Initial symptoms of pregnancy - when do they occur and how can they be discerned?

• Pregnancy Tracker App
• Articles

Have you been yearning for a little one? You have taken the pregnancy test and, at last, you have glimpsed those longed-for "two lines." The earliest indications of pregnancy, although they can be burdensome, undoubtedly filled you with immense elation!

The absence of menstruation is, of course, the foremost and most conspicuous sign of pregnancy, although it does not always manifest. What other initial signs of pregnancy might catch you off guard in its initial weeks? We have discussed the most prevalent ones.

When do the first symptoms of pregnancy occur?

From when can we speak of the earliest pregnancy symptoms? There is no single, established date or even a narrow time frame. Above all, it is a highly individual matter.

Some expectant mothers claim to know about their pregnancy before they even take the pregnancy test, before the anticipated date of their menstruation! Others, however, do not sense their pregnancy at all throughout the entire first trimester! As you can see, the situation may vary considerably.

Is this even possible? Undoubtedly, yes! The initial symptoms of pregnancy may or may not manifest. In some women, they appear almost immediately, while in others, they may only arise towards the end of the first trimester. Their intensity can also differ significantly.

Early pregnancy symptoms—what are they...?

No more empty phrases! Let’s talk about the most common early pregnancy symptoms! What do they entail? Which ones appear immediately in the first weeks of pregnancy and usually subside by the end of the first trimester, and which ones may persist until delivery?

Missed period

Let’s start with the previously mentioned symptom. A missed period is one of the most well-known "classic" signs of pregnancy. It’s due to dynamic physiological changes happening in the body of the future mom starting from the moment of fertilization.

Do you feel abdominal pain (similar to pre-period cramps)? Do you notice changes in the genital area, like increased discharge, but still no period? It’s very likely that in 9 months, you’ll be holding your newborn in your arms!

Breast tenderness

Breast pain is also one of the first signs of pregnancy, occurring right after fertilization. This symptom is present in most future moms. Unfortunately, breast tenderness can be very uncomfortable—especially if it's very noticeable and bothers you even when your clothes rub against your breasts!

Enlarged breasts and slightly darker nipples than usual are typical during the first trimester of pregnancy. It’s important to note that this symptom can persist until delivery.

Nausea and vomiting

Morning sickness and vomiting usually appear in the first weeks of pregnancy and subside by the end of the first trimester. Unfortunately, they can significantly interfere with daily life. In extreme cases, they occur not just in the morning, but throughout the day.

Morning sickness and vomiting often lead to weight loss in the early stages of pregnancy. Some women are very worried about this, wondering if it might negatively affect the baby. Fortunately, weight loss in the first weeks of pregnancy is not unusual and happens to many moms. The most important thing is that the embryo is developing properly. If everything looks fine during your gynecological visit and ultrasound, there’s no need to worry!

Frequent urination

Do you know that feeling of needing to go to the bathroom constantly because your uterus is pressing on your bladder? Frequent urination is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms and occurs almost immediately. There’s certainly no reason to worry—it’s just something that happens. Importantly, this can last until delivery.

What can you do if you constantly need to run to the bathroom...? Unfortunately, there’s no cure for this. However, remember to stay well-hydrated! During pregnancy, you should drink at least three liters of fluids daily, which is absolutely necessary—even if you have to go to the bathroom more often than usual.

Elevated body temperature

Do you feel fine, don’t have any other symptoms, but your body temperature is slightly higher (about 0.5 degrees) than usual? This could be one of the first signs of pregnancy that appears right after fertilization.

Just like with the previously mentioned pregnancy symptoms, there’s no need to worry about this. Elevated temperature is the result of hormonal changes in the future mom’s body.

However, elevated temperature is not the same as a fever, which is typical of infections. If the temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius, you should consult a doctor.

Drowsiness

Drowsiness is a common symptom for future moms, usually during the first trimester of pregnancy. It fades in the following weeks and then reappears after the baby is born. A woman’s body undergoes rapid changes (physiological, hormonal, and psychological). As a result, a pregnant woman gets tired more quickly, feels out of breath more often, and may have trouble sleeping.

Do you also often feel like you’re falling asleep standing up during the day and could sleep all day long? Do you lack energy for anything and feel exhausted—often even in the morning?

No wonder! These early pregnancy symptoms are among the most common. They affect many future moms and are completely normal. We want to assure you that in the second trimester, you’ll feel much better and will have plenty of energy!

Mood swings

Do you feel great one day, and then the next, everything irritates you? Don’t recognize yourself because you’ve never behaved this way...?

Early pregnancy symptoms aren’t just about changes in appearance, but also in mood! Some future moms feel great throughout the entire pregnancy, while others experience mood swings. All of this is due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy.

So, if you don’t recognize yourself, we want to reassure you... Just be patient and kind to yourself! Believe us! It will all pass! This crazy rollercoaster, too!

Can early pregnancy symptoms not appear at all?

Do you feel so good that (despite a positive pregnancy test) it’s hard to believe you're pregnant? Even if you don’t feel many changes in your body, you need to believe that a lot is happening inside!

Early pregnancy symptoms aren’t always noticeable right away! There are also physiological and hormonal changes that are barely noticeable at the beginning of pregnancy. While breast tenderness, nausea and vomiting, and frequent urination are “obvious” symptoms, headaches or a bluish tint to the vagina are not among them.

If you’re worried about your condition, you should consult a gynecologist or midwife. They’ll professionally help you and clear your doubts!

Bleeding and spotting in early pregnancy – should you always worry?

We’ve already described the most common early pregnancy symptoms. They are quite “obvious.” They are also detailed in most pregnancy guides.

However, some women experience bleeding and spotting during pregnancy. It’s important to pay attention to the first occurrence and consult a doctor. But we want to reassure you right away: it doesn’t always mean something serious, and stress is never good for a future mom. Even if you experience bleeding or spotting (which are often confused), you should visit a gynecologist before panicking.

Bleeding vs. spotting – the differences

Bleeding or spotting? Although both phenomena are different, they’re more often confused than you’d think. No wonder: when dealing with stress and hormonal changes leading to mood swings, it’s easy to misinterpret the situation.

So how do you distinguish between spotting and bleeding? Spotting is much less noticeable, often hard to see on underwear, and is more likely to be visible on toilet paper. Some women confuse spotting with bleeding due to the color. However, remember that there are many shades of red, and spotting does not cause a bright red discharge that can be clearly associated with blood.

Bleeding, on the other hand, is much stronger and can be mistaken for a period. Early pregnancy bleeding often also includes clots and tissue fragments. The color of the blood is usually much darker than in spotting—red or brownish-red.

A visit to the gynecologist—mandatory or optional?

If you notice blood (or blood with clots or tissue fragments) on your underwear in early pregnancy, you should immediately consult a gynecologist. This consultation is necessary because such bleeding can have various causes.

It could be implantation bleeding, which occurs between the sixth and twelfth day after fertilization, usually on the expected period date. In this case, there’s no need to worry, as it’s a normal phenomenon.

Unfortunately, bleeding as an early pregnancy symptom can also be associated with an ectopic pregnancy or the beginning of a miscarriage. In such cases, hospitalization and further measures may be necessary.

However, for spotting, there’s no need to rush to make an appointment with the doctor. If the bleeding isn’t heavy and doesn’t include clots or tissue fragments, it’s often enough to report it at your next visit. The cause of spotting could be excessive stretching of the uterus or embryo implantation in the uterus. This is a completely normal first pregnancy symptom.

When do early pregnancy symptoms go away?

You took the pregnancy test, saw the two longed-for lines, and noticed that your period is late? This is just the beginning of the big changes happening in your body!

Some pregnancy symptoms, such as implantation bleeding or an elevated body temperature, can be felt almost "immediately" after fertilization. Other symptoms may not appear until a few weeks later. The good news is that they usually subside by the end of the first trimester. Only some may (but not necessarily) last longer. Symptoms such as dizziness, abdominal pain, mood swings, nausea, and vomiting are among them.

Can you prepare for early pregnancy symptoms?

Are you wondering if you can prepare for pregnancy and its early symptoms? Honestly, it’s hard to answer this question definitively, as every woman experiences it differently.

Some future moms seem to be made for pregnancy and take everything that comes with it with a calm mind and no major worries. Others, on the other hand, are very stressed, consult every pregnancy symptom with a doctor, and read a lot about its course. Yet, they still feel unprepared.

It’s important to remember that every pregnancy is different, and it comes with various symptoms. In other words: just because your first pregnancy was symptom-free doesn’t mean your second will be the same.

But one thing is certain: it’s worth enduring even the hardest period to see your little treasure after 40 weeks! It’s the most beautiful reward you can get after such a long time, and it’s also a “compensation” for all the challenges of pregnancy!

Looking for reliable information about pregnancy? Try our pregnancy app—HiMommy!