Think you might be pregnant? According to the Mayo Clinic and Cone Health, these symptoms can be signs that your body is in the early stages of pregnancy.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
1. Fatigue
Early in pregnancy, your levels of the hormone progesterone are high, making you feel especially sleepy.
2. Nausea
Morning sickness most commonly begins about 4 weeks into your pregnancy, and can continue into your first trimester. Some women experience nausea and vomiting earlier, and some go their whole pregnancy without experiencing these symptoms. You may also feel more sensitive to the taste or smell of certain foods.
3. Breast Tenderness
Some women experience swelling, sensitivity and soreness in their breasts. This is caused by the hormonal fluctuations that are happening as your body adjusts for the early stages of your baby’s development.
4. A Missed Period
Missing one or more periods is usually a sign of pregnancy. However, a missed period can be deceiving if your menstrual cycle is irregular. An unusually light period can also be a sign of pregnancy.
Other Possible Pregnancy Symptoms
Other symptoms of early pregnancy include feeling moody or emotional, due to the hormonal changes your body is making. You may also notice symptoms that are similar to what you experience at the start of your period, including bloating, cramping, or light spotting. The light spotting is known as implantation bleeding, occurring about 10 to 14 days after conception. Some women have also noted constipation or nasal congestion occurring early in their pregnancies.
Since these symptoms can have other causes, like PMS, there are a few measures you can take until you know for sure. If you think you might be pregnant, it is recommended that you avoid the use of alcohol, drugs or tobacco. To avoid the risk of toxoplasmosis, it is also advised that you do not clean a cat litter box. Limiting your caffeine intake to 200 mg per day (approximately two 8 ounce cups of coffee), and taking a vitamin supplement with folic acid (or a prenatal vitamin) are also beneficial steps.
Make an Appointment Today
The Pregnancy Network offers free medical-grade pregnancy tests, so you can be confident in your pregnancy test results. You can make an appointment today by visiting our website, or by giving us a call at 336-274-4881.
Here’s what you can expect at your appointment at The Pregnancy Network:
Whether a positive pregnancy test is the news you were hoping for, or if you were not planning to be pregnant at this stage in life, we’re here to help. One of the women we had the privilege of serving noted, “I received my official news here and the comfort they provided was priceless…”
At your appointment, we’ll provide the information you need to be fully-informed about your options and the resources available to you. We can help as you make a plan for your next steps, and prepare for your future. Make an appointment for our free services today.
Kacey Minor
Kacey is the Communications Assistant at The Pregnancy Network.