Signs and Symptoms of Being Pregnant

If you are trying to conceive, it is important to understand the symptoms of being pregnant in order to know about the changes that will be happening to your body. There are many different symptoms of being pregnant that are easy to identify, as long as you are looking for the right things.

Menstrual Cycle Changes

The first and most apparent symptoms of being pregnant are when you miss a period. When conception occurs, the ovaries will no longer release an egg each month which means that the periods will temporarily stop. If you miss a period, it could be a sign of pregnancy, although it is important to look for other symptoms of being pregnant since a period can be missed for other health reasons as well.

Breast Tenderness

Many women report a feeling of tenderness in their breasts, which can be a telling sign… especially if breast tenderness is coinciding with other symptoms of being pregnant. The breasts become tender because they are enlarging and preparing for breastfeeding.

Fatigue

One of the earliest symptoms of being pregnant is fatigue. Often a woman may feel tired and worn out, without understanding why. During the early stages, the hormonal fluctuations can be tiring, and the blood sugar levels often drop which is another cause of fatigue.

Vomiting and Nausea

During the first trimester, it is common for women to experience “morning sickness,” which is vomiting and nausea. Some women experience this sickness as early as two weeks into the pregnancy, although the sickness times vary quite a bit between women.

Increase in Urination Frequency

During pregnancy, it is common for a woman to feel the need to urinate more often. As the body begins to adapt to carry the baby, the uterus begins to grow and it moves a little higher in the stomach. When this change occurs, it puts pressure on the bladder, which in turn causes the woman to feel like she needs to go to the bathroom.

Food Cravings

One of the symptoms of being pregnant is an increase in food cravings, and some women also experience food aversions as well. Additionally, many pregnant women report that they sense a change in their smelling ability, and they are much more sensitive to unpleasant smells. This sensation can sometimes increase the nausea and/or vomiting.

Keep in mind that some of these symptoms of being pregnant are different for women. For example, some women may experience severe nausea throughout the first half of their pregnancy, while others don’t notice any type of nausea.

Although there are many symptoms of being pregnant that you can watch for, there is no way to confirm the conception without taking a test. Many doctors’ offices and hospitals offer blood tests that will test the hormone levels in order to verify that you are carrying a baby.