Trying to get pregnant? Feeling a bit odd? Here are some of the early signs of pregnancy before your missed period!
If you think you might be pregnant, the last thing you want to do is sit and wait to be able to take a pregnancy test. Falling pregnant is a massive deal, and you would want to know as soon as possible whether you should start preparing for a baby or not!
There are some early pregnancy signs you could look out for, which can give you a good idea of whether or not you are pregnant, even before your first missed period.
Here are some signs to look for early on that may indicate that you could be pregnant!
Pro Tip If You Are Pregnant:
Don’t forget to create an Amazon Baby Registry. You get a discount for products placed on the registry and have 90 days to return any goods. Plus, you can add products from any site, not just Amazon.
What Are Some Early Signs Of Pregnancy?
Mild Cramping And Spotting
Mild cramping and spotting as an early sign of pregnancy can be fairly difficult to spot, as they resemble the start of your period, and often get mistaken for a light period.
The cramping resembles menstrual-like cramping, so it does get quite confusing. However mild cramping and spotting due to pregnancy are often not as intense as they would be during a period.
If you experience mild cramping and spotting, drink between 8-10 cups of water a day, use a heat pack where you are cramping, and avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise.
Fatigue And Feeling Sleepy
Fatigue and feelings of sleepiness are very common during early pregnancy. The main reason this happens is that your body will be going through some hormonal changes, with an increase in progesterone, which happens once conception has completed.
While fatigue and sleepiness are mainly due to hormone changes, low blood sugar, low blood pressure, broken sleep, and increased blood production can also be to blame.
From the moment of conception, your body will start working hard to create the perfect environment to grow a little baby, and all of this can take a toll, and lead to sleepiness.
Listen to your body and try to rest when you need to. Do not try and push through it. Allow your body to rest and recover. Try some aromatherapy to help you relax.
You need to follow a healthy diet. Your body needs enough nutrients for yourself and your baby. The nutrients you consume go to your baby first, and your body gets the leftovers. Make sure you are eating a healthy, balanced diet that sees that both you and your baby are getting what you need.
You May Also Like: 10 Common Pregnancy Myths That May Surprise You
Nausea And Vomiting
Also known as morning sickness during pregnancy, nausea and vomiting are often one of the first signs of pregnancy and can start as early as 2 weeks along and last throughout pregnancy.
There is not much that you can do to prevent nausea and vomiting, other than eating smaller portions and having some ginger tea. This tea is specially formulated to alleviate morning sickness and helps support digestion.
Not all moms experience nausea and vomiting, some moms only experience nausea with no vomiting, and some experience both throughout pregnancy.
If nausea and vomiting become significant, eat bland foods, drink clear liquids, and avoid strong smells. Some medications can be prescribed by doctors for severe morning sickness.
Remember that nausea and vomiting can be signs of illness and infection as well, so if you do start to feel nausea, don’t pile all your eggs into the pregnancy basket just yet.
You May Also Like: Ever wondered: Can toddler tell when someone is pregnant?!
Tender, Swollen Breasts
Many women report that their breasts feeling tender and appearing swollen were the first signs they had of pregnancy. Changes in the breasts, which lead to tenderness and swelling, can happen as early as two weeks after conception.
Most women only experience tenderness of the breasts, with swelling and growth occurring closer to the birth. Other breast changes experienced during pregnancy also include the darkening of the areolas and nipples, growth of the nipples, and the production of colostrum.
To help ease the tenderness, you should look for a more comfortable bra, one without underwire and preferably made from cotton. You might also want to consider buying one cup size up, as you can expect some breast growth during pregnancy.
Increased Visits To The Bathroom
Your uterus begins to expand early on in pregnancy, and this will cause your urine and your bowels to have more pressure on them, and this causes you to feel as though you need to visit the toilet more often.
It usually starts with feelings of needing to urinate more frequently, and the bowel movements come in later on.
To combat feeling like you need to be on the toilet all day, try to avoid wearing tight leggings and pants, as this can put even more pressure on your bladder and bowels. There really is not much else that you can do other than making sure you are near a toilet at all times.
Light Headedness and Headaches
Once again, hormonal changes can give some early pregnancy signs. Headaches and lightheadedness are common signs in early pregnancy, and they are caused by hormonal changes, blood volume changes, and changes in blood pressure.
Your body will take some time to get used to the hormonal and physical changes it will go through, but these headaches and feelings of lightheadedness should fade by the second trimester.
A healthy diet, hot or cold compresses and some extra rest can work well to help soothe pregnancy headaches.
You May Also Like: 10 Unique Baby Shower Ideas and Activities For A Great Time
Mood Swings
Very similar to the emotions you would experience during your period, mood swings are incredibly common in early pregnancy. Thanks to an increase in estrogen and progesterone, there will be a surge of chemical mood regulators in your brain, which increases the chance of mood swings.
It really doesn’t help to feel overly sensitive through such an overwhelming time in your life, but it will subside eventually.
Practice some self-care, take a break now and then and speak to someone if you feel your emotions are getting the better of you.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
Early pregnancy signs can start very soon after conception, and many of the signs can help you confirm that you are pregnant even before your first missed period.
Try to keep a track of all the symptoms and changes you experience from early on, and take a pregnancy test to confirm your suspicions as soon as you can!
Don’t forget to pin me, like me, share me!
