During your first month of pregnancy, your body is already going through major changes. Some women may notice nothing at all until they miss their period. Others will notice some differences in the way they feel. Though you may not look any different, chances are you will notice some new things about your body.
Fatigue
Fatigue is often one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. You may feel exhausted after doing your normal activities, and start sleeping longer. According to the Mayo Clinic, early pregnancy fatigue may be a result of low blood sugar or low blood pressure, a side effect of producing enough extra blood for baby. Progesterone levels may also play a role.
Sore Breasts
Hormonal changes brought on by implantation of a fertilized egg in your uterus can also cause changes in your breasts. Even in the first month of pregnancy, your breasts may become tender to the touch, and may appear swollen. For some women, the soreness is mild. For others, it can be excruciating. Your breast tenderness may be specific to the nipple, or may cover the entire breast.
Spotting
After an egg is fertilized, it travels down the fallopian tube and implants in the uterine wall. For some women, this activity causes minor bleeding, known as spotting. The Mayo Clinic reports that spotting usually takes place about 10 to 14 days after fertilization, during the first month of pregnancy. Spotting may be mistaken for the start of your impending period.
Cramps
Like spotting, cramping may also occur in the first month of pregnancy, as a result of implantation. Most often these cramps feel like menstrual cramps. The may be mistaken for signs of your period, as they often occur around the same time it is due.
Nausea
While the term "morning sickness" is often a misnomer (pregnancy nausea can occur at any time in the day), nausea is a telltale sign of early pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, this nausea may be attributed to high levels of estrogen, which affects the rate at which food is digested.
Elevated Basal Body Temperature
Your basal body temperature is your resting temperature in the morning, before you get up and start to move around. When you ovulate, your basal body temperature goes up. It will drop back down when you are about to start your period, usually about 14 days later. If it does not drop, the chance that you are pregnant is very high.
Positive Pregnancy Test
This may seem like a no-brainer, but the chances of a false positive on a pregnancy test are very slim. Many advanced home pregnancy kits today can even provide results several days before your period is due. If your test comes back negative, however, it doesn't necessarily mean you aren't pregnant: it may mean that the hormone levels have not built up enough to be detected. If you get a positive, however, it's time to book that appointment with your doctor.
