Many women have a missed period as one of the first signs of pregnancy. However, this can be caused by things other than unprotected sex.
The next step in conceiving is called implantation. This occurs when sperm meets an egg. This fertilized egg then attaches itself to the uterus lining.
1. Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting is a common early sign of pregnancy, but it can happen at any time of day or night. It occurs most often in the 4th and 7th week of pregnancy, but can begin sooner. It usually subsides by 12-14 weeks. Nausea can be caused by the rising levels of the hormone hCG, which make the stomach more sensitive and can cause food to taste more intense. It can also be caused by stress, illness, or even pregnancy anxiety.
Pregnancy symptoms usually start about six to 12 days after conception, when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. This can cause spotting and cramping, which is called implantation bleeding.
If you suspect that you may be pregnant, take a home pregnancy test as soon as possible after your missed period. New tests can provide a result as early as a few days after you miss your period, so don’t wait. If you don’t have a kit, you can get a free pregnancy test at a pregnancy care center.
2. Bloating
Every woman is different and experiences symptoms differently. But in around a quarter of pregnancies, women will see early spotting or light bleeding that looks nothing like their menstrual period. This is called implantation bleeding, and it happens when the fertilized egg sticks to the uterine wall.
The fertilized egg, or embryo, will then start to release hCG. That is what pregnancy tests look for and can give you a positive result. You can start taking a pregnancy test from the first day of your missed period. Newer tests are more accurate and can detect hCG even before your period is due.
Another early symptom of pregnancy is bloating. It is a feeling of fullness and tightness in the abdomen that can make you feel like you have an inflated balloon inside your stomach. According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, it may also cause discomfort during or after sex. This is because sex causes hormones to increase blood flow to the uterus. This can lead to cramps. However, it is okay to continue with sex if you are comfortable.
3. Frequent Urination
Women who get pregnant can have an increased need to urinate. In some cases, the urine can be tinged with blood or have a strong odor. The frequent urination can be a sign of vaginitis, which is an infection of the vulva or uterus. It can also be a sign of diabetes, where your body needs to make more pee to remove glucose from the blood.
The most common signs of pregnancy are nausea, vomiting, fatigue and a missed period. Women can also experience a change in appetite, food cravings and a sore or enlarged breast area. Strong mood swings can also be a sign of early pregnancy, as hormones in the body change drastically.
The most accurate way to know if you’re pregnant is to take a home pregnancy test. A pregnancy test works by measuring the level of hCG, which is released when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Most tests start to detect hCG about two weeks after a woman has ovulated. If you don’t want to wait that long, some pregnancy tests can give a result as soon as a week after your missed period.
4. Weight Gain
When a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus, this can cause one of the earliest signs of pregnancy: implantation bleeding. It can be similar to a light period or may include spotting and cramping.
This is a sign of the increased blood flow to your uterus due to pregnancy hormones. Some women experience this as early as a week after unprotected sex.
Feeling exhausted or needing to nap more than usual is another symptom of pregnancy. This is because your body is working overtime to produce the necessary hormones for your pregnancy.
Most people don’t begin to show signs of pregnancy until they miss their first period. However, it’s possible to get a positive test result before your missed period if you use a sensitive home test or go to an urgent care clinic that offers pregnancy tests. These new tests are much more accurate and can provide a result up to 2 weeks before your expected period begins. These new tests can also be used in conjunction with a digital ultrasound for the most accurate results.
5. Sore Breasts
When a woman is pregnant, her hormone levels rapidly increase. This results in a lot of changes throughout the body, including sore breasts for many women. The soreness comes from the ligaments that connect the nipple area to the chest wall and may be more noticeable when wearing a bra. The nipples may also feel tender to touch, and the cup size of a woman’s breasts can start to change.
It’s important to know when a woman is ovulating, as this determines her fertility and chances of getting pregnant. The timing of ovulation varies between women, and it can happen as early as eleven days after the last period or as late as twenty-one days.
The good news is that pregnancy tests are getting more accurate all the time, and some new home kits can detect a baby as early as the first day of a missed period. If a woman is concerned about how soon she can take a test, it’s best to consult with her doctor.
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