How do you know if you’re pregnant?
If you’re trying to conceive, or if you think you might be pregnant, it’s important to know the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy. Many women experience early signs of pregnancy in the first few weeks after conception. While each woman’s experience is different, there are some common symptoms that can indicate that you’re pregnant.
The most common early sign of pregnancy is a missed period. If you miss your period and have other symptoms of pregnancy, such as nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, or fatigue, it’s likely that you’re pregnant. Other early signs of pregnancy include changes in your cervical mucus and an increase in the amount of urine you produce.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, see your doctor for a pregnancy test to confirm whether or not you’re pregnant.
Pregnancy tests can give an accurate indication of pregnancy. However, there are also signs and symptoms of pregnancy which can be good indicators. This infographic covers the most common and well-known pregnancy symptoms.
The most common symptoms of early pregnancy:
Swollen Breasts
A woman’s breasts may become swollen and tender during early pregnancy. This is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. The discomfort may come and go, or it may last throughout the entire pregnancy. Some women find that their breasts become especially tender right before they get their period. This is called premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is a common complaint during pregnancy. For most women, the pain is mild and disappears after the baby is born. But for some women, the pain is severe and lasts for months or even years. If you have lower back pain, here are some things that you can do to help relieve the pain:
Try to maintain good posture. Poor posture can aggravate lower back pain.
Stay active. Exercise can help strengthen your back muscles and reduce inflammation.
Apply heat or ice packs to your back. Heat relaxes your muscles and reduces inflammation, while ice packs help reduce swelling and pain.Take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain and inflammation.
If the pain is serious, you may need to see a doctor.
Frequent Urination
It’s normal to pee a lot during pregnancy. Your body is working hard to flush out the extra fluids it’s carrying. You might find you have to go more often than usual, especially at night. You can visit the bathroom more during 6 – 8 weeks after conception.
Craving For Food
One of the most common symptoms is a sudden change in appetite. Women often find themselves suddenly ravenous for certain foods, or completely losing their appetite altogether. While there is no scientific explanation for why this happens, it’s thought to be related to the hormonal changes that occur during early pregnancy. If you’re experiencing extreme cravings or a lack of appetite, it might be a sign that you’re pregnant.
Basal Body Temperature
A pregnant woman’s core body temperature will often rise, so a rising body temperature can be an early sign of pregnancy.
Feeling Tired (Fatigue)
When you’re pregnant, you may feel exhausted for no clear reason. This fatigue is often one of the first signs of pregnancy. It’s caused by the extra work your body is doing to grow and support your baby.
To help combat fatigue, try to get plenty of rest. Take naps when you can and go to bed early whenever you can. You may also want to cut down on your exercise routine, at least until you start feeling more energetic.
If you’re feeling really tired, talk to your doctor about whether taking a prenatal vitamin would be a good idea. Prenatal vitamins contain iron, which can help boost energy levels.
Missed Menstruation Period
When you’re trying to get pregnant, every little sign and symptom can feel like a big deal. So it’s totally normal to be on the lookout for any signs that you might be expecting. Even though there are plenty of symptoms that could mean you’re pregnant, missed periods are often one of the earliest indications.
If you’ve been sexually active and have been keeping track of your cycle, and you suddenly miss a period, there’s a good chance you might be pregnant. But don’t panic just yet! There are plenty of other reasons why your period might be MIA, like stress, diet, or exercise. So before you start planning your nursery, take a home pregnancy test to find out for sure.
Morning Sickness
Between the first two and eight weeks of pregnancy, you may notice a feeling of or you may feel as if you are just getting sick. Morning sickness is a common symptom of early pregnancy. For some women, it starts as early as the first week after conception. Morning sickness can be mild or severe, and for some women it lasts throughout the entire pregnancy.
The cause of morning sickness is not known, but it may be related to changes in hormone levels. Some women find that certain foods or smells make their morning sickness worse, while others find that eating small meals throughout the day helps to relieve their symptoms.
Most cases of morning sickness are mild and go away on their own within a few weeks. However, if you are experiencing severe morning sickness that is interfering with your daily activities, you should talk to your doctor about possible treatments.
Mood Swings & Stress
While mood swings and stress are common symptoms during any stage of life, they can be especially prevalent during pregnancy. For some women, the flood of hormones can result in intense mood swings that range from happiness to irritability to outright rage. The good news is that these mood swings usually subside after the first trimester.
In addition to mood swings, many women experience an increase in stress levels during pregnancy. This may be due to the added responsibilities of a growing family or concerns about the health of the baby. However, there are many ways to manage stress during pregnancy, including exercise, relaxation techniques, and talking with a therapist if needed.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that pregnancy is a unique time and that every woman experiences it differently. If you’re experiencing extreme mood swings or stress, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about how best to manage them.
Headaches
Getting headaches is a common symptom during the first trimester. Managing headaches is especially tricky in the first trimester when you should avoid many medicines.
Implantation Bleeding
The slight bleeding you may experience when the embryo first implants itself into the uterus. This can happen between six and twelve days after the conception occurs.
Original infographic via pregnancysymptoms.net in 2014, content updated in March 2022.
