First signs of pregnancy - when do they develop and how can you recognise them?
Have you dreamt about a baby? You have done a pregnancy test and saw those desired “two bands”? First signs of pregnancy, though they can be troublesome, definitely were a cause of great joy for you!
A lack of menstruation is obviously the first, most obvious sign of pregnancy, though it is not always present. What other first signs of pregnancy may surprise you in its initial weeks? We discussed those occurring most frequently.
When do the first signs of pregnancy develop?
When can you talk about first signs of pregnancy? There is no one set date or even a narrow time interval. First of all, it is a highly individual issue.
Some future mums say they know about their pregnancy even before they made a pregnancy test, before a date of the expected menstruation! Other do not feel they are pregnant at all throughout the first trimester! As you can see, the situation can be completely different.
Is it possible at all? Of course! First signs of pregnancy may develop or not. In some women they appear almost immediately, in other, e.g., at the end of the first trimester. Their intensity can also differ significantly.
Early signs of pregnancy, meaning what...?
Enough of generalities! Let’s go through all most commonly occurring first signs of pregnancy! What do they include? Which of them occur immediately in first weeks of pregnancy and usually resolve at the end of the first trimester, and which may persist until labour?
No menstruation
Let’s start with what we have already signalled. The stop of menstruation is the most “classic” sign of pregnancy. It is associated with the fact that from the moment of conception, dynamic physiological changes occur in the body of the future mum.
Do you have a belly ache (slightly resembling the one before the period)? Do you notice changes around your genitals, so there are larger quantities of viscous mucus discharged, but there is still no monthly bleeding? There is a great chance that in nine months you will already cuddle your newborn!
Breast pain
First signs of pregnancy developing soon after conception also include breast pain. It is another sign of pregnancy occurring in the majority of future mums. The breast tenderness can be very problematic, especially when it is very intense and you cannot even bear it when your breasts rub against your clothes!
Enlarged breasts with nipples slightly darker than usually are rather a “standard” sign in the first pregnancy trimester. What is important, this sign can persist even until labour.
Nausea and vomiting
Morning sickness and vomiting usually develop already in first pregnancy weeks and resolve with the end of the first trimester. Unfortunately, they can make daily life very difficult. In extreme cases, they occur not only in the morning, but throughout the day.
Morning sickness and vomiting usually lead to weight loss at the beginning of pregnancy. Some women are truly worried about this and wonder whether this will not have a negative impact on their baby. Fortunately, this weight loss in initial weeks of pregnancy is nothing unusual and affects many mothers. The most important thing is for the embryo to develop normally. If the gynaecological examination and the ultrasound scan show that everything is as it should be, then there is nothing to worry about!
More frequent urination
You know that situation when you feel all the time you need to “visit” the toilet because your uterus presses on the bladder? Frequent urination is one of the most frequent pregnancy signs, present almost from its very beginning. Definitely, it is not a reason to worry - this just happens, and what is important, this condition may stay with you even to labour.
What can you do when you complain because you need to urinate more often...? Unfortunately, there is no medication to help you. Remember, you should never resign for keeping your body sufficiently hydrated! During pregnancy you should drink at least three litres of liquids every day, and this is absolutely necessary - even when you need to use the bathroom more often than usually in consequence.
Elevated body temperature
You feel quite well, have no other signs, and your body temperature remains at a slightly higher level (about 0.5 degree) that usually? This can be one of the first signs of pregnancy, present from the moment of conception.
Similarly as in the case of the previously mentioned first signs of pregnancy, there is nothing to worry about in this case. This higher body temperature is caused by hormonal changes, occurring in a body of the future mum.
However, remember not to mistake fever occurring during infections for the elevated body temperature. If your temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius, you should always see a doctor.
Feeling sleepy
In general, future mum feel sleepy throughout the first pregnancy trimester. This feeling disappears in subsequent weeks, but returns after your baby is born. At that time, rapid changes occur in woman’s body, including physiological, hormonal and mental. In consequence, pregnant women get tired more quickly, are out of breath more frequently than before, and may also suffer from sleep disorders.
Already in the middle of the day you frequently feel you are falling asleep on your feet and could sleep all day along? You have no energy to do anything and feel very tired - frequently already in the morning?
Nothing strange! Those early pregnancy signs belong to those most common. They affect many future mums and are completely normal. But do not worry - in the second pregnancy trimester things will definitely take a better turn, and you will have plenty of energy!
Mood swings
You feel great one day, and on the other even the least important thing makes you angry? You do not recognise yourself, because you have never behaved this way before?
First signs of pregnancy mean changes not only in your appearance, but also in your mood! Some pregnant women feel great throughout these nine months, others experience changes in their mood, just like in a kaleidoscope. All this is caused by hormonal changes accompanying pregnancy.
Therefore, if you cannot recognise yourself, do not worry... Be lenient and good to yourself - believe us, everything will pass! Also this situation!
Can you have none of the first signs of pregnancy?
You feel so great that you find it difficult to believe you are pregnant (despite a positive pregnancy test result). Believe us, although you do not feel any greater changes in your body, there is a lot going on inside it!
Early pregnancy signs mean more than just those visible at a glance! They also include changes, physiological and hormonal, occurring in your body, which are less pronounced at the beginning of the pregnancy. While breast pain, nausea and vomiting or frequent urination belong to those quite “obvious” early pregnancy signs, headaches or a bluish discolouration are less specific.
Remember, if you have any doubts concerning your conditions, visit a gynaecologist-obstetrician or consult a midwife. They will certainly provide you with professional assistance and dispel all your doubts!
Bleeding and spotting during early pregnancy - is it always a cause to worry?
We have already described the most common early pregnancy signs. They are quite “obvious”, You can also find them, described in detail, in majority of materials concerning pregnancy.
However, some future mums have signs such as bleeding and spotting. This first problem, in particular, should be treated very seriously and you should see a doctor. But do not worry - it does not always mean that something bad is happening, and stress is never good for an expectant mother. Therefore, even if you experience bleeding or spotting (those two signs are frequently mixed up), consult your gynaecologist before you start to despair.
Bleeding and spotting - what is the difference between them?
Bleeding or spotting? Although there are many differences between them, they are mixed up more often than you suspect. It is not surprising - with stress and hormonal changes, resulting in mood swings, such mistake is natural.
So how can you distinguish between spotting and bleeding? Spotting is much less visible, frequently difficult to notice on the underwear, and it is most visible on the toilet paper used in a bathroom. Some women mistake spotting for bleeding, due to its colour. However, you should remember there are different shades of red, and during spotting you will normally not see blood red discharge, clearly associated with blood.
Contrary to spotting, bleeding is much stronger and can be mistaken for menstrual blood. Bleeding at the beginning of pregnancy is also frequently accompanied by clots and tissue fragments. In most women, blood is of much darker, blood red or brown red, colour than it is in the case of spotting.
A visit to a gynaecologist - when is it necessary and when optional?
If you are at the initial stage of your pregnancy and noticed blood (or blood with clots and/or tissue fragments) on your underwear, see a gynaecologist immediately. In such case, medical examination is necessary, because bleeding may have different causes.
There is a chance that this is, e.g., implantation spotting or bleeding, occurring between Day 6 and Day 12 from the conception, usually at a date of expected menstruation. Then there is nothing to worry about, because this is a normal phenomenon.
Unfortunately, bleeding as an initial pregnancy sign also means a risk of an ectopic pregnancy or starting/progressing miscarriage. Then, hospitalisation and further procedures, performed at a hospital, may be necessary.
However, when you experience spotting, you do not have to arrange a visit at your doctor immediately. If they are not very copious and do not contain clots or tissue fragments, frequently it is enough during your next visit at the gynaecologist. Spotting may be caused, for example, by stretching of uterus or embryo implantation in the uterus. It is a completely normal first sign of pregnancy.
In which week the first signs of pregnancy resolve?
You performed a pregnancy test, you saw these desired two bands and observed that your menstruation stopped? It just a beginning of great changes that will take place in your body!
Some signs of pregnancy, such as implantation bleeding or the elevated body temperature, you will feel almost “immediately” after the conception. But you may have to wait even several weeks for other signs of pregnancy to develop. However, it is comforting to know that they usually resolve with the end of the first pregnancy trimester. Only some of them may (but do not have to) last longer. They include, for example, dizziness, stomach aches, mood swings, nausea, and vomiting.
Can you prepare for the first signs of pregnancy?
Are you wondering whether you can prepare for pregnancy, and its first signs, at all? To be honest, it is hard to clearly answer such question, because a situation may be different in each woman.
Some future mums actually seem to be born “to be pregnant”, and they accept everything they encounter at this stage calmly and without greater anxiety. Other are very stressed, consult each pregnancy sign with a doctor, and read a lot about the pregnancy course. And yet they still do not feel sufficiently prepared.
It should be remembered that each pregnancy is different and accompanied by different symptoms. In other words, if your first pregnancy was great and not accompanied by any signs, this does not mean that the second one will be the same.
However, one thing is certain - it is worthwhile getting through even the most difficult time to meet your little treasure after 40 weeks! It is the most beautiful award you can get after that time, and the best “compensation” for any possible difficulties during pregnancy!