When you’ve made the decision to have a baby, you are naturally hyperaware of your own body as you eagerly await the first signs that you are pregnant. Many women swear that they know right away when they have become pregnant. Still, it’s comforting to have confirmation. These are some of the common signs of pregnancy that occur within weeks of conception.
As early as two weeks in, you may notice that your breasts are swollen and tender. The areolas darken and become larger. You may see more obvious veins than you did before., and experience a feeling of heaviness.
Nausea may appear as soon as one week, more typically three. The hormonal changes of pregnancy affect the stomach’s ability to empty, leading to that sick feeling. The increased sensitivity to odors may contribute, too. Though commonly termed Morning Sickness, attacks of nausea can occur at any time of day. Vomiting may or may not occur.
Another well known sign of pregnancy is food cravings and food aversions. They may appear quite early. Foods you formerly loved have become offensive, while you can’t get enough of certain others. Again, it is your rapidly changing hormonal levels that are responsible. Your sense of smell is enhanced during pregnancy, which can also affect your opnions of different foods. Digestive changes can also lead to constipation and bloating. You may also find yourself needing to urinate more often, as fluid levels in the body rise and the expanding uterus puts pressure on your bladder.
Fatigue is very common as an early sign.
Rising levels of progesterone has the effect of making you feel worn out even if you are getting enough rest. You may also be experiencing lower blood pressure and lower blood sugar than usual, which also affect your energy level. These can also lead to dizziness and fainting. You may experience shortness of breath in situations that didn’t previously wind you. This is because of the increased demand for oxygen that the growing fetus puts on your body.
A missed period is typically thought of as the primary sign of pregnancy. But for some women, a small amount of bleeding occurs at the time of implantation, around six to twelve days after conception. This can be mistaken for a light period.
These are not hard and fast rules. Every woman’s body and every pregnancy is different, so one woman may have all of these symptoms, another one or two, and another have none of them. There’s no reason to worry if you believe you are pregnant, but aren’t experiencing early symptoms.
Many women use basal body temperature (BBT) to track ovulation. Your BBT can also be used to help you decide if you are pregnant. If it remains elevated for more than two weeks after your date of ovulation, pregnancy is likely.
Being aware of these symptoms will help you recognize them in yourself. If you experience three or more of these early signs of pregnancy, congratulations may be due. You can’t know for sure without a positive urine or blood test, but chances are good.