Finding out you’re pregnant can be one of the most dramatic milestones in a woman’s life. Yet, it rarely comes in a singular “aha” moment. Instead, you pick up on a series of cues from your body. Being receptive to these biological hints can help you recognize your pregnancy early.
Here are five early signs you may be pregnant…
1. Sore Breasts
Breast tenderness begins as early as the fourth week of pregnancy, as additional estrogen and progesterone work their way into your system. Increased fat and blood flow also contribute to making your breasts fuller, larger and heavier. These rapid changes often introduce some soreness.
2. Frequent Potty Breaks
Increases in progesterone and human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) in early pregnancy cause your body to pump more blood, requiring your kidneys to work harder to filter all that fluid. That results in more urine making its way to your bladder. While you will feel the need to urinate more frequently, there may be times when you feel the urge, but can urinate very little, if at all.
3. Nausea and Throwing Up
The nausea and vomiting of “morning sickness” are probably the best know early pregnancy symptoms. Contrary to the name, however, these unfortunate symptoms can arise any time of day. According to the American Pregnancy Association, “up to 70 percent of expectant mothers experience nausea at some point during early pregnancy.”
4. Aches and Muscle Soreness
Your body is undergoing a lot of changes in a short time. The stress of your uterus expanding along with variations in hormone levels can create aches and pains throughout the body, and particularly in the lower back. Recurring throbbing or dull headaches are also classic pregnancy signs.
5. Uterine Cramps and Spotting
Cramping and spotting sometimes occur 6-12 days after fertilization, as the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall. These “implantation bleeding” symptoms are often confused for PMS and/or the start of a period, though they are generally much lighter than those experienced in a typical menstrual period. It’s a good idea to get a pregnancy test as soon as you notice any unusual bleeding.
If you believe you may be pregnant, contact Sira in Gainesville today to schedule your free medical pregnancy test. Our healthcare professionals will help to determine if you are pregnant, answer any questions you may have and, if you like, connect you with a counselor to discuss your pregnancy options.