Every pregnancy is different. Even if you've been pregnant before, you may not be certain you're pregnant until you take a pregnancy test. There are other key indicators that your body uses to let you know that you're pregnant and you should plan your medical care carefully for the next nine months. You may not experience any or all of these symptoms, but these symptoms are common for many women who are pregnant.
No Period
One of the most common symptoms of pregnancy is not having a menstrual period. While this can certainly be caused by sudden stress or extreme weight loss, it's most often associated with pregnancy. It's best to take a pregnancy test to confirm pregnancy, if you normally experience a regular menstrual cycle, so you can make sure to start taking your prenatal vitamins.
Be aware that some women experience implantation bleeding six to 11 days after conception. This bleeding is light and lasts only a few days; don't confuse it with a normal period. The bleeding looks more like pinkish or brown discharge and not regular menstrual blood, according to SteadyHealth.com.
Sore Breasts
Many women experience breast tenderness when they're period is due and fail to notice that their breasts are still sore beyond their menstrual due date. The surge in progesterone means that your breasts and nipples are continuing their development. The ducts and glands are developing further to fulfill their function to provide milk once the baby is born. Breast tenderness and swelling can continue for many women throughout pregnancy.
Adversions, Cravings and Sickness
Another early sign that your pregnancy test will be positive is an increased sensitivity to certain smells. Some smells, such as garbage or other strong scents, may trigger nausea or vomiting. You may also find you crave certain foods or that certain smells trigger your appetite as your body searches for specific nutrients.
Many women also experience morning sickness very early on in their pregnancy. It's unclear precisely why this occurs. For many women it also doesn't occur just in the morning. If you're experiencing nausea and vomiting for more than a few days, it's not the flu, it's time to take a pregnancy test.
Fatigue
If you're feeling like taking a nap, don't despair; it could be a positive sign of pregnancy. The Mayo Clinic notes that the higher levels of progesterone, combined with an increase in blood volume and a lowering of blood pressure combine to make you feel very sleepy. Your blood sugar levels may not be able to keep up with the increase in caloric requirements. All together this can make the early weeks of pregnancy a time when you need significant amounts of rest.
