You probably know the classic signs of early pregnancy: nausea, extreme fatigue, no periods. But did you know that there are many others? Do you know how long these more or less uncomfortable symptoms last and whether they are enough to let you know that you are really expecting a baby?
SUMMARY :
- How to recognize the first signs of pregnancy for sure?
- 3 Months of Symptoms: Your First Pregnancy Calendar
- Is it possible to be pregnant without any signs?
- You're almost sure you're going to have a baby: how can you confirm your pregnancy?
How to recognize the first signs of pregnancy for sure?
A few days late on your period doesn't make you a future mother yet, that's true. But, still, you ask yourself questions. What if a new life is already nestling inside you? Discover the main signs to watch for to make sure.
Late period: the main sign
If your period doesn't start on the expected date , you may be pregnant. However, irregular cycles or high stress levels can, among other things, cause your period to be delayed or suspended for a few days or several cycles. This is called amenorrhea .
The first physical changes that intrigue
As soon as the embryo is implanted, your body sends you other signals, more or less subtle, which can arouse your suspicions.
- Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. It is also called nidation, which occurs about 6 days after the sexual intercourse leading to conception . However, you may not notice it; this discharge can be very discreet.
- Early on, your breasts may be more tender and rounder, more swollen or more tender . They are preparing for lactation . These changes are due to the rising levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body.
- Right from the beginning, an intense, overwhelming fatigue sets in. You feel like sleeping all the time and that's normal , your body is working hard. Progesterone levels increase to strengthen the uterine wall and maintain the pregnancy, while your blood pressure and sugar levels drop. Drowsiness, a symptom that you will find again in the third trimester.
- Quickly, food cravings can push you to snack all the time, or to favor various foods like pickles, strawberries, watermelon, spring rolls… that you didn't necessarily like before. It's hard to resist pregnancy cravings !
Hormonal upheavals that raise doubts
The accumulation of symptoms helps you to clarify your intuition and gradually obtain confirmation of your condition. If you check all the boxes, there is indeed a good chance that you will have the joy of expecting a baby.
- Nausea appears, especially in the morning , around one month of pregnancy and throughout the first trimester. It can be accompanied by vomiting and you can suffer from it when you get out of bed (this is often the case), during the day following a smell, at the sight of a dish… or not at all. The pregnancy hormone HCG released by the placenta is the main factor causing their appearance.
Do you know what hyperemesis gravidarum is? Expectant mothers who suffer from it experience such intense and frequent vomiting that they cannot keep down any food or drink. A condition that, fortunately, is most often treatable.
- Hormones, stress and fatigue often cause sudden and unexplained changes in mood , feelings of crying or irritation, which can also alert you.
- Increased blood flow to the pelvic area and increased levels of estrogen and progesterone in the blood cause more abundant white vaginal discharge (light and odorless) from the beginning of pregnancy. Called leukorrhea, this is an additional clue for you.
Late period: other explanations
A late period is always a cause for stress because it does not happen without reason. However, the causes of this delay are very varied and do not always indicate an ongoing pregnancy.
Intense stress , a professional change , exams , jet lag , a restrictive diet , intense sports practice , but also certain medications , an infection , ovarian cysts or even a thyroid disorder can disrupt your cycle.
However, if you experience repeated delays without explanation, if your cycles are very irregular, if your periods have been absent for more than 3 months without pregnancy, if bleeding starts between your periods and if you are in unusual pain, contact your doctor or gynecologist for an examination.
Conversely, when you are pregnant, you may still (although rarely) have your period on the expected date. Called "birthday periods" , these losses can mask the beginning of pregnancy, especially if no other symptoms appear, or if they are mild.
Differentiating early signs of pregnancy from premenstrual syndrome
It's true that PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is very similar to the early symptoms of pregnancy: food cravings, fatigue, mood swings... except that your period eventually starts.
If you have any doubts and don't want to wait without knowing, go to the pharmacy to buy an early detection pregnancy test! These devices are capable of detecting in the urine, a tiny level of beta-HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced by the placenta) of the order of 10 mIU/ml.
3 Months of Symptoms: Your First Pregnancy Calendar
|
Pregnancy weeks |
Common symptoms |
| 1 - 2 |
Fertilization and implantation. No noticeable symptoms or slight spotting (bleeding) |
| 3 - 4 (1 month) |
Fatigue, sensitive breasts |
| 5 - 6 |
Morning sickness, increased need to urinate, exhaustion |
| 7 - 8 (2 months) |
Sensitivity to odors, mood swings, bloating |
| 9 - 10 |
Changes in appetite, sometimes slight weight gain or loss, headaches |
| 11 - 12 (3 months) |
Decrease in nausea for some, gradual increase in energy |
Of course, every woman and every pregnancy is different, so you may experience very few of these symptoms or you may experience more.
These Less Common, But Very Real, Signs That You're Probably Pregnant
- You will also need to pee more often . This is due to your uterus growing and pressing on your bladder. This change can also cause cramps and some temporary pain, relieved by applying a hot water bottle.
- Bloating or a feeling of bloating may also be felt. This time, as is often the case, it is your hormones that are to blame.
- Because pregnancy slows down digestion, temporary digestive problems (diarrhea, constipation) can impact your comfort of life. Drink plenty of water and adopt a diet rich in fiber to alleviate them.
- In the same way and for the same reason, headaches can become more frequent. To prevent them, mineral water is still your ally and to relieve them, avoid self-medication. Instead, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
- Your nose may be more blocked often : increased hormone levels and blood flow are congesting it. To help you, consider a nasal spray based on physiological serum.
- Also, your skin can play tricks on you with an acne outbreak that is as sudden as it is unpleasant. Here, there is only one remedy: patience.
- Some women still report a metallic, ferrous taste in their mouths . Called dysgeusia, this relatively common phenomenon is mainly due to hormonal fluctuations such as increased estrogen levels.
- Because the skin stretches, especially on the stomach and breasts, itching may occur. However, if it is intense and generalized, it may indicate cholestasis of pregnancy. As a precaution, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.
- Insomnia is a fairly common pregnancy symptom in the 3rd trimester. However, due to hormonal changes, pregnancy-related anxiety or nausea, early onset is possible.
How long do pregnancy symptoms last?
The duration and nature of early signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman. While they usually begin in the first few weeks, they can appear in the first few days and last for 9 months or so, although their intensity also varies. In general, the first trimester is the most difficult , as it is marked by intense hormonal changes, while the second is more stable.
Is it possible to be pregnant without knowing it?
Yes, it is entirely possible to be expecting a child without showing any signs of impending motherhood. The symptoms, premature or not, are different for each baby. Moreover, learning to detect them also depends on how much you listen to your body.
It is also said that the signs are more subtle for the first child and become more and more pronounced with each pregnancy if you have several.
You're almost sure you're going to have a baby: how can you confirm your pregnancy?
To confirm your doubts, the first thing to do is to get a pregnancy test, preferably one to two weeks after the expected date of your period, with the first urine of the morning.
Available over the counter in pharmacies and now in supermarkets, there are many of them and they all work on the same principle. They measure the level of Beta-HCG in the urine , which appears about 10 days after the fertilization of the egg by the sperm . But be careful, even if they are 99% reliable, a false positive or a false negative are never impossible.
To be sure and to be able to announce your pregnancy to your partner , ask your doctor to prescribe a Beta HCG blood test. This blood test is 100% reliable from a few days after conception.
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Your first medical appointment while waiting for baby
Once your pregnancy has been confirmed by a test or blood test, make an appointment with your doctor or midwife, ideally before 8 weeks of amenorrhea . This first consultation is essential.
- A complete examination will be carried out to check your state of health.
- This is the start of your pregnancy monitoring!
- And the right time to ask all the questions about your pregnancy declaration (to be sent to Social Security before the end of the 3rd month).
Finally, congratulations from the entire Élhée Team! If you are expecting a baby, you will find here all the kindness, all the advice and all the accessories, including birth bottles and physiological pacifiers , that you need to enjoy fulfilling parenthood.
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