When you’re trying to get pregnant, it can be pretty frustrating waiting to find out whether or not you’ve been successful. Usually, you have to wait until you’ve missed a period before you can take a test. However, did you know that there are some symptoms which can show up as early as one week before your period is supposed to start?
If you’re the impatient type, below you’ll discover 10 really early signs of pregnancy which can show up from week one (after you’ve actually conceived – which is typically considered week 3 by U.S. doctors.) It’s important to remember that although you may experience some of the symptoms below, it doesn’t guarantee you are pregnant. So, if you do experience the symptoms listed below, you’ll want to take a pregnancy test just to be sure.
1. Cramps
Cramps can be one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms, yet they are typically dismissed as PMS symptoms. They occur during the very early stages of pregnancy due to uterus growth and hormonal changes. As the egg implants onto the uterine wall, it triggers the cramps as the uterus starts to stretch. Similarly, this can also cause back pain.
2. Sore Breasts
A week or so after conception, it’s common to experience sore or sensitive breasts. Again, this is all down to the hormonal changes which are occurring in the body. As the levels of progesterone and estrogen dramatically increase, they cause the glands within the breasts to start growing.
Your breasts will retain more fluid and become heavier, making them feel much more sore than usual.
3. Nausea
Although morning sickness doesn’t kick in usually for a few weeks, it is possible you could start feeling nauseous as early as week one. You may find yourself becoming suddenly queasy as you travel in a car, or it can occur when you’re taking a flight. It’s very subtle, but if you don’t typically get nauseous very often, it’s definitely a symptom you’ll pick up on.
4. Fatigue
As soon as you become pregnant, your body goes into overdrive trying to prepare itself for the next nine months. This means it’s working much harder than usual, which can result in you feeling much more tired than you typically would.
As you’re producing additional progesterone, it causes the basal body temperature to increase, also contributing to fatigue. Then there’s the fact that your heart will be pumping much faster, again leaving you feeling tired and sluggish.
5. Frequent Urination
The need to pee more frequently is another symptom that’s common later on in pregnancy. However, it can start much earlier than you might think. As soon as you conceive, additional blood starts to flow to the kidneys, which can trigger the need to urinate more often. You also have your growing uterus placing pressure onto the bladder so it’s common to find yourself needing a lot more toilet breaks than usual during the first few weeks.
6. Headaches
As the body starts to produce more blood to support the pregnancy, it can trigger mild and frequent headaches. You are at an especially increased risk of getting headaches if you don’t drink enough, or if you’re diagnosed as anemic. If you do develop this symptom, you’ll be relieved to know they do start to disappear as you progress throughout the pregnancy.
7. Nose Problems
Another issue caused by the increase in blood volume, is nose problems such as congestion, postnasal drip and bloody noses. The rise in blood volume places pressure onto the blood vessels within the nose. Your hormones don’t help either. As your estrogen levels increase, it can cause the blood vessels to become more dilated, in turn causing the mucus to become thicker.
8. Mood Swings
When you feel more tired, you’re naturally going to be prone to mood swings. If you’re experiencing any of the other symptoms featured above, that can also contribute to you feeling a little moodier than usual.
9. Constipation
Your digestive tract starts to slow down during pregnancy, and this can lead to issues with both bloating and constipation. As the tract slows down, your food won’t pass through as quickly, which means it can harden before it passes. This is unfortunately a symptom which can often get worse as the pregnancy progresses. So, you might want to stock up on natural laxatives (doctor approved only).
10. Bloating
Caused by the same thing as constipation in early pregnancy, bloating is another common symptom to watch out for. However, it’s also difficult to link to pregnancy due to how similar it is to PMS bloating. If the bloating doesn’t pass and your period doesn’t come, it’s a clear sign you’re more than likely pregnant.
Conclusion
So, if you experience any of the signs above, it could be an indicator that you are pregnant. However, even if you do have one or more of the symptoms, it’s still worth getting a test carried out to confirm it! Every woman is different so you may experience some, all or even none of the symptoms above within the first week.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or licensed medical professional before making any medical decisions.
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