What are the Symptoms of Pregnancy?

Thinking you might be pregnant? 

Taking a pregnancy test and visiting your doctor are the only ways to know for sure. However, if it is too soon to take these steps, you should be on the lookout for some early signs. 

At 5 weeks, about 50% of women experience some symptoms of pregnancy. By 8 weeks, the number jumps to 90%. 

So, if you think there is a chance you might have a bun in the oven, keep reading to find out what symptoms you could expect. 

A Missed Period 

Although there could be other reasons for missing a period, it is also one of the biggest symptoms of pregnancy. 

The menstrual cycle is the way your body prepares for pregnancy. Every month, your body naturally thickens its uterine lining, which is where a fertilized egg is implanted.

If there is no fertilized egg, your body naturally sheds that lining (hence, your period). If you are pregnant, your body will not discard the lining, which will make you miss your period. 

Nausea or Vomiting 

Nausea and vomiting are often referred to as “morning sickness.” This pregnancy symptom is perhaps one of the most commonly discussed and looked for when figuring out pregnancy. 

This is a pregnancy symptom that manifests relatively early on in the pregnancy. In fact, many women experience this at four weeks. So, if you’ve noticed that you are constantly nauseous, your body might be telling you that you are pregnant. 

Breast Tenderness 

Pregnant women experience many hormonal changes. In fact, pregnancy can increase estrogen and progesterone, which can cause breast tenderness.

Although women also experience these breast symptoms before and after their menstrual cycle, these symptoms can feel more intense during pregnancy.

Frequent Urination

Another big symptom of pregnancy is having to urinate more frequently. Usually, newly pregnant women notice an increase in bathroom visits around the time their period is due. 

This symptom can become apparent very early on in the pregnancy. However, this is one of those pregnancy symptoms that can last throughout the entire term. Looking into midwifery help to learn what to expect during your entire pregnancy is a good way of feeling more prepared for any symptoms that might develop.

Sensitivity to Certain Smells 

Many women experience increased sensitivity to certain smells very early on in their pregnancy. This pregnancy symptom can worsen morning sickness. In addition, it is one that many pregnant women experience throughout the entire first trimester, and sometimes even longer. 

Experiencing Symptoms of Pregnancy? 

If you are experiencing some of these early symptoms of pregnancy, you should take an at-home pregnancy test. You can schedule a visit with your doctor and book an ultrasound. Although these are all prevalent signs of pregnancy, it is always better to talk to a physician to know for sure.

Pregnancy can be a fascinating and beautiful journey. If you are looking for more tips and tricks on what to expect and how to prepare, make sure to check out the rest of our pregnancy content!