Many women report knowing they were pregnant before they tested positive on a pregnancy test, and some recall early pregnancy symptoms only in hindsight after getting their long-awaited "BFP" (big fat positive). But most ALL women who are trying to conceive will hit the internet to Google possible pregnancy symptoms before they pee on a stick. It's just so hard to wait! Of course, there's no precise way to determine pregnancy by symptoms alone, but you can make an educated guess based on some of the most common early pregnancy symptoms.Think you might be pregnant?
Take a look at this list and see if any of your symptoms match up.
Implantation spotting (bleeding) - At about 6 to 12 days after fertilization, the egg will implant in the lining of your uterus which can cause light spotting.
Late period - Perhaps one of the most obvious sign, but only if you have regular cycles and/or are charting your basal body temperature to detect ovulation and pregnancy.
Tender breasts - Thanks to pregnancy hormones, tender breasts may be one of your first noticeable symptoms of pregnancy. But it could also be a sign of menstruation about to begin.
Nausea - Again, another symptom caused by hormones. While most women don't report feeling nauseous until week 6 or 8 of their pregnancy, others report feeling queasy earlier.
Unusual tiredness - Hormones are also responsible for a feeling of intense tiredness that washes over you, making you feel like napping anytime, anywhere.
Cramping - As your uterus begins to change and grow -- especially if this is your first pregnancy -- you may experience cramping that feels similar to menstrual cramps.
Back ache - Often a result of the above symptom or due to a normal loosening of ligaments that occurs during pregnancy.
Frequent urination - Yes, this begins early on. Not due to baby's growing size (as is the reason for late-in-pregnancy frequent urination), but an increase in fluids that your body produces.
Sensitivity to smells & food aversions - This is often part of the fun little early pregnancy "morning sickness" package.
Light-headedness or fainting - Fainting isn't just for Hollywood, folks -- it can be a real symptom early on in pregnancy, caused by the major changes in blood volume in your body. It can also be caused by low blood sugar.
Mood swings - If you've noticed unusual spells of weepiness or irritability, you might just be pregnant! This is caused by -- you guessed it -- an increase in hormones brought on by pregnancy.
Did you experience any of these common symptoms early on in your pregnancy? What would you add to the list?
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Pregnancy