Are you feeling queasy and exhausted all the time? During pregnancy, your body will go through a vast array of transformations. Symptoms like morning sickness, tenderness in your breasts, or frequent visits to the bathroom may be early signs of pregnancy. While most expecting mothers wait for missed periods before taking a confirmatory pregnancy test, there are other symptoms that can hint at an impending arrival of a new member into your family. This blog post will discuss 10 telltale early signs of pregnancy before missed periods that could mean you are likely pregnant. So, let’s get started.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms Before Missed Period
Pregnancy symptoms can start as early as the first week after conception. Although some women won’t experience any symptoms until after a missed period, many do have common early pregnancy symptoms and signs that can clue them into the fact they are pregnant before they miss a period. Below we’ve discussed many early pregnancy symptoms when you missed period, and they are:
Implantation bleeding
A small amount of blood may be discharged when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the womb lining. This is called implantation bleeding, and it can occur anywhere from 6-12 days after conception. This is the other early pregnancy symptoms before missed periods and is often mistaken for a light period. However, your menstrual cramps should not be present with implantation bleeding. Generally, in your first trimester, you should expect to have light bleeding or spotting on and off for up to 4 weeks.
Darkening Areolas
This pregnancy symptom usually occurs around 4-6 weeks after conception. Your areolas (the darker circles around your nipples) may become bigger and darker in color. This is caused as a result of increased levels of melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its color. If you missed period but are not pregnant, it could also be due to hormonal fluctuations. As we know, pregnancy hormones like estrogen and progesterone are responsible for many of the changes in your body. Moreover, this sign of pregnancy can also cause your nipples to become more sensitive.
Frequent urination
This is one of the most commonly known early pregnancy symptoms. You may start to feel like you need to pee more often around 6-8 weeks after conception. This is due to the increase in hormones and extra blood being filtered through your kidneys. Along with this symptom, some women also experience a burning sensation while urinating or pressure in their bladder. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and think you may be pregnant, it’s best to talk to your doctor for a definitive answer.
Sore and Sensitive Breast
As your pregnancy progresses, your breasts may become tender, swollen and sore. This is due to the changes in your hormones as well as the body’s preparation for breastfeeding. The area around the nipples (areola) may darken and enlarge. You may also find that you have leaking colostrum from your nipples which is normal and nothing to worry about. However, during this period, blood pressure can also drop and cause dizziness or lightheadedness, so it is important to take care of yourself.
Food Aversion/Cravings
Food aversions, cravings, and general changes in eating habits are all common during early pregnancy. Some women experience a strong dislike for certain foods, smells, or flavors. Others may find themselves craving things they never liked before. Food cravings are very common in the first trimester and can range from sweet to savory and everything in between. These cravings should resolve themselves within the second trimester, but if you find yourself excessively craving certain foods, it’s best to talk to your doctor.
Basal Body Temperature
Your basal body temperature (BBT) is your morning temperature immediately upon waking. An increase in BBT that persists for several days can be an early sign of pregnancy. After ovulation, your BBT will rise by 0.5-1 degree Fahrenheit and stay elevated until you get your period. So if you have a higher than normal BBT and missed period, you may be pregnant. However, elevated basal body temperature alone is not a definite sign of pregnancy. Many women track their BBT to help identify when they are most fertile.
Bloating
Bloating is a common symptom of early pregnancy. This can be caused by an increase in hormones and the body’s need for more nutrients to help nourish the growing fetus. Your stomach may look bigger, feel fuller, and you may find yourself needing to unbutton your pants more often. Some women also experience cramping along with bloating. This is normal and should resolve itself within a few weeks. If you’re having any severe pain or cramping, it’s best to talk to your doctor.
Nausea and fatigue
Nausea and fatigue are common symptoms of pregnancy. The feelings of nausea, also known as morning sickness, can start as early as a few weeks after conception. Similarly, feeling more tired than usual is also a sign that your body is preparing for the nine months ahead. This early sign can be a good indicator if you want positive pregnancy test results without using a kit.
Mood Swings
As your hormones increase during early pregnancy, you may experience sudden mood swings and emotional changes. You may feel more irritable than usual or start to cry for no apparent reason. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about as your body is adjusting to the pregnancy. Try to get plenty of rest, eat healthy meals and take time for yourself if you are feeling overwhelmed or emotional.
Cervical mucus
Cervical mucus changes throughout the menstrual cycle and can be an early sign of pregnancy. Around the time of ovulation, you may notice thicker, creamier cervical mucus that appears more white or cloudy in color. After conception, this cervical mucus will take on a sticky consistency which helps protect the fertilized egg as it moves toward the uterus. It is important to note that these signs can be subtle and vary from woman to woman. As such, cervical mucus alone may not be enough to determine whether you are pregnant.
When is the best time to take a pregnancy test?
The best time to take a pregnancy test is when you have missed your period and a few days after. This means that if your menstrual cycle is regular, the best time to take a pregnancy test would be 7-10 days after you’ve missed your period. This is because it takes about 6-12 days for the fertilized egg to implant in the uterus and start producing hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), which is what most home pregnancy tests detect.
It can take around 14 days from when you conceive (when the egg and sperm join) until your body produces enough hCG hormone for a home pregnancy test to pick up on it and show an accurate result. So if you wait until after the day of your expected period, enough of this hormone should be present in your urine sample for an at-home kit or lab assay to accurately detect whether or not you are pregnant.
Can pregnancy lead to vaginal bleeding?
Yes, in fact, vaginal bleeding is common during pregnancy. Bleeding may occur due to a variety of causes, including implantation of the fertilized egg, an infection in the uterus or cervix (the lower part of the uterus), placenta previa (when the placenta partially or totally covers the opening of the cervix) and other conditions. Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy should not be taken lightly; even if it is not serious, any abnormal bleeding should always be discussed with your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
What color discharge is pregnancy?
During pregnancy, it is normal for women to experience different types of vaginal discharge. This can range in color from clear and white to yellow or greenish, depending on the stage of pregnancy. Generally speaking, clear and whitish-colored discharge is common at many stages during pregnancy and should not be a cause for concern.
It’s important to note that any type of unusual or unpleasant smell accompanying any color change can be a sign of infection. Women who are pregnant should contact their healthcare provider if they notice any changes in their vaginal discharge as soon as possible so they can seek treatment if necessary.
Does light spotting mean I have a miscarriage?
It is possible that light spotting could be a sign of miscarriage, but it’s important to understand the difference between spotting and bleeding. If you experience any kind of bleeding during pregnancy, it’s important to call your healthcare provider right away for proper diagnosis and treatment. They will be able to examine you and determine the cause of the spotting or bleeding, which may include an infection or even early labor if it occurs after 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Miscarriage can also occur with no signs at all; this type of miscarriage is called a missed miscarriage. It’s important not to jump to conclusions about what light spotting means; instead, get an evaluation by your healthcare provider so they can accurately assess the situation and provide appropriate care based on their findings.
The Bottom Line
If you’re hoping to get pregnant, it’s important to be aware of the early signs of pregnancy before missed periods. Though everyone experiences pregnancy differently, some common early symptoms may give you a hint that you’re pregnant long before your missed period. The above-mentioned early signs of pregnancy are a guide to help you notice when your body might be changing. If you think you might be pregnant, the best way to know for sure is to take a pregnancy test. Consult with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your health during pregnancy.