In very early pregnancy, it’s easy to second-guess if your symptoms are related to PMS or if they are actually proof of pregnancy. Read below for some of the most common pregnancy symptoms, but always follow up your research with a pregnancy test a week after your first missed period.
Nausea
One of the most familiar pregnancy symptoms is nausea or “morning sickness,” even though it can happen at any time of day.
Missed Period
Right next to morning sickness, the most telling pregnancy symptom is a missed period. This can also be caused by stress or major lifestyle changes, but wait up to a week after your missed period before using a pregnancy test.
Your body needs enough time to produce detectable levels of the pregnancy hormone, hCG, in order for the pregnancy test to be able to pick up on it.
Weight Gain
It may be barely noticeable, but, according to the Mayo Clinic, you can expect to gain a few extra pounds in the first trimester (up to 4 pounds).
Spotting
Spotting may occur up to 10-14 days after conception while the embryo is being implanted in the uterine lining of the uterus. This will differ from your period because it will be very light and not a constant flow of blood.
Acne
While we think of this as something that only happens with going through puberty, over half of the pregnant women experience some kind of acne during their period due to the changing or increasing levels of hormones. Speak with a medical provider before using any kind of acne treatment while pregnant.
Mood Swings
These mostly occur between 6-10 weeks and in the last trimester. These can be due to the hormone levels changing or the stress you may be experiencing due to changing circumstances.
Frequent Urination
Frequent urination in early pregnancy as well as later in the pregnancy when the uterus grows is a common occurrence. Your blood levels are rising, so your bladder must work harder which produces more urine.
What Do I Do Next?
Even if you feel like you check the majority of these symptoms, the only way to know for sure is if you take a pregnancy test. At Pregnancy Center Help South, we offer lab-quality pregnancy tests at no cost.
Call us today to schedule an appointment and come prepared with any pregnancy-related questions you may have. We are here to help!