Do you know what the first signs of pregnancy are? Your body is a complex machine, finely tuned and emitting signals all the time. Pregnancy is a big change to your body’s normal day-to-day functions and when you are with the baby, your body will let you know!
Some expectant moms will receive one or two silent signals at first, others’ bodies will yell “I AM PREGNANT” with all 10 signals at once. As hormone levels fluctuate and your body learns how to react to these changed levels, most women will experience virtually all of the first signs of pregnancy. You just need to know what the signs are.
Elevated basal body temperature
A woman’s basal body temperature (the lowest body temperature reached during rest) begins to rise after ovulation and remains elevated after she should have had her period. This increase in basal body temperature, usually one-half to one degree Fahrenheit, is a subtle, very early warning sign of pregnancy. To get this clue, you need to have some idea of what your normal basal temperature (without pregnancy) is.
Tenderness in the breasts and nipples
This is a classic early sign of early pregnancy, and one that often goes unnoticed. Many women attribute this cuteness to their arm or other clothing and tend to ignore it. And, once the body gets used to the new hormone levels, the sensitivity goes away.
So you need to pay close attention to what your body is trying to say, because it may stop talking after a while.
Darker and more prominent arereolas
As your breasts change and enlarge, your areolas (the darkest area around the nipple) will also swell and enlarge. This is a very early sign of pregnancy, which usually occurs around the time you are expecting your period. Some believe that the darker color of the areola helps the newborn find the nipple to breastfeed. After pregnancy, your nipples and areolas should return to normal colors and sizes.
Constipation
Here’s another very subtle clue: Who wouldn’t get constipated at one point or another without being pregnant? The changing levels of hormones can play with your intestines, disrupting the normal frequency and timing of your bowel movements.
Many expecting women simply dismiss constipation as an unrelated problem. Like basal body temperature, paying close attention can really make a difference.
Plucking
Mild to moderate spotting (commonly called implantation spotting) typically occurs a week to several days before your normal period occurs. Pink or brown spots are common about a week after ovulation. Sometimes spots can simply be a sign of an early period. If this happens, look for other signs of pregnancy or take a pregnancy test.
Frequent urination
Another very early classic sign of pregnancy, frequent urination should be a standout. This may be one of the first clues: it occurs between a week and 12 days after an increase in basal body temperature, or about six weeks after the first trimester. While increased hormone levels are part of the culprit, the most likely reason you feel like you have to urinate every 5 minutes or so is the fact that the amount of blood in your body increases dramatically during pregnancy. This causes a lot of extra fluids to flow through the kidneys and therefore a lot more urine!
Nausea and vomiting
Commonly known as “morning sickness,” this early sign of pregnancy generally affects most women and begins around the sixth week of pregnancy. Again, hormone levels are believed to be the main cause. Surprisingly, many doctors believe that morning sickness is a good sign that everything is going well with your baby’s health and development. If your morning sickness is accompanied by vomiting, be sure to stay hydrated.
Missed menstrual period
While there are many reasons why you may miss a menstrual period – stress, illness, excessive exercise, reactions to foods or medications – this can be a classic sign of pregnancy. If your period is very regular and you have no other obvious reason to miss one, look for other early signs that you may be pregnant.
Cramps
Moderate to severe cramps can be a sign of many conditions, including pregnancy. Implantation cramps occur when a growing, moving uterus prepares to sustain new life. Sometimes cramps can be a sign of constipation or gas in the intestines. Other more serious causes include miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
You shouldn’t have cramps after a positive pregnancy test; If you experience cramping with mild spots, see your doctor to make sure everything is okay.
Unusual fatigue and tiredness
In our fast-paced modern world, it’s not unusual to be dead tired at the end of a busy day. Fatigue is different: a feeling of lethargy and exhaustion that seems to occur regardless of your activity level or the time of day. The truth is, your body is working very hard to adjust to a new life. And this work requires energy, energy that is taken from your daily activities.
If you notice some of these early signs of pregnancy, get tested with a good quality pregnancy test that you can get at your local pharmacy. These home pregnancy tests have become quite accurate and can typically detect a pregnancy 10-14 days after contraception. If you get a negative result but still feel like you may be pregnant, see your doctor to be sure.