7 early pregnancy signs

if you’re worried that you might be pregnant and are wondering whether your symptoms are within the range of normal pregnancy symptoms, you’ll find everything you need to know in this article. Just keep reading to learn more about your body changes when you first get pregnant.

The following are 7 early pregnancy signs that you should be aware of:

1. Irregular periods

A missed period is the most common symptom of pregnancy. It's important to remember that every woman is different, though, and your body might not give you all the same signs.

While some women still get their periods while they're pregnant, it's not a given. If you think you are pregnant and don't want to be, talk to your doctor about all the options available to you.

2. Mood swings

A lot of women experience mood swings, and there's a reason so many people refer to them as pregnancy symptoms. In fact, fluctuating hormones are often to blame, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Hormone levels, especially estrogen and progesterone, begin to rapidly increase once you conceive. The thing is, this hormone shift can make you feel downright down sometimes, causing a bit of emotional turmoil that feels like anything but normal.

If your mood swings feel like more than just a fleeting moment of sadness or anger (no one likes those), then it's best to go ahead and talk to your doctor if it continues for more than two weeks straight. This can be a sign of depression or another mental health issue and you'll want to get help as soon as possible.

3. Constipation and/or diarrhea

You might feel like you're constantly going to the bathroom, but still, feel constipated. Or you might have diarrhea, which can be affected by hormones. If your symptoms aren't severe and don't include blood in your stool, you probably don't need to worry. But if your symptoms are severe or persistent, talk to your doctor or midwife.

4. Nausea and vomiting

Elevated hormone levels during pregnancy commonly cause side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may also be called morning sickness or prenatal nausea, although they can occur at any time of the day. They are a normal part of pregnancy and do not harm the developing baby.

Nausea and vomiting are most common during the first trimester of pregnancy, peaking at around 9–13 weeks. Some women may experience nausea and vomiting throughout their pregnancy, but this is rare.

If a woman experiences severe symptoms that lead to weight loss, hospitalization may be necessary. This condition is called hyperemesis gravidarum.

5. Spotting and cramping

Spotting can be a sign of pregnancy, but it's not a very reliable indicator. It can occur when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, causing some light bleeding as the lining of the uterus is disrupted. Typically this spotting occurs around the time you'd expect to have a period, and it's often mistaken for one. However, it's also possible that it's caused by something else entirely.

Cramping can happen when the egg implants into the uterine lining, but cramping that occurs without any bleeding or spotting is more likely to be something else. Cramping can also signal a problem during early pregnancy and should be reported to your doctor.

 6. Fatigue and headaches

Some women feel tired when they conceive but others feel exhausted right away. This symptom may start as soon as one week after conception and is caused by increased levels of progesterone in your blood that make you sleepy. You may also find yourself needing more rest during this time. This fatigue will usually pass after the first trimester but could return later in the third trimester as your body prepares for birth.

Headaches are common in early pregnancy. They can be caused by hormonal changes and increased blood flow to the brain.

Luckily, headaches aren't usually a sign of anything serious. But it's a good idea to mention them to your doctor as they can sometimes be a symptom of pre-eclampsia.

This is a condition that affects some pregnant women, usually during the second half of pregnancy (from around 20 weeks) or soon after their baby is born. It may mean you need further tests or that you'll need to stay in hospital for treatment.

 7. Breast tenderness or swelling

Breast tenderness is often one of the first early pregnancy symptoms you'll feel. It usually starts around four to six weeks after your last menstrual period. That's when your estrogen levels rise as well as the hormone progesterone, which can make your breasts feel sore and swollen.

The best thing you can do for breast tenderness is to wear a supportive bra with soft cotton cups (or no bra) and apply warm (not hot) compresses or ice packs to alleviate pain.

One of the first signs is usually swelling, particularly in the ankles and around the eyes. Fluid retention causes swelling because water isn't being properly processed and eliminated from the body, so it tends to pool in tissues and can lead to noticeable puffiness.

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but it can sometimes be confusing and you certainly don’t want to be worrying unnecessarily. However, if you are worried, you should always speak to your doctor. It’s then important to remain alert for the development of early pregnancy symptoms. Hopefully, after reading this article, you will have a better idea of what you need to look out for.