Do you know that it is possible to detect early signs of pregnancy even before you have missed your periods?! Although these signs can be easily overlooked owing to their subtlety, they can act as potential indicators of a successful conception. Most women confuse these signs as pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), general fatigue, allergies or stress obtained from regular life. Worry not - in this blog, we will discuss all the possible symptoms denoting early pregnancy so you can obtain a timely confirmation about your new journey to motherhood. Read on below!


Top 10 Early Pregnancy Signs That You Should Not Ignore


1: Unexplained Fatigue and Tiredness


Persistent tiredness is very common during the early stages of pregnancy. Even if you remain energetic normally, you will feel low that time. Here’s the reason why. During the first trimester, there is a sudden spike in progesterone levels, a hormone responsible for making you feel relaxed and sleepy. Moreover, the extra energy needed to support foetal growth leaves you feel more drained. Thus, you will see yourself taking frequent naps in between throughout the day.  


2: Nausea and Morning Sickness


One of the most significant early pregnancy signs is – a sudden feeling of vomiting and morning sickness. The differences between these two are not always noticeable, making women mistake them as general illness. Other associated symptoms are fever, diarrhoea, dehydration, etc., along with abdominal cramps and moodiness. 


3: Breast Tenderness and Changes in Their Shape


During early pregnancy, there is a huge upsurge of hormones in the female’s body. This can lead the mammary tissue to become sore, tender and swollen. You may also notice the areola region turning darker than usual, with a much more venous appearance. All these happen due to the additional hormones circulating into the breasts and fluid retention.


4: Spotting or Light Vaginal Bleeding


Also known as implantation bleeding, light spotting can occur in early pregnancy. This happens when the fertilised egg or embryo has already implanted itself into the uterine wall. However, it is not heavier as what happens in menstruation. It lasts for hardly one or two days, characterised by just a few drops of reddish pink or brown blood – not even enough to fill a tampon or sanitary napkin.


5: Unusual Abdominal Cramps without a Period


Cramping is one of the most ignored signs of early pregnancy, often mistaken for menstrual symptoms. Such cramps are experienced in the lower abdomen region, happening around the same time as periods. However, these cramps are moderate in intensity and are not associated with heavy bleeding. Early pregnancy cramps are short, lasting from a few minutes to few hours. Hormonal changes, zygote implantation, or gradual expansion of the uterus are the primary causes for cramps.


6: Changes in Mood and Emotion


Hormonal fluctuations in early pregnancy can make you feel anxious, depressed for no specific reason. Women feel more moody and emotionally vulnerable, with sudden transition from happiness to anger or sadness. Such a condition can get aggravated due to fatigue.

7: Food Cravings and Aversions


In early pregnancy, you may unexpectedly desire strange foods or drinks. On the other hand, dishes that you usually enjoy may appear unappealing. Researchers are uncertain about the precise reasons behind pregnancy cravings, though several theories may explain them. Changes in hormones during pregnancy might influence our taste and smell perceptions, causing foods that typically appear tasty but may seem bland and vice versa. Some also state that cravings are directly linked to nutritional deficiencies. For instance, if your potassium intake is low, you may have a craving for bananas.


8: Urge to pee often


Frequent urination is an early indicator of pregnancy, leading to numerous bathroom visits both during the day and at night. Changes in hormone, particularly hCG, causes an increase in blood volume. This leads the kidneys to filter more blood, thus putting pressure into the uterus from the urinary bladder.

9: Headaches and Dizziness

Hormonal fluctuations and heightened blood circulation may also lead to unusual headaches in early pregnancy. These may be persistent dull headaches enduring all day or more severe migraine headaches. Tiredness and pressure can exacerbate these symptoms. You may also experience light-headedness more frequently than normal during early pregnancy. Enhanced blood flow directs circulation to your reproductive system and away from your head, which might make you feel lightheaded.


10: Increased Sensitivity to Odours


Many women find that their smell sensitivity to exacerbate during pregnancy. This happens due to a rapid surge in hormones. Most importantly, you may discover some smell quite distasteful that previously did not cause any discomfort.


When Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?


If you experience any combination of the above-mentioned symptoms, but still remain uncertain about pregnancy, consider getting a confirmative test. The most precise testing is performed after a missed period. However, several advanced tests available commercially claim to offer accurate outcomes even before you miss your periods. Most at-home testing kits are able to detect pregnancy hormone (hCG) as early as the initial day since you have missed periods. However, there are also certain highly-sensitive tests that work a few days before. For obtaining the most accurate results, you must:

  • Wait until after your missed period: This is because getting a test too early can result in a false negative (when hCG levels are extremely low).
  • Use the urine sample obtained in the first morning: hCG levels are most concentrated during morning, so, it is best to use that as a sample for test.
  • Follow the guidelines carefully: Every test kit brand may have slightly different instructions for usage.
  • If the test comes positive, schedule an appointment with your gynaecologist immediately to confirm your case. The will also help in obtaining timely prenatal care for your child. However, if the result is negative and you still do not get your periods, wait a few days and retest.


Conclusion


It is difficult to understand if one is really pregnant, especially in the early stages. The above signs are possible indicators of pregnancy, even if you have still not missed your periods. But, the best way to confirm is obtaining a pregnancy test. For detailed diagnosis and expert guidance, make an appointment with your private gynaecologist today.