Top Ten Early Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

Some women are so tuned in to their bodies, they know the minute they fall pregnant, while for others the early signs of pregnancy are not so obvious. If you think you might be pregnant but are unsure, here are the top ten signs to look out for... 1, Missed period One of the most obvious early signs of pregnancy is missing your period. However, not everyone has regular periods making it difficult to tell if you are pregnant or just late. There are also other reasons for missing your period, including stress, illness, extreme weight loss and the onset of menopause. 2, Tender breasts Tender breasts and nipples can be one of the first early signs of pregnancy. They might feel swollen, tender and very sensitive or even painful to the touch. Having a warm bath can help alleviate discomfort and wearing a comfortable bra to bed can help. 3, Nausea Morning sickness can hit anyone at any time, day or night. For some the symptoms can be just mild feelings of nausea while others can be almost bedridden with frequent vomiting. Eating little and often can help alleviate the symptoms. Ginger is also said to help. 4, Feeling tired Most women feel extreme tiredness during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester when your body is working hard producing extra blood to carry oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus. If you can, the best thing you can do is listen to your body and rest whenever possible. Early nights and daytime naps are ideal at this time. 5, Backache Some women experience backache in early pregnancy due to the softening of supporting ligaments and disks caused by an increase in the hormone progesterone. A hot water bottle on the troubled area can provide some relief. 6, Implantation bleed This happens around six to 12 days after ovulation. Many women think their period is starting but the bleeding is much lighter than normal menstruation. 7, Increased discharge It is normal to have a thin, milky white discharge called leukorrhea early in the pregnancy. However, if it is coloured or smells strange, or if you feel itchy or sore, you may have a vaginal infection. 8, Mild cramps Some women experience mild cramps in early pregnancy due to all the changes going on in the body. These can feel similar to period pains or just light twinges or bubbles. 9, Bloating and constipation Increased levels of progesterone during pregnancy relaxes muscle tissue in your gastrointestinal tract and this slows down the digestive processes, leading to gas, bloating, burping and flatulence. You might also experience some constipation at this time too. 10, Positive pregnancy test The surest way to find out if you are pregnant is by taking a home pregnancy test. Most now can give you a result five days before your next period is due, so you don’t have to wait too long to find out either way.