How can you tell if you’re pregnant? The most solid proof of this is in a pregnancy test, but even before you miss your period, you might have thoughts that you’re pregnant. Learn about the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy and why they happen. In this article, we’ve listed the most common and other signs and symptoms of pregnancy that you can observe by yourself at home.
Symptoms of pregnancy
Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms of pregnancy you can observe at home:
Morning sickness. Nausea, with or without vomiting can occur at any time of the day or night and usually begins one to two months after you become pregnant. However, some women experience nausea earlier, while others never experience it. While the cause of nausea during pregnancy is unknown, pregnancy hormones may play a role.
Fatigue. Fatigue also ranks high among the early symptoms of pregnancy. No one knows exactly what causes lethargy in the first trimester. However, the rapid rise in progesterone hormone levels in the first trimester can lead to fatigue.
Missed period. If you are of childbearing age and have not started your expected menstrual cycle for a week or more, you may be pregnant. However, if your menstrual cycle is irregular, this symptom can be misleading.
Soft, swollen breasts. Hormonal changes in early pregnancy can make your breasts sensitive and painful. After a few weeks, the discomfort may lessen as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes.
Constant urination. You may find yourself urinating more often than usual. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in your body increases, causing your kidneys to process excess fluid that ends up in your bladder.
Other signs of pregnancy
Aside from the common signs of pregnancy, there are also other symptoms you can have during the first trimester:
- Bloating. Hormonal changes in early pregnancy can cause you to feel bloated, similar to what you feel when your period starts.
- Muscle cramps. Some women experience mild uterine cramps early in pregnancy.
- Constipated. Hormonal changes can cause your digestive system to slow down, which can lead to constipation.
- Light spots. Light spots can be one of the first signs of pregnancy. This bleeding, called implantation bleeding, occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus (about 10 to 14 days after conception). Implantation bleeding occurs when you anticipate your period. However, not all women have it.
- Food aversion. When you are pregnant, you may become more sensitive to certain smells and your sense of taste may change. Like most other pregnancy symptoms, these food preferences can be attributed to hormonal changes.
- Mood swings. The hormonal surge in your body early in pregnancy can make you emotional and cry. Mood swings are also common.
- Stuffy nose. Increased hormone levels and blood production can cause the mucous membranes of the nose to swell, dry out, and bleed easily. This can cause you to have a stuffy or runny nose.