Am I Pregnant ? Know Top 10 signs and symptoms

Hey there!, since you are here on this page most probably you have a thing which is called “intuition” that you might be "pregnant".

A missed menstrual period is often the first and most common recognizable sign of a possible pregnancy, but there are other signs and symptoms of early pregnancy as well.

Every pregnancy is different so not all women have all symptoms or experience them in similar way. The intensity, duration and frequency of symptoms vary in each pregnancy. In fact, no two pregnancies in a single woman are the same.

The most common symptoms of early pregnancy (first trimester) are discussed below

1. Missed Period

Perhaps the most obvious early symptoms of pregnancy is when you have missed your periods (amenorrhea). Some women might have lighter than normal bleeding. In some cases, women can observe some spotting as early as 1-2 weeks after conception also known as implantation bleeding which is generally lighter than normal periods.

Missed periods can also be caused due to various other reasons and so is not always a confirmation of pregnancy. It should be accompanied by performing a pregnancy test.

2. Nausea or Vomiting

Commonly known as “Morning Sickness” (even though this can strike at any time of the day) is most popular because of the movies or films. In some rare cases, the symptoms can begin as early as 2 weeks of conception and can last throughout the pregnancy but in most of the cases, the symptoms start to fade towards the end of the first trimester. 

The probable cause is the elevated levels of estrogen which might delay the emptying of the stomach.

The other cause can be intensified sense of smell which can leads to nausea-like symptoms when you smell some common things like the smell of cooking food, cigarette smoke or perfumes.

3. Constipation

Linked to elevated levels of estrogen and delay in emptying of the stomach is another symptom which is constipation.

4. Faintness or Dizziness

Dizziness or lightheadedness can be known to cause due to increased level of blood circulation. The lowering of blood pressure and blood sugar level can also aggravate the symptoms.

5. Swollen Breasts

It can also be one of the first symptoms to appear as early as 2 weeks after conception. Due to hormonal changes the breast might feel fuller, heavier and tender.

The symptoms could be similar to premenstrual pain. The sore breast and the pain associated with the same may last longer due to increased progesterone levels during pregnancy.

6. Fatigue

One of the very common symptoms during pregnancy. The increased level of progesterone can induce sleep.

All the factors like lowered blood pressure, blood sugar level and increased production of blood can leave you feeling dizzy and tired.

7. Food Cravings and Aversions

You can have very strange and very different food habits during pregnancy. You can have special cravings for some food items and will be totally uninterested in others; even though you used to like it at some time.

The heightened smell sensation also leave you pulling your nose from some food items. The symptoms generally fades post first trimester. 

8. Abdominal Bloating and Cramping

This ones my favourite because I experienced it during my second pregnancy and I end up visiting gastroenterologist twice before actually realising that it could be because of pregnancy.

The increased progesterone levels can make your abdomen feel bloated, fuller and heavier and you can have PMS like cramps. You might be releasing more gas than usual but again the symptoms starts fading towards end of first trimester.

9. Elevated Basal Temperature

This is one of the common measures used by women who are trying to get pregnant.

The basal temperature is the body temperature at rest and is usually measured as first thing after getting up in the morning. The basal temperature generally rise during ovulation and stay elevated until next menstrual cycle. If the increased temperature stays longer, this might mean that you are pregnant. 

10. Frequent Urination

The urge to urinate frequently can be because of the increase in the hormone chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) level which increases blood flow to the pelvic area.

Later in the pregnancy, the urination frequency increases accounting for growing baby size which puts pressure on the bladder.

Other Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms 

1. Moodiness : being anxious, depressed, irritated.

2. Light Spotting / Implantation Bleeding.

3. Nasal Congestion.

4. Stress & Anxiety.

5. Headaches.

6. Melasma : (darkening of skin) near nose, cheeks, forehead area.

7. Back pain.

8. Heart burns

Whichever might be your case, what’s more important is to remember that in the end it will all have a happy ending.

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is best to know the cause as soon as possible. The sooner you know you are pregnant, the sooner the prenatal care can be started.

Happy Pregnancy!

References

• Jewell D, Young G. Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2003, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD000145.
• Anderson AS. Constipation during pregnancy: incidence and methods used in treatment in a group of Cambridgeshire women. Health Visit 1984; 57: 363–364.
  
• E B Hook. Dietary cravings and aversions during pregnancy. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1978; Volume 31, Issue 8: 1355–1362.