7 Most Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms to Look For
Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman's life. Your body is undergoing some amazing changes as you prepare to become a mother. But pregnancy can also be a challenging time. You may feel nauseous, tired, and not yourself. The good news is that there are some common early pregnancy symptoms that can help you know if you're pregnant.
25 Pregnancy Symptoms and How to Deal with Them
1. Missed period: This is the most common early pregnancy symptom. If you're pregnant, you'll miss your period.
2. Nausea and vomiting: You may start to feel nauseous and even vomit. This is commonly called "morning sickness," but it can occur at any time of day.
3. Breast changes: Your breasts may begin to feel sore, tingly, or full. They may also be more sensitive to touch.
4. Fatigue: You may find yourself feeling more tired than usual. This is due to increased hormone levels in your body.
5. Frequent urination: As your pregnancy progresses, your uterus will begin to grow and put pressure on your bladder. This will make you feel the need to urinate.
1. Nausea and vomiting
2. Increased fatigue
3. Breast tenderness and changes
4. Frequent urination
5. Headache
6. Mood swings
7. Food aversion and cravings
1. Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are among the most common early pregnancy symptoms. While many women experience some degree of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, some women experience it more than others. For some women, nausea and vomiting can be so severe that they interfere with their ability to eat and drink and can lead to dehydration.
There are some things that can help relieve nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Eating small, frequent meals is often easier on the stomach than large meals. Avoiding trigger foods can also help. These foods can vary from woman to woman, but common foods include spicy or fried foods. Some women find that ginger can help relieve nausea, whether in the form of ginger beer, ginger chunks, or even a few slices of fresh ginger root.
If nausea and vomiting are severe, it's important to talk to a healthcare provider. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to help relieve symptoms.
2. Increased fatigue
It's not uncommon to feel extremely tired during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. This fatigue is often caused by a sudden surge in hormones, particularly progesterone. As the body works hard to support the developing pregnancy, this can lead to fatigue.
There are a number of other factors that can contribute to feeling tired during pregnancy, including:
Anemia: This is a common condition during pregnancy and can cause fatigue. Anemia is caused by a lack of iron in the blood and can be treated with iron supplements.
Blood sugar: Pregnancy can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can lead to fatigue. This can be managed by eating small, frequent meals and avoiding sugary snacks.
Dehydration: It's important to stay hydrated during pregnancy, as this can help reduce fatigue. Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, and avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Sleep: Pregnancy can disrupt sleep, which can contribute to fatigue. It's important to get enough sleep and rest whenever possible.
Stress: Pregnancy can be a stressful time and can lead to exhaustion. Try to relax and take some time for yourself whenever possible.
If you feel extremely tired during pregnancy, it's important to talk to your doctor or midwife. They can advise you on how to manage your fatigue and rule out any other underlying causes.
3. Breast tenderness and changes
One of the most common early symptoms of pregnancy is breast tenderness and changes. This may be a sign that your body is preparing for breastfeeding. Your breasts may feel fuller, heavier, and more tender than usual. You may also notice that your nipples are darker and larger. These changes are usually most noticeable during the first trimester. If you're pregnant, it's important to wear a supportive bra to help with the discomfort. You may also want to avoid caffeine, as it can worsen symptoms.
4. Frequent urination
Frequent urination is one of the most common early pregnancy symptoms. For many women, this can begin as early as one or two weeks after conception.
Frequent urination is caused by increased blood flow to the pelvic area and the pressure of the growing uterus on your bladder. As your pregnancy progresses, your uterus will grow larger, and the pressure will become more intense.
For some women, this pressure can cause mild incontinence. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about. However, if you're leaking urine frequently or in large amounts, you should talk to your doctor.
One way to help relieve pressure on your bladder is to empty it regularly. You should also try to limit your fluid intake, especially in the evening. It's important to stay hydrated, but you don't want to have to wake up throughout the night to use the bathroom.
If you find that you are urinating more than usual and it is causing you discomfort, there are some things you can do to help.
First, make sure you empty your bladder regularly. Second, you can try wearing loose-fitting clothing and avoiding tight waistbands. Third, you can prop your feet up when sitting to relieve pressure on your bladder.
Fourth, you can try pelvic floor exercises. These exercises help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and uterus.
If you're still experiencing discomfort, talk to your doctor. They may be able to prescribe medications to help relieve your symptoms.
5. Headache
Headaches are one of the most common early pregnancy symptoms. You may start experiencing frequent or severe headaches early in pregnancy, which could be a sign that you're pregnant. Headaches are often caused by hormonal changes and can be a sign that your body is adjusting to new hormones. If you're pregnant, you may also notice that your headaches are worse in the morning. This is because the hormones that cause headaches are released in the morning. If you're pregnant and experiencing headaches, you should talk to your doctor. They may recommend a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, to help relieve your headaches.
6. Mood swings
Many women experience mood swings during pregnancy. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including hormonal changes, fatigue, and stress. It's important to be aware of your mood and how it may affect your daily life.
If you find yourself feeling more stressed or irritable than usual, take a step back and try to relax. Take some time for yourself, whether that means taking a bath, reading your favorite book, or going for a walk. Exercise can also help improve your mood.
Talk to your partner or a friend about how you're feeling. It can be helpful to share what you're going through with someone who understands and can offer support. If you're feeling particularly frustrated, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor or mental health professional.
7. Food aversion and cravings
Pregnancy brings with it all sorts of changes, big and small. One of the most common (and often bizarre) changes that can occur is a sudden shift in food preferences or aversions. While some women find they can't stand the thought of certain foods, others may find themselves with sudden and intense cravings for certain things.
For some women, these cravings can be controlled and even somewhat entertaining. However, for others, they can be truly difficult to manage, making mealtimes a source of stress rather than pleasure.
So, what causes food aversions and cravings during pregnancy? Hormonal changes are believed to be the main culprit. As your body begins producing more estrogen and progesterone, these hormonal fluctuations can affect your sense of smell, taste, and even appetite.
Interestingly, research has shown that food aversions are most common during the first trimester of pregnancy, while cravings are more likely to occur during the second and third trimesters. So, if you feel nauseous at the thought of your usual breakfast cereal, or if you've suddenly started craving burgers at 2 a.m., know that you're not alone.
Food aversions can make mealtimes a challenge, but there are some things you can do to make things easier for yourself. First, try not to worry too much about getting the nutrients you need. If you struggle to eat a certain food, there's a good chance you can compensate for it with other foods.
Second, try to be flexible with your meals. If you usually eat three meals a day but struggle with lunch, try eating a larger breakfast or dinner instead. And if you're really struggling, don't be afraid to ask for help. Mealtimes should be enjoyable, so if you're feeling stressed, make sure you have someone who can help you in the kitchen.
Here are the seven most common early pregnancy symptoms. Although some women may not experience all seven symptoms, it's still important to be aware of them. If you think you may be pregnant, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible.