Is nausea without vomiting a sign of pregnancy
When To Take, Types & Accuracy
Overview
How Does a Pregnancy Test Work?What is a pregnancy test?
A pregnancy test is a way to determine if you’re pregnant. If your pregnancy test is positive, it means you’re pregnant. If the test is negative, it means you aren’t pregnant. Pregnancy tests work by detecting human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone your body makes when you’re pregnant.
From the very beginning of pregnancy, your body starts to go through changes to support the cells that will develop into your baby. One thing that happens very quickly is the production of HCG. If you’re pregnant, your body starts to produce more HCG. Your HCG levels start to build up once the fertilized egg implants in your uterus — about six to 10 days after conception.
There are two main types of pregnancy tests — urine tests and blood tests. Often, you’ll take a urine test at home with a home pregnancy test. This type of test is available over the counter (you don’t need a prescription from your healthcare provider) and in a variety of price ranges. Blood tests to check for pregnancy happen in your healthcare provider’s office and involve giving a sample of your blood. The other way to confirm a pregnancy is by using an ultrasound. Your provider performs an ultrasound in their office.
There are several reasons why you might take a pregnancy test. You could be trying to get pregnant and hoping for a positive result. You might have experienced an issue with your birth control. You might even be about to have a medical procedure or start a new medication that could be complicated by pregnancy. No matter what the reason, if you ever have any questions about your test results, the best thing to do is reach out to your healthcare provider.
What hormone levels are checked for a pregnancy test?
Pregnancy tests look for an elevated amount of HCG. Levels of HCG rise quickly – doubling every few days in the first weeks of pregnancy. The placenta produces HCG. Only pregnant people have a placenta, which develops shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to your uterine wall.
When should I take a pregnancy test?
If you think you could be pregnant, it’s a good idea to take a test and make sure. Home pregnancy tests can differ in how early they’ll detect a pregnancy. In many cases, you might get a positive result from an at-home test as early as 10 days after conception. For a more accurate result, wait until after you’ve missed your period to take a test. Remember, if you take a test too soon, it could be negative even if you’re pregnant. If you get a negative test and then miss your period, take another test.
What time should I take a pregnancy test?
In general, the best time is when you have your first morning pee. However, some pregnancy tests are sensitive enough to detect HCG no matter what time of day you take the test. When possible, try to wait until it’s been three hours since your last pee before you take the test. You could also take two pregnancy tests to confirm you get the same result.
Test Details
How do pregnancy tests work?
When you take a pregnancy test, it’s looking for the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in your body. You can find HCG in your pee or blood. HCG needs time to build up in your body. Each day of early pregnancy, your body will create more HCG. As the weeks go on, you’ll have more and more HCG in your body, which will make it more likely that a pregnancy test will show as positive. This means if you take a test too soon, it will come back negative.
Pregnancy tests work by reacting to the amount of HCG in either your pee or blood. In a urine test, a piece of reactive paper detects the HCG. This test might show a plus sign, double vertical lines or even the word “pregnant.” Different tests will show a positive result in unique ways. Read the directions that come with the test to know what a positive result will look like. For example, most tests have a control window that shows up first. Seeing a symbol in this window will tell you that the test is working. Keep in mind that different brands of tests will take different amounts of time to show a result.
If you take a blood test, your provider will take a sample of your blood and send it to a lab. The lab will determine the amount of HCG in your blood. Your provider will contact you with your results.
What are the different types of pregnancy tests?
There are two main types of pregnancy tests: urine and blood tests.
Urine tests are typically done at home — though you can have a urine test done at your healthcare provider’s office — while your provider performs a blood test.
At-home pregnancy test
An at-home test uses your pee to look for HCG. They contain special strips that detect HCG. Most at-home pregnancy tests are about 99% effective when used correctly. That’s about the same accuracy rate as pregnancy tests done in your healthcare provider’s office. These tests are available in most drug or grocery stores. They’re easy to use and inexpensive. It’s important to read the instructions on these tests before taking them.
There are three ways to take an at-home pregnancy test:
- Pee in a clean cup. Then, place one to several drops of your pee on a chemical strip.
- Place the pregnancy test strip in your urine stream while you pee.
- Pee in a clean cup and then dip the test strip in the pee while it’s still in the cup.
For many of these tests, HCG can be detected in your urine about 10 days after conception. However, taking it after you miss your period reduces the chance of getting a false-negative result. A missed period typically happens around 14 days after conception.
There are a few things to keep in mind when you take a home pregnancy test, including:
- Use your first morning pee if you can. This is the time of day when your HCG levels will be the most concentrated and easily detected. If you do it at another time of day, try to make sure your pee has been in your bladder for at least three hours.
- Don’t drink excessive amounts of fluids before you take a pregnancy test. This can dilute (thin out) your HCG levels.
- Check the expiration date on the package.
- Read the directions that come with the test thoroughly before starting the test, and follow every step exactly.
Blood test
Another type of pregnancy test is a blood test. Blood tests are rarely done because they’re expensive and tend to have the same result as a urine test. This type of pregnancy test is done using a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm. This blood test not only detects whether the pregnancy hormone is in your body, but can also determine how much of the hormone is present. This is helpful for when your provider needs to know the exact amount of HCG in your blood, not just if there’s HCG in your blood.
A blood test for pregnancy might be done in special circumstances, such as for people who are having fertility treatments or when the healthcare provider thinks there might be a problem.
These blood tests are slightly more sensitive than urine tests because they can detect very small levels of HCG. That means they can provide a more accurate answer very early on in pregnancy — within seven to 10 days after conception. For this test, your blood sample is taken at your provider’s office or the hospital, then sent to a lab for analysis. Results might take anywhere from a few hours to two days.
Your provider might also choose to use a blood test to compare HCG levels during the pregnancy. Your HCG levels usually double about every two days during the first few weeks of pregnancy. If the levels don’t rise, it might suggest a problem with the pregnancy. Extremely high HCG levels might mean that you’re carrying twins or that there’s an issue with the pregnancy.
Are all home pregnancy testing methods the same?
Most brands of at-home pregnancy tests are reliable. Although the exact testing method of different pregnancy tests can differ from one type to the other, they all look for HCG in your body. If you’re using an at-home test, most will give you the same result. The difference with your at-home tests will be the sensitivity of the test. Some might be more sensitive than others and produce a positive result (detect HCG in your urine) sooner than others. For the most accurate reading, it’s still recommended that you wait until you’ve missed your period. At that point, all tests should be accurate.
What are the advantages of using a home pregnancy test?
There are quite a few advantages to using a home pregnancy test, including:
- Pregnancy tests are inexpensive.
- They’re easy to use.
- Home tests provide results quickly.
According to pregnancy kit manufacturers, most at-home pregnancy tests are 98% to 99% accurate when you use them exactly as instructed. Positive results can be trusted, but you can get a false negative result if you take the test too soon.
Blood tests tend to be more expensive and inconvenient. However, blood tests can detect pregnancy sooner and are the only tests to show specific amounts of HCG in your body.
Is there anything you shouldn’t do before a pregnancy test?
Most pregnancy tests don’t ask you to avoid activities or change your lifestyle. The only medication that may interfere with your results is fertility medication containing HCG.
Here are some helpful tips you should follow for the best results:
- Read the instructions carefully before doing anything.
- Wait until you miss your period to take the test.
- Use your first pee or pee from a full bladder. Chugging water before your test in order to pee may affect your results.
Results and Follow-Up
How long does it take to get results of a pregnancy test?
Each home pregnancy test is different. Read the instruction manual carefully. It will tell you how many minutes to wait for your result. In most cases, you can expect to wait three minutes for your result. Keep in mind that if you wait too long to check your result, it may be inaccurate.
Even a faint line on a pregnancy test could mean you’re pregnant. Your test will also have a control window that indicates that you took the test correctly. The instructions with your test will outline all of this. If you have any questions or remain unsure of your result after several tests, please contact your healthcare provider.
A faint line is different than an evaporation line. An evaporation line may appear if you wait too long to check your results — meaning your pee is dry. Most tests ask you to read your results before 10 minutes. This ensures the pee doesn’t dry up and you don’t get an evaporation line.
How soon will a pregnancy test be positive?
It depends on which type of test you use. Some at-home pregnancy tests may be able to detect pregnancy before you miss your period. However, if you want the most accurate result, it’s best to wait until you have missed your period.
How accurate are pregnancy tests?
Pregnancy tests are about 99% accurate when you use them correctly.
How common are false results on pregnancy tests?
False results — either a false negative or a false positive — mainly happen due to using the test incorrectly. The main reason for a false-negative is testing too early. You might also get a false-negative if you use a home test incorrectly, such as using too much or too little pee. It’s important to follow the directions on your test kit to make sure you get an accurate result.
Can a positive test be wrong?
A false positive is rare, but it can happen. This may be the case if you experience a chemical pregnancy or lose the pregnancy shortly after the fertilized egg attaches to your uterine wall.
What type of pregnancy test confirms pregnancy first?
A blood test confirms pregnancy first because it can detect a smaller amount of HCG as compared to a test that uses your pee.
Are there any medications that can change the result of my pregnancy test?
For the most part, medications don’t change your pregnancy test results. Antibiotics, pain relievers and alcohol don’t impact your test results.
However, fertility drugs are one exception. These medications can sometimes cause a false-positive on your pregnancy test. If you’re taking fertility medications, reach out to your healthcare provider about your results to make sure they’re accurate.
What should I do after getting a positive pregnancy test?
If you take a pregnancy test at home and it’s positive, there are a few things you should do, including:
- Take your prenatal vitamins. Pick a vitamin with folic acid included in the ingredient list. Start taking these while you’re trying to conceive, if possible. This is because the folic acid can help prevent complications during fetal development.
- Call your healthcare provider for an appointment. This appointment might not happen for several weeks — but it’s a good idea to call your provider and make an appointment.
- Make sure to pursue healthy habits like not drinking alcohol or smoking during pregnancy. You may also want to limit the amount of caffeine you consume each day during pregnancy.
Additional Details
Will an ectopic pregnancy show up on a pregnancy test?
Yes, you’ll still have a positive result on a pregnancy test if you have an ectopic pregnancy.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Pregnancy tests are how a person finds out if they’re pregnant. Most people take a pregnancy test at home using their pee. However, you can also take a pregnancy test at your provider’s office using a blood sample or pee. For the most accurate results, wait until you miss your period to take a home pregnancy test. If you use pregnancy tests correctly, the results are 99% accurate. Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions about the results of your pregnancy test.
Not Pregnant, Early Pregnancy, and More
Overview
Nausea is one of the most common medical symptoms and it can be related to many different conditions. Usually, nausea is not a sign of a serious problem and passes on its own. But in other cases, nausea may be a sign of a health condition that needs attention, such as stomach flu, pregnancy, or a side effect from medication.
Nausea is defined as having discomfort in the stomach usually accompanied by an urge to vomit. Discomfort might include heaviness, tightness, and a feeling of indigestion that doesn’t go away.
Vomiting is what happens when your body empties its stomach contents through your mouth. Not all cases of nausea cause vomiting.
Nausea can affect all people of all ages. Your nausea might be caused by something as simple as eating a food that doesn’t agree with your stomach. But in other cases, nausea has more serious causes.
Common causes of nausea include:
- anesthetics
- chemotherapy from cancer treatment
- digestive problems such as gastroparesis
- inner ear infections
- migraine headache
- motion sickness
- obstruction in the intestines
- stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis)
- viruses
Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy. It’s described as nausea experienced during pregnancy, usually in the mornings after waking up. It’s most common during a woman’s first trimester. Sometimes, it begins as early as two weeks after conception.
Morning sickness is an uncomfortable condition that can occur with or without vomiting. But the main difference between nausea caused by morning sickness and nausea caused by other conditions is morning sickness is accompanied by other symptoms of early pregnancy. These symptoms include:
- A delayed or missed period. Some people may experience bleeding after they become pregnant but this bleeding is very light and is much shorter than a typical period. A missed period can also be caused by excessive weight loss or gain, fatigue, stress, change in birth control use, illness, high activity level, and breastfeeding.
- A change in breasts. Usually pregnancy causes swollen or sensitive breasts that feel tender to the touch. It can also cause darkening of the areas around the nipples (areolas). These changes in breasts can be caused by hormonal imbalances, changes in birth control, and PMS.
- Tiredness or fatigue. This symptom can also be caused by stress, overworking, mental health problems such as depression, the cold, the flu, a virus, allergies, insomnia, and poor nutrition.
- Lower backaches. These can also be caused by PMS, poor form when exercising, injury, poor sleeping habits, poor footwear, being overweight, and stress.
- Headaches. Headaches are commonly caused by dehydration and caffeine. They can also be caused by PMS, withdrawals from drugs or alcohol, eye strain, and stress.
- Mood swings caused by hormonal changes. You might feel happy one moment and depressed another. Mood swings can also be caused by poor nutrition, hormonal imbalances, or underlying mental health issues.
- Frequent urination. This can also be caused by urinary tract infections and diabetes, as well as an increase in liquid intake, or consumption of diuretics such as coffee.
- Food cravings or food aversions. You might feel like eating foods you normally don’t like eating or avoiding foods you normally like to eat. These symptoms can also be caused by a poor diet, lack of proper nutrition, anxiety and stress, depression, PMS, or illness.
You should consider taking a pregnancy test if you experience nausea with a few of these symptoms, especially if you’ve missed a period.
The only way to know for certain whether or not you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. You can get early detection tests at most drug stores. If you want a certain result, your doctor can do a blood test to check for pregnancy.
Both morning sickness and nausea can greatly impact your quality of life.
If you’re not pregnant and you’ve been nauseous for more than a month, especially with weight loss, schedule an appointment with your doctor. In the meantime, try to relax and stay hydrated.
Keep away from strong odors such as perfume and food and other triggers like heat that could make your nausea worse. Stick to eating bland foods such as crackers and rice, and take over-the-counter motion sickness medication.
Eating small meals and snacks, staying hydrated, avoiding nausea triggers, and taking vitamin B-6 supplements and antihistamines can ease most cases of morning sickness.
If you’re pregnant and experiencing morning sickness that’s getting in the way of your daily activities, schedule a visit to your doctor. They can prescribe anti-nausea medication that will make you feel better and able to eat so you can nourish your pregnant body.
Again, in most cases, nausea and morning sickness are not a cause for concern. But it’s important to see a doctor if you’re concerned or if your symptoms are getting in the way of your daily activities, so you can be happy and healthy.
First signs of pregnancy before delay, early symptoms
Significant hormonal changes occur during pregnancy. This causes a number of symptoms. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms right away, while others may only have a few. About the first signs of pregnancy at an early stage and when exactly the initial signs of pregnancy appear are described in the article.
At what time do the first signs of pregnancy appear
The answer to the question when the first signs of pregnancy appear is quite ambiguous, because some women do not feel any signs at all during the first few weeks. At what week do the first signs of pregnancy appear in others? When do the first signs of pregnancy appear after conception? Symptoms of very early pregnancy (such as breast tenderness) may appear before a missed period, as early as six to seven days after conception, while other early signs of pregnancy (such as spotting) may appear about a week after ovulation. We will tell you more about the first signs of pregnancy before menstruation and when the signs of pregnancy appear.
What are the earliest signs of pregnancy?
The first signs of pregnancy in the early stages:
- delayed menstruation - 29%;
- nausea - 25%;
- mood swings - from 14 to 23%;
- breast changes - 17%;
- pain in the lower abdomen - 15%;
- depression - 15%;
- fatigue, drowsiness - 13%
- decrease in immunity - 6%;
- the first signs of pregnancy - discharge or implantation bleeding - only 3%.
Physiological first signs of pregnancy
What are the very first symptoms of pregnancy?
The most common physiological signs of pregnancy include:
- Tender and enlarged breasts. Signs of pregnancy in the first days after conception include breast changes (1-2 weeks after conception). The area around the nipples, called the areola, may also darken.
- Drowsiness and fatigue. Fatigue is also among the signs of pregnancy in the first days after conception. During early pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone rise dramatically, which can cause drowsiness.
- Nausea with vomiting. When do these signs of pregnancy appear? Morning sickness, which can appear at any time of the day or night, often appears between the second and eighth weeks after conception.
- Dizziness and fainting . This may be due to dilation of blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
- Spasms. Some women experience symptoms of pregnancy in the early days, such as mild uterine cramps.
- Headaches and back pains. Many pregnant women complain of frequent headaches, while others experience back pain.
- Insomnia - another first sign of pregnancy before the test. Causes can include stress, physical discomfort, and hormonal changes.
- Change in taste preferences. Like most other symptoms of pregnancy, these eating habits can be attributed to hormonal changes.
- Temperature. Early signs of pregnancy include fever (37-37.5).
- Delayed menstruation. How long does it take for the first signs of pregnancy to appear? If you are of childbearing age and a week or more has passed without your expected period, you may be pregnant. However, this symptom can be misleading if you have an irregular menstrual cycle.
- Bloody discharge - the first signs of pregnancy . This bleeding, known as implantation bleeding, occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, approximately 10 to 14 days after conception.
- Bloating, heartburn. Hormonal changes can cause problems with the stomach and esophagus - these are common signs of pregnancy at 2 weeks.
- Constipation . Hormonal changes cause the digestive system to slow down, which can lead to constipation (signs of pregnancy after a delay).
- Frequent urination. You may urinate more than usual, which is a common sign of pregnancy at 5 weeks. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in the body increases, causing the kidneys to process excess fluid that enters the bladder.
- Runny nose. The appearance of this symptom is associated with excessive production of the hormone estrogen.
- Exacerbation of chronic diseases. This is a sign of pregnancy after ovulation.
- Increased salivation. Also associated with hormonal changes.
- Sense of smell enhancement . Signs of pregnancy in the first two weeks may cause sensitivity to certain smells and the sense of taste may change.
Emotional first signs of pregnancy
The first signs of pregnancy before the delay (the earliest signs of pregnancy) include psycho-emotional symptoms.
- Mood swings.
- Irritability.
- Vulnerability, tearfulness.
- Capriciousness.
- Depression.
These are all emotional signs of early pregnancy that many women report. They describe feelings of heightened emotion or even bouts of crying, which are associated with rapid changes in hormone levels in the body. Also, signs of pregnancy at week 4 can make you feel PMS-style cranky. In addition, about 15% of women suffer from depression or anxiety during pregnancy. And after childbirth, these conditions suffer even more. In this case, it is better to seek help from a doctor.
Do everything you can to improve your mood: get plenty of rest, eat well, get enough sleep, do things you love, and pamper yourself.
However, be aware that mood swings can be caused by a number of conditions other than pregnancy.
Influence of early pregnancy on daily routine
Early signs of pregnancy, mainly those that bring discomfort, can cause a change in daily routine. Here are some tips on what you can do with some of them:
- In case of toxicosis, avoid too hot or too cold food - this provokes an attack of vomiting. Eat often - at least 5-6 times a day, but in small portions.
- For nausea or vomiting, try ginger, chamomile, or vitamin B6.
- Drink plenty of water, in small sips between meals, to replenish lost fluids. Teas, juices, fruit drinks are also suitable.
- For back pain, wear shoes or shoe insoles designed for pregnant women and avoid high heels. Sleep on a firm mattress.
- For chest discomfort, wear a special bra that supports enlarged breasts.
- For constipation, eat more fiber-rich foods such as wheat bran and fresh vegetables and fruits.
- If you suffer from headaches and mood swings, try stress reduction techniques such as yoga or meditation.
- Be outdoors more often, at least half an hour a day. This helps to reduce the symptoms of toxicosis, calm the nervous system.
- Maintain your daily physical activity for as long as it is convenient for you to perform certain activities.
- Eat a balanced diet with enough proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
Important! All these tips are advisory in nature, be sure to consult your doctor if you encounter discomfort.
What to do if you notice early signs of pregnancy
To make sure the signs of pregnancy are accurate, you can use the following methods to diagnose early pregnancy:
- Donate blood for hCG. This method can be used a few days after conception. This type of pregnancy test is done using a small sample of blood that is analyzed in a hospital. It determines whether there is a pregnancy hormone in your body and in what quantity. Its accuracy is 99%.
- Use a test strip. It can be used at home from the first days of delay. To determine pregnancy, dip the reagent area of the test strip into the urine. Accuracy: 99%. You can buy Evitest or HomeTest test strips in our pharmacy.
- Use jet or electronic test. They can be used at home a few days before your expected period. You need to remove its protective cap, substitute the test under the stream of urine for 10 seconds, and after 3-5 minutes get the result. Accuracy: 97%. In our pharmacy you can buy Evitest or Alpe inkjet tests.
- Get your first ultrasound. You can use this method at 3-4 weeks from the start of a missed period. At this time, ultrasound will show the very fact of uterine pregnancy, and the place of attachment of the fetal egg is also determined. Accuracy: 100%.
Help Doc.ua: you can make an appointment with a gynecologist on the website.
9 very first signs of pregnancy
It draws on salty and all the time I want to cry - you can find out about the onset of pregnancy before the appearance of the cherished strips on the test and the delay in menstruation. We analyze the early signs that indicate that a woman will soon become a mother.
What causes symptoms of pregnancy
The first signs of pregnancy are due to the body's reaction to the embryo and can vary significantly from woman to woman. But there are some of the most common symptoms that can be used to suspect conception even before a delay. These are nausea, which occurs more often in the morning, mood swings and increased sensitivity of the breast.
Signs of pregnancy before a delay generally resemble the manifestations of premenstrual syndrome, so girls often take them as a signal of the upcoming menstruation. Moreover, one of the typical precursors is spotting. But they are not caused by the rejection of the endometrium, as during menstruation, but by the implantation of the fetal egg into the uterus.
How to understand that you are pregnant before the delay
Pregnancy in the first days after the embryo is attached to the uterine wall is rarely clinically manifested. Changes in well-being are usually noticed only by especially sensitive women who may complain of an unstable mood or toxicosis, although the latter often appears no earlier than the second week after fertilization.
A number of experts associate the feeling of pregnancy symptoms in the first days, first of all, with a psychological factor, without excluding the role of the hCG hormone synthesized by a fertilized egg.
The vast majority of pregnant women in the first week do not observe any new sensations and feel good. Some see increased pigmentation, "freckling" of the nipples and note an increase in the sensitivity of the breast.
Possible signs of pregnancy in the early days:
- spotting from the vagina, which may be accompanied by mild pain in the lower abdomen;
- engorgement, soreness of the chest;
- fatigue, drowsiness;
- mood lability;
- delay of menstruation;
- bouts of nausea, which can provoke even smells, and not just food;
- frequent urination;
- heartburn, craving for certain foods or, conversely, aversion to any food;
- stool retention.
Pregnancy can be indicated not only by analyzes and tests, but also by some external manifestations. However, many of them are easily confused with other conditions - premenstrual syndrome, hormonal disruptions, infectious diseases. Our doctors can remotely help you interpret your symptoms and answer any questions about the normal course of your pregnancy.
Bleeding
Approximately 3 out of 10 women can find out that they are pregnant by unusual discharge and discomfort in the lower abdomen. This is nothing more than implantation bleeding that develops in the process of attaching the embryo to the uterus.
The release of blood occurs due to damage to the vessels of the endometrium, the cells of which are dissolved by the enzymes of the embryo for its successful implantation. Normally, the volume of outgoing blood does not exceed 5 ml, so the discharge is smearing in nature and has a pinkish or brownish tint.
If bleeding occurs in the first 2 weeks of gestation, a woman may mistake them for menstruation and not even realize that she had a miscarriage.
Many people think that menstruation is coming, considering hormonal failure to be the culprit, and they are very surprised to find the gasket clean the next day. Implantation lasts about 40 hours and starts 5-7 days before the start of a new cycle.
Therefore, it seems to a woman that menstruation begins ahead of time. In fact, this fertilized egg is introduced into the uterine layer on the 3rd day after ovulation. The process may be accompanied by a pulling pain in the lower abdomen of low intensity.
If you believe the reviews, at this time there is often a metallic taste in the mouth and weakness in the body.
However, no more than a third of women can determine pregnancy before a delay by implantation bleeding. But it is from this moment that physiological changes begin in the body.
Important! Bleeding as a harbinger of pregnancy cannot be profuse, and the stomach should not be very painful. With severe spasms and heavy bleeding, you should consult a doctor to rule out spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) and ectopic pregnancy.
Breast engorgement and tenderness
You can understand that a girl is pregnant by the characteristic thickening and soreness of the mammary glands. Similar sensations are characteristic of PMS, but in pregnant women they are somewhat more pronounced. This is due to the sensitivity of the glandular breast tissue to any fluctuations in hormones due to its preparation for lactation.
The pain soon passes, as the body gets used to the new hormonal status. However, for many women, the breasts gradually increase, so it is better to purchase a bra one size larger than usual in advance. It is also recommended to abandon lace underwear.
Sometimes the first sign of pregnancy after conception is, on the contrary, the absence of chest pain, whereas before they always appeared before menstruation. Thus, the endocrine system can also respond to hormonal changes.
If you look closely, then at an early stage of pregnancy you can see the darkening of the nipples. Note that the signs of conception from the chest are not always primary. Sometimes the increase and soreness of the mammary glands become noticeable only in the later stages.
Easy fatigue and drowsiness
It is impossible to determine pregnancy solely by this indicator, but it is included in the list of its typical symptoms. Especially suspicious will be constant fatigue in women who have not experienced fatigue during periods of PMS before.
An annoying feeling of weakness should draw attention to itself. Girls often write about him on various forums, who early guessed about their “position” only thanks to their unusual fatigue.
Increased fatigue is due to the rapid growth of the fetus, which requires nutrition and energy. And all this is provided by the maternal organism, forced to restructure its work at a pace. Hence the lack of strength, drowsiness. If against their background there was also a delay, then you can go to the pharmacy for a test.
Case study:
A 22-year-old girl turned to a therapist with a complaint of constant fatigue that had been haunting her for the past week. Analyzes revealed an increased level of hCG, pregnancy 5.5 weeks.
Read also Why do you always want to sleep
Mood lability
You can find out about pregnancy before a delay by mood swings, which suddenly begin to change from euphoria to tears. And this can happen several times a day. However, mood swings are also characteristic of the last days of the cycle and are not always a sign of pregnancy.
The hormonal background during the luteal - the second - phase of the cycle changes twice, and the hormone progesterone has a significant effect on the female psyche: it partly suppresses emotions, but gives instability to the perception of events that quickly succeed each other.
Suppressing the depth of the mother's emotions is necessary, and nature provides for this in order to keep the child in the womb. But it takes time to adapt the psyche, so the primary signs of pregnancy often include nervousness, tearfulness, absent-mindedness. Mood swings from excellent to very bad are typical.
But if PMS is more characterized by a tendency to depression, then pregnancy is manifested precisely by mood swings without aggravating any of the two polar states.
Important! Mood swings are associated with hormonal changes in the body of a pregnant woman. This symptom usually appears 10-12-1 days after fertilization.
Delay
It is the delay in menstruation that is perhaps the most accurate symptom that a woman has become pregnant. But even here the guarantee is not one hundred percent, unless, of course, we are talking about a super regular cycle, when menstruation comes day after day.
However, even 1-2 days of delay may well be the first signs of pregnancy, so you should immediately take a test. But it is important to understand that a delay is still “officially” considered to be a delay of menstruation by 5 days or more. And here you should not completely trust home tests, since they do not always give accurate results in the early stages.
Delayed menstruation is one of the main signs of pregnancy, but it can also indicate other disorders in a woman's body. Our doctors will remotely help you deal with the symptoms and tell you what other tests you need to undergo if the pregnancy test is negative.
Nausea attacks
Nausea haunts almost all women, 85% of pregnant women feel sick at different intervals, but most often in the morning. Nausea often turns into vomiting, especially after eating. It can haunt the entire first trimester or appear from time to time.
The cause of nausea is the reaction of the body to the embryo as to a foreign body. Moreover, in some women it occurs with enviable regularity, often at the same time, while others only slightly and occasionally feel sick.
Early signs of conception may include increased salivation due to the influence of the hormone progesterone. Most often it disturbs at night, and in the morning a woman finds a wet pillow. Salivation is often combined with vomiting.
Attention! If you experience nausea, drink enough fluid to make up for the loss. You can minimize these pregnancy symptoms by eating small meals, not lying down after eating, and not gorging yourself at night.
Frequent urination
Frequent urination in a small way also often appear along with the first signs of pregnancy due to fluid retention in the body. Despite its small size, the uterus is already beginning to put pressure on the bladder.
The most important thing is not to reduce the amount of fluid you drink in order to run to the toilet less, otherwise there is a risk of dehydration!
Heartburn and new taste cravings
Strange desires for unusual food, eating a certain product in large quantities, aversion to any food - these are also typical symptoms of early pregnancy (and not only).
By the way, the desire to eat chalk or whitewash, lime often indicates a lack of calcium and other problems that are best addressed with a doctor.
As for heartburn, this is also the effect of progesterone, which relaxes the sphincter muscles between the stomach and esophagus. As a result, the contents of the stomach enter the esophagus, causing an unpleasant burning sensation behind the sternum.
Concomitant symptoms of pregnancy may occur in women in varying degrees. This may be a variant of the norm, but it may be a signal that the pregnancy is not proceeding quite normally. Our doctors remotely help to understand the feelings of a woman and answer any questions about the course of pregnancy.
Delay chair
And again, progesterone, which has the ability to slow down intestinal motility. It is possible to distinguish constipation during pregnancy from the “usual” one by the time of its occurrence. With PMS, intestinal problems end 3-4 days before menstruation, as the corpus luteum ceases to exist, and progesterone synthesis is completed.
If these are the first symptoms of pregnancy, then stool retention lasts longer, along with heartburn.
Attention! The risk of constipation and flatulence is increased if a woman takes iron supplements.
All symptoms in early pregnancy in one table
How many obstetric weeks | Symptoms |
1-4 | Mild abdominal cramps, increased white or milky discharge associated with the growth of cells that line the inside of the vagina; implantation bleeding |
4-5 | Fatigue |
4-6 (first month and a half) | Nausea, swelling and soreness of the breast; increased urination; bloating |
5-6 | Nausea, vomiting |
6 | unstable mood; weakness; dizziness |
Women experience these sensations during pregnancy to one degree or another, but in some they are mild and may even be absent.
FAQ
Are there dizziness in early pregnancy?
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It happens because of a decrease in blood pressure, which in pregnant women especially often decreases in the first months. The head may feel dizzy with a sudden movement or change of position.
When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?
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Manufacturers advise using tests from the first day of a delay, but some ultra-sensitive systems are able to recognize signs of pregnancy before a missed period, 3-4 days in advance.
When can I go for an ultrasound?
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The earliest period at which the embryo is visible is 5 obstetric weeks. That is, these 5 weeks must pass from the beginning of the last menstruation, counting from the first day. Simply put, you should go for an ultrasound no earlier than a week after the delay.
Why do pregnant women often have headaches?
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Headaches are more often noted in the early stages, and they are mainly associated with hormonal changes.