Pregnancy starts with implantation and usually lasts around 40 weeks. Understanding what to expect is essential in maintaining your overall health and your unborn baby’s.
Generally, pregnancy happens when the egg is fertilized by a sperm during ovulation. After fertilization, the egg moves towards the uterus and implants there. A successful implantation leads to pregnancy.
Several factors are, however, likely to impact pregnancy. Therefore, women who are diagnosed early and receive prenatal care tend to have a healthy pregnancy and deliver a healthy child.
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Pregnancy symptoms vary widely from one person to another and can appear at different stages. As a result, it’s advisable to avoid comparing your experience to others, as symptoms can be very diverse.
Some of the common early pregnancy signs include:
This is usually the first and most obvious pregnancy sign. A missed period occurs because your body releases hormones that halt ovulation and prevent the uterine lining from shedding (menstruation). However, factors like stress, hormonal imbalances, dieting, or too much exercise can also delay menstruation or result in irregular periods.
You may notice increased urination frequency before a missed period. This is because the blood supply in the body increases during pregnancy. Hence, you will need to urinate more often to eliminate extra waste.
High progesterone levels often cause extreme tiredness in early pregnancy. This symptom usually improves in the second trimester but may return later during the third trimester.
Regardless of the name, morning sickness can strike at any time, be it day or night. Nausea may start as early as two weeks after conception. Nearly 50% of all pregnant women experience vomiting because of nausea. Though somewhat common, nausea could lead to dehydration, especially for those who cannot keep food or fluids down. Therefore, it’s advisable to see a doctor if this symptom worsens.
Your breasts may feel sore or swollen during pregnancy, although this could also happen before your period. The areolas might also enlarge and darken. This tenderness isn’t permanent and subsides as your body adjusts to hormonal changes.
Some symptoms are less common and may or may not occur. They include:
The timing of pregnancy symptoms varies widely. Some people notice symptoms within days of conception, whereas others may not experience them until weeks after getting a positive test result. Symptoms can differ between women or even between pregnancies.
Yes, it’s possible to feel pregnancy symptoms before missing a period. Some women report symptoms as early as a week after conception, which is around one week before their expected period.
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Yes, many early pregnancy symptoms overlap with other health conditions and even typical premenstrual symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish between them. Missing a period doesn’t necessarily indicate pregnancy, as factors like significant weight gain or loss, stress, and breastfeeding can also disrupt menstrual cycles.
The only way to confirm pregnancy is with a test, which can be purchased over-the-counter at pharmacies and grocery stores.
Pregnancy tests detect human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) present in urine. You can take a test once you miss your period, but for the most accurate results, it’s advisable to wait a week after a missed period.
Testing too early may lead to a false negative, even when pregnant. A doctor can also perform a blood test to detect pregnancy as early as a week before missing a period.
Once you miss your period and receive a positive pregnancy test, reach out to your healthcare provider to schedule your first appointment. Your provider might also ask if you’ve started a prenatal vitamin with folic acid, essential for early fetal neural tube development, which becomes the child’s brain and spine. Most doctors recommend that any woman who could get pregnant should regularly take folic acid.
If you have plans to conceive, a preconception appointment may be helpful, especially if you have chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or lupus. This visit allows your provider to review any health problem and discuss ways to optimize your health for a new pregnancy.
In general, pregnancy experiences vary from person to person. Common early signs include missed periods, breast tenderness, fatigue, and morning sickness. If you think you may be pregnant, consider taking an at-home pregnancy test, which is widely available at the stores and reliable when used appropriately. Contact your healthcare provider if you receive a positive result, as early prenatal care is essential for the health of both you and your unborn baby.
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