Signs You May Be Pregnant – Do You Know That?

It’s hard to tell whether you’re pregnant or not because there are no visible signs during the first few days. Some symptoms may also be mistaken for something else, such as menstruation or other conditions. So, what are the signs? Let’s find out!

As a woman, I understand that there is a need to know when you are pregnant. Of course, it is the first step to taking precautions and looking after the life inside of you. However, there are various symptoms of pregnancy; and not all women experience the same symptoms. Every pregnancy is different, and so are the symptoms for every trimester.

During the early stages of pregnancy, it is even harder to determine whether you are pregnant or not. Most of the time, the symptoms at this point can easily be mistaken for symptoms of menstruation. Given this, it is difficult to recognize pregnancy.

There are also some symptoms that may be associated with other conditions. This means that they are not necessarily indicative of pregnancy. So, it can be confusing unless you really go out and get a pregnancy test.

Knowing the symptoms allows you to tell whether or not you should get a pregnancy test or see an OB-Gyne. So, what are the common signs you may be pregnant? Let’s start digging in!

Common Signs You May Be Pregnant

1. Back Pain

Some women experience chronic back pain during their pregnancy. Most likely, it has something to do with the extra weight they have to carry. It might even get worse as the pregnancy progresses; so, you should really avoid doing extreme physical activities.

2. Constipation

Feelings of constipation are common while you are pregnant. This is due to the increased levels of progesterone, which slows down food passing through your intestines. To counter this, it is important that you eat food items rich in fiber and drink plenty of water.

3. Cramps and Spots

Some people think that when you are pregnant, you would not bleed. That is a common misconception because during implantation, you may still bleed. This occurs some time around the first two weeks after the egg has been fertilized.

You may easily mistake the cramps as a symptom associated with your period. After all, the implantation bleeding may also be mistaken for your period.

When you are pregnant, your vaginal walls thicken almost immediately after conception. This is to prepare your uterus for expansion. As a result, there is an increased growth of cells lining your vagina, possibly leading to a white vaginal discharge. Nonetheless, there is no need to be alarmed. All these symptoms are harmless.

Just be on the lookout for a bad smell as well as some burning and/or itchy sensation. These signs may be indicative of a bacterial and/or yeast infection. Make sure that you see your physician or OB-Gyne immediately after noticing these signs.

4. Dizziness

When you are pregnant, your blood vessels get dilated. At the same time, both your blood sugar levels and blood pressure decrease. This results to dizziness, which may also be linked to the next symptom in this list, fatigue.

5. Fatigue

Just a week after conception, you might feel extremely exhausted out of nowhere. Several factors cause this, including high progesterone levels, low blood sugar levels, low blood pressure, and even high blood production.

It is normal for your body to respond like this as it experiences massive changes. Your body is also working constantly to support another life growing inside of you. Your heart, for example, needs to produce more oxygen so that there is enough for you and your baby.

The increased progesterone levels leads to an increased basal temperature. In turn, it decreases your energy levels.

Fatigue may not just be one of the signs you may be pregnant. A lot of other conditions may be associated with it as well. Regardless, it is important that you get enough rest when fatigued. Increasing your iron and protein intake will also help counter it. Moreover, drinking plenty of water will help increasing or at least regulating your blood pressure.

6. Frequent Urination

Frequent urination is one of the signs you may be pregnant, but it usually occurs during your second trimester. As your uterus swells, it puts extra pressure to your bladder. The increased blood flowing to your kidneys is also a factor.

There is really nothing wrong with frequent urination unless you are infected. Just remember to drink plenty of fluids so that you remain hydrated.

Again, this may be linked to other problems such as diabetes, urinary tract infection (UTI), among others. When associated with pregnancy, it is usually caused by hormonal imbalance and the changes experienced by your body.

7. Headaches

As your blood levels increase, you will likely suffer from mild headaches often. This occurs during the first few weeks of your pregnancy. The good news is that the headaches becomes less frequent during the latter part of it. As your pregnancy progresses, your estrogen levels become more stable, reducing chances of migraine.

8. Missed Period

As most women recognize, it is the missed period that is really telling of pregnancy. It is probably the most common among all signs you may be pregnant. It is what leads most women to suspect for the first time that they have conceived.

However, of course, not all cases of missed period are indicative of pregnancy. Sometimes, women miss their period when they stop taking their birth control pills. Needless to say, it still remains a case-to-case basis.

9. Mood Swings

Mood swings are common during your first trimester. Nonetheless, they are experienced and evident throughout your pregnancy. Like other symptoms, it is also most likely caused by hormonal imbalance.

Of course, it is also normal to feel irritable given the many symptoms you possibly experience. At the same time, it is normal for you to get frustrated with all the changes your body goes through.

10. Morning Sickness

More often than not, most pregnant women go through the awfulness of morning sickness. In fact, roughly 85% of pregnant women experience it. This nausea occurs anytime of the day, but mostly in the morning; hence, the term.

An early symptom is a subtle but unusual motion sickness. You may feel uneasy in a car ride or a flight. Usually, this occurs around the second week of pregnancy.

Part of this symptom are the sudden and/or random cravings for certain food items. Sometimes, your favorite food and/or drink may also turn into something you cannot stand. It is all part of the hormonal imbalance in your system. The increased progesterone levels slow down a lot of processes in your body, one of which is digestion.

The hormone found in your blood and/or urine before a missed period, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), is also responsible for nausea. The higher the HCG levels in your system, the more nauseated you might be.

The worst thing about these signs is that they may last throughout your entire pregnancy. So, do not be surprised that you have weird cravings and food aversions.

The most important thing here is that you remain to eat a complete and balanced diet. You and your baby need to get all the essential nutrients you can get to stay healthy.

You may also want to take vitamin supplements. Vitamin B6 helps alleviate morning sickness. If you are vomiting so frequently that your body is losing significant amount of fluids, it is best that you consult your OB-Gyne. An intravenous (IV) therapy will help.

11. Tender Breasts

Due to the hormonal imbalance occurring immediately after conception, it is likely for you to have heavier and extremely sensitive breasts. The high levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body result to the growth of your breast glands.

In some cases, they even become sore or swollen, especially during the first week or two. It takes some getting used to before the uneasiness and pain ease up.

Your nipples may also become darker. However, if you have a relatively dark complexion, you may not notice it until at least about the 10th week of your pregnancy.

To Wrap It Up… Signs You May Be Pregnant

There are various signs you may be pregnant. However, it can still be confusing, especially when you are still clueless at first. A lot of these symptoms are not just limited to pregnancy. They may also be telling of other health problems. So, it is still important to be cautious and mindful. Remember to consult your physician and/or OB-Gyne should you notice something unusual or painful related to these symptoms.

Knowing these symptoms and what causes them is also of the essence. This will allow you to do something about them and in a way, to counter them as well.

Regardless of the symptoms you experience, make sure that you stay well-rested and healthy. Drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet, stay away from caffeine and alcoholic beverages, and get enough sleep. You would not want to compromise a healthy pregnancy. Remember, there is another life depending on you.

Have you gone or are still going through any of these symptoms while you were or are pregnant? How was or is the experience? Are there any more signs you have experienced that are not on this list? Let us know your story! Who knows, you just might help other readers!

Take care your babies with Tips and Tricks from TheWiseMum.Com Lists:

1. Is Pregnancy Blood Test Better Than Other Pregnancy Tests? Here’s What You Need to Know!
2. Microblading and Pregnancy: Is It Safe? What are the Risks?

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/pregnancy-am-i-pregnant

https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/signs/symptoms/signs-you-may-be-pregnant

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-20043853