Are you ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime? Before you receive that long-awaited confirmation, some early signs of pregnancy might give you a clue. Let’s dive into the world of early pregnancy symptoms and discover what to keep an eye out for! Missed periods? A feeling of fatigue? Morning sickness?
Early Signs of Pregnancy to look out for:
1. Missed Period
If your menstrual cycle suddenly goes missing, it could be an exciting indication that something unique is happening inside your body. Time to take notice!
Keep in mind that some women have an unusually light period after they’ve already gotten pregnant, but it’s often implantation bleeding, which is easily mistaken for their last menstrual period.
2. Fatigue
Growing a tiny human is no walk in the park – it takes tremendous energy. Being pregnant is hard work, so fatigue is an early pregnancy symptom for almost every mom-to-be. So, if you find yourself feeling more tired than usual, don’t be surprised! Your body is working hard behind the scenes. Much of your energy goes into building a placenta, the life-support system for your baby. Make sure to get all the rest in while you still can!
3. Morning Sickness or Nausea
Ah, the notorious morning sickness! But let’s not be fooled by its name; it can strike any time of the day or night. This is due to your hormonal increase; progesterone levels can cause the stomach to empty slower, resulting in early pregnancy sickness. Usually starting around 6 weeks into your pregnancy, this queasy feeling may become a regular companion on your journey.
4. Sensitive Smell
Prepare to have superpowers in the scent department! During pregnancy, your sense of smell becomes remarkably heightened, making even mild odors seem overpowering or unappealing. Embrace this heightened sensitivity – it’s all part of the magical process.
5. Food Aversions
Suddenly unable to stand the thought of your favorite foods? Your extra-sensitive nose may be responsible for another early sign of pregnancy. This symptom can also contribute to your morning sickness and can be triggered by anything from fried chicken to something blander, like salad.
During the first trimester, developing aversions to certain smells and tastes are common as your body adjusts to the changes happening within.
6. Mood Swings
Hormones are running wild within you, so it’s no surprise that your emotions might be too!
Late into the first trimester and most likely throughout the rest of the pregnancy, you’ll be experiencing mood swings that are, yet again, hormonally related. It is entirely natural for you to be happy one minute and down the next. Remember, your body is going through so many changes. Do what you can to care for yourself, rest up often, and pamper yourself!
7. Breast Changes
You can blame or give credit to the pregnancy hormones (estrogen and progesterone) for the swollen breasts you might be experiencing early in pregnancy. You might notice they feel swollen or tender – totally normal! They’re just getting ready for the incredible journey of milk production. Your areolas may also get darker or increase in size. This is natural during pregnancy.
8. Frequent Urination
Get ready to make friends with your bathroom! The hormone hCG increases blood flow to your kidneys, resulting in more trips to the restroom. Embrace this inconvenience; paying for the miracle growing inside you is a small price.
9. Bloating
Soon after you conceive, you will most likely experience bloating. This is caused by the hormone progesterone, which slows digestion, giving nutrients from foods you eat more time to enter the bloodstream and reach your baby. Bloating can often be accompanied by constipation. Getting enough fiber in your diet can help prevent this!
10. Skin Changes
Pregnancy hormones can affect your skin’s appearance and sensitivity. You may notice pigmentation, spots or acne on your face. Pigmentation changes mainly depend on your genes. So if your mother or sister had them during their pregnancies, you might be more likely to develop them, too. While it may not be the most welcome change, these skin changes usually fade after delivery.
Now that you know what early signs of pregnancy to look out for, get ready to embrace this incredible journey ahead! It’s an adventure filled with excitement, joy, and perhaps a few challenges. But remember, each symptom reminds you of the miracle unfolding within you. Enjoy every moment!
Check out other UC Baby pregnancy-related blogs — Gender Determination: How Early Can You Find Out the Baby’s Gender?
Invite families and friends to witness this memorable event of your pregnancy. Celebrate that special child-bonding moment with your loved ones, wherever they are in the world.
There is nothing more beautiful than your baby's heartbeats. Save that sound forever in a UC Baby® Heartbeat Bear®. It's not just a great keepsake, but also an effective way to sooth your baby to sleep.