What Are The Symptoms Of Being Pregnant?

It`s already common knowledge that mothers who already gave birth to one child as well as women who keep track of ovulation find it more easily to notice their first pregnancy symptoms.

The very first signs may appear from the first 5 days after fertilization, and some of the expecting mothers sense the fact that they are pregnant since the very first 3 days. Among the first pregnancy signs recognized are: excessive fatigue, frequent urination, small vaginal bleeding, sensitivity to smell, cramps or morning sickness .

What Are The Symptoms Of Being Pregnant?

Although studies show that an egg is usually fertilized during the first 12 hours of ovulation (and not later than 24h), you won`t be aware of the pregnancy symptoms that take control of your body than only after the implantation, and this happens after 7 to 10 days after ovulation.

If you became pregnant, the embryo starts to produce hCG hormones after implantation, so it`s possible to detect the pregnancy and to experience early signs of pregnancy before missed period. Thus, the more you wait to take a pregnancy test, the bigger chances will be for the test to be accurate. Pregnancy tests should be made, ideally, from the moment the period is late with at least 1 day.

Fatigue is perhaps the most common pregnancy symptom because it will appear since the very first days of pregnancy. If you are trying to have a child, you should try to avoid consuming coffee and other stimulants that can affect the baby.

Other early signs that you can notice are:

• Larger breasts.
• Breathing rate increased.
• Frequent urination.
• Nausea. – Learn more!
• Sensitivity to smell.

After how many days do the first pregnancy signs start to appear?

• 6 to 10 days from conceiving – the implantation of the fertilized egg can lead to cramps and vaginal bleeding
• 7 to 14 days from conceiving – breasts have more weight, are more sensitive, sometimes even a bit painful.
• 7 to 14 days from conceiving – fatigue and exhaustion start to appear because of the increased level of progesterone
• 7 to 14 days from conceiving – the increased level of estrogen can cause morning sickness and vomiting.

1. Breast Form Changes & Tenderness

The larger breasts and their tenderness, sometimes followed by small pains, is often associated with the first symptoms of pregnancy. The areolas can become darker in color and the veins can become pronounced. Breasts might appear a bit bigger, heavier and often become painful at touch. Changing the bra or wearing a sports bra can be a good option to get over this discomfort.

Breast tenderness during premenstrual syndrome (PMS) appears because of the increased level of estrogen and progesterone. The level of these hormones is rising before menstruation, causing the increase of the mammary glands. The pain starts since before the menstruation and disappears during or immediately after the menstruation is complete.

Breast pain and sensitivity are more revealed at women who had such manifestations in their family or their diet is rich in coffee and fat.

Breast Sensitivity after Conception

Breast channels start to prepare for breastfeeding and breasts grow in size because of fat deposits. This will lead to breasts changing their form, swelling and becoming more sensitive. Hormonal changes will also lead to breast tissue changes, darkening of the areola and increased blood flow.

Premenstrual Syndrome or Pregnancy Sign?

Breast tenderness experienced during premenstrual syndrome or pregnancy are rather similar. Breast sensitivity because of pregnancy is more intense and comes with visible changes of breasts. This sensibility doesn`t disappear after 2 weeks.

What to do?

• Try to wear a sports bra: Wearing such a bra during the day or when sleeping at night if the pain is unpleasant can help you a lot during pregnancy.
• Change your bra when needed: Your breasts may continue to increase in size, so until at one point you may need to change the size of your bra from time to time.
• An affordable way to save money: If you plan to breastfeed, you can save some money by purchasing a bra especially designed for breastfeeding and you can start wearing it to be able to adapt.

2. Vaginal Bleeding & Abdominal Cramps

After the egg is fertilized, along with its implantation in the uterus, there are rapid changes that start to appear in the body which in turn can lead to one of the first symptoms of pregnancy, also known as implantation bleeding, happening in the first 6 to 12 days from fertilization. This happens when the fertilized egg, now being known as the blastocyst, travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus.

The implantation happens in around 9 days from ovulation. Implantation bleeding is taken place with 1 or 2 days after the blastocyst gets fixed in the uterus. Implantation bleeding is in low quantity and generally of a pink or brown color. During implantation bleeding, the blastocyst is so small that it can barely be seen, if this is even possible. Once the implantation in the uterus will happen, the blastocyst becomes the embryo.

Some women can also have abdominal cramps among these implantation bleedings, while other ones might not show any of these symptoms. So you don`t need to worry if you are pregnant and you don`t show any of thes symptoms.

Abdominal pains and cramps are normal during the first weeks of pregnancy. If they become unbearable, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

What to do?

• Start by eating less: Especially when it comes to dinner you should consider eating less. Generally, the last meal during the day should be taken a few hours before getting to bed, so you can get your sleep without having your stomach full.
• Avoid fast-food and fried meals: This type of meals take longer to be digested and so there are more chances for them to cause indigestion or stomach burnings.
• Take medications which have a gastric dressing effect: This type of medication can calm your stomach after meals and they are good to take during the pregnancy. If you`ll take them with a supplement of Calcium, they are also a good source of Calcium.
• Drink a glass of water when these cramps start to happen.
• Walk away from the place you are sitting and make a few steps as walking it`s known to reduce abdominal cramps.
• Take a warm bath, place warm compresses on your back where it hurts or ask your partner do give a massage.
• Call your doctor to ask for any information about what medication you can take to reduce these pains.

3. Fatigue & Exhaustion

Although the cause of fatigue after conception hasn`t fully been understood, researchers believe that this is due to the fact that the levels of progesterone are increasing. For a lot of women, fatigue continues throughout the first pregnancy trimester, but it will decrease step-by-step during the second one.

It`s rather normal for a pregnant woman to feel tired or exhausted during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This can be rather frustrating especially when they won`t be able to do things as they were used to. Sometimes there are required between 10 and 12 hours of sleep, but then fatigue will occur more often.

A pregnant woman`s body suffers fast metabolic changes to prepare the body for the actual pregnancy and to assure the development of the new baby. Fatigue and exhaustion usually disappear after the 12th pregnancy week, being followed by a new state of energy. Listen to your body and rest when you feel the need. You should also avoid sleeping at late hours.

Even though drinking coffee or eating sweets can offer you a temporary state of energy, all this can affect your baby. Try to avoid them as much as possible.

Remedies to Fatigue during the First Pregnancy Weeks

Fatigue is a normal way of manifestation due to the effort your body is required to do. It needs to be prepared for the new life growing inside. Be sure you rest sufficiently because sleeping is a necessity.

Do anything necessary to get as much sleep as possible. Consume plenty of fresh food which can help your body get more energy and also be sure you`ll consume foods rich in iron.

Easy exercises or walking can make you feel much better. If fatigue is followed by respiratory issues and palpitations, be sure to contact your doctor so he can make sure it`s nothing serious.

4. Sensitivity to Smells

Almost any pregnant woman notices some differences in the way she senses smells. Researchers have discovered some correlations between morning sickness and the sharp sense of smell. Some of these smells become extremely pleasant, while other ones can lead to nausea.

Remedies to Avoid Unpleasant Situations Caused by Smells

To eliminate these unpleasant situations is recommended to cook only foods that you can smell them, ventilate your rooms as often as possible and wash your clothing more often than usual because their fibers tend to retain external smells longer periods of time. Lemon, mint or natural herbs can make you feel better.

5. Nausea & Food Aversion

Every future mother knows that morning sickness and nausea are pregnancy signs of which she can`t get away. However, there are pregnant women who don`t experience these symptoms. Nausea is showing especially during the beginning of pregnancy and is believed to appear because of the rapid metabolic changes of the body. Nausea and food aversion can sometimes maintain for an entire day. Nausea is also known as morning sickness because during the morning is more pronounced. Almost half of the pregnant women experience this type of symptoms.

Although it isn`t completely known what causes nausea and repulsion to some foods when it comes to pregnant women, some of the possible reasons could be:

• the hGC release, this being the first suspected reason
• Hereditary
• Women who are at their first pregnancy
• Sensitivity to smells – increased receptivity to some and repulsion to other ones

Although it isn`t officially recognized, some studies show that women with serious signs of nausea followed by vomiting have more than 50% chances to give birth to a girl.

Remedies to Remove Nausea & Food Aversion

If nausea prevents you to have a proper diet, make sure you get the necessary nutrients by taking prenatal vitamins. You can talk to your doctor for more information.

Eat small meals as often as you can and in a slow manner. Spread your meals during the entire day. Try to avoid sleeping immediately after a meal as this could slow your digestion. When you wake up, eat a few simple crackers and relax for 20 to 30 minutes before getting out of bed. Also, try to get out of bed slowly and always after waiting for at least a few minutes.

Try to avoid hot foods because they tend to have stronger smells. In exchange you can turn to foods at room temperature. You can also drink a glass of milk if you experience any burns.

Ventilate the room you are in and go for short walks to get fresh air as often as possible. Nausea becomes stronger if you are tired, so be sure to get enough sleep.

6. Frequent Urination

You might not know this, but if you are urinating frequently, this could be a sign of pregnancy. This symptom can start from the first weeks of pregnancy and can continue to the last trimester. Frequent urination is usually due to the increased blood level, with 30% to 50%, which reaches the new mother`s kidneys. This can lead to an increase in urination of 25% after conception.

Frequent urination can also be caused by the physical pressure due to the increase of the uterus, and sometimes is more frequent in the first and last pregnancy trimester. Although this is quite normal, it`s recommended the consumption of liquids to maintain a healthy pregnancy. If you choose to drink fewer liquids in an attempt to reduce this pregnancy symptom, you could risk dehydration.

7. Constipation

Constipation is a pregnancy symptom and is one of the first that appear. This usually happens because of the changes in the level of progesterone from the organism, which slows the movement of food through the intestines. The longer the foods remain in the intestines, the more water will be reabsorbed leading to constipation.

A first measure that can be taken against constipation is a proper diet, rich in fibers and fresh fruits. Also, you can drink more water, avoid big meals and do easy exercises to keep your body fit.

8. Hips or Back Pains

Your tummy as a big ball will make your center of gravity to move little by little every day. This will make your back muscles to be put to work more and more each day to sustain the body position and this may lead to back pain, especially during the pregnancy. The relaxin hormone, which will weaken the pelvic bones to prepare the body for giving birth, can produce pains in your hips:

What to do?

• Use prenatal massage: This will reduce swelling and activate the blood circulation which will help muscles to recover faster.
• Prenatal yoga and stretching exercises: 2 simple exercises – slowly, try to touch your toes from the standing position at first and while seating later during pregnancy; the second exercise, the “cat” position, it`s a position from yoga in which you place all your 4 members on the floor, bend your back like a cat, and then back. Do this a few times!

9. Less Sleep

A newly becoming mother will sarcastically say from her own experience: “You should know that once your baby will be born, you`ll get less and less sleep.” And surprisingly, it`s also more and more difficult to get a good sleep during pregnancy. Let`s count the things that may prevent you from getting a good sleep: you wake up to go to the toilet, you have stomach burnings, you need to adapt to sleep in a better position, and so on …

What to do?

• Buy yourself a pregnancy pillow: It can be very useful. Try designed for pregnant women or that are made from feathers.
• Avoid television as a way to get asleep: It can stimulate your brain and can make you stay awake. You can instead read a magazine at a low intensity light.
• If there are no issues with stomach burnings? Chew a few biscuits before going to bed because they contain carbohydrates. There are some studies claiming that this can make you fall asleep by increasing serotonin and tryptophan, 2 chemicals that are related to sleeping.

10. Mood Changes

This pregnancy sign is more excruciating for your partner or other persons that are usually around you because they may become the target of your unpleasant mood changes that you`ll experience during pregnancy. You can blame your hormones or all the other pregnancy symptoms put together. Either way, it`s been said that the 1st trimester of pregnancy is the equivalent of 3 months of PMS.

What to do?

• Find the solution to your problem: For example, if you find that you are mostly irritated when you are tired, try to get more sleep.
• Are you anxious or you can easily adapt to the idea of becoming a mother? Talk to your husband or life partner to overcome your fears.
• Don`t underestimate the power of workout during pregnancy: Even short walks can trigger the release of endorphins which may cheer you up and can offer you exactly the period of relaxation that you needed.

Similar Signs to Ectopic Pregnancy

In most cases, both the doctor and pregnant woman don`t have any reason to suspect there`s an ectopic pregnancy involved. The first signs of pregnancy, such as the absence of menstrual cycle, nausea as well as a few other pregnancy symptoms can also be found in an ectopic pregnancy.

The ectopic pregnancy happens when the fertilized egg is implanted in a different place that the uterus. In 95% of cases this implantation will take place in the fallopian tube, and sometimes it happens to be implanted on the ovary, abdomen or cervix.

Pain is the first sign of an ectopic pregnancy. The pelvis area, the abdomen and even the neck and the shoulder are the body areas where these pains can appear. This is a sharp pain which feels like stabbing. Other signs could be vaginal bleeding, fainting sensations, gastrointestinal symptoms, pain during intercourse or dizziness.

If you feel that you have an ectopic pregnancy, you should visit your doctor immediately.