Pregnancy symptoms: What happens first

Do you know the first symptoms of pregnancy? From nausea to fatigue, know what to expect.

Common signs and symptoms of pregnancy

Could you be pregnant? The proof is in the pregnancy test. However, even before you miss a period, you might suspect (or expect) that you’re pregnant. Know the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy and why they occur.

Common signs and symptoms of pregnancy

Common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy may include:

• Missed period. If you are of childbearing age and it has been a week or more since you started an expected menstrual cycle, you may be pregnant. However, this symptom can be misleading if you have irregular menstrual cycles.
• Tender and swollen breasts. Early in pregnancy, hormonal changes can cause your breasts to become tender and swollen. The discomfort will likely subside after a few weeks as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes.
• Nausea with or without vomiting. Morning sickness can strike at any time of the day or night and often begins a month or two after becoming pregnant. However, some women feel nausea earlier and others never get it. Although the cause of morning sickness during pregnancy is unclear, pregnancy hormones likely play a role.
• Increased urination. You may urinate more often than usual. The amount of blood in your body increases during pregnancy, causing your kidneys to process extra fluid that ends up in your bladder.
• Fatigue. Fatigue is also one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. No one knows for sure what causes sleepiness during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, a rapid rise in levels of the hormone progesterone early in pregnancy can contribute to fatigue.

Other signs and symptoms of pregnancy

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

• Mood swings. The rush of hormones in your body at the beginning of pregnancy can make you feel unusually emotional and tearful. Mood swings are also common.
• Abdominal bloating. Hormonal changes during early pregnancy can make you feel bloated, similar to how you would feel at the start of a menstrual period.
• Light spotting. Light spotting can be one of the first signs of pregnancy. It’s known as implantation bleeding and occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, about 10 to 14 days after conception. Implantation bleeding occurs around the time you’d expect to get your menstrual period. However, not all women get it.
  
  What To Eat To Get Pregnant Early
  
• Cramping. Some women experience mild uterine cramping early in pregnancy.
• Constipation. Hormonal changes cause the digestive system to slow down, which can lead to constipation.
• Food aversions. When you’re pregnant, you might become more sensitive to certain smells and your sense of taste might change. Like most other pregnancy symptoms, these food preferences can be attributed to hormonal changes.
• Nasal congestion. Increased hormone levels and blood production can cause the mucous membranes in your nose to swell, dry out, and bleed easily. This can cause you to have a stuffy or runny nose.

Are you really pregnant?

Many of these signs and symptoms are not unique to pregnancy. Some may indicate that you are getting sick or that your period is about to start. Likewise, you can be pregnant without many of these symptoms.

Still, if you miss your period and notice some of the signs or symptoms above, take a home pregnancy test or see your healthcare provider. If your home pregnancy test result is positive, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. The sooner your pregnancy is confirmed, the sooner you can begin prenatal care.

If you are planning to conceive or have just found out you are pregnant, start taking a prenatal vitamin every day. Prenatal vitamins typically contain important vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid and iron, to support your baby’s growth and development.

Where to get help

In an emergency, call 000 for an ambulance

Your GP (doctor)

Midwife

Obstetrician

Your maternity hospital

Your maternal and child health nurse

Pharmacist

 Tel. 1800 013 952
Sexual Health Victoria