting around the time your period would have arrived, which is related to the implantation of a fertilized egg (see above).
What should you do?
If your cycle is regular, missing your period is one of the first early signs of pregnancy, so try taking a pregnancy test (or calling your doctor) to confirm. If your periods are irregular, it’s possible you just skipped a month—or you could be pregnant. A pregnancy test will help tell.
9. Morning Sickness
Feeling queasy? The one-two punch of nausea and vomiting are pregnancy symptoms that strike some women very early on, but for most sufferers the fun begins around week six. Morning sickness is a bit of a misnomer—while you’re likely to feel more nauseous on an empty stomach (like in the morning before you’ve had breakfast), that queasiness can pop up at any time of day.
Why does it happen?
The dramatic rise in hCG after implantation results in early pregnancy symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Why do some pregnant women heave at the mere thought of food while others can put away a six-course meal? According to Harney, it has to do with their brain chemistry.
“The nausea center in their brain is more sensitive. Women who suffer from extreme nausea during pregnancy are the people who get motion sickness more easily, vomit more easily with stomach flu, etc.” This may be only part of the story, though, since some women experience morning sickness with one pregnancy but not another.
Is it common?
Experts think anywhere from 50 to 90 percent of pregnant women suffer from some form of morning sickness, so if you’re one of them, you’re in good company. If that’s not enough reassurance, just remember that the nausea and vomiting will be over before long—these early pregnancy symptoms usually don’t extend past the first trimester.
What should you do?
In most cases the queasiness isn’t too overwhelming, so listen to your body and try to stay calm. Yvonne Bohn, MD, an LA-based ob-gyn and coauthor of The Mommy Docs’ Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth, suggests eating frequent small meals, nibbling on some crackers before getting out of bed, taking vitamin B6 or B12 or ginger tablets, and drinking low or non-caffeinated tea or ginger ale.
But if you’re losing significant weight or can’t keep anything down, you may be suffering from a more serious problem (like hyperemesis gravidarum), so talk to your doctor. Get more morning sickness tips to help minimize any nausea and vomiting.
10. Heightened Sense of Smell
If your favorite dish suddenly smells like dead fish, you may be experiencing one of the more bizarre early signs of pregnancy. Often associated with morning sickness and all the lovely things that come with it, having a super sniffer isn’t exactly a blessing. Most of the time, the strong smells will seem nauseating to the mom-to-be.
Why does it happen?
No one knows the exact reason why pregnant women have such a strong sense of smell, so, like most pregnancy symptoms, most physicians just chalk it up to the increase in pregnancy hormones.
Is it common?
It doesn’t happen to everyone, but if you’re able to smell your boss’ lunch from all the way down the hall, rest assured, you’re not alone.
Even better news? While it can be among the more annoying early pregnancy symptoms, it tends to subside after the first trimester.
What should you do?
If it’s really bothering you, try to stay away from those strong-smelling odors. Consider taking the stairs instead of the elevator so you’re not overwhelmed by someone’s perfume. Change lanes if you find yourself stuck behind an exhaust-heavy truck. At home, wash your clothes often (since odors cling to fibers), and switch to unscented cleaners and toiletries in order to curb those unpleasant smells.
11. Food Cravings
Pickles and ice cream, anyone? It’s not a myth! If you’re expecting, chances are you might experience strong (and possibly bizarre!) food cravings, especially in the first trimester. Some common yearnings you can chalk up as pregnancy symptoms? Sweet, spicy, salty and sour. If you’re starting to crave some unusual combinations, it could very well be a symptom of pregnancy.
Why does it happen?
Experts aren’t sure why, but some think cravings are just your body’s way of telling you what it needs.
So if you’re ravenous for pickles, that could mean your body needs something salty. You can blame raging hormones (again!) for messing with your senses of taste and smell.
Is it common?
It’s one of the most common pregnancy symptoms: Around 90 percent of moms-to-be crave something, so if you’ve got the urge for Thai food one minute and pickle-flavored gummy bears the next, it’s totally normal.
What should you do?
Moderate indulgence is fine (and totally inevitable), but watch your intake of empty calories, especially if they start to replace important nutrients. There are easy (and healthy!) snacks that will give your body the nutrients it needs without downing three quarts of ice cream.
12. Food Aversions
Ah, pregnancy—the only topic where it’s totally normal to discuss cravings and aversions in the same breath. One of the more unusual signs of pregnancy, aversions to or distaste for certain foods during early pregnancy and food cravings may be opposite pregnancy symptoms, but they can be equally as strong.
Common aversions include meat, onions and eggs, although a pregnant woman can develop a distaste for just about any food.
Why does it happen?
“Food aversions are more likely to occur during early pregnancy because of the extreme levels of nausea that can occur, and that can make your brain develop a strong dislike for the food that triggered the nausea,” Justice says. “No one likes to feel bad, and our brains try to protect us from this.” It’s also widely believed that food aversions during pregnancy are an evolutionary warning alarm; your body instinctively knows when a certain food, like raw chicken, is potentially dangerous.
Is it common?
It’s totally normal to feel repelled by certain foods during early pregnancy. Like many other early pregnancy symptoms, food aversions should subside after the first trimester.
What should you do?
The best way to deal is simply to avoid whatever foods are triggering your aversions. If it’s chicken, try eggs or another source of protein.
If it’s milk, get your calcium fix from yogurt or even supplements.
13. Bloating
Is gas a sign of pregnancy? It can be! A boost in progesterone and estrogen is one of the common early pregnancy signs, causing many women to swell up early on, and with it often comes pregnancy gas. Abdominal pain or tightening, bloating, belching and passing gas all accompany pregnancy, sometimes for the entire nine months.
Why does it happen?
Progesterone (one of those pregnancy hormones) is relaxing smooth muscle tissues all over your body, including in your gastrointestinal tract. This makes your gut work slower, giving your body more time to snatch up nutrients from your food and take them to baby—and that translates into gas in early pregnancy (and beyond).
Is it common?
Consider this among those pregnancy symptoms that are par for the course, especially in early pregnancy. The March of Dimes reports that nearly every mom-to-be will feel bloated at some point during her pregnancy (even if she doesn’t feel it right at the beginning).
What should you do?
Not a fan of pregnancy symptoms like gas and bloating? Eat small, regular meals and stay away from gas-causing foods like fried foods, sweets, cabbage and beans. Eating and drinking slowly will keep you from swallowing excess air (you’ll later use this technique when feeding baby), and loose clothing will keep you comfy. Yoga classes can also help settle things down. If your pregnancy gas is really intense, talk to your doctor before taking medication.
14. Constipation
Is constipation a symptom of pregnancy? It can be. It goes hand-in-hand with bloating, and occurs for all the same reasons. If you’re making more trips to the bathroom to pee but far fewer for the other, ahem, function, pregnancy could be the reason.
Why does it happen?
As increased levels of progesterone relax smooth muscle tissues, food begins to pass through your intestines more slowly, which can cause bowel movements to—you guessed it—move more slowly.
Is it common?
As with bloating and gas in early pregnancy, constipation is one of those pretty common pregnancy symptoms, although it’s not relegated to the first trimester—some women struggle with it during the entire nine months.
What should you do?
Eat as many fiber-rich foods as your queasy tummy will allow, and don’t forget to drink lots of water. If you’re really struggling, you might even consider adding a bit of white grape or pear juice to your diet. In addition, talk to your doctor about switching to a different prenatal vitamin, since there are some that tend to cause less constipation than others.
15. Additional Symptoms
While the above are some of the most common first symptoms of pregnancy, there are a few other things you may notice in the early days or months of your pregnancy.
• Mood Swings: You might start to experience mood swings similar to those you feel in the days leading up to your normal period.
These uncontrollable shifts in your emotions occur due to changes in your hormones, especially in the first trimester when the levels of estrogen and progesterone change dramatically. Of course, mood swings can also be chalked up to the multitude of things on your mind these days. It’s normal to experience mounting anxiety in the early stages of your pregnancy—having a baby is a life-changing event!
• Acne: Pimples and zits can be another one of those not-so-fun pregnancy symptoms. During pregnancy, your hormones are delivering more blood to your vessels, which can cause your oil glands to go into overdrive. In some women, this can show up as a “pregnancy glow,” giving your face a flushed appearance, but for others, it can lead to acne.
• Heartburn: That burning sensation in your chest after eating can be another sign there’s a baby on board. Starting in the first trimester, those pregnancy hormones coursing through your body relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus, which can let stomach acid leak into your esophagus, causing heartburn.
• Weight Gain: Weight gain is of course another early pregnancy symptom, usually kicking in closer to the end of your first trimester. Weight gain varies from woman to woman, but putting on zero to five pounds within those first three months is normal.
When it comes to your pregnancy, remember that no two women are the same. Your journey may be different from your best friend’s pregnancy or even your previous pregnancies. Be kind and patient with yourself, and don’t hesitate to contact your doctor if you are ever unsure about your symptoms or the severity of your symptoms.
Expert bios:
Michele Justice, MD, is an ob-gyn at Inova Loudoun Hospital in Leesburg, Virginia. She earned her medical degree from University of Virginia in 2008 and specializes in minimally invasive gynecological surgery.
Kimberly Harney, MD, is a clinical associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and maternal fetal medicine at the California-based Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford.
She earned her medical degree from UC Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, California, in 1981.
Yvonne Bohn, MD, is an ob-gyn with Los Angeles Obstetricians & Gynecologists and coauthor of The Mommy Docs’ Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy and Birth.
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
Plus, more from The Bump:
The 14 Most Accurate Signs of Pregnancy
Sometimes mothers tell stories like "I felt pregnant the very next morning." It sounds nice, but it's pure deception. It's a matter of physiology - pregnancy does not occur at the moment of ejaculation, but at least six days after sex. After all, the sperm needs time to meet the egg in the fallopian tube, which then must attach to the uterus.
This takes about 6-12 days. Therefore, the first signs of pregnancy may appear no earlier than this period.
It is really possible to determine whether you are in a position or not by certain symptoms. The main thing is to know exactly how and when they appear. We talk about the 14 most sure signs that you are pregnant.
1. Slight cramps in the lower abdomen
This symptom manifests itself on the 6-12th day after conception. Painful sensations in this case arise in the process of attaching a fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus. Spasms usually last no longer than two days. However, they can be confused with pain before menstruation - the stomach also pulls there, and then menstruation begins. But if it didn’t start after a couple of days of spasms, then this is already very similar to pregnancy.
2. Light spotting
This symptom appears at the same time as abdominal pain. And it is also associated with the process of egg implantation in the uterus.
Therefore, such discharge is called implantation bleeding. Usually they are spotting, in small volume, light red or brownish in color.
Women often confuse this symptom with menstruation. However, it is very easy to distinguish between them: if after a couple of days of spotting you do not start heavy menstrual bleeding, then you are most likely pregnant.
3. Heavy and painful chest
The time of appearance of this symptom is the same as in the first two. Enlarged, swollen and slightly painful breasts are the reaction of the mammary glands to the hormonal change that occurs in the body of a pregnant woman.
By the way, according to a survey by the American Pregnancy Association, it was this sign that became indicative for 17% of expectant mothers - this is how they found out about their situation.
4. Excessive fatigue and weakness
An unmotivated weakness that appears about a week after the supposed moment of conception can also be a sure sign of your pregnancy.
This happens because your body begins to produce progesterone, the hormone that keeps the pregnancy going. And fatigue is a side effect of hormonal changes.
True, fatigue does not always speak only of pregnancy. It can appear due to a number of diseases, as well as before menstruation.
5. Bloating and constipation
Not the most common, but still valid, sign of pregnancy. It can usually start 6-12 days after conception. And it is caused by an increase in progesterone levels. This hormone relaxes the muscles, including the intestines. Therefore, the processes of digestion and excretion slow down. This is where constipation and a feeling of bloating come from.
6. Delayed periods
With a standard cycle of 28 days, the delay can begin no earlier than two weeks after conception. By the way, it is this sign that is the most common of all in the definition of pregnancy.
But do not forget that a delay can be caused not only by pregnancy, but also by stress, sudden weight loss, too intense sports, medication and some diseases.
7. Nausea
Early toxicosis also appears after about 14 days. Scientists themselves do not fully understand what causes this symptom. Most likely, a change in the hormonal background and attempts by the body to adapt to this.
But if you feel sick after just a couple of days after unprotected sex, then this is definitely not pregnancy, but problems with digestion.
8. Sensitivity to aromas
This symptom also appears only two weeks after intercourse. And many women ignore him. Although it, along with a delay in menstruation, is the most powerful argument to buy a pregnancy test. This symptom is caused by the same hormones.
9. Frequent urge to urinate
Pregnant women begin to run a lot to the toilet about 14-20 days after conception. This is a fairly sure sign, but only if you do not have chronic kidney disease. It occurs due to the active production of the hCG hormone by the body, which, in turn, increases blood flow to the small pelvis.
10. Increased basal temperature
Basal (core) temperature is measured in the mouth, vagina or rectum. And it begins to rise in pregnant women no earlier than two weeks after intercourse. True, this is not the most reliable sign. After all, an increase in basal temperature is also observed during ovulation.
11. Emotional surges
Women usually attribute sudden mood swings to PMS. However, it can also be a sure sign of pregnancy. True, irritability, tearfulness and anxiety in this case appear only a week after the delay in menstruation. This is due to changes in the hormonal background that affect the emotional state of women (in general, as with PMS).
12. Dizziness
This symptom does not appear in all women, but in many (two weeks after conception). It is caused by the fact that in the first weeks after conception, the uterus needs much more blood supply in order for the egg to successfully implant. Under such conditions, pressure may drop sharply, and dizziness may occur.
True, this symptom has many other causes, including very dangerous ones. Therefore, it can only testify to pregnancy in combination with other signs.
13. Rapid pulse
This symptom usually appears already at the time when pregnancy is obvious - starting from the eighth week from the beginning of the last menstruation. And it is caused by the fact that the uterus needs more blood, which means that the heart has to pump it with double strength. Such hard work of the “motor” may well be accompanied by arrhythmia. But remember: if this happens too often, it is better to consult a doctor.
14. Acne
Pimples on the face appear in pregnant women not earlier than the 11th week from the start of the last menstruation. That is, by this time you most likely already know about your situation. Acne appears due to hormonal changes and strong blood flow.
But as for such signs as “salty”, “I want chocolate with herring”, or “I had a prophetic dream”, then it is better not to believe them.
There is no evidence for the validity of such manifestations.
Earlier we wrote in which month the most centenarians are born.
Based on materials from lifehacker.ru.
Photo: unsplash
Am I pregnant? First signs of pregnancy before delay
Very often, after the appearance of two stripes on the test, a woman says to herself: “Wait! And I knew for a long time that I was pregnant!”
For many, a positive test is not a surprise, but rather a confirmation of what intuition already suggested. What are the first changes in the body that give rise to our subconscious mind to suspect pregnancy when we ourselves are still driving all sorts of assumptions from ourselves, saying to ourselves: “Well, it’s useless to fantasize. We need to wait at least for a delay! ”The article collects and analyzes not only the classic signs of pregnancy, but also the signs of pregnancy described by participants in one of the pregnancy planning sites BEFORE THEY LEARNED ABOUT PREGNANCY and within a week after.
Light spotting
Spotting can be as little bleeding or just a few brown droplets or even just a “yellowish mark” on toilet paper. Usually the thought that accompanies them is: “Something menstruation is early this time” or “well, that’s menstruation.”
This implantation bleeding is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. Approximately 6 to 12 days after conception, the embryo is planted on the uterine wall. In some women, this process is accompanied by bleeding, but in many, no discharge appears at all, which is also normal.
Small discharges may periodically reappear on days when the fetal egg is more actively "getting used" to the uterine wall. Most often they are "creamy" consistency, yellow or pink. They may also appear after a delay, but in this case it is necessary to consult a doctor to exclude the threat of termination of pregnancy.
Also, discharge of a pink and yellow nature can also be provoked by cervical erosion, which intensifies with the onset of pregnancy.
Cervical erosion is a violation of the integrity of the cover of the vaginal part of the cervix. During pregnancy, it acquires an even brighter red color due to increased blood circulation of the cervix, and can easily bleed on contact.
Basal body temperature increase, implantation depression
When measuring basal temperature, a sign of pregnancy is the so-called "implantation sinking" - a sharp decrease in temperature for one day in the second phase. This is one of the signs most often observed in charts with confirmed pregnancy. This retraction can occur for two reasons, firstly, the production of the hormone progesterone, which is responsible for raising the temperature, begins to decline from the middle of the second phase, when pregnancy occurs, its production resumes again, which leads to temperature fluctuations. Secondly, during the onset of pregnancy, the hormone estrogen is released, which in turn lowers the temperature. The combination of these two hormonal shifts leads to the appearance of implantation depression on the graph.
And also a sign of a developing pregnancy is considered a basal temperature above 37 degrees. True, it remains elevated only for the first few weeks, until the placenta begins to function.
Feeling unwell
Many women who do not know about the onset of pregnancy believe that they have caught a cold and are sick. This is due to the fact that in the first trimester of pregnancy, a woman's body temperature is increased; fatigue also increases. Therefore, there is a feeling that the woman is ill.
But many do get a little sick, probably due to a slight decrease in immunity. Often there are complaints about the throat, runny nose. In this case, the main thing is not to heal yourself with strong drugs that are contraindicated during pregnancy and use traditional medicine more.
Breast enhancement
Breast swelling or tenderness is a common sign of pregnancy that appears 1 to 2 weeks after conception.
A woman may notice how her breasts have changed; they react to every, even a slight touch, hurt or swell, sometimes it is almost impossible to touch them. But there are pregnant women who “do not feel” their breasts in the first weeks of pregnancy, and some, on the contrary, are surprised that the breasts “oddly enough do not hurt before menstruation” and then find out about the onset of pregnancy. Darkening of the skin around the nipples also indicates pregnancy.
Feeling of "fullness", heaviness in the pelvic region
During pregnancy, blood flow to the pelvic organs increases, the uterus slowly increases. Therefore, many pregnant women "feel" their uterus from the first days of implantation and refer it to the first signs of pregnancy. The other, less pleasant side of the coin is the appearance of hemorrhoids. For many, it appears in the second half of pregnancy due to the pressure of the growing fetus, but some expectant mothers (especially those who have given birth before) encounter this nuisance already in the first weeks of pregnancy, all because of the same increased blood flow.
Stinging in the uterus during pregnancy
Many pregnant women in the first or second week of pregnancy notice periodic tingling in the uterus.
Fatigue/drowsiness, lack of concentration
Feeling tired or lethargic is a common sign of pregnancy that can appear as early as the first week after conception. One of its causes is the increased production of the hormone "progesterone"; plus the general restructuring of the body for pregnancy. Progesterone depresses the psyche, which manifests itself in depression, irritability and drowsiness. Starting from the 10th week of pregnancy, the active hormone-producing function of the placenta begins. In accordance with the increase in the duration of pregnancy and the growth of the fetus, in addition to progesterone, the level of estrogen, which has a stimulating effect on the psyche, increases, and drowsiness disappears.
Hot and cold
Another early sign of pregnancy can be considered that you are thrown into the heat, then into the cold and, accordingly, you can’t get warm in any way in three pairs of woolen socks, then you get hot when it’s +10 outside, and you’re in one t-shirt.
This is due to increased body temperature in the first trimester of pregnancy and a decrease in blood pressure. Interestingly, many note the reddening of the face in the evening.
Restless sleep
Many women who are not yet aware of their pregnancy note that sleep has become more restless. In the evening, they begin to go to bed earlier, and often just “pass out”, but they wake up on their own already at 6-7 in the morning and cannot fall asleep again. There is a feeling of "brokenness" even after a full night's sleep.
Nausea, excessive salivation, aversion to smells
This classic sign of pregnancy often occurs 2 to 8 weeks after conception. Some lucky women do not experience nausea throughout their entire pregnancy. However, aversion to smells, nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy occurs in 50% of women.
Vomiting during pregnancy can occur several times a day and is often associated with nausea and salivation.
Vomiting is accompanied by a decrease in appetite, a change in taste and olfactory sensations. It is considered as a disorder of neuroendocrine regulation of body functions, and the leading role in this belongs to the violation of the functional state of the central nervous system. However, such vomiting can also be caused by factors of an intragastric nature, often being an important symptom of a dysfunction of the digestive system.
Along with vomiting in toxicosis in early pregnancy due to severe irritation of the salivary center, salivation is often observed, which can lead to a significant and undesirable weight loss of the pregnant woman (up to 2-3 kg in one week). If the abundantly separated saliva is swallowed, then, entering the stomach, it changes the acidity of the gastric juice and causes a violation of the digestive function.
It is important to bear in mind that vomiting is a defensive reaction, since the body is freed from toxic and rejected substances. This is an evolutionary adaptation in response to harmful influences.
At the same time, along with vomit, the body loses saliva, digestive juices containing proteins (including enzymes) necessary for the body, electrolytes, and in some cases, partially or completely, the food taken. In this regard, with frequently repeated vomiting, water-salt, protein and fat metabolism, the balance of vitamins and minerals, and the activity of the endocrine glands are gradually disturbed.
Lower back pain
Slight pains, "lumbago" in the lower back, in the region of the sacrum can also indicate an early pregnancy; however, mild pain periodically occurs throughout the entire period of bearing a child.
In the early stages often appear "shots" from the pelvis to the legs.
Headaches and migraines
A sudden increase in hormone levels in the body can cause headaches in early pregnancy, and therefore serves as an indirect sign of pregnancy. Usually, by the end of the first trimester, the headaches subside and leave the pregnant woman to enjoy her position.
Slight hand swelling
Progesterone contributes to the retention of salts and fluids in the body, which can lead to slight swelling, when, when clenching your hand into a fist, you feel that your fingers have become thicker.
Bloating, gas, intestinal disorders
A frequent sign of pregnancy - a noticeable increase in the circumference of the abdomen in the very early stages of pregnancy, when the uterus is still slightly enlarged, is associated with bloating. In the process of digestion, gas formation always occurs in the intestines. During pregnancy, the intestine becomes more "lazy", its peristalsis slows down, and, consequently, the rate of movement of the intestinal contents decreases, its swelling increases, and constipation may appear. This is facilitated by hormonal changes characteristic of pregnancy, which leads to an increase in the blood supply to the vessels of the abdominal cavity and, as a result, to a slight swelling of the intestinal walls.
Frequent urge to urinate
Frequent urination during the day and at night is a common early sign of pregnancy. It should be noted that there are no other painful sensations (pain, pain, burning sensation). These phenomena disappear by the 4th month of pregnancy. This is due to significant hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy. An increased level of female sex hormones at first contributes to a significant rush of blood to the pelvic organs. Congestion of blood vessels causes temporary changes in the functioning of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. These phenomena decrease in the second trimester of pregnancy, however, they can be safely attributed to the frequent signs of pregnancy.
Pressure reduction
A universal phenomenon during pregnancy is a slight decrease in blood pressure. If a woman had low blood pressure before pregnancy, then during pregnancy, periodic conditions of a significant decrease in blood pressure (less than 90/60 mm Hg) are possible and, as a result, weakness, dizziness, headache, fainting.
Deterioration of well-being usually occurs with prolonged standing, when taking hot baths, with prolonged stay in a stuffy hot room, on an empty stomach. For pregnant women with a tendency to hypotension, the daily routine is especially important: night sleep 9-10 hours and daytime sleep 1-2 hours.
Increased appetite/ cravings for certain foods
"Zhor" often accompanies an incipient pregnancy and is considered one of its signs. You don't necessarily have to crave pickles or vanilla ice cream, but many pregnant women do develop cravings for certain foods.
Increased vaginal discharge, thrush
The secretion from the vagina increases - this is due to the increasing blood filling of the pelvic organs. During pregnancy, the concentration of hydrogen ions increases in the vaginal secretion, which protect the body of the expectant mother from harmful microorganisms entering it. But, unfortunately, yeast fungi reproduce well in this environment, and because of this, thrush (candidiasis) often appears in pregnant women, which must be cured, otherwise infection of the fetus may occur, and during childbirth, the tissues of the birth canal will be easier to tear.
