Some women may experience early signs and symptoms within the first weeks of pregnancy in the first trimester, while others may develop symptoms later on in the pregnancy.
The first signs and symptoms of early pregnancy can also be similar to symptoms experienced prior to the menstrual period, so a woman may not recognize the symptoms as related to pregnancy.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the symptoms of pregnancy within the first trimester include:
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
- Nausea or vomiting less than three days after unprotected sex
- Morning sickness is known as chills lasting more than a week
- Breast tenderness or pain
- A loss of appetite
- Diarrhea lasting up to three days
In addition to these, symptoms occurring within the first five days post-coital, such as hot flashes or night sweats, may also appear.
While these symptoms may be less severe in the weeks following the birth of a baby, they can be quite disconcerting for women during the beginning of their second trimester. Some women may not realize that pregnancy symptoms are due to pregnancy until they begin experiencing them themselves.
These symptoms typically appear within the first week after a woman’s last period, generally around the 10th week into the pregnancy. While symptoms may vary by individual, all symptoms of pregnancy are more common in the first trimester and are expected to subside within the first nine weeks into pregnancy.
Diagnosis of Pregnancy
If you experience pregnancy symptoms during your own pregnancies, you may be diagnosed with premature ovarian failure (POF). While this condition is perfectly treatable, it is often overlooked because women do not associate pregnancy with an increased risk of infertility.
Thus, many women do not know that early pregnancy symptoms are possible pregnancy symptoms and often do not seek medical attention.
As noted by Mayo Clinic, because pregnancy itself is not a disease and women are not infectious, a woman’s symptoms of pregnancy are generally not a cause for concern.
However, if you experience nausea, vomiting, or spotting three or more days after sex, or if you have these symptoms in conjunction with any other medical conditions, it might be a good idea to see a healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis, prevent overrun, and determine what further treatment is necessary.
If you experience pregnancy symptoms and continue to think you may be pregnant, you should speak to a health provider.
Nadège issued a statement on Twitter, entitled ‘Some women are experiencing pregnancy symptoms after sex.
It’s none of your freaking business.’In light of the recent flu pandemic and increased vigilance in women’s health, Nadège felt it necessary to speak out about hearing these concerns.
Though it can be disheartening to experience symptoms or find out through a pregnancy test that you are pregnant, the absolutely no risk and major benefits of going through pregnancy means that it’s a very natural process for you and your baby.
You are more likely to contract COVID-19 during pregnancy. It is highly recommended that if you plan to get pregnant, you get a qualified provider’s help as soon as possible during any part of your pregnancy, rather than later.
Being pregnant is a great time to improve your resilience skills and be a better parent. Going through pregnancy is a great time to be more diligent with giving your baby attention, accommodating his needs, and set a fun and adventurous milestones for him.
Being pregnant and giving birth will be a lot more difficult than being a non-pregnant person. Many women in early pregnancy experience profound changes such as heavier and longer periods, regular cramps, and mood swings.
Though many women are able to overcome these challenges, it is encouraged to seek counseling during your pregnancy to learn how to fully cope with these changes.
Any changes during pregnancy are more likely to be permanent if left untreated.
Being pregnant and giving birth is a lot like any other experience. Expect the unexpected, handle difficult situations admirably, and most importantly, love your little bundle of joy unconditionally.
Pregnancy takes a toll on your body. The changes that pregnancy brings are incredibly beneficial for your body during and after pregnancy.
If you find that you miss out on any of these changes, it is recommended to go right back to your pre-pregnancy lifestyle before any more drastic changes are introduced.
A healthy body and a healthy pregnancy will make you a stronger and more resilient person. Take it day by day, and listen to your body during each ultrasound scan. If you have any questions you would like to ask, please ask.
You never know what pregnancy will bring. Pregnancies are full of surprises, so we cannot predict how our bodies or our babies will be. However, you do have many options and support networks available to you.
Regardless of when pregnancy symptoms begin, the last thing a woman wants is to panic or put off any type of medical care due to the stress of believing the symptoms are pregnancy-related.
If you are experiencing early pregnancy symptoms and/or have any concerns related to your pregnancy, please call your health care provider or call 911.
Do not attempt to self-diagnose or make decisions around your health care without seeking medical advice.
Pregnancy-related symptoms
Pregnancy-related high blood pressure is a serious medical condition that impacts the heart. During pregnancy, the uterus and tissues in the pelvic area continue to receive large amounts of blood and fluids, which can result in high blood pressure. Women may notice symptoms such as:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
Women with a history of high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes are more likely to experience pregnancy-related blood pressure increases.
This condition can be managed through regular exercise, but other steps to alleviate high blood pressure can include medication, such as heart or muscle relaxers.
Genetic pregnancy complications are the medical conditions that are caused by the conception/birth of a pregnancy outside of its normal timeframe.
These conditions present in one in 3,500 pregnancies, which is similar to what occurs during implantation. These complications include chorea, cleft lip/palate, cardiac defects, and major blood volume changes.
Please reference the National Library of Medicine to find the full text of these pregnancy-related complications, as well as a list of pregnancy-related medications.
She may be slightly heavier or have a slightly higher BMI than she did prior to pregnancy.
Physical changes associated with pregnancy
At the beginning of pregnancy, there may also be a slight increase in energy or strength. This is the body’s way of providing foods for the baby to grow.
After conception, hormone levels peak, and the uterus begins the process of implantation.
Women may note a slight increase in energy and or strength after conception, but these increases are usually more subtle than those discussed above.
Blood group preference is a blood type that a woman can have difficulty digesting due to the type of blood that passes through her digestive system.
Blood type preferences change constantly during pregnancy, and some women may not realize that they are pregnant until a test shows that they have mistakenly developed antibodies against one of their child’s blood types, which is not the case for everyone.
If you have questions about your blood type, discuss this information with your healthcare provider or a genetics counselor.
