Pregnancy symptoms: what happens first?

A pregnancy test is the best way to check if you are pregnant or not. But, there are many other pregnancy symptoms and signs of early pregnancy. Most of the ladies start noticing these signs after the first few weeks of conception.

Pregnancy symptoms:

   Missed Period. Missed Periods is the most common symptom of pregnancy. If more than one week has passed, then you are probably pregnant. However, if your menstrual cycle is irregular then this sign can be misleading. If you experience a light period, then don’t confuse it with regular periods. You will experience light bleeding and cramps in the starting stage of your pregnancy.

   Swollen or Tender breasts. Your breasts will start becoming swollen or tender after 2 weeks of conception. They will also feel heavy if you are pregnant. This happens due to hormonal changes. The level of estrogen levels starts increasing in your body if you are pregnant. Thus, this discomfort will only grow with time until your body gets used to it.

   Tiredness and fatigue. Pregnancy is accompanied by a lot of hormone changes. These hormonal changes can leave you feeling very tired and exhausted all the time. Feeling exhausted and sleepy is the earliest sign of pregnancy. The main reason for increased fatigue is the higher level of progesterone. Increased blood production and lower blood pressure will also increase the fatigue level of your body. You can easily manage this with a balanced and heavy diet. Try to eat foods which are rich in vitamins, iron, and mineral and try to drink a lot of water. If you will eat food rich in iron, then it will be easy for your body to cope up with the increased blood production.

   Nausea. Morning sickness or nausea with or without vomiting is the most common symptom of pregnancy. You might start getting morning sickness as early as one or two weeks after conception. The main reason for Nausea is increasing the level of estrogen and progesterone in the body. Due to the rising level of these hormones, you could feel Nausea every time you wake up in the morning. Nausea is not limited to the morning only; it can happen at any time of the day. Pregnant women’s can also easily smell various odors like cigarette smoke or perfume. Thus, this can also cause nausea in early pregnancy stage.

   Bleeding and Cramps. Cramps, spotting, and light bleeding is a few early signs of pregnancy. This is known as implantation bleeding the medical terms. In the first 4 weeks, everything is happening at a cellular level. The fertilized egg gets attached to the uterus which results in cramps and light bleeding. You won’t notice heavy bleeding like your periods. Some women’s confuse this light bleeding with period bleeding. There is a lot of difference between this bleeding and period bleeding. You can observe little pink spots, which is not observed during period bleeding. Also, the implantation mostly occurs one week before your regular period dates. Thus, you will easily notice it. If you are having heavy bleeding one week before your regular menstrual cycle, then consult a doctor immediately. Heavy bleeding during implantation can lead to miscarriage in the worst case.

   Frequent Urination. You will have a frequent urge to urinate if you are pregnant. This is also a very early and prominent sign of pregnancy. During pregnancy, the production rate of blood increases in your body. Thus, your kidneys end up processing more fluid which leads to frequent urination.  The hormonal changes are also a reason for frequent urination. This tendency will only increase with time. Thus, try to drink 400ml of extra fluids every day. This will help you to cope up with the frequent urination.

   Mood Swings. Most of the girls experience mood swings during their periods. Similar mood swings can be observed during early pregnancy. The estrogen level increased during pregnancy will affect your mood. You will become more reactive and emotional. Mood swings can cause unsettling feelings like anxiety, irritability, and depression. Thus, try to stay calm and take some rest if you are not feeling well.

   Dizziness and light headaches. Dizziness and high blood pressure are also very common during the early stage of pregnancy. High blood pressure is responsible for dizziness. Your blood vessels dilate during the pregnancy, which can cause a sudden drop in your blood pressure. If you are feeling dizzy then try doing yoga or some pregnancy-friendly exercise. But, dizziness is only experienced during the starting stages of pregnancy. You can also consult a doctor regarding this issue.