Have you been feeling different lately? Do you feel more tired, tenderness in your breasts or unexpected nausea? Many women begin to notice small changes in their bodies even before confirming a pregnancy with a test.
Even though every pregnancy is different and not all women experience the same symptoms, there are some very common signs that may indicate a possible pregnancy.
When do the first pregnancy symptoms appear?
The first symptoms can appear between 1 and 2 weeks after fertilization, although it is more common to start noticing changes after the first missed period.
This happens because the body quickly begins producing hormones such as beta hCG, progesterone and estrogen, which are responsible for many of these initial sensations.
Some of these early symptoms include:
1) Late menstrual cycle
The most well known, and quite often, the first clue to being pregnant. If you have regular cycles and your period does not arrive when expected to, this could be an important indicator. However, stress, hormonal changes or certain pathologies can also cause delays in menstrual cycles.
2) Tenderness and swelling in breasts
Many women experience more sensitivity, swelling or pain in their breasts during the first few days. Another frequent symptom is the slight darkening of the areoles. This hormonal change is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy.
3) Fatigue and excessive tiredness
Feeling exhausted for no apparent reason is very common during the first weeks. The increase in progesterone causes the body to need more rest as it adapts to pregnancy.
4) Nausea and sensitivity to certain smells
Although they are usually associated with the trimester, in some pregnancies nausea can appear very early, even before the first missed period. It is also common to develop sensitivity to certain smells or foods that previously did not bother you.
5) Frequent urination
The increased need to go to the bathroom more often can appear from very early stages due to increased blood flow and hormonal changes.
6) Small implantation bleeding
Some women may experience light, pink or brown spotting when the embryo implants into the uterus. This often occurs between 6 and 12 days after ovulation and can be confused with a light menstrual cycle.
7) Emotional changes
Hormonal changes can also affect your mood. Irrational, emotional sensitivity or mood swings are relatively common during the first weeks.
8) Abdominal swelling
Many women have the sensation of their abdomen being more inflamed, or a heavy feeling, similar to that of premenstrual symptoms.
Do all pregnancies have symptoms?
No. Some women notice many changes from the very beginning, while others barely experience symptoms during the first weeks. The absence of symptoms does not necessarily mean that there is a problem.
When should you take a pregnancy test?
To obtain a reliable result, it is recommended to wait at least until the first day of a missed period. Pregnancy tests detect the beta hCG hormone in urine, but if they are taken too early, they may produce a false negative.
Keep in mind that, in assisted reproduction treatments, we always want to confirm the pregnancy with a blood test, which we usually perform at the clinic about twelve days after the embryo transfer.
To finish off with, remember it is important to turn to a professional if:
- The pregnancy test is positive.
- You have doubts about symptoms.
- Intense pain or heavy bleeding appears
- You have been trying to get pregnancy for a long period of time.