Pregnancy may bring along some recognizable symptoms that make you take a pregnancy test. That being said, some women don’t experience the usual early healthy pregnancy signs and symptoms, while others experience only some of them.
When pregnancy symptoms start can vary from one woman to another, and early signs of pregnancy might not even show up until the second trimester for some women.
Early Signs Of Pregnancy
Classic signs:
- Missed period
- Morning sickness
- Inexplicable fatigue
- Tender and swollen breasts (sometimes with spider veins)
- Increased urination
- Smell sensitivity and food aversions
- Temperature changes
- Mood swings
Other signs:
- Cramping and spotting
- Heart palpitations
- Breast and nipple changes
- Food cravings
- A metallic taste in your mouth
- Headaches and dizziness
- High blood pressure
15 Healthy Pregnancy Symptoms
Missed Period
The most common pregnancy symptom is a missed period. It’s the most obvious sign of pregnancy as it shows your body has stopped the shedding of your uterus lining, preventing the bleeding. Still, missing a period does not always mean[1] you’re pregnant. Irregular periods can occur due to stress, dieting, hormone replacement therapy, or overexercising.
Not every woman experiences a missed menstrual period. Some women continue to experience spotting for the first few months and mistake it for a period. Some women experience early pregnancy symptoms before a missed period.
Recommendations
- If you missed a period and you had unprotected sex in the last month, take a pregnancy test
- Schedule a visit with your gynecologist for an ultrasound and a blood test
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness usually occurs in the first trimester, but some women experience it all day long and even into the third trimester. Usually, it peaks by the end of the first trimester and slowly fades away, but it doesn’t always have to be the case.
Some women experience only nausea, sometimes coupled with dizziness, while others struggle with vomiting as well. The reason behind this early sign of pregnancy is still unknown. Some experts believe it could be due to low blood glucose levels or the rise in pregnancy hormones, but it’s known to be triggered and worsened by stress, motion sickness (sensitivity to motion), and specific foods.
Recommendations
- Ginger herbal[2] might help relieve nausea
- Some women find acupuncture and acupressure helpful
- Keep crackers, saltines, and other dry carbohydrates near your bed and eat them as soon as you wake up
- Stay hydrated throughout the day
- Vitamin B6
- Over-the-counter drugs like Unisom
Inexplicable Fatigue
One of the early pregnancy symptoms is extreme tiredness and fatigue which makes it hard for you to perform your usual daily activities. This is due to high levels of the hormone progesterone as well as an increased blood volume which makes you feel sleepy.
The fatigue is usually the worst in the first trimester and goes away in the second, but in some cases, it comes back in the third trimester. However, some women don’t experience overwhelming fatigue at all.
Recommendations
- Get as much sleep as your body needs
- Take naps
- Stay hydrated
- Change your sleep posture or get pregnancy pillows for support
Tender And Swollen Breasts
The hormonal changes you’re going through often cause your breasts to become really tender and swollen. Breast tenderness usually fades away after your body starts getting adjusted to the new hormonal profile, but some women tend to experience this symptom for a few weeks. Additionally, some women may notice spider veins on their breasts. These are a sign of an increased blood flow[3] that exists to carry nutrients to the baby efficiently.
Recommendations
- Switch up your tight bras for comfortable fabrics and fits
- Buy comfortable bras you can “grow into”
Increased Urination
Another common symptom of pregnancy is frequent trips to the bathroom. Since your body produces more blood, your kidneys increase the amount of liquid to process, filling up your bladder.
Recommendations
- Stay hydrated
- Take electrolytes if needed
- Plan out when and how you’ll be able to go to the bathroom ahead of time (if possible)
Smell Sensitivity And Food Aversions
A common early pregnancy sign is an increased sensitivity to smells as well as an aversion to certain foods you used to enjoy. There’s little scientific evidence behind it, but many women report triggers and changes in scents and taste, especially those they used to love.
During the first and sometimes even third trimester, your sense of smell becomes heightened[4] and can therefore trigger nausea and vomiting. On the other hand, some women experience no aversions or changes in smell.
Recommendations
- Avoid scents and foods that trigger nausea
- Use the microwave more to avoid the smells of cooked food
- Use saline nose sprays to keep your membranes moist
- Surround yourself with scents of mint, lemon, and cinnamon in a diffuser, essential oil, or air spray
Changes In Body Temperature
Another common sign of pregnancy is an increased body temperature. Your basal body temperature has to be higher than usual, and it has to be consistent. Otherwise, the reason for the increase in temperature might be heat, exercise, or illness.
The reason for a higher body temperature is an elevated level of progesterone, whose job is to prevent the shedding of your uterus lining and aid in the implantation of the fertilized egg.
Recommendations
- Keep your bedroom cool at night so that you don’t sweat too much
- Get a blood draw to rule out any potential infections
Mood Swings
Mood swings are a common early pregnancy symptom. They’re caused by an increase in pregnancy hormones, estrogen, and progesterone and they can range from mild to severe. You can experience feelings of irritability and euphoria but also anxiety and depression.
Recommendations
- Once you become aware of your mood swings, try to do your best to control them; use mindfulness techniques such as progressive relaxation or meditation
Cramping And Spotting
One-third of women may still experience cramping and light bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy, usually mistaking it for a period. This is also known as implantation bleeding, and it typically occurs 10-14 days after conception.
Recommendations
- See your gynecologist so they can rule out any potential issues
- If you think you might be experiencing implantation bleeding, take a home pregnancy test and see your doctor
Heart Palpitations
Your body is producing more blood and increasing its blood flow which can result in heart palpitations that show up as fluttering, irregular heartbeats, and pounding. They are harmless and very common, usually going away after delivery.
Recommendations
- Heart palpitations can be scary, so see your doctor if you feel like they’re happening too often
- If you have a history of arrhythmia or any other heart problem, definitely get checked out
Nipple Changes
During pregnancy, your breasts will become tender and swollen, but the hormones may also cause changes in your nipples. The areolas around your nipples may become darker and larger, and they might even stick out more than usual. This is all due to hormonal changes and your body preparing to create milk.
Recommendations
- If your nipples feel too sore or are painful, see your doctor; using warm moist heat may offer some relief
- Relieve tenderness and pain by wearing a comfortable bra and avoid any tight compression
- Get nipple covers to lower the chances of chafing
Food Cravings
Some women may start experiencing food cravings pretty early on. Hormonal changes drive this, and it doesn’t have to happen to every woman.
A Metallic Taste In Your Mouth
On some occasions, women report getting a metallic taste in their mouths in the early pregnancy stages. It’s caused by a surge of estrogen and progesterone, changing your taste buds, and is known as dysgeusia.[5]
Recommendations
- Eat tart and acidic foods
- Mix water and salt or baking soda and gargle for 30 seconds in your mouth
Headaches And Dizziness
Very common in early pregnancy; headaches and dizziness occur due to hormonal changes and increased blood volume.
Recommendations
- Track your blood pressure regularly
- Have a snack handy in case your blood sugar drops
- Stand up slowly from chairs and beds
High Blood Pressure
With the increased blood volume, your blood pressure can elevate. This can, in turn, cause dizziness and headaches, so make sure to check your blood pressure regularly.
When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start?
In most cases, pregnancy symptoms can start as early as a few days after conception. Early signs of pregnancy before a missed menstrual period include tender and swollen breasts, nausea, and sensitivity to smell.
Are You Really Pregnant?
Even though these are all listed as early healthy pregnancy signs and symptoms, they don’t have to be, and you might not be pregnant. The only way to know for sure is to take home pregnancy tests and wait to see if you’ll get two lines (or a plus sign) and go visit your gynecologist, who will perform a blood test and do an ultrasound.
Conclusion
Some pregnancy symptoms are very common, and others might not. Even though not every woman experiences them, they are all caused by hormonal changes your body is going through to prepare for the baby. Getting a positive pregnancy test is usually a confirmation, but it’s always best to see your doctor and get a positive ultrasound and a blood test to ensure you’re really pregnant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early do pregnancy symptoms start?
In most cases, as early as a few days after conception. Early pregnancy symptoms before a missed period include tender and swollen breasts, nausea, and sensitivity to smell.
Do all women get early symptoms of pregnancy?
No, some women don’t get any early symptoms of pregnancy.
When should I take a pregnancy test?
Usually, women take a pregnancy test after a missed period, but if you have been trying to conceive or other symptoms start presenting themselves intensely, you can try as soon as 21 days after the unprotected intercourse has occurred.
+ 5 Sources
- Aladashvili-Chikvaidze, N., Kristesashvili, J. and Gegechkori, M. (2015). Types of reproductive disorders in underweight and overweight young females and correlations of respective hormonal changes with BMI. Iranian journal of reproductive medicine, [online] 13(3), pp.135–40. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4426152/.
- Lete, I. and José Allué (2016). The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and Chemotherapy. Integrative medicine insights, [online] 11, pp.IMI.S36273–IMI.S36273. doi:https://doi.org/10.4137/imi.s36273.
- Sanghavi, M. and Rutherford, J.D. (2014). Cardiovascular Physiology of Pregnancy. Circulation, [online] 130(12), pp.1003–1008. doi:https://doi.org/10.1161/circulationaha.114.009029.
- Dikici, O., Bayar Muluk, N., Sahin, E. and Altintoprak, N. (2017). Effects of pregnancy on olfaction. ENT Updates, [online] 7(2), pp.104–107. doi:https://doi.org/10.2399/jmu.2017002009.
- Jafari, A., Arezoo Alaee and Ghods, K. (2021). The etiologies and considerations of dysgeusia: A review of literature. Journal of Oral Biosciences, [online] 63(4), pp.319–326. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.job.2021.08.006.