Early signs of pregnancy

Do you think you are pregnant? Though you may mistake it for another menstrual period owing to the fact that a few pregnancy symptoms are similar to those experienced before menstruation; you should look out for these early signs.

If you are trying to conceive and have missed a period a home pregnancy test is the best way to assess that. If you test before your expected period, a negative result may be too early to rely on. Follow the test instructions.

What kind of test can I take to check if I am pregnant?

Home pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine. This hormone starts being produced after a fertilised egg implants. Tests can usually detect it around the first missed period; testing earlier can give a false negative. Follow your kit’s instructions. If the result is negative and your period has not started, repeat in a week or speak with your GP. Arrange clinical confirmation after a positive result. See Healthdirect’s pregnancy-test guidance.

While a pregnancy test or ultrasound are the only affirmations of pregnancy, there are multiple signals that your body gives you to hint that you may be pregnant.

“If trying to fall pregnant, you must visit the doctor to review your health, should track your ovulation cycle, consume folic acid, maintain a healthy weight, exercise and eat well.”

Early signs you might be pregnant

Missed Period

A missed period is considered the most common symptom of pregnancy. There are also other reasons a period may be late. However, this may not be the case for everyone as the periods may not be on time due to hormonal imbalances, excessive workouts, stress and other such factors. If your periods are irregular and pregnancy is possible, follow a home test’s timing instructions or ask your GP when to test.

Morning Sickness and Nausea

Nausea can start early in pregnancy, but its timing varies and some people do not experience it. This symptom is severe for some whereas, it may not even be experienced by others for at least a few months after conception. Even though the term is referred to as morning sickness it may occur at any point of the day, though it is commonly noticed during the morning. There are many variants to this symptom – it may or may not lead to vomiting, may or may not be experienced by all and may be more severe for some as compared to others. Severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy can be hyperemesis gravidarum. Contact your doctor or midwife promptly if vomiting is frequent, eating or drinking is difficult, or you are losing weight. If you cannot keep fluids down at all, go to your nearest emergency department. See Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s guidance. Nausea during pregnancy occurs in 70% of women during the first trimester.

Cramping and Spotting

Light spotting or cramps can occur in early pregnancy, but they do not confirm pregnancy or show what is causing the symptoms. Contact your doctor or midwife promptly for vaginal bleeding or tummy pain if you are pregnant or could be. Go to an emergency department for severe tummy pain, shoulder-tip pain, heavy bleeding, dizziness or fainting; call triple zero (000) if you need an ambulance. These can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy or internal bleeding. Do not wait for another home test. See Australian bleeding guidance and ectopic-pregnancy advice.

Frequent Urination

You may experience Frequent Urination which is a common indicator that you may be expecting. This happens because during pregnancy your blood supply increases thereby causing the kidneys to filter more waste. This is released from the body in the form of urine. You will find yourself going to the washroom more often than ever. The uterus is growing and begins to further add pressure on the bladder leaving less room for urine storage.

Fatigue and Tiredness

You may find yourself extremely fatigued and tired. Primarily noticed in the first trimester, this exhaustion takes place due to the high levels of progesterone hormone. There may be other factors like increased blood production, lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels that add to this tiredness. A lot of energy goes into the formation of the placenta, thereby sapping you of strength.

Sore and Tender Breasts

Your breasts may appear sore and tender to touch while pregnant. It may seem similar to what you go through prior to menstruation, but this is one of the most common physical changes that takes place during pregnancy. It happens due to the increased hormones in your body and tends to disappear when your body acclimatises itself to the increased levels. Even your areola and nipples tend to become darker and bigger.

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What are some early pregnancy signs that are not common?

A few not so common indicators of pregnancy are food cravings and aversions, dizziness, metallic taste, mood swings, increased body basal temperature and smell sensitivities. You will find yourself irritable or moody at times. You may not be able to stand the smell of things you once loved. You may feel light headed and dizzy due to low blood pressure and sugar levels along with dilating blood vessels. The increased levels of progesterone in the body may cause the food to pass slowly through the intestines thereby causing constipation.

Pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman – some women may experience all the symptoms and some may experience none. For some they crop up earlier than the others. If these symptoms start occurring frequently, it may be best advised to test yourself for pregnancy. It is best to detect the pregnancy at the earliest so you can prepare yourself.

To check whether you are pregnant, use a home pregnancy test from a pharmacy or supermarket and follow its instructions, or speak with your GP about testing. See Healthdirect’s testing advice.

Don’t worry you are not alone – expecting mothers across the world are with you.

Do the signs show that you are pregnant? We recommend first taking a pregnancy test such as the Clearblue Rapid Detection Pregnancy Test (3 tests, Amazon Australia) to confirm the pregnancy and then go through our article on what to do after a positive pregnancy test. Good luck, mumma!!