Many women don’t realize that they are pregnant until they miss their period by a few weeks.
Some women may have no early pregnancy symptoms at all, so they only become suspicious when their cycle disappears.
For other women, there may be a variety of signs or symptoms that begin very early on in the pregnancy.
Common Signs of Early Pregnancy
If you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s helpful to be aware of the most common signs and symptoms of early pregnancy.
If you notice several of these signs, it’s a good idea to take an at-home pregnancy test. If the test is positive, book an appointment with a doctor or midwife to confirm.
Here are the four most common early pregnancy symptoms to be aware of:
Missing Period
The most common and obvious sign of pregnancy is a missing period. It’s this sign that usually motivates women to take a pregnancy test.
When you conceive, your body produces hormones that prevent the shedding of the uterine lining (which normally results in a period during the menstrual cycle).
If your period is later than usual by a week or more, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor or take an at-home pregnancy test.
Fatigue
Tiredness can be caused by a number of different things, one of which is early pregnancy.
Thanks to the increase in progesterone during pregnancy, you may feel constantly fatigued during your first trimester (the first 12 weeks).
This tiredness may be so extreme that you struggle to get out of bed and complete simple tasks. Luckily, it generally disappears during the second trimester.
Sore Breasts
Tender, swollen breasts are a common sign that your period is on the way. But that pain can also be a common early pregnancy symptom.
The same increase in progesterone levels that causes fatigue can also cause an increase in breast sensitivity, making them more tender to the touch.
You might also notice that your areolas (the area around your nipples) darken in color and become swollen.
Increased Urination
If you’re finding out you need to go to the washroom more often than usual, it may be because you are pregnant.
During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by around 45%. This makes your kidneys work harder to filter your blood, causing them to produce more fluid than usual.
The fluctuations in your reproductive hormones can also change the strength of your bladder muscles, meaning you need to urinate more frequently, despite drinking the same amount of fluid each day.
Calculating Your Due Date
If you’ve discovered that you are pregnant, then you’re likely wondering when you’ll be welcoming your new bundle of joy.
The first week of pregnancy is based on the date of your last period. This is the standard way to measure how long you’ve been pregnant, even though it’s impossible to get pregnant while you’re menstruating.
Your expected due date is calculated from the first day of your last period. You can use this due date calculator to identify how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Realizing you’re expecting a baby is one of the most exciting and life-changing moments in many people’s lives.
And when you’re aware of the common early pregnancy symptoms, you’ll be able to start your motherhood journey sooner.
So, look forward to shopping for pregnancy must-haves, creating a birth plan, and preparing your family to welcome your new bundle of joy.