Early Pregnancy Symptoms Explained

We have a guest post written by Molly B. who has also written at length about forensic science education and the benefits of online courses. I thought this was an interesting post because as I explained in my Battle with Infertility, I didn’t know I was pregnant this second time until I was nine weeks! I love the tips Molly has given to help ease your mind (whether you are a new mom to be or this is your second, third etc. time around) because being pregnant can be scary and every little thing you feel or think you feel may have you freaking out! With my previous miscarriage, I was so nervous about every little thing with Cody and with this pregnancy. I started spotting this time around and let me tell you- I TOTALLY FREAKED OUT! I wish I would have read this before hand to ease my mind a little!

If you’ve just had a bedroom mishap or perhaps you and your partner have been trying to reproduce for some time, knowing the facts will help you figure out if your body is telling you that you have a little bun in the oven, a bad case of indigestion, or something else. Read on for how to identify the early symptoms of pregnancy.

First, it’s important to know that many mothers, especially first-time mothers, can overreact to some very normal symptoms of early pregnancy. Often these women assume the worst–that they might be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, sub-chorionic bleeding, or a miscarriage. While these extremely unfortunate events are possibilities, not every twinge or discomfort should send you running to the ER.

A common symptom of early pregnancy that people may worry over or even confuse with their regular menstrual period is light to moderate spotting. A small amount of spotting may be one of the first signs of pregnancy. This is known as implantation bleeding, and it occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, about two weeks after ovulation. Spotting is lighter in color and volume than a menstrual period. Also, implantation bleeding shouldn’t last as long as a normal period.

Next, pregnancy might bring about vomiting or nausea. You have probably already heard the term “morning sickness,” but it can occur during any time of the day. Feelings of nausea are due to fluctuating estrogen levels that cause the stomach to empty slower than normal. Unfortunately, a pregnant woman’s heightened sense of smell often contributes to the frequency and severity of her nausea. While it may be smart to avoid fish markets for a while, be thankful for this evolutionary advantage. Your ‘nose knows’ you’re pregnant early on, perhaps even before you do, and is doing its best to prevent you from consuming potentially hazardous food, such as undercooked meats or spoiled fruits.

Always feeling like you just stood up too fast? You might just be in your first trimester. Due to increased blood flow to the womb — away from the brain — dizziness and even fainting are signs of early pregnancy. Standing up for extended period of times or engaging in physical activity can make pregnant women feel lightheaded. Swelling of the uterus compresses the arteries in the legs, drops the blood pressure, and can cause that wobbly feeling in your knees.

A very noticeable sign of early pregnancy is heavier, swollen, and tender breasts. When you’re pregnant, your body prepares to make milk so that you can breastfeed, which coincides with a rapid change in hormone levels. In addition to tenderness, you also might experience a darkening of the areolas or more pronounced veins on your breasts. Breast tenderness is often a premenstrual symptom, but during pregnancy, it is much more intense. Lastly, bloating, fatigue, and frequent urination may also indicate that you might be expecting.

With all these symptoms in mind, if you suspect you might be pregnant and/or you are experiencing symptoms that seem severe or out of the ordinary, please notify your primary care physician or OB/GYN as soon as possible. Nothing comes before your health or the health of the unborn baby you might be carrying. Pregnancy resource centers are widely available for your assistance.

Thanks Molly for your insight! Please keep this in mind for yourself or family/ friends who are expecting! It might save you a trip to the doc :)