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Apr 11, 2017 · However, saying “we’re pregnant” is not only factually incorrect (and, frankly, kind of cheesy), but it is also disrespectful of the often brutal physical and emotional challenges of actually being pregnant.
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- Overview
- Pregnancy signs and symptoms
- Cramping and spotting during early pregnancy
- Missed period during early pregnancy
- Raised body temperature during early pregnancy
- Fatigue during early pregnancy
- Increased heart rate during early pregnancy
- Early changes to breasts
- Changes in mood during early pregnancy
- Frequent urination and incontinence during early pregnancy
While pregnancy tests and ultrasounds are the only way to know if you’re pregnant, you can look for other signs and symptoms like morning sickness, fatigue, and more.
Though it may sound odd, your first week of pregnancy is based on the date of your last menstrual period. Your last menstrual period is considered week 1 of pregnancy, even if you weren’t pregnant yet.
If you’re pregnant, you may notice common early indicators. These can include:
•mild cramping and spotting
•missed period
•fatigue
•nausea
•tingling or sore breasts
About 10 to 14 days (week 4) after conception, you may experience implantation bleeding, which may be mistaken for a light period. It does not occur for everyone. If it does occur, it will usually happen around the time you expect your period.
Signs of implantation bleeding include:
•Color: The color may be pink, red, or brown.
•Bleeding: It’s often described as light bleeding that never turns into a flow or enough to need a tampon.
•Pain: Though usually milder than menstrual pain, it may involve mild to severe cramping.
•Timing: Bleeding episodes may last a few hours to a few days.
After implantation, your body starts making the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which helps maintain the pregnancy. It also tells the ovaries to stop releasing mature eggs each month.
You will likely miss your next period 4 weeks after conception. If you typically have an irregular period, you’ll want to take a pregnancy test to confirm.
Most home tests can detect hCG as soon as 7 days after a missed period. A pregnancy test detects hCG levels in your urine and shows if you are pregnant.
•Know that a false negative is more likely than a false positive.
•If you get a positive result, schedule an appointment with a doctor to confirm.
•If you’re on any medications, ask a doctor whether they pose risks to the pregnancy.
When you’re pregnant, you may have a higher basal body temperature. Your core temperature may increase more easily with exercise or in hot weather. During this time, make sure to drink more water and exercise cautiously.
Fatigue can develop anytime during pregnancy. This symptom is common in early pregnancy. Rising progesterone levels can make you feel sleepy.
•The early weeks of pregnancy can make you feel exhausted. Try to get enough sleep if you can.
Around weeks 8 to 10, your heart may begin pumping faster and harder. Palpitations and arrhythmias are common in pregnancy. This is usually due to hormones.
Your blood flow can increase by around 50% during pregnancy. This adds to your heart’s workload.
Breast changes can occur between weeks 4 and 6. You’re likely to develop tender and swollen breasts due to hormone changes. This will likely go away after a few weeks when your body has adjusted to the hormones.
Nipple and breast changes can also occur around week 11. Hormones continue to cause your breasts to grow. The areola — the area around the nipple — may grow darker and larger.
•A comfortable, supportive, underwire-free maternity bra may help relieve breast tenderness.
•A bra with varying clasps can give you room to “grow” in the coming months.
Your estrogen and progesterone levels increase during pregnancy and can make you more emotional or reactive than usual. Mood swings are common during pregnancy and may cause feelings of:
•depression
•irritability
•anxiety
During pregnancy, your body increases the amount of blood it pumps. This causes the kidneys to process more fluid than usual, leading to more fluid in your bladder.
Hormones also play a large role in bladder health. During pregnancy, you may run to the bathroom more frequently or accidentally leak.
•Drink about 300 milliliters (a little more than a cup) of extra fluids each day.
•Plan out your bathroom trips ahead of time to avoid leaking urine.
Mar 13, 2024 · Could you be pregnant? The proof is in the pregnancy test. But even before you miss a period, you might suspect — or hope — that you're pregnant. Know the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy and why they occur. Classic signs and symptoms of pregnancy. The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include: Missed period.
Jan 30, 2023 · Learn about pregnancy, from implantation to labor, and how to take care of yourself and your baby. Find out the common signs and symptoms of pregnancy, how to test, and what to expect each week.
- Kristeen Cherney
Jun 22, 2023 · A comprehensive guide for pregnant women with tips on health, finances, names, and more. Learn about your baby's development, pregnancy symptoms, body changes, and how to prepare for your new arrival.
Aug 17, 2023 · Wondering if you might be pregnant? Look out for these early symptoms that could mean you're expecting. Learn more about the signs of pregnancy in this guide.
Nov 9, 2018 · The answer will vary from person to person, but you can expect to experience very early pregnancy symptoms around two or three weeks after ovulation if conception occurred. You can use a fertility tracking app like Flo to help you predict when you're likely to be ovulating.
