Finding out that you are pregnant is one of the most monumental times in life. Whether the pregnancy is a surprise or you have been trying to become pregnant for months, the early symptoms of pregnancy may be surprising. Understanding what to expect, what is normal and what may indicate problems can help make the early months of pregnancy less stressful.
Physical Signs
A missed period is often the first sign that women experience when pregnant. Modern home pregnancy tests are sensitive enough to use on the first day of your expected period.
A variety of digestion-related issues often crop up in early pregnancy. Morning sickness, or nausea, is a possible sign of pregnancy, and can last all day. Food cravings are another sign of pregnancy. Food aversions are a common pregnancy sign, and can be mild, where the pregnant woman doesn't really want to think about eating a particular food, to severe, where the smell of the offending food is enough to set off a round of vomiting.
The breasts experience changes early in the pregnancy as well. These changes include swelling, developing a feeling of fullness and sensitivity. The areolas, the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple, may become darker and more pronounced.
Constipation can be a sign of pregnancy. Progesterone, one of the hormones that helps the body maintain pregnancy, also causes slow downs in the digestive tract, which can lead to constipation.
Emotional Signs
It is common for women in early pregnancy to become emotional. The body is working overtime to prepare itself to support a baby, and hormone levels are changing rapidly. BabyCenter.com reports that these feelings, which can range from mild mood swings to troubling depression or anxiety, typically improve toward the end of the first trimester.
Surprising Signs
Some women are surprised to experience minor vaginal bleeding early in their pregnancy. Known as implantation bleeding, it occurs when the embryo implants on the wall of the uterus.
Another sign many women find surprising in early pregnancy is extreme fatigue. Although it makes sense that tiredness will settle in later in the pregnancy, fatigue can develop within one week of conception. During pregnancy, the blood vessels dilate in preparation for the increased blood volume necessary to support the baby. When the blood vessels dilate, it temporarily lowers blood pressure, which can cause feelings of dizziness and even fainting, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It may be surprising to learn that headaches are often a sign of pregnancy. Changes in hormone levels can lead to the development of a low-grade headache during early pregnancy, according to the American Pregnancy Association.
