Very Early Signs Of Pregnancy
Think you might be pregnant? Check out these early symptoms of pregnancy that can show up one week before your missed period. If you’ve already experienced a few, it may be time to head to the drugstore to pick up a pregnancy test or schedule an appointment with your OB-GYN.
Your breasts may be extra tender as early as one or two weeks after conception. Youre making so much estrogen and progesterone in early pregnancy that the glands in the breasts start growing, explains Jasbir Singh, M.D., an OB-GYN at Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie in Texas. This hormone surge causes breasts to retain more fluids and feel heavy, sore, or more sensitive than normal PMS tenderness.
Many women mistake these early signs of pregnancy for PMS symptoms, but theyre actually caused by hormonal changes and the growth of the uterus. About 30 percent of women experience cramping after conception, which is triggered by implantationwhen the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. Your uterus may be stretching a little now to prep for its massive expansion over the next nine months
When a fertilized egg implants into the plush lining of the uterus about six to 12 days after conception, light vaginal spotting may occur. You might mistake this “implantation bleeding” for your period, but it’s generally lighter than menstruation and brown or pink in color.
What Causes Bloating And Gas In Thefirst Two Weeks Of Pregnancy
The cause of bloating in early pregnancy is the increasedlevels of hormone progesterone. This hormone causes smooth muscles to relax.
For pregnancy to carry on, it is crucial that you have thishormone in place until childbirth. Progesterone triggers gas, burping andbloating since it causes smooth muscles including those of the digestive tractto weaken.
- The muscle relaxation is what prompts nutrientsto move gradually to reach the developing baby.
- However, the problem is that as this process takesplace, your overall metabolism slows down causing bloating.
When To Take A Pregnancy Test
If you suspect that you’re pregnant, take a pregnancy test. These urine tests measure the;level;of human chorionic gonadotropin, or;hCG,;a hormone secreted when you’re pregnant. The amount of hormone detectable by each test can vary widely. Every person also secretes a little more or less of the hormone, so the tests are not completely accurate.
The better tests on the market will measure 25 to 50 mIU/mL of hCG. This is usually the amount found in urine between the fourth and fifth weeks of gestation. The;levels of hCG;in your urine will be different from those in your blood.
First-morning urine;will always contain the highest concentration of hCG. However, most tests do not require that you use;first-morning urine. You can increase your chances of having enough hCG in your urine by waiting four hours after you last urinated to take the test. This allows the hCG to build up.
A negative result that is later revealed to be wrong is usually because the test was performed too early. A false positive, on the other hand, may indicate a very early miscarriage.
Talk;to your practitioner if you have questions about your pregnancy tests. You can also call the toll-free number provided by the test manufacturer.
Blood tests;are the most accurate and can be performed seven to 10 days post-ovulation. They may also be used to help predict the health of a pregnancy at various points. You’ll need to visit your doctor to get one.
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Changes In Nipple Color
Women may notice a deepening of the color of the area surrounding the nipple, called the areola and/or a dark line going down from the middle of the central abdomen area to the pubic area . Some degree of darkening of the areola persists after pregnancy in many women, but the linea nigra typically disappears in the months following delivery of the baby.
Early Pregnancy Mood Swings
Rapid changes in hormone levels during pregnancy may be responsible for mood swings and feelings of stress. Newly pregnant women may feel emotional, anxious, or depressed, and have crying spells. Mood swings may be worst in the first trimester, easing up somewhat in the second, and coming back as the pregnancy nears the end in the third trimester.
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About Our Expert Obstetrician Dr Larisa Corda
Dr Corda is an;obstetrician;and gynaecologist who specialises in;IVF. After working in Sydney at IVF Australia , she returned to the UK and;was awarded membership of the;Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. She now works as a gynaecologist and IVF consultant;and is also Fertility Expert for ITVs This Morning show.
How To Tell If You’re Pregnant Right Away
The only way to tell if youre pregnant right away is by taking a home pregnancy test according to its instructions. Waiting can be difficult, but you can usually take a test three to four days before a missed period though youre more likely to get a false negative if you test too soon. If its negative, wait a couple more days and test again if Aunt Flo doesnt come to visit.
Be sure to test first thing in the morning, when your urine and the hormone that the test is measuring are most concentrated. If you see a line indicating a pregnancy, youre almost certainly pregnant . Pregnancy tests with false positives are rare.
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When Does Bloating Typically Happen In Early Pregnancy
Bloating can happen anytime after implantation, which can occur as early as 9-10 days post ovulation. However, for most women, it doesnt happen at the onset of pregnancy. It takes several days or weeks for the progesterone to build up enough in your system to cause pregnancy symptoms.;
In my experience, bloating started around 5th weeks. For the first week, I rarely have signs of pregnancy, aside from positive tests. That doesnt mean it couldnt begin to earlier for you; everyone is different.;
Early Pregnancy Symptoms Vs Pms: Whats The Difference
Most early pregnancy symptoms before your period are strikingly similar to the side effects of PMS. However, youll only notice changes in your areolas if youre pregnant. A consistently elevated BBT and creamy vaginal discharge post-ovulation are also both relatively reliable signs of conception, but theyre certainly not foolproof.
Otherwise, the only way to know if other early pregnancy symptoms are due to a baby or PMS is to hold out until you can take a pregnancy test.
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How Reliable Are Home Pregnancy Tests
According to the NHS, home pregnancy tests are reliable as long as you follow the instructions correctly. It may not be reliable if you didnt follow instructions or youve taken the test too early.;
Most pregnancy tests can be taken after the first missed period, with any tests taken before this time running the risk of being inaccurate. Professionals also recommend avoiding drinking too much fluid ahead of doing a test, as it can dilute the level of HGC.
Negative tests may not be reliable if youve taken it too early, as the level of HGC might not be enough at the time of taking it. Tests can also vary in their sensitivity and so its recommended you read instructions thoroughly before using one, as theres no guarantee each one will be the same.
Pregnancy Bleeding And Swollen Gums
You may not have expected pregnancy to affect your mouth. But your blood circulation and hormone levels can make your gums tender and swollen, and you may notice they bleed more easily. You may also develop nose bleeds.
Recommendations:
- Get a dental checkup early in your pregnancy to make sure your teeth and mouth are healthy. See your dentist if you notice a particular problem.
- Brush your teeth, floss regularly and rinse daily with an antiseptic mouthwash.
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Achy Hips Legs And Arms
Yep, its not just your back your hips, legs and even arms may also ache at different times during early pregnancy due to hormone changes.
Yesterday I had a achey left leg and an achey right arm and I was like, Am I falling to pieces? And then this morning I got a BFP . At least I know why! says;Sparkling_DiamondButton.
Yes, says Dr Larisa. Its those pregnancy hormones loosening up your ligaments and joints to prepare for accommodating your growing baby.
Am I Pregnant 15 Signs Of Early Pregnancy
If your gut feeling says you might have a bun in the oven it can be agonizing to wait to find out for sure. Though ultrasounds and pregnancy tests are the only foolproof method of being certain, most urine tests wont give accurate results until at least a day after your first missed period; an ultrasound can take even longer, as the fetus is invisible until 5-6 weeks after gestation. Thankfully, there are several signs of pregnancy that often show up long before a urine test or ultrasound is possible. Though every pregnancy is unique and every woman will experience theirs differently, the presence of these 15 symptoms, especially in conjunction with one another, might be a good indication that youre a mommy-to-be.
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How Early Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start
Women in the early stages of pregnancy may experience a number of different symptoms that may signal a pregnancy. While a missed menstrual period is often the characteristic sign of pregnancy, women who do not have regular menstrual cycles may not recognize that a menstrual period has been missed. In some cases, breast tenderness or other symptoms are the first sign of pregnancy. Still, other women may not experience any particular symptoms at all during early pregnancy and may not be aware of their condition.
A missed menstrual period is most often the first sign of pregnancy and is a common first-trimester symptom. Sometimes a woman who is pregnant may still experience some bleeding or spotting around the time of the expected period, typically 6 to 12 days after conception. When it occurs, this so-called “implantation bleeding” is generally not as heavy or long as a regular menstrual period. This small amount of bleeding that happens at the time of the expected menstrual period occurs because the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. This is referred to as implantation bleeding.
The experience of pregnancy symptoms is highly individualized and differs among women. In fact, a woman may experience different symptoms in a second or subsequent pregnancy than she did in her first pregnancy.
When Do The Symptoms Start
Though it may sound odd, your first week of pregnancy is based on the date of your last menstrual period. Your last menstrual period is considered week 1 of pregnancy, even if you werent actually pregnant yet.
The expected delivery date is calculated using the first day of your last period. For that reason, the first few weeks where you may not have symptoms also count toward your 40-week pregnancy.
| Signs and symptoms |
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Weird Early Symptoms Of Pregnancy
Something that sticks out to me as my “ah ha!” moments of realizing I was pregnant before I’d even taken a pregnancy test is that the symptoms I first noticed were weird, not typical. Like yeah, those common pregnancy symptoms popped up for me later on, but in those two weeks before my missed period I wasn’t running around barfing in planters or peeing every five seconds like you see in the movies.
Instead, being grossed out by a favorite meal and feeling suddenly so dizzy on an autumn walk that I needed to sit down tipped me off that I might just be pregnant , even before I was far enough along to get an accurate result on a home pregnancy test.
What Does Early Pregnancy Bloating Feel Like
Although you wont be looking like youre smuggling a beach ball under your shirt just yet, bloating in early pregnancy might have you feeling like a balloon thats been blown up too far.
Your stomach might feel tight, tense, and harder than usual when pressed.
Bloating is often accompanied by constipation and gas during pregnancy, so you may well be feeling a bit stopped up too.
Medically speaking, pregnancy bloating isnt a big concern, but it sure can be uncomfortable and sometimes difficult to deal with mentally, too.
You might only be a few weeks pregnant and definitely not ready to break out the maternity clothes yet.
We hear you.
Your body changes in many ways during pregnancy, and not always in the glowing skin and luscious hair kind of ways either.
Luckily, there are some tips and tricks you can try to help soothe the pain, so you might be feeling more like yourself again soon.
As ever, if youre suffering from severe abdominal pain at any point in pregnancy, its worth a chat with your doctor.
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What Causes Pregnancy Incontinence
Your bladder sits right above your pelvic bones and is supported by your pelvic floor. It relaxes and fills with urine throughout the day while the sphincter keeps the organ closed until you can use the bathroom. During pregnancy and childbirth, your pelvic floor muscles are put to the test.
Common causes of pregnancy incontinence include:
Pressure: You may leak when you cough, sneeze, exercise, or laugh. These physical movements put extra pressure on your bladder, which causes stress incontinence. Your baby also puts extra pressure on your bladder as they grow bigger.
Hormones: Changing hormones can affect the lining of your bladder and urethra.
Medical conditions: Some medical causes for incontinence include diabetes, multiple sclerosis, anxiety medications, or a stroke in the past.
Urinary tract infections : Between 30 to 40 percent of women who didnt treat their UTI completely will develop symptoms during pregnancy. Incontinence is a symptom of UTI.
Can Gas Be An Early Sign Of Pregnancy
Situation #1. For the last week Ive had truly bad farts. Ive likewise been belching and a little heartburn accompanied with twinges of pain in my belly for 2 weeks. Weve been TTC for 1 month now. I took a test today and it said no so Im hoping I just tested to early. My periods are unforeseeable and I have not charted bbt. Up until now this cycle is 47 days long and still going. So do I have a gi issue or early pregnancy?
Situation #2. I ended my period on june 14. That exact same we made love vulnerable and he cummed in me a lot. I think we had sex everyday after that for 7 whole days and it was unprotected all those times and he cummed in me everynight. Its now 12 days after my last period and we had sex tonight and the very same thing happened. My stomache has been eliminating me for the past 2 days now. Im not worried about being pregnant or anything. Its my lower stomache that hurts. Tonight we made love, and it was difficult for me to enjoy it due to the fact that it hurt so bad when he went all the method in me. Today I got up and the pains were still there. There had to do with 4 times I practically threw up. But I didnt. I felt like I was going to. Last night my boobs were being unusual. Like the external part of my nipple was getting dark and I honestly think that my nipples have gotten substantial. Not my boobs, just my nipples. And today and last night I was getting bad gas. Are those early signs of pregnancy?
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What Causes Bloating In Early Pregnancy
Put simply, the increased gas during pregnancy is due to the higher levels of progesterone in your body while pregnant and these can lead to digestive issues.
It is essential that you have progesterone in your body for your pregnancy to remain healthy due to its nature as the pro-gestation hormone. Despite this, progesterone will also trigger farting, burping, and bloating. This is because progesterone makes your smooth muscle tissues within your body to relax. This process in turn will slow down your digestion so that the nutrients in food have a larger window of opportunity to go into your bloodstream so they can reach your baby. However, the catch with this process is that when your metabolism slows down during pregnancy, you could get bloated.
Check For Other Signs Of Pregnancy
This is actually not the last step, but in case your home pregnancy test is negative and your period is still running late, pay attention to the other symptoms of early pregnancy described below. If you start noticing any of them, take another pregnancy test and see your doctor as soon as possible to avoid further confusion.
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Introduction To Pregnancy Symptoms
A missed menstrual period is often the first recognizable sign of a possible pregnancy, but there are other signs and symptoms of early pregnancy as well. Some subtle signs appear in the first week, and more may be apparent in the weeks before your first missed period.
Keep in mind that not all women have all symptoms or experience them in the same way. Some of the most common first trimester pregnancy symptoms are discussed in the following slides.