Pregnancy symptoms differ from one woman to the other. Even though the surest way to find out if you are pregnant is to have a pregnancy test, there are symptoms that can tell that you are pregnant. Some women may experience these symptoms as early as the first week while others will experience them later on.
Pregnancy symptoms
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Missed period
One of the surest ways to know that you are pregnant is missing your period. This is true for all women who have reached child bearing age. However, it is only for those who have regular periods as it may be misleading for those with irregular periods.
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Morning sickness
Many pregnant women experience morning sickness which includes nausea, and vomiting. This usually starts one month after you become pregnant. This symptom is however not common for every woman.
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Swollen breasts
Another pregnancy symptom is having tender and swollen breasts. Your breasts may also feel sore and you might also feel some pain. This symptom goes away after a few weeks as your pregnancy progresses.
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Cravings
Many pregnant women experience cravings for certain foods. They might also become sensitive to different tastes and odors.
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Spotting
About 10 to 14 days after conception, some women experience light spotting. This happens when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus and is known as implantation bleeding.
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Cramping and backache
Women who are pregnant also experience cramping during the early stages. The uterus expands which causes cramping and backaches.
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Changes in moods
Hormonal changes during pregnancy may cause changes in your mood. It may make you feel more emotional and make you cry more often.
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Bloating
High levels of progesterone cause the digestive track to slow down, which causes bloating.
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Fatigue
An increase in progesterone in your body during pregnancy will cause you to feel more tired than usual. This will also make you feel sleepier.
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Frequent urination
When your uterus starts to grow, it puts pressure on your bladder which leads to more bathroom breaks. Your blood also increases during pregnancy, which makes your kidneys work harder and produce more urine.
Many of these signs are common to what you may feel before menstruation and may also be signs of other conditions. If you suspect you are pregnant, take a test to confirm.
By Beth Mugo
