Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

Pregnancy refers to the developmental process of a fetus in the uterus. It includes many physical, physiological, hormonal, and emotional changes that can be both exciting and overwhelming for the individual. This blog explores the most commonly encountered signs and symptoms of pregnancy to help prospective mothers understand what their bodies are trying to tell them.

What are Common Symptoms of Pregnancy?

The commonly encountered pregnancy symptoms of females can be broadly classified as:

Physical Signs And Symptoms of Pregnancy

The physical signs and symptoms of pregnancy are changes a woman notices in her body that are visible and tangible. These include:

• Missed Menstrual Period: This is a very typical sign of early pregnancy. It is not the same for everyone though as some females may have light bleeding instead of a missed menstrual period.

• Breast Tenderness: An increase in the size and sensitivity of the breast tissue is another common sign of early pregnancy. It may be accompanied by more noticeable breast veins and an increase in the pigmentation of the areola.

• Bloating / Weight Fluctuations: Hormonal changes and increased appetite during this time lead to bloating and fluctuations in weight for many women.

• Morning Sickness: Nausea and vomiting females experience during early pregnancy are known as morning sickness. It usually begins at 6 weeks and may significantly impact daily activities and quality of life.

• Cramps And Spotting: Mild abdominal cramps and spotting occur as a part of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy early on due to the implantation process in the uterus.

• Increased Urination: A combination of uterine growth and fluid retention is responsible for the pregnancy symptom of frequent urination and feeling of urgency experienced by most females.

Physiological Signs And Symptoms of Pregnancy

The changes in the normal body processes like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, etc., during pregnancy are referred to as the physiological signs and symptoms of pregnancy.

• Changes In Mood: The shift in the body's chemicals and hormones after becoming pregnant leads to mood swings and emotional changes. These changes are one of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy, beginning as early as weeks 3 - 4.

• Breathlessness: Breathlessness or shortness of breath occurs as the demand for oxygen increases in the body. It is experienced throughout the pregnancy by many women.

• Tiredness And Fatigue: Compensating for the needs of the growing fetus requires the body to expend extra energy. This leads to feelings of exhaustion, tiredness, and fatigue.

• Constipation: As the body adapts to fetal growth and hormonal changes, the digestive process considerably slows down and the bowel movements become irregular. This results in constipation and bloating.

• Dizziness: Dizziness or a feeling of faintness is experienced by many females during pregnancy. The cause for this symptom of pregnancy is the fluctuations in blood circulation and blood pressure.

Hormonal Signs And Symptoms of Pregnancy

Hormonal changes are the hallmark of pregnancy and are responsible for many signs of symptoms of pregnancy both early and late.

• Raised hCG: A raised human chorionic gonadotropin hormone level indicates a pregnancy and is the mode of detection used in pregnancy tests.

• Rise in Progesterone: A raised progesterone level supports the lining of the uterine wall and may add to feelings of bloating and tiredness.

• Rise in Estrogen: High estrogen levels are necessary for proper fetal development and lead to changes in breast tissue and the uterus.

• Acute Sense of Smell: Hormonal changes lead to alterations in the sense of smell. This change is responsible for nausea, food aversion, or alterations in diet during early and late pregnancy.

• Mood Swings: Both estrogen and progesterone lead to alterations in mood, emotional responses, and stress levels.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms (at 4 weeks)

The signs and symptoms of pregnancy early on span from week 1 to week 4.

First 72 Hours of Pregnancy Symptoms

The pregnancy symptoms of the first 72 hours after conception may not be very noticeable to many women. However, the first 1 - 3 days are incredibly important in terms of the changes occurring in the body. Some subtle signs and symptoms of pregnancy during this period may include mild cramps, mood changes, mild rise in the basal body temperature, etc.

Symptoms of Pregnancy at 1 Week - 3 Weeks

The period between weeks 1 to 3 after conception is considered the early pregnancy period. The changes occurring during this period are often very subtle and may go unnoticed by many, especially if it's the first pregnancy. Signs and symptoms of pregnancy early on may include:

• A missed menstrual cycle

• Morning sickness (nausea and vomiting)

• Altered sense of smell

• Increase in size and tenderness of breast tissue

• Tiredness

• Mood swings

• Unusual food cravings or aversions

• Frequent trips to the bathroom (increased urination)

Symptoms of Pregnancy at 4 Weeks

Although a lot is going on inside the body and uterus, the signs and symptoms of pregnancy are still in the early stages at week 4. Tenderness and sensitivity in the breast area and fatigue are usually the first symptoms of pregnancy to be felt by most females between weeks 4 - 6.

Other Symptoms of Pregnancy

Apart from these typical symptoms of pregnancy, there may be other unusual signs and symptoms in pregnant females. Such as:

• Backache

• Hemorrhoids

• Itching

• Cramping in the legs

• Numbness/paresthesia in the hands

• Vaginal inflammation and discharge

• Edema (legs)

These infrequent signs and symptoms of pregnancy may be a direct result of the pregnancy-related changes or due to a secondary process.

Home Pregnancy Tests

The home pregnancy tests are OTC kits that detect the levels of hCG in the urine to indicate a pregnancy. There are several types of these kits available to use, such as strip tests, mid-stream tests, etc.

A home pregnancy test is usually used after a missed menstrual cycle. Some of these tests are sensitive enough to pick up hCG levels 6 to 8 days after ovulation. The initial stream of urine in the morning is recommended for these tests as it contains higher levels of the pregnancy hormone.

If instructions for home pregnancy tests are followed diligently, they have a 99% rate of accuracy. There is always some risk of a false positive, therefore, it is advisable to follow up a home kit with a doctor's visit and pregnancy labs (blood tests).