If you think you might be pregnant but are unsure if your symptoms really point to pregnancy, you’re not alone. The first sign of pregnancy can be different from person to person, and even pregnancy to pregnancy. And many of those signs can also be caused by things other than being pregnant – talk about confusing!
In this post, we will explore five of the most common signs of early pregnancy. We will also walk through practical next steps, including the importance of consulting a medical professional to confirm pregnancy and get the support you need. Pregnancy is a lot, and no one should have to walk through it alone.
Pregnancy Signal #1: Fatigue
Feeling unusually tired? Overwhelming fatigue that can’t be explained by your physical activity or sleep behaviors could point to pregnancy. Fatigue is often one of the first symptoms experienced by pregnant women, even before more telling signs like a missed period or morning sickness. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, pregnancy-related fatigue is normal and usually only lasts for the first trimester.
Why Does It Happen?
First, increased levels of progesterone, a hormone primarily associated with healthy pregnancy, can make you feel more tired. Second, the body’s systems have to work harder during pregnancy to support a developing baby. And lower blood sugar levels and increased blood production can also contribute to feelings of exhaustion.
What To Do Next
If you’re experiencing fatigue, prioritize rest and relaxation. Ensure you’re maintaining a balanced diet and staying hydrated. If fatigue is overwhelming, or if exhaustion becomes combined with feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness, consult a healthcare professional. It’s important to confirm pregnancy and rule out other potential causes.
Pregnancy Signal #2: Breast Changes
Many women report increased breast tenderness or swelling of the breasts as their first sign of pregnancy. While some breast tenderness can accompany a woman’s typical menstrual cycle, the breast changes associated with early pregnancy are typically more pronounced.
Why Does It Happen?
During early pregnancy, the body is flooded with the pregnancy-related hormones estrogen and progesterone. These hormones support the pregnancy and start to prepare the body for breastfeeding once the baby is born. This PDF resource from the Arizona Department of Health Services provides some helpful additional information and guidance regarding breast changes during pregnancy.
What To Do Next
If breast tenderness or swelling is getting uncomfortable, consider ditching the underwire bra. A supportive, comfortable option that’s less constricting can make a big difference. You can also use warm compresses to alleviate breast discomfort. Should breast tenderness or swelling be combined with a missed period, it is time to schedule an appointment with a medical professional to confirm pregnancy.
Pregnancy Signal #3: Frequent Urination
Have recently found yourself heading to the bathroom far more frequently than usual? Or are you having to wake up at night to pee when that’s usually not a thing for you? If so, then it could be a sign that you’re pregnant. Frequent urination often occurs within the first few weeks of pregnancy, and many women report this being their first clue that they’re pregnant.
Why Does It Happen?
According to Mayo Clinic, this symptom is due to the expanding uterus pressing against the bladder, causing more frequent “I’ve got to GO” signals – even if there’s not that much in there! Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy also increase fluid retention and blood flow to the pelvic area, which can further contribute to frequent urination.
What To Do Next
If you’re experiencing frequent urination, stay hydrated. You may also want to avoid caffeine, which can cause even more trips to the bathroom. To make sure this symptom is caused by pregnancy and not something else, make an appointment with a healthcare provider to confirm pregnancy and get guidance on how to best manage urinary symptoms.
Pregnancy Signal #4: Nausea
Pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, commonly referred to as “morning sickness,” is another classic sign of pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), up to 80% of women experience some form of nausea in early pregnancy. And despite its name, it can happen any time of day.
Why Does It Happen?
Hormonal changes, particularly the very rapid rise in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that occurs early on in a healthy pregnancy, are believed to trigger pregnancy-related nausea. Fortunately, for most women, this very inconvenient pregnancy symptom tends to go away during the second trimester.
What To Do Next
If you’re experiencing persistent nausea, try eating small, frequent meals and drinking plenty of fluids. Ginger tea and crackers can also help alleviate symptoms. Some women experience severe cases of morning sickness that can lead to dehydration and potentially endanger the pregnancy. If your vomiting is severe and chronic, consult your doctor immediately.
Pregnancy Signal #5: Missed Period
Of course, a missed period is arguably the most “obvious” sign of pregnancy. Assuming your menstrual cycle is regular, missing a period can be a pretty sure sign that you’re pregnant. Women with less regular cycles will likely need to “wait and watch” longer to be confident their period is truly missed, rather than just late. Note that a small amount of spotting, often called “implantation bleeding,” is common at the very start of pregnancy, and is not a period.
Why Does It Happen?
When a fertilized egg implants into the uterine lining, the body begins to produce hormones that prevent ovulation. This halts the process of shedding the uterine lining that occurs during a menstrual period. A missed period is often the early pregnancy symptom that will prompt women to take an at-home pregnancy test.
What To Do Next
If you’ve missed your period, consider taking a home pregnancy test. These tests usually detect the presence of hCG in the body that spikes in early pregnancy and show up in urine. However, remember that false positives and negatives can occur. For free pregnancy confirmation, along with additional pregnancy support resources, consider reaching out to your local pregnancy center (in Warsaw, Indiana, text Heartline at 574-635-1272). You can also make an appointment with your doctor, who can order a blood-based pregnancy test.
Conclusion: Next Steps
Discovering that you could be pregnant can come with a lot of mixed emotions and things to think about. If you notice any of these signs and think you could be pregnant, the first step is to take a pregnancy test. At-home pregnancy tests can be a good initial indicator, but if the cost is a problem, free pregnancy tests are available at your local pregnancy center.
Importance of Medical Confirmation
If you have a positive at-home test, it’s crucial to seek in-person medical confirmation. A healthcare professional can provide a more accurate pregnancy test and guide you through the next steps in your pregnancy journey, including supplying you with prenatal vitamins and getting you connected to prenatal care.
Pregnancy Next Steps
- Schedule an Appointment: Confirm your pregnancy with a healthcare provider and discuss prenatal care. Text Heartline at 574-635-1272 to make a free appointment.
- Start Prenatal Vitamins: Begin taking prenatal vitamins as recommended by your doctor to support your health and the baby’s development. Heartline provides prenatal vitamins when you come for your pregnancy confirmation appointment.
- Modify Your Lifestyle: Adopt a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful substances (alcohol, illicit drugs) that can cross the placental barrier and harm the baby’s development.
- Educate Yourself: Learn about pregnancy and childbirth to prepare for the upcoming changes. Heartline offers free weekly one-on-one classes on all things pregnancy, breastfeeding, birth, infant care, and parenting.
The most important thing to remember? You are not alone on this journey, and there are so many resources and supports available to assist you on your way. Never be afraid to ask for help.
Heartline is not an adoption agency, nor do we provide or refer for abortions. Our no-cost pregnancy and parenting support programs exist to support you during this time. Please call 574-267-5110 or text 574-635-1272 with questions or to make an appointment. Heartline is a non-profit organization located in Warsaw, IN, USA.
