When do u start seeing signs of pregnancy

12 Early Signs of Pregnancy | SSM Health Matters Blog

When you have decided that you’re ready for a baby, sometimes waiting to see the two little lines on a pregnancy test can feel like forever. Will it be this month? When you’re trying to conceive, you may overanalyze any new feeling that you’re experiencing. Are you bloated? Sore breasts? Is your lunch just not sitting right on your stomach?

We break down the most common early signs of pregnancy and what you can do to feel more comfortable while your little bundle of joy is growing.

When do pregnancy symptoms start?

Every woman has their own journey to motherhood, so symptoms and timing can vary. 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 conception. Some women may not feel symptoms until their period is noticeably 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.

If you don’t feel any symptoms at all, don’t worry! Some women won’t feel any symptoms and go on to have healthy pregnancies – consider yourself one of the lucky ones!

1. Missed Period

If you’re ready for a baby, you have probably been tracking your period and watching closely every time you use the restroom to see if it has shown up this month. A missed period is often one of the 1st symptoms of pregnancy and can be a sign that a little one is on the way. Take a home pregnancy test to see if you’re pregnant. If it’s positive, call your OB/GYN to schedule your first prenatal visit around 8 weeks gestation.

2. Sore Breasts

Are your breasts feeling tender and swollen? Sore breasts are another symptom that you may have conceived this cycle, but unfortunately, some women experience soreness as part of their normal menstrual cycle, so it can be hard to tell the difference. Usually, if you have conceived, the soreness gets worse over time, and you may begin noticing changes in how your breasts look.

3. Darkening Areolas

We told you that your breasts may begin to look different – have you noticed darkening of the areolas? The areolas are 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. You may also begin to see more visible veins and little bumps popping up along the edge of the areolas. They’re called Montgomery tubercles and will help lubricate your nipples to get them ready for your baby to nurse when they’re here. This is only the beginning of breast changes in pregnancy!

4. Fatigue

Are you feeling exhausted just by doing your normal, everyday activities? Unfortunately, fatigue may be here to stay for the duration of your pregnancy and beyond. Your body is producing more blood to carry nutrients to your growing baby. You should begin to feel a little more energy during the second trimester.

5. Heightened Sense of Smell

Is the smell of scrambled eggs that you usually make for breakfast suddenly making you feel nauseated? A heightened sense of smell is often associated with morning sickness and usually subsides after the 1st trimester.

6. Bloating

Another not-so-pleasant early pregnancy symptom is gas. An increase in progesterone and estrogen is the culprit behind this symptom and may cause abdominal pain, bloating, belching and passing gas. This symptom may be around for the entire 9 months of pregnancy.

7. 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.

8. Cramping

Similar to sore breasts, cramping is an early sign of pregnancy. Cramping should not be severe. If you’re in intense pain, it’s only on one side, or if bleeding is accompanying it and it’s not your menstrual symptom, contact your doctor right away.

9. Spotting

Did you notice some spotting about 1-2 weeks after ovulation and sexual intercourse? It may be implantation bleeding. Spotting happens six to 12 days after conception, when a fertilized egg digs deep into the lining of your uterus, causing a bit of mild irritation. You may confuse it with the beginning of your period, but it can actually mean that you’re expecting! Implantation bleeding is light and should not fill up a pad or tampon. It is usually light pink or brown tinge.

10. High Basal Body Temperature

Many women don’t realize that their temperature may be able to give them a sign that they are pregnant. If you’ve been charting your basal body temp and you get a higher-than-normal reading, then you may want to buy a pregnancy test. 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.

11. Frequent Urination

Are you feeling the urge to go to the bathroom more than usual? Having to urinate more frequently is definitely a common pregnancy symptom and will remain throughout your pregnancy.

12. Morning Sickness

Feeling queasy? Morning sickness is not just in the morning but can occur at any time of the day. Try some of these remedies to help ease your nausea. Usually, morning sickness will begin to subside after the 1st trimester, but some women may experience it throughout their pregnancy.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and do receive a positive pregnancy test, make sure to set up your 1st prenatal visit with your OB/GYN around 8 weeks gestation.

Also, be sure to download our pregnancy handbook that answers frequently asked questions and provides detailed information for each trimester. We’ll be with you every step of the way on your journey to motherhood!

How They Work, Types & Accuracy

What is a pregnancy test?

A pregnancy test is a way to determine if you’re pregnant by looking at the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in your body. From the very beginning of pregnancy, your body starts to go through changes to support growth in the grouping of cells that will develop into your baby. One thing that happens very quickly is production of hCG. This chemical is only found in pregnant women and it starts to build up once the fertilized egg implants in the uterus — about 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 kit. This type of test can be purchased over-the-counter (you don’t need a prescription from your healthcare provider) and is available in a variety of price ranges. Blood tests to check for pregnancy are done in your healthcare provider’s 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. A pregnancy can also be confirmed through an ultrasound. Later in a pregnancy, an ultrasound is actually used to not only look at your baby, but make sure the timeline of development matches the dates of your conception and missed period.

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 urine or blood. However, this chemical needs time to build up in your body, which can cause very early pregnancy tests to come back negative. 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.

Pregnancy tests work by reacting to the amount of hCG in either your urine or blood. In a urine test, a piece of reactive paper detects the hCG. This might then 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. On the test, there will also be a control window that will show 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 process.

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 is in your blood.

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 blood tests are done by your provider.

At-home pregnancy test

An at-home test usually uses your urine to look for hCG in your body. According to most manufacturers, at-home pregnancy tests are about 99% effective when used as instructed. That’s about the same accuracy rate as urine pregnancy tests done in your healthcare provider’s office. These tests are available in most pharmacies or grocery stores and they don’t need a prescription. They can take different amounts of time depending on the brand. It’s important to read the instructions on these tests before taking them.

When you go to take an at-home pregnancy test, you’ll typically place one to several drops of urine on a prepared chemical strip or place the strip in the urine stream. The strip is specially-designed to detect hCG. For many of these tests, hCG can be detected in your urine about 10 days after conception. However, taking it after your missed period reduces the chance of getting a false-negative.

There are a few things to keep in mind when you take a home pregnancy tests, including:

• Using your first morning urine when possible. 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 and make sure your urine has been in your bladder for at least four hours.
• Not drinking excessive amounts of fluids before you take a pregnancy test. Many people think this will increase the volume of urine, but it can also dilute (thin out) your hCG levels.
• Reading the directions that come with the test thoroughly before starting the test, and following every step precisely.

Blood test

Another type of pregnancy test that can be used 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 that’s analyzed at a hospital or healthcare provider’s office. This blood test not only detects whether the pregnancy hormone is in your body, but can also determine how much of hormone is present.

A blood test for pregnancy might be done in special circumstances, such as for women who are having infertility 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 nine to 12 days after conception. For this test, your blood sample is taken and sent to a lab for analysis. Results might take anywhere from a few hours to more than a day.

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 your carrying twins or that there’s an issue with the pregnancy.

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. If you are pregnant, you will need to begin prenatal care. Home pregnancy tests can differ in how early they’ll detect a pregnancy. In many cases, you might get a positive 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 are pregnant. If you get a negative test and then miss your period, take another test or contact your healthcare provider.

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 97% to 99% accurate when you use them as instructed. Positive results can be trusted, but you can get a falsely negative result very early in pregnancy.

Blood tests tend to be more expensive and, for many women, the wait for an appointment can be difficult. Home tests allow you to quickly know if you’re pregnant shortly after conception.

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. Some tests might do this through urine while others look for the pregnancy hormone in your blood. 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 till you’ve missed your period. At that point, all tests should be accurate.

Are there any medications that can change the result of my pregnancy test?

For the most part, medications do not change your pregnancy test results. Antibiotics, birth control, alcohol and many other drugs do not impact your test results. 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. It’s important to follow the directions on your test kit to make sure you get an accurate result.

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 are 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. It’s recommended that you actually start taking these vitamins before becoming pregnant. This is because the folic acid can help prevent birth defects.
• Call your healthcare provider for an appointment. This appointment might not happen for a while — sometimes several weeks — but it’s a good idea to call your provider and make the appointment.
• Make sure to pursue healthy habits. It’s recommended that you don’t drink alcohol or smoke during pregnancy. You may also want to limit the amount of caffeine you consume each day during pregnancy.

Are you pregnant? Early signs of pregnancy.

Finally! Your period is delayed. If you want a baby, there is great hope that you will get pregnant this time. A pregnancy test will soon show you more. At the same time, you can observe yourself - perhaps you have already noticed any changes. Your body usually clearly shows you that fertilization has taken place. Most of the symptoms are associated with an increase in hormone levels.

Of course, not every sign means you are pregnant. But the more typical symptoms you notice, the more likely it is. However, in the end, only a doctor can make the final decision: "You're pregnant - congratulations!"

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Uncertain early signs of pregnancy

The first signs of pregnancy are as varied as they are vague. Often the early signs of pregnancy appear even before the missed period. These Could Be Early Pregnancy Symptoms:

- nausea and vomiting

- “lead” fatigue and fatigue

- frequent urination

- increased craving for food and unusual food addictions

- sensitive breasts and darkened nipples

- change in the oscillation and taste

- spasms - splashes in the abdomen, slight bleeding and discharge

- Growth of hair and nails

- Skin changes

- Forgetfulness

- Mood swings

- Bloating or constipation

- Bad sleep

Nausea and vomiting

You've seen the most famous first sign of pregnancy a thousand times in the movies: the heroine runs away in a hurry, she suddenly feels sick. She doesn't know she's having a baby yet, but everyone in the movie theater has already taken the hint.

In fact, nausea is not so typical. Some women feel very ill, others tend to feel a little sick.

"Lead" tiredness and fatigue

Are you as tired during the day as if you had sat up all night? The sofa is calling you at noon, and your eyes start to close as if by magic? A huge need for sleep is one of the most common signs of pregnancy. If you notice unusual tiredness or fatigue, you may be pregnant.

Frequent urination

You constantly have to run to the toilet, even if you do not drink more than usual. This can be another early sign of pregnancy: once the embryo is implanted, the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is released, which makes you go to the toilet more often.

Food cravings and unusual eating habits

Is your body just screaming for chocolate or would you get up at night to buy greasy chips at the gas station? Or do you have other unusual eating habits ? Bingo! It is possible that you are pregnant. Many women report strange eating habits as early signs of pregnancy : for example, they pour hot salsa straight out of a can or, being vegans, feel an irresistible craving to bite straight from a stick of hearty salami.

Sensitive breasts and darkened nipples

Your breasts may also show early signs of pregnancy. Pay attention to the following symptoms: the breast begins to thicken and fill up, as before menstruation. To the touch, the mammary glands are more plump and large and very sensitive to touch. Your areola often looks darker than usual. The opposite symptom - discoloration - can also be caused by a hormonal imbalance or a previous pregnancy.