Are you expecting a baby? (Pregnancy) Let's be aware of these early signs!

Do you sometimes think, "Hmm... I don't know if I'm pregnant"? Is your period late? Or does it feel different than usual? Many people have these kinds of problems. So, today we'll talk about what common symptoms you might experience in the early stages of pregnancy, as well as some less common symptoms.

What are the common early signs of pregnancy?

Not everyone experiences the same symptoms during pregnancy. Some people experience some symptoms, while others don't. Also, the timing of these symptoms varies from person to person. So don't compare your experience to someone else's. This is a very diverse thing.

Okay, so let's see what symptoms most people feel first:

1. Menstruation or cessation of periods

This is the most well-known and obvious sign. After your egg is fertilized by a sperm, your body releases hormones. These hormones stop your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation), and they also stop the lining of your uterus from shedding each month. Simply put, your monthly menstrual cycle stops, and you don't get your period again until you have a baby.

However, a late period is not always due to pregnancy. Sometimes, things like excessive stress, strenuous exercise, dieting, and hormone imbalances can also cause your period to be irregular or late.

2. Needing to urinate frequently

You may feel like you need to urinate more often even before you miss your period. This is because your body has more blood than usual. During pregnancy, your blood supply increases. Your kidneys have to filter this extra blood and remove unwanted waste products. These waste products are excreted as urine . So, when you have more blood in your body, you need to urinate more often.

3. Feeling tired, fatigue (`Fatigue`)

Many people experience extreme fatigue in early pregnancy. This is due to the body's increased production of the hormone progesterone. Like other early pregnancy symptoms, this fatigue usually subsides in the second trimester (after 13 weeks). However, for many, this fatigue returns in the third trimester.

4. Nausea not only in the morning, but also during the day and at night (Morning Sickness)

Although the name suggests that this nausea only occurs in the morning, it can occur at any time of the day. Some people experience nausea as early as two weeks after conception.It starts. Not everyone gets this, but it can come in varying degrees. You may just feel nauseous, without actually vomiting. About half of pregnant women vomit due to nausea.

While nausea is normal during pregnancy, it can be a problem if you are vomiting to the point of becoming dehydrated. If you have severe nausea and vomiting that makes it difficult to keep anything down, you may have a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum. If you have severe nausea and dehydration, be sure to see a doctor.

5. Breast pain and swelling

During pregnancy, your breasts may feel sore and tender when touched. This pain may be similar to the pain you feel before your period, but it may be more intense. The brown areas around your nipples (the `areolas`) may become darker and larger. This pain is temporary and will subside as your body adjusts to the increasing hormones. Your breasts may feel larger and your bra may feel tight.

Remember, the only way to know for sure if you are actually pregnant is to take a home pregnancy test or have an ultrasound scan done by a doctor.

Other early signs that are less common but can be seen

There are other symptoms that you may experience in early pregnancy, but they are not as common as those mentioned above. Like the common symptoms, these may or may not occur. The most important thing to remember is that everyone is different and everyone experiences pregnancy symptoms differently.

Let's see what are the symptoms that are seen with such low frequency:

• Spotting - Also called `Implantation Bleeding`: While this may sound like a bad thing, sometimes a little bleeding can be a sign that an `embryo` has implanted in the wall of your uterus. This implantation occurs about 10 days after conception. This `implantation bleeding` can look like a few small drops of blood or a brown discharge from your vagina. It can start around the time your normal period is due and last for a few days or even a few weeks. This is why some people think they just had a light period and are not pregnant .

• Craving certain foods, feeling hungry all the time, and finding certain foods unpleasant:Eating can be a bit complicated in the early stages. Some people may crave certain foods or feel hungry all the time. While some foods and flavors may seem wonderful, some foods that they used to enjoy may suddenly become unpleasant. This unpleasantness may persist throughout pregnancy.

• Metallic taste in the mouth: Many people report a metallic taste in the mouth during early pregnancy, as if they have a lot of coins in their mouth. This can happen when eating certain foods or just at other times of the day.

• Headaches and dizziness: Headaches, dizziness, and lightheadedness are common during early pregnancy. This is due to hormonal changes in your body, as well as the increased blood volume.

• Cramping: You may experience cramping in your lower abdomen , similar to your period, that may come and go for a few days. However , if the pain is severe and only on one side, or if it is severe, see a doctor immediately. This could be a sign of another complication, such as an ectopic pregnancy.

• Mood swings: As your hormones change, your mood may fluctuate. You may feel happy one moment, sad or angry the next. This is normal and can happen throughout your pregnancy . However, if you ever feel extremely anxious, depressed, or have thoughts of harming yourself, be sure to seek medical advice.

• Nasal congestion and runny nose: Some people may experience a stuffy, runny nose during early pregnancy due to increased hormone levels and blood volume. The mucous membranes inside your nose become dry and more likely to bleed.

• Bloating : Although it may take weeks or months for a noticeable belly to appear, the sudden surge in hormones can make your stomach feel bloated and you may pass more gas than usual.

• Acne or skin changes: Your increased hormones and blood volume are responsible for any skin changes you may notice. While some people experience a clear, glowing skin (a `pregnancy glow`) during pregnancy, others may experience an increase in acne.

How soon do pregnancy symptoms start?

This varies from person to person. Some people feel "I feel pregnant" a few days after conception. Others don't feel any symptoms until weeks after a positive pregnancy test.Pregnancy symptoms can vary not only from one person to another, but also from one pregnancy to another, even within the same person.

Can you feel pregnant before you miss your period?

Yes, you can feel pregnant even before you miss your period. Some people say they started feeling pregnancy symptoms a week after conception (that is, about a week before they missed their period).

Even with these symptoms, is it possible that I am not pregnant?

Yes, it can be. Early signs of pregnancy often mimic those of other health conditions, as well as your normal menstrual cycle. Premenstrual symptoms (PMS) can be very similar to pregnancy symptoms, making it difficult to tell the difference.

Also, you can still get pregnant if you miss your period. This can happen if you suddenly lose or gain a lot of weight, or if you are under a lot of stress. Also, your period can stop while you are breastfeeding.

The best way to know for sure if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. You can get this test without a prescription at a pharmacy or supermarket.

How soon can I take a pregnancy test?

Pregnancy tests work by detecting a specific level of a hormone called ``Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin'' (hCG) in your urine. You can take a pregnancy test as soon as you miss your period. However, for the most accurate results, it's best to wait at least a week after your missed period before taking the test. While some tests claim to give accurate results even before your period is missed, taking the test too soon can sometimes give a ``false negative'' result (meaning the test says you're not pregnant, when in fact you are).

Your doctor can take a blood sample up to a week before you miss your period to check for pregnancy.

If I'm newly pregnant, when should I see my doctor?

If you've missed your period and your pregnancy test is positive, your next step should be to make your first appointment with your doctor. When you make your appointment, your doctor may ask if you've already started taking a prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid . Prenatal vitamins are very important in early pregnancy because they help the development of the neural tube. This neural tube will later become your baby's brain and spinal cord. Most doctors recommend that anyone who is pregnant should take folic acid at all times.

If you are planning to become pregnant, a preconception appointment with a doctor is a good place to start. This preconception appointment is especially important if you are taking medication for a chronic condition, or if you have other medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or lupus.

At this appointment, your doctor will discuss your current medical conditions, as well as your general health before becoming pregnant. The goal of this appointment is to best prepare you for a new pregnancy.

Take-Home Message

Well, from what we've just discussed, you can probably tell that everyone experiences pregnancy differently. Your period stopping, breast tenderness, feeling more tired than usual, and nausea are often the first signs you'll notice. Some people may even experience these symptoms before they miss their period.

If you're wondering, "I don't know if I'm pregnant," try a home pregnancy test. They're often available at pharmacies and supermarkets, and if used correctly, the results are usually accurate. If you get a positive result, see your doctor right away. Getting prenatal care early is important for your health and that of your unborn baby. So, it's a good idea to take care of this!

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