Overview
Pregnancy symptoms that are usually detected only during the first trimester or early second trimester include:
- cramps
- loss of appetite
- nausea tiredness
- mood changes
- amotivational syndrome
- absence of menstrual flow
- pain and stiffness in the lower back
- low levels of progesterone
As your baby is growing and developing in the womb, his or her movements will become much more pronounced and you will get to know a lot about your baby’s health, through small movements you can notice on the top of your belly. This is how you will know if there is an issue with your baby that can’t be identified with ordinary heartbeats.
When do pregnancy symptoms start?
If you are pregnant, symptoms are reported in stages from the beginning of your pregnancy.
Symptoms include
The first signs of pregnancy are the first few days after conception. There is no way of telling which days these are from one woman to another. Prenatal bleeding, bleeding which is heavy and increases in intensity, occurs in the first two weeks of pregnancy.
- Symptoms include anemia and light vaginal bleeding.
- Thickening of the mucus in the vagina occurs in the first three to four weeks of pregnancy. These changes are called cervical mucus pregnancy or cervical atrophy.
Vaginal discharge is the first sign of pregnancy
Some women find that their urine becomes very strong smelling during their pregnancy. Urine tastes bad and will have an orange or lemon-like appearance. Fatigue is the first symptom of pregnancy. A woman’s symptoms generally escalate, with the last week of pregnancy being the most difficult. Some women have a “false pregnancy” where they feel pregnant, but they’re not. This symptom is actually still a sign of a pregnancy, but some women have a difficult time recognizing it as such.
Symptoms during early pregnancy
Cramping
Cramping and spotting during early pregnancy are totally normal, and according to Dr. Jessica Shepherd, an OB-GYN at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, spotting during pregnancy is also totally normal. “While implantation bleeding is a cause for alarm”. “It often occurs just days or hours after fertilization and implantation.” But spotting can become more noticeable as your pregnancy progresses, so it’s important that you talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing more consistent, intense bleeding.
Missed Period
Lack of menstrual periods for 3 months or more.
Who should be tested?
Anyone can get pregnant. Most pregnant women are asymptomatic and only learn they’re pregnant from a pregnancy test or ultrasound. Therefore, pregnancy testing is performed every time you take a pregnancy test.
Missed period during early pregnancy increases risk of stillbirth. The risk of stillbirth increases by about 30% if a woman misses a period during her early pregnancy, research suggests.
Researchers have found that women who missed more than three menstrual cycles were at an 84% increased risk of stillbirth, although this risk was still lower than among women who had experienced miscarriage or had a miscarriage in the first three months of pregnancy. But the increased risk remained even when women gave birth, and there was no evidence to support any apparent reduction in the risk of stillbirth when a woman gained weight in her third trimester.
“For many women with recurrent miscarriages, the important factor is time. Their study shows that the risk of stillbirth increases by about 30% if a woman misses a period during her early pregnancy, but women can help to reduce this risk by returning to their regular period within 3-4 weeks of a missed period.”
Raise in body temperature
Raised body temperature during early pregnancy may be a possible symptom. The research, which is a collaboration with researchers from the University of Cambridge, found the body temperature difference is significant in late pregnancy and is linked to preterm birth. They also found that an increase in body temperature is less common in the second trimester and have more of an effect on early term births.
‘It is very common for women to experience elevated temperatures early in pregnancy, but even more common for women to experience a return to normal temperatures in the second and third trimesters. It’s important to understand how elevated temperatures during pregnancy are associated with premature birth, as it can affect the decisions women make about the care they receive during the early stages of pregnancy.
Fatigue
Fatigue during early pregnancy is most common in the third trimester, when many women experience morning sickness.
When you become pregnant, one of the first symptoms you may notice is being overwhelmingly tired. Everyone gets tired, but pregnant women experience something extra, because the human body changes drastically. And that’s why they’re often referred to as being “high-maintenance.” The end result? The need for naps every afternoon. If you’re also running on about five to seven hours of sleep a night, you might need to make a few changes to your daily routine.
When your schedule is super hectic, nap time might be the last thing on your mind. So, here are some tips for doing just that, so you don’t miss out on the precious nap time that refreshes your mind and body. You’re gonna need it, so use these ways to nap like a mom.
Put The Phone Away
Whether it’s a work-related email, a game notification, or a video you’ve been watching on Instagram, put down the device so you can nap. “Napping in the early morning hours is especially important when you’re trying to manage the stress and exhaustion of a busy life,” Brie Murphy, a New York-based psychologist and licensed psychotherapist, tells Romper (a website for millennial moms) by email. “Without that nap, you’ll be much more susceptible to daytime crashes and crashes will be much more difficult to recover from.” So, put away your phone or toss it in a drawer and try and squeeze in a quick nap at some point during the day. It’s a way to have a boost of energy that’s just waiting for you.
Take A Walk After Breakfast
If your commute is more than 30 minutes long, take a mid-morning walk. “On a morning commute, this can make a big difference in your energy and mood,” Nader Nahvi, founder of the smartphone app Waze and co-founder of VaynerMedia, tells Romper by email. A quick walk in the park or just around your neighborhood can have a big impact on your overall mood and your energy level. Just make sure you don’t run out of battery.
Do Something Just For You
Being pregnant is a very difficult time for any person. So, if you’re already feeling stressed out, you may want to put a few things on hold so you can truly focus on your baby. “Napping in the morning and at lunch can be the perfect opportunity to unwind and recharge so you are ready for the afternoon when you need to go after work, do errands, or meet with clients,” Dr. Sarah Veach, an OBGYN and the author of The VBAC Solution, tells Romper in an email interview. “Do something that is important to you such as cooking, cleaning, running errands, yoga, knitting, reading, or listening to music.” If you really can’t do those things, at least use nap time to listen to music, meditate, or take a shower.
Make Room For A Nap
Take some space in your bedroom so you can try to get some shut eye. “This might mean vacating a less comfortable position like the couch or changing rooms to the bed. Not only will this take the weight off your chest, it can also make it easier to get comfy on the bed,” Valerie Williamson, OB/GYN and Women’s Health Coach, tells Romper by email. If you can’t make a full bedroom shift, get up and move around. “In some cases, simply getting up and going for a walk or just pacing your room can be all the motion you need to fall asleep,” Williamson says. So, be proactive and use your little sleep break to shift your sleeping habits, if need be.
Invest In A Napping Pillow
Investing in a sleeping pillow is a great way to make sure you’re always prepared for that midday snooze. “When you are stressed or overly fatigued, it is very important to take a nap to get your energy level back up, your mind refreshed, and your mood lifted,” Veach says. That’s why she recommends investing in a great pillow so that you can get the best night’s sleep possible.
Increase in heart rate
Increased heart rate during early pregnancy may protect future offspring. Increased heart rate during early pregnancy may have a protective effect against autism, according to new research.
Changes in breast
During early pregnancy, you may experience breast changes, some of which may not be alarming, others which may cause a concern. During early pregnancy, your breasts may change in a variety of ways. Many people find that their breasts increase in size, especially in the first trimester.
In some cases, this is a normal occurrence. Breasts can also become soft and lopsided. Some women find that their breasts look lumpy and feel flabby. The breasts may also appear protruding during the first trimester.
Changes during pregnancy can mean that your breasts can look different. They may feel different, and may look different. Some breast changes during pregnancy include: skin changes newly noticeable darkening or thickening of the skin, redness, collapse of the breast tissue changes to the nipple swelling in the nipple. A full-term pregnancy causes milk to fill the breasts. After giving birth, the breasts may look different.
A change in breast size may be cause for concern, especially if it lasts for several days. While it is normal to notice some changes in the breasts during the first trimester, more changes can occur later on.
Most women do not notice an increase in breast size during early pregnancy. Some women notice that their breasts may become larger. However, most do not notice an increase in the volume.
Change of skin color
Sometimes, during early pregnancy, a woman may notice a vaginal rash or patch of darkening skin around the vaginal opening. This occurs because the follicles in the vagina are forming. A pregnant woman may not be aware of the rash until it changes during the later weeks of pregnancy, when the developing fetus is directly on the vaginal skin.
Mood swings
Change in mood swings during early pregnancy may occur for multiple reasons, including sleep disruption, anxiety, or stress, hormonal fluctuations, change in appetite, or excitement about pregnancy, in addition to the actual pregnancy.
Hormonal changes during the early weeks of pregnancy have been linked to adverse maternal, fetal and behavioral outcomes.
Frequent urination
Frequent urination at early pregnancy stage have long been recognized as a risk of a child having a low birth weight. Researchers have tried to find out why, in order to devise better ways to help pregnant women.
A review of studies concluded that regular bladder leakage is associated with a lower risk of preterm birth, as well as prolonged cervical length and elevated risk for placenta previa. According to a review of 6 randomized clinical trials, those with frequent urination, which is what tends to happen during pregnancy, have increased fetal growth and increase their risk of preterm birth. In addition, the urine of women who have frequent urinary leakage is thought to have a higher concentration of bacteria, which may play a role in premature birth.
Boating and constipation
Bloating and constipation during early pregnancy is very common. Most women will experience these symptoms at some point during their pregnancy. Bloating is a symptom that occurs due to increased fluid levels. Constipation is a symptom of decreased bowel movement.
These symptoms are very common during pregnancy and don’t need to worry about it unless, if the symptoms persist, or if they are accompanied by other symptoms, you may need to visit a doctor for a check up.
A small number of women experience bloating and constipation during early pregnancy. Symptoms may worsen if an expectant woman is dehydrated.
Morning sickness
Morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting during early pregnancy are symptoms that many women experience. “They should not cause alarm unless they become severe. If you’re in the first trimester, it’s good to eat bland food,” says the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website.
Avoid fatty foods, caffeine, and large amounts of sugar.” While most women experience the “morning sickness” phase, some women find it to be more severe than others. One study found that 3% of all women experienced a severe form of nausea and vomiting.
For a lot of women, the most common places to experience nausea and vomiting are in the stomach area. Some women even find it to be more severe in their upper abdominal area. Since your digestive system is not fully developed until the second trimester, your stomach may not be as well developed as it should be.
During the first trimester, stomach acids cause digestion to slow down, and your stomach may be stretched in an unnatural way. This can lead to some digestion issues as your digestive system will need to learn how to work more efficiently.
High blood pressure and dizziness
High blood pressure and dizziness during early pregnancy could indicate a serious condition that needs specialist treatment. The trial linked three common causes of the condition – gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and untreated hypertension – to a higher risk of diabetes among their children. An ‘alarming’ 56 percent of children born to mothers who developed hypertension while pregnant were found to be obese or overweight.
Women can often lower their blood pressure by decreasing salt and by eating healthier foods, such as lean meats, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables. The doctor may also recommend medication.
A doctor may recommend an additional prenatal blood pressure test if the first result is normal. While the most common causes of high blood pressure during pregnancy are genetic or secondary to other conditions, women with symptoms of hypertension should seek medical advice.
Smell sensitivity and aversion
People who experience an aversion to certain smells or tastes during pregnancy can find some foods and smells very off-putting. Although the smell or taste of a certain food or smell may trigger a trigger in a pregnant person, this is only temporary. When experiencing this symptom, one of the most common causes of food aversions during pregnancy is iron deficiency, particularly if the person is also anaemic.
When an iron deficiency occurs during pregnancy, a pregnant woman can experience an iron deficiency anaemia that can cause constipation, shortness of breath, and stomach upset. If a pregnant woman has a strong aversion to certain foods, it is important to talk to a doctor, as they will be able to assess the situation and provide advice.
Some common triggers for aversions during pregnancy include:
- alcohol
- carbonated drinks, such as cola or beer
- fatty and oily foods
- colored drinks
- cheese dairy products
- gluten
- spicy foods.
Weight gain
If you’re expecting, you might notice that you’re gaining weight.
“For every pregnant woman that we see, there’s a 10 percent chance that her partner is as well,”. For both the moms-to-be and the dads-to-be, “there’s a 5 to 10 percent chance that their partner is also gaining weight.” That means that more than half of couples are gaining weight together, and more couples are having children later in life, the CDC noted, putting more people in the same boat as you and your partner.
You don’t need to be afraid that your partner is gaining weight for the wrong reasons, it’s important to make sure you’re both experiencing the same thing. That means that you and your partner should be keeping track of your weights, spending some time talking about weight gain and the challenges that can come with it, and making sure you’re on the same page.
Other early symptoms include
- Skin rash
- dry cough
- dizziness and fatigue
- sore breasts
- lower back pain
- sore nipples
- vaginal itching
- intense itching, etc.
All the above are seen in most of the pregnant women but not all in every women.
Sirisha B