HOW TO KNOW IF I’M PREGNANT: 11 EARLY SIGNS OF PREGNANCY

Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Joshua Isibor

Do you feel pregnant? Didn’t you take a post-pill, morning-after pill, or contraception? Or do you just feel weird in funny ways? Well, check out these early signs or symptoms that are associated with the early stage of pregnancy as early as one week even before you miss your period. Perhaps you already experienced some of them, it’s best you visit a drugstore to get a PT strip or see an OB-Gynecologist.

11 EARLY SIGNS OF PREGNANCY

1. SORE BREASTS

One of the very early signs of pregnancy is sore breasts as they may feel extra tender or bloated. Some become really sensitive to touch and feel heavy. This is because, in early pregnancy, you produce more estrogen and progesterone; thus, the glands in the breast start growing too. The production of these baby hormones (i.e. estrogen and progesterone) makes the breasts retain fluids. This in turn causes the breast to swell and sensitive.

2. ‘PREGNANCY NIPPLES’

Baby hormones also alter the activities of the cells in the nipples of your breast responsible for color. Thus, the nipple appears darker than usual. For ladies with a darker complexion, this color difference may not show till later in pregnancy.

3. BLOATING

You can easily mistake bloating for a sign of PMS instead of pregnancy. This is because; it results from an increased level of progesterone in the body. However, in PMS, the bloating stops when your period comes. But, if the bloating doesn’t stop and your period still didn’t come be ready to get a test done. You may start finding it hard to fit in your skinny jeans, bodycon dress, and miniskirts.

4. FATIGUE

Your body works all round the clock daily to support the baby when you are pregnant. Thus, you get tired of practically doing nothing. You may sit down all day and still be tired. However, the fatigue is not a result of any physical activity you indulged in; but from the pregnancy. Because you produce more baby hormones (progesterone), your basal body temperature increases and this causes a lack of energy.
Another reason for fatigue during pregnancy is that your heart pumps faster to supply enough oxygen to both you and the baby. These internal workings tire you out.

ALSO, READ 14 Possible Benefits Of Drinking Coconut Water In Pregnancy

5. IMPLANTATION BLEEDING

After fertilization (when the sperm fertilize the eggs), implantation occurs. This may result in light vaginal spotting or implantation bleeding. And many times, people mistake it for a period but here are a few differences
• It is generally lighter than a normal flow
• Spotting takes less day than a normal flow
• Spotting is usually brown or pink while a normal flow is red

IMPORTANT NOTICE
In the first trimester, three major things may be the possible reasons for bleeding though there are more and they include
 Miscarriage
 Ectopic pregnancy
 Certain types of infections
Thus, we advise that you always notify your doctor when you think you are expecting so that you can get appropriate care.

6. CRAMPS AND BACKACHE

source; MOM356

A large percentage of ladies certainly tend to mistake early signs of pregnancy, for PMS symptoms. However, they are both caused by the growth of the uterus and changes in the hormonal balance in the body. These cramps are actually triggered by IMPLANTATION (this is when the fertilized egg of the woman attaches to the wall of her uterus). Thus, the uterus stretches a little which in turn causes cramps or backaches and only about 30% of women experience this ‘Cramping After Conception.’

7. NAUSEA

This symptom also has to do with baby hormone (progesterone). Among the many other symptoms that accompany the increase of progesterone in the body, nausea is one of them. And this is because it causes a lot of things in the body to slow down. And this includes the digestive process in the digestive system which results in constipation and even indigestion. Because the digestive process is slowed down, the stomach attempts to purge some of it out either through the mouth or the other exit.

Nausea may also result from the increase of (hCG) human chorionic gonadotropin in the body. Note that hCG is also a baby hormone as you can find it in a mother’s blood or urine even before she misses her period.

8. FREQUENT URINATION

frequent urination 

People often think that this symptom appears later; when the baby starts to press on your bladder. However, this is untrue for some ladies as this start almost immediately after conception.
Furthermore, frequent urination can also be as a result of the extra blood flow to the kidneys. And this causes them to produce more urine. Although this may be bothersome, it is advisable not to cut back on fluid intake.

9. CONSTIPATION

Food may not pass through as quickly as it ought to because your digestive process has slowed down in the digestive system. The same baby hormones responsible for bloating also cause constipation. This constipation may increase as the pregnancy progresses.

10. BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE

To measure your basal body temperature, use a special digital basal thermometer to check your oral temperature first thing in the morning. Your constant temperature rises by a degree when your egg is released and this remains till your period. Thus, if your basal body temperature has not decreased for more than a week, it should be a baby on the way.

11. NOSE NUISANCES

Because the blood volume is increasing, it puts more pressure on the very delicate vessels like the ones found in the nose. Thus, nose bleeding, nasal congestion, and runny nose are quite common in pregnancy. The baby hormone (estrogen) makes the blood vessels dilate; therefore, contributing to the swelling of the mucous membranes found in the nose. Also, the increased progesterone in the body contributes to it.

In conclusion

One of the most classic signs of pregnancy is a “missed period”. While a significant percentage of women keep tabs on their period cycle, others just don’t see the importance. Some of the symptoms above start to show up even before you miss your period. Although stress, mood, and temperature, can delay your period; it should not be mistaken for pregnancy. Thus, we advise you to check with a pregnancy test strip or any other apparatus at your disposal.

ALSO, READ 21 Useful Tips To Improve Your Chances Of Pregnancy

Originally posted 2021-01-16 21:57:14.