Some women know intuitively. Others need several tests for absolute clarity. Our bodies are all individual and so the first signs of pregnancy are not always immediately obvious to everyone. If you're wondering whether you're pregnant, you've come to the right place: we've put together an overview of all the signs of pregnancy for you.
The signs of pregnancy: not the same for everyone
The most important message first: precisely because our bodies are so different, not every woman experiences the individual signs of pregnancy listed here in the same way. The famous morning sickness, for example, can be particularly pronounced for some, while for others it hardly occurs or does not occur at all. Others notice early breast tenderness or even weight gain. Still others hardly notice their pregnancy for several months. Even a supposedly certain "symptom" of pregnancy - the absence of your period - can have many other reasons.
Don't let this put you off. The individual signs of pregnancy are indications. A test from the pharmacy and, above all, a gynecological examination by your doctor will always provide more clarity. You can also visit a midwife to confirm the pregnancy
Early signs of pregnancy
The first signs of early pregnancy can appear around ten days after fertilization. The pregnancy hormone beta-hCG is responsible for this. It is produced by the placenta around ten days after fertilization. Doctors refer to this as the "uncertain signs of pregnancy", as the symptoms are similar to those of the second half of the cycle.
These include the following:
Pulling and cramps in the abdomen
Many women experience period-like cramps in the first few weeks of pregnancy - and often confuse this with menstrual pain. In fact, this may be implantation pain. These occur when the fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus. This can also cause slight, completely harmless bleeding. If the pregnancy is already somewhat advanced, the cramps can be caused by the stretching of the ligaments or the uterus in the abdomen, for example.
Sensitive breasts
Have you noticed that your breasts are getting bigger and more sensitive to pain? This is a typical early sign of pregnancy . The area around the nipples in particular can be affected. This symptom is also due to the hormonal changes in your body. However, the pain usually subsides quickly.
Cravings
Everyone has probably heard of the famous combination of pickled cucumber and chocolate cream? Absurd food cravings don't have to be quite so strong in the first few weeks of pregnancy. However, food cravings are one of the most prominent signs of pregnancy. Why this is the case is not fully understood. It is probably related to the hormone insulin, which is increasingly produced by the pancreas during pregnancy. This awakens the desire for sweets. However, it could also be that the body tries to cover the increased need for certain minerals through the cravings.
Flatulence and constipation
Your digestive system changes during the first few weeks of pregnancy. In addition, the hormone progesterone makes your muscles softer and smoother - which in turn makes your bowels less active. The result: a feeling of bloating, constipation or unpleasant flatulence. Drinking plenty of herbal tea and eating a high-fiber diet can help. Exercising also helps with constipation.
Acne
A common symptom of pregnancy that many pregnant women are familiar with is increased skin blemishes due to increased sebum production. However, this early sign of pregnancy usually disappears after the first 12 weeks. After that, many pregnant people enjoy a hormone-boosted, smooth complexion.
Frequent urge to urinate
Do you have to go to the toilet all the time? This is also a phenomenon that many pregnant women are familiar with. This is because your blood volume increases during pregnancy. Blood circulation is boosted, which is why your kidneys work harder. They produce more urine. In addition, your body produces the aforementioned hormone progesterone. It has a relaxing effect on all ligaments and muscles - including the sphincter muscles of the bladder and the pelvic floor muscle. This can lead to mild pregnancy incontinence. In plain language: when you laugh or sneeze, you lose a few drops of urine.
Morning sickness
The severity of this fairly typical sign of pregnancy varies from person to person. In most cases, morning sickness occurs after the first month of pregnancy. Some women then vomit. However, you may not feel any nausea at all or you may notice a slight feeling of discomfort at a different time of day.
However, as nausea is often worse on an empty stomach, we recommend having a snack straight after getting up; rusks, for example. This can help to keep blood sugar levels stable and reduce nausea.
Discharge
We've already talked about the increased blood flow in your body due to hormonal changes. This also applies to your vagina, which also produces more moisture due to the increased blood flow. This can lead to heavier discharge. If it is thin, creamy white and almost odorless, the increased discharge is nothing to worry about.
However, if you notice that the discharge is greenish in color, has an unpleasant odor and the vagina is itchy, you should always consult a doctor to rule out an infection or treat it directly. This way, you won't run the risk of a premature birth or miscarriage.
Tiredness
Especially in the first trimester, leaden tiredness and seemingly constant exhaustion is a common symptom that many pregnant women experience. The reason: your body is working at full capacity. The placenta is being formed, which will later nourish your child throughout the pregnancy. This is exhausting. And you can feel it.
Mood swings
This somewhat unpleasant side effect can also indicate early pregnancy. From the sixth week onwards, you could be more irritable, insecure, anxious or tearful - and not necessarily recognize yourself. Stay calm. This will also pass, usually after the end of the 12th week of pregnancy, when your placenta starts to work and nourish your child.
Smell sensitivity
Strong perfume triggers a headache? Does the smell of coffee cause nausea? A typical sign of pregnancy is an increased sense of smell and taste. Intense odors can trigger disgust or discomfort in expectant mothers. "Once again, the hormones are to blame. It is assumed that this is a protective function of the body - to keep harmful substances, such as cigarette smoke or similar, away from the baby . However, this has not been scientifically proven.
Probable signs of pregnancy
The signs of pregnancy mentioned above are therefore among the "uncertain" symptoms, as they can all have a different cause. Acne, cramps or mood swings, for example, also occur in many people in the second half of their period.
However, there are also signs whose occurrence can indicate a fertilized egg and therefore a pregnancy. Doctors then speak of the so-called "probable signs of pregnancy". However, this also applies here: Only a pregnancy test and a subsequent gynecological examination will give you absolute certainty.
You don't have a period
If you have a fairly stable cycle - for example of 28 days - and your periods don't come at the expected time even after a few days, this is a likely sign that you could be pregnant.
But be careful: There are also other reasons why your period may start later. For example, stress, discontinuation of the contraceptive method or severe weight loss. All of these can upset your cycle and be mistaken for a pregnancy symptom.
Your skin changes color
During pregnancy, your body produces larger quantities of a hormone that stimulates melanocytes. It stimulates the increased production of the pigment melanin - which in turn can be particularly noticeable on your nipples. They usually become darker during pregnancy. Some women also notice skin discoloration on their face - for example in the form of pigment spots. Others develop the so-called linea fusca (Latin for "brown line"). This is a normally invisible connective tissue seam that runs vertically from the navel towards the genital area. It suddenly appears in some pregnant women due to increased melanin production. This is no cause for concern, as all these discolorations usually disappear after pregnancy.
Mucous membranes of the vulva and vagina change
This is a sign of pregnancy that you probably cannot recognize yourself. It requires a gynecological examination. The mucous membranes of the vagina and vulva change, the uterus becomes larger and the tissue becomes noticeably softer.
Do all women have signs of pregnancy?
Every person, and therefore every pregnancy, is unique. And that's where the beauty lies. It is therefore possible that you may experience some of the pregnancy symptoms mentioned but go completely unnoticed. And every woman experiences the intensity of the signs of pregnancy differently.
The daily discomfort can be very stressful for you and your body. However, it is worth changing your perspective from time to time and saying to yourself: all these symptoms, as unpleasant as they may sometimes be, are signs of something truly magical and great. Try to recognize this from time to time.
And once again as a reminder: Only the pregnancy test and the upcoming examination by your gynecologist can confirm the pregnancy beyond doubt. So make an appointment as soon as you notice the above-mentioned signs of pregnancy so that you can look forward to it without hesitation.
Source of the pictures:
Photo by Danilo Batista on Unsplash
Photo by Vladislav Muslakov on Unsplash
Photo by Billie on Unsplash
Photo by Timothy Meinberg on Unsplash
