What Are The Symptoms Of Pregnancy?

Are you trying to conceive for a while and waiting to find out the ‘Good News’? Are you experiencing some changes in your body but feeling confused if you’re pregnant or not? You may be waiting to feel the fluttering of your baby inside you, give birth to a tiny, adorable factory of joy, wander around kids’ stores, choosing the cute clothes for your little one. But, to start your journey of joyfulness, you must know the early symptoms of pregnancy and get yourself tested at the right time to confirm it.

In this article, we are going to take you through a few such symptoms of pregnancy to help you understand the changes occurring in your body.

What Are The Symptoms Of Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is the term used to describe the period of fetal (baby) development inside a woman's uterus.¹  It usually lasts about 40 weeks/9 months measured from the last menstrual cycle. The period of pregnancy or the gestational period is usually divided into three trimesters.² 

• First trimester – conception to 12 weeks
• Second trimester – 12 to 24 weeks
• Third trimester – 24 to 40 weeks

The symptoms of pregnancy differ from the early pregnancy to late pregnancy trimesters. Approximately, 90% of women experience pregnancy symptoms within 8 weeks after the last menstrual period.³  Let us discuss some of the early pregnancy symptoms in detail here. 

Early Pregnancy Symptoms

• Missed period - Menstrual cycle, or what we usually call periods, is a natural, monthly process in females to release an egg. It helps track reproductive health from menarche (onset of menstrual bleeding during puberty) to menopause (the time that marks the end of the menstrual cycle). After conceiving, there is no egg to release, and thus the uterus lining retains. Therefore, there is no blood shedding by the uterus and, consequently, no periods. ⁴, ⁵
• Implantation bleeding - In the first trimester of pregnancy, some women may experience light bleeding from the vagina after 10-14 days of conceiving and implantation. The spotting may occur as you conceive, and the embryo gets implanted into the uterine wall, resulting in the breakdown of some blood vessels. Although, the bleeding usually lasts only from a few hours to three days.⁶, ⁷

• Tender, swollen breasts - In the early weeks of pregnancy, a woman may experience tender, swollen breasts due to hormonal changes. The breasts may become sensitive and sore causing discomfort in the early pregnancy. ⁷

• Nausea with or without vomiting - Morning sickness or nausea is another early pregnancy symptom that begins one to two months after conceiving. One could experience nausea with or without vomiting sensations, at any time during day or night. However, some women feel these symptoms earlier or some never even experience it. The symptoms, however, clear up by 16-20 weeks of pregnancy and do not put the baby at any risk.⁸

• Fatigue - It is one of the most common early signs of pregnancy which refers to an overwhelming or sustained sense of exhaustion and decreased physical-mental capacity. Severe fatigue in pregnant women can increase the risk of prolong labor, preterm birth, vaginal delivery by operation, cesarean delivery and also postpartum depression. Also, lack of sleep during pregnancy may intensify the risk of depression in the last trimester.⁹

• Frequent Urination - It is a common early sign of pregnancy. It can start within weeks after conception.The increased levels of progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormones lead to urinary frequency.¹⁰ While some pregnant individuals may experience mild changes, others may feel the need to continuously run to the bathroom throughout the day and night. If you’re pregnant and notice frequent urination along with pain while urinating or other symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI), it’s essential to consult your doctor promptly.

Other Less common symptoms of pregnancy in first  week

Other less obvious signs and symptoms of pregnancy that you might experience during the first trimester include:

• Moodiness-  Mood swings, a frequently seen symptom of pregnancy, are likely to be experienced in the first trimester. During pregnancy, levels of hormones such as estrogen & progesterone fluctuate, which may trigger anxiety leading to mood swings. As the body becomes more accustomed to these fluctuating hormone levels, the mood changes also tend to decrease ¹¹
• Constipation- Pregnant women have higher functional constipation due to increased progesterone, reduced exercise and higher protein and fat content to fulfill the nutritional needs. Constipation increases the level of toxins in pregnancy leading to serious negative effects on growth of the baby. It also causes  imbalance in trace elements, metabolic and endocrine (hormone secreting) disorders.¹²
• Food aversions- Pregnant women might experience dislike for some foods despite their nutritional levels. It is hypothesized that symptoms like food aversion, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy could be an evolved mechanism to protect women and the growing baby.¹³ 

How Early Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start?

For many women, these signs appear at about 4 or 6 weeks after implantation.¹⁵ However, there are some who experience early signs within a week or two after conception while others may remain symptomless for months.¹⁴ 

Can You Feel Pregnant Before You Miss Your Period?

Absolutely! You may feel pregnant even before your missed period. Such early signals as exhaustion and morning sickness may begin within a couple of weeks following conception ⁸, ⁹ These symptoms are caused by changes in hormonal levels which enable some women to know that they are pregnant even before their periods stop. Nevertheless, experiences differ widely for every individual.

Is It Possible To Experience Early Pregnancy Symptoms Without Actually Being Pregnant?

Certainly, there are early pregnancy symptoms that occur in the absence of pregnancy. These symptoms are also common to hormonal changes, illnesses, stress and other medical conditions. Consequently, these signs are not sufficient enough to confirm pregnancy, and it is suggested that an accurate diagnosis be reached by using a pregnancy test.¹⁵

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Concluding Note!

If you think you might be pregnant, it is important to be aware of the common symptoms of pregnancy and get a pregnancy test as early as possible. In addition to getting tested and managing these symptoms, it is also crucial for expecting parents to consider the well-being of the baby on board. One such consideration is to save the potent stem cells in the cord blood. Lifecell’s BabyCord is a one-stop umbilical cord blood banking solution to help protect your baby & family from the impact of 90+ medical conditions like blood cancers, metabolic diseases or immune disorders in future.¹⁶ 

In addition, you can also start hunting for the necessary items you might need after the birth of your baby, like strollers, feeding bottles, and more! Remember, being thoroughly prepared is the best strategy for a healthy & happy parenthood journey.