Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

Noticing Pregnancy Symptoms

As you consider if you could be pregnant, keep in mind that some of the symptoms of pregnancy may not be as specific. For example, not everyone will experience the same symptoms or even all of them. Your body will determine some of the symptoms you make, but so will each pregnancy. Therefore, if you suspect you could be pregnant, you may want to find out if it is the case through a home pregnancy test or by seeing your doctor.

Missed Menstruation Period

One of the easiest ways to know you are pregnant is because you have missed your period. Menstruation is a natural occurrence and for most women, it is an even cycle of between 28 and 35 days. If you do have a regular cycle, this could be one of the first symptoms of being pregnant. Of times, though, this is a symptom that is seen later, even after others are present. Nevertheless, for many people, this is the first indication that an individual is in fact pregnant.

Implantation Bleeding

Another sign of pregnancy is implantation bleeding. In fact, this may be one of the very first experiences you have. Implantation bleeding is simply the slight bleeding you may experience when the embryo first implants itself into the uterus. This can happen between six and twelve days after the conception occurs. Implantation bleeding is not heavy like menstruation. Rather, it is usually very light and a very small amount. It also may be bright red. Generally, it does not last long, usually no more than a day or less. In addition to this, you may experience some mild cramping. This should not be alarming to you at this point. You may not even notice this symptom happening.

Other things could be happening instead of implantation bleeding. For example, you could be experiencing menstruation, you may be experiencing some of the side effects of the birth control pill you are taking, or it could be a sign of infection. Sometimes, during intercourse, slight bleeding can be present due to an abrasion. If you are unsure of the bleeding or if it is heavy or extremely painful, it is best to seek out your doctor’s opinion, especially if you believe you could be pregnant.

Swollen Breasts

One of the initial signs of pregnancy happens in the breast tissue. It is here that the body begins to prepare for the baby’s arrival, even in these very early stages of its development. Within two weeks of conception, the breasts begin to change their composition to prepare for the child. You may not notice any changes whatsoever. Many women do feel that their breasts have become tender or even swollen. They may feel sore. You may only feel it if they are touched, too.

Swollen breasts are a good indication of the changing hormones in your body, but they do not always indicate that you are pregnant. In fact, there are several other potential explanations for this symptom. For example, hormonal imbalances can cause this to happen, even without pregnancy triggering them. In addition, some birth control pills can cause this to happen as a side effect. You may also have more tender or slightly swollen breasts if your period is within the next few days, as part of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Feeling Tired

All of the changes that take place in the body during the first weeks of pregnancy can really take a toll on the body. The hormonal changes in particular are exhausting. If you feel as if you are tired, even if you seem to be getting enough sleep, this could be an early indication of pregnancy. Fatigue and feeling tired beyond what you normally do can happen within the first week of conception. This is mainly caused from the changes in hormone levels in the body. As all of these changes happen, your body is left to deal with lots of change. The best way for the body to deal with any sort of change is to get more sleep and rest to make up for it.

Of course, being tired is not always a symptom of pregnancy. It could be a symptom of being ill or becoming ill. It could be that you are overly stressed or anxious. You may be facing the early signs of depression, too. Many things can seem like they leave you tired and therefore, being fatigued is not always a good indication of pregnancy. On the other hand, if you experience fatigue regularly and you have any of the other symptoms of early pregnancy, then it may be a good indication that you are in fact pregnant. Talk to your doctor about this symptom early on for advice in dealing with the fatigue.

Morning Sickness

Perhaps most soon to be mothers are looking for the early signs of morning sickness to indicate to them that they are in fact pregnant. One thing to keep in mind is that not all women do experience morning sickness. For some women, morning sickness does not occur until the second or third month of pregnancy. Yet, for many others, it does happen early on. Between the first two and eight weeks of pregnancy, you may notice a feeling of nausea or you may feel as if you are just getting sick. This could be an indication of pregnancy, especially if you do not feel sick otherwise.

From morning sickness to implantation bleeding, there are many signs and symptoms of pregnancy. As you consider your health and well-being, keep in mind that you should inform your doctor of any of the symptoms you do have. For example, if you are very tired, which some new mothers can be, it could be due to a lack of a necessary hormone in the body. Those who are dealing with extreme nausea may need to get some back up help to relieve it. Pregnancy symptoms should be an indication of seeing your doctor.