Missed a period? Feeling nauseous? These are the common signs we’re more aware of surrounding pregnancy.
However, not all pregnant mums experience the nasty morning sickness which is one of the most certain signs of being pregnant. So, what are the other symptoms that hint at a pregnancy?
Here are some other signs to look out for as they might just indicate that you are going to be a mum-to-be.
1) Missing your period
One of the surest tell-tale signs that you might be pregnant is a missed period. Should you have had unprotected intercourse 3 days before and during your intercourse during your last period and notice that you have missed your next period, there is a likelihood that you are impregnated.
However, there is also a possibility of a late period should you be sick or stressed during your menstrual cycle.
2) Feeling nauseous
For many women, morning sickness is commonly experienced during the first trimester in their pregnancy. With up to 70% of women having nausea, it is also one of the most common signs that you might be pregnant.
Not only is nausea a sign of pregnancy, it may persist throughout your pregnancy, although for most cases, morning sickness is experienced only in the first trimester.
The reason behind this symptom is the increased estrogen levels in your body when you are first pregnant which your body is adapting to.
3) Constipation
When you are impregnated, your body immediately switches into full-pregnancy gear as it prepares for your growing baby.
With your altering hormones during pregnancy, it causes digestion to work less efficiently.
The reduced proficiency of your digestive tracks causes your colon to absorb more water from your stool, thereby making your stool harder and as a result, constipation.
4) Extreme Fatigue
If you experience an extreme fatigue that you haven’t quite experienced before, it might also be a symptom that you are pregnant.
Not only is your body producing more progesterone. which makes you more tired, it is also working extra hard to cater to your fetus. The moment you are pregnant, your body works harder by producing more blood to transport nutrients to your baby.
The combination of the two causes you to feel more tired than usual and thus, it is crucial to include pockets of rest time, especially in the first trimester where pregnant mothers tend to feel more sluggish and easily exhausted.
5) Increase Basal Body Temperature
Basal body temperature is the lowest temperature of a person’s body at rest on a given day. Basal body temperature is also used to track a woman’s ovulation during the course of their menstrual cycle to predict their ovulation period.
Likewise, basal body temperature can also be used to indict if you are pregnant.
If you are using a basal body thermometer (BBT) to track your menstrual cycle, you will notice that your body basal temperature is lower (36.1°C – 36.4°C)
During the first part of your menstrual cycle, to which, would increase to (36.4°C – 37°C).
If you realise that you basal body temperature does not drop to pre-ovulation temperature, but rather, stays elevated, this might be a symptom that you might be pregnant.
The reason why pregnancy results in higher basal body temperature is again, due to the increase in progesterone levels in your body.
Thus, measuring your basal body temperature could help you detect signs of pregnancy.
6) Spotting
Light bleeding or spotting during the early part of pregnant is many times, mistaken as a lighter menstrual flow for many women.
And for this very reason, many women are unaware that they are pregnant with this symptom.
However, spotting is one of the more common signs of pregnancy with about 20% of women experiencing spotting in the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy.
The reason for this light bleeding is caused by implantation bleeding where the fertilized egg is attaches itself to the uterine lining. Implantation bleeding can occur anywhere between 6 – 12 days after your egg is fertilized)
Thus, if you notice that your menstrual flow seems much lighter than your usual, it might be spotting which may indicate that you are pregnant
7) Darkening of Areolas
You may notice that your areolas are becoming darker than usual and that could be a sign of pregnancy.
The moment you are pregnant, it can take as early as 1-2 weeks for this change to occur.
The darkening of your nipples is once again, caused by an influx of hormones in your body as it prepares your breasts for breastfeeding.
8) Cramps
Similar to the cramps you might experience during your monthly period, cramps can also be a sign of early pregnancy.
These cramps can last anywhere between weeks to months during your pregnancy. This is because, the moment you are pregnant, your uterus grows to prepare and accommodate to your baby.
As such, you might experience some pressure in your lower abdomen especially when you are bloated, constipated or have a full bladder.
9) Tender Breasts
Again, very much like your pre-period symptoms, your breasts might feel tender and sensitive to the touch when you are in the early stages of pregnancy. Your breasts may also feel fuller and heavier than usual.
Reason being, there is an increased level of progesterone is your body the moment you are pregnant and this discernible change in your body can be detected within 1 – 2 weeks of conception.
Thus, if you notice a change in size or sensation to your breasts, it might be an indication that are you pregnant.
10) Sensitive to Smells
When pregnant, your sense of smell heightens, and you might find yourself feeling queasy at a scent that does not sit well with you.
This sensitivity to smells is also one of the common signs that you are pregnant.
This is because, the moment you are pregnant, estrogen levels increase and it is this hormone, that enhances your keen sense of smell, making scents more overpowering than usual.
If you find that you are unusually sensitive to smells around you and feel queasy around offensive smelling food, it might be a sign that you are pregnant.
11) Increase Heartbeat
With a new life in you, your body works much harder than before to provide for your growing fetus.
In order to accommodate your baby, your heart has to pump more blood to your uterus, with your uterus receiving 1/5th of your pre-pregnancy blood supply.
With an increased 30% – 50% of blood pumping to your heart, your heart rate increases from 70 beats per minute (pre-pregnancy) to 80 – 90 beats per minute when you are pregnant.
As such, should you feel an increase in your heartbeat, there might be a possibility that you are pregnant.
12) Frequent Bathroom Visits
If you realize that you are visiting the toilet more often than usual to do a number 1, it could be an early sign of pregnancy.
The reason behind this symptom is that blood flow to your kidneys increases by up to 60% the moment you are pregnant.
This increase in blood flow to your kidneys results in your kidneys producing 25% more urine right after you conceive.
While your urine production only peaks at week 9 – 16 into your pregnancy, you would already detect increase frequency to the bathrooms the moment you are pregnant.
13) Aches
Another sign that you might be pregnant is the frequent backaches you experience, unlike before.
You might realize that being in certain postures might induce backaches and an uncomfortable pressure.
This happens because, as your body prepares itself for your growing baby and your delivery, your joints, ligaments and muscles loosen to aid with the process.
The loosening of your joints puts more pressure on your back and thus, results in backaches.
14) Cervical Mucus Change
Cervical mucus is a liquid to gel-like discharge from your cervix. Throughout your menstrual cycle, you may notice a change in texture in your cervical mucus due to the fluctuation of your hormones during your menstrual cycle.
During menstrual period – blood is mixed with mucus
After your period – No discharge is noticeable
Before ovulation – white and cloudy discharge which is stretchy in texture
During ovulation – clear discharge which is stretchy in texture
After ovulation – cloudy discharge or for some women, no discharge.
Your cervical mucus change depending on the stage of menstrual cycle you are in and this is no different for when you are pregnant.
Upon conception, your cervical mucus becomes thick and gluey and within the first few weeks of pregnancy, your mucus changes into a whiteish yellowish with a stickier consistency.
It is thus, important to track your cervical mucus as this may be a sign that you are pregnant.
15) Unusual Emotions
This might also a common symptom for many newly pregnant mothers. In the earlier stages of pregnancy, you might notice that your emotions are more volatile than before.
One minute you are crying for the slightest reason or lack thereof and the next, you find yourself frustrated and even angry.
When you are first pregnant, your rapid fluctuating hormones result in your mood swings and unusual emotions.
As such, should you realize a drastic change in your emotions, it might hint that you are pregnant.
16) Feeling Bloated
Much like the pre-period bloating that you might experience monthly, you may find yourself feeling the same when you are first pregnant.
Your newly pregnant body increases progesterone levels in order to prepare your uterus for your baby.
The influx of progesterone introduces a whole host of reactions in your body.
From slowed digestion to trapped gas in your intestines, the heightened levels of progesterone will result in bloating.
17) Food Cravings / Aversions
Linked to your keener sense of smell when you are pregnant, you may also realize that your sense of taste might change when you are first pregnant.
This heightened sense of taste alters the way your food tastes as compared to before and this is why you may find yourself repulsed by foods that were once your favorites during pre-pregnancy.
Conversely, with a change in your sense of taste, you may also find a liking for foods that were once avoided before you are pregnant.
Thus, if you find a drastic change in your food cravings, it might be a sign of pregnancy.
18) Acne
Pregnancy acne is not uncommon for many mothers in the early stages of their pregnancy.
With increased levels of androgens in your body upon conception, this causes an increase in sebum levels which encourages clogged pores and bacteria inflammation.
While pregnancy acne is rather common, ladies who experience pre-menstrual acne are more susceptible to pregnancy acne.
19) Unusual Thirst
One of the more unheard symptoms of pregnancy is an unusual level of thirst you might experience.
Some mothers describe this thirst as beyond thirsty and it feels as though no amount of water can satisfy the thirst.
The reason being, when you first conceive, your body requires increased fluids in order to cater to your baby’s blood circulation as well as your amniotic fluid.
As such, in order to sustain the appropriate amount of fluids in your body for you and your baby, you may find yourself increasingly thirsty during the early phase of your pregnancy.
20) Dizziness
Not only does morning sickness contribute to dizziness in the early stages of your pregnancy, the hormonal change in your body causes your blood pressure to fall as the walls of your blood vessel relaxes.
It is important to be extra careful if you are dizzy should you be pregnant.
Take extra precaution to address your dizziness, such as ensuring not to stand too quickly or avoid lying in a fixed position for a prolonged period, as this is a fragile phase of your pregnancy.
21) Heart Burn
Similar to the reason behind your bloating, the increased levels of progesterone in your body causes your esophagus to relax.
With that muscle relaxed, you may find that you experience more episodes of acid reflux since food and acids are unable to be kept down without the contraction of the muscles in your esophagus.
So, should you experience more acid refluxes than usual, it might just be that you are pregnant.
Conclusion
As pregnancy symptoms vary from individual to individual, it is crucial to listen to your body and to be aware of the signs that your body is giving.
While some new mothers may experience the typical nausea or missed period, others may experience an excruciating thirst that are slightly more unheard of.
Should you realize that your body is acting much differently than your usual with the above symptoms, don’t hesitate to buy a pregnancy test kit.
For all you know, good news must just be awaiting you!
