Even if it’s too soon to take a pregnancy test, did you know that your body can start showing early signs and symptoms that it’s growing a baby? Here are some signs to look out for.
1. You’re feeling tired all the time
This is one of the first signs of pregnancy to hit as your body gears up to start supporting your baby and can even start within two weeks of conceiving. If you’re feeling extra exhausted and can’t work out why this could be a sign that your body is getting ready to grow a baby.
2. That nauseating feeling
Morning sickness is caused by an increase in the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). For many, this is the first sign of pregnancy. Don’t be misled by its name – while the nauseous feeling is most common in the morning, it can strike at any time of day.
3. I can’t eat that!
If you suddenly can’t bear the sight of foods that you’d normally enjoy, it could be that you are experiencing early pregnancy food aversions.
4. I have to eat that, now!
A strong desire for certain foods, (or even unusual items such as toothpaste!) could be an indicator that you’re pregnant.
5. My period is late
Another common indicator and one of the most concrete signs you’re expecting. That said, if you have irregular or light periods, this can be an easy one to miss. What’s more, some women still have periods after they conceive.
6. Moody and blue
Feeling extremely grumpy and short-tempered? A combination of pregnancy symptoms can wreak havoc with your moods.
7. Decreased libido
If you’re suddenly experiencing a really low sex drive, it could be a sign the job has been done!
8. Feeling out of breath
The surge of progesterone your body produces when you’re pregnant expands your lung capacity which means you’ll find yourself needing to take more breaths.
9. Bawl out loud!
Emotions tend to be all over the place during pregnancy (one word – hormones), so if you’re on an emotional rollercoaster, it might be time to go and buy a pregnancy test!
10. Skin breakouts
If you’re blaming your period on those breakouts, you might be wrong. A surge of progesterone can make your glands produce more pore-blocking oily sebum.
11. Pains in the back
This early pregnancy symptom is caused by the pregnancy hormone relaxin, which makes your ligaments and joints relax and become looser so your body is ready to give birth.
12. Spotting or bleeding
About a third of women experience some sort of implantation bleeding. This occurs when the foetus implants into the lining of the uterus and cause a small amount of blood to bleed out.
13. Oh, my head!
Many women experience headaches around the time their period, due to a surge in the hormone oestrogen. After conception, your oestrogen levels also rise, which in turn may result in headaches.
14. Period-like cramps
It may be the right time of the month and you have the normal period cramps, but these stomach aches could be a sign you’ve conceived and the egg has implanted into the uterine wall, causing that familiar cramping sensation.
15. Hair fall
Some women may experience a certain degree of hair loss, which is likely to be down to nutrient deficiencies. Once your hormones regulate, things should go back to normal.
16. Excessive saliva
Medically referred to as ptyalism, this is another one caused by those early hormonal changes.
17. Metallic taste in the mouth
Not as sexy or appealing as the lastest metallic lipstick, this sensation may leave you with a bad taste in your mouth. It has its term too: dysgeusia.
18. You’re going to the loo more often
Hormone changes, plus a greater blood volume and your kidneys working harder could mean you find yourself rushing to the toilet more often right now.
19. Increased sensitivity to smells
Thanks to the hormone oestrogen, you may experience a heightening in your responses to things that might be harmful to your growing baby.
20. Changes in your breast size
Another extremely common early pregnancy sign changes in your breasts. For some women, their boobs increase a full cup size within the first six weeks.
21. I feel faint!
This is caused by the pregnancy hormone progesterone, which makes your blood vessels relax and widen to increase blood flow around the body, causing low blood pressure and dizziness.
22. Uncomfortably bloated
If that pre-period puffiness hasn’t disappeared, it could be the pregnancy hormone progesterone at play. Feeling bloated? It might be worth taking a test!
23. Extra sensitive to hot and cold temperatures
Pregnancy causes an increase in blood volume as your body starts to work harder to support your growing baby. Feeling extra hot? It could be an early sign of pregnancy. Some women also feel excessively cold, too.
24. Increased vaginal discharge
You may notice your body is producing more milky white vaginal discharge – this is your body’s way of preventing harmful infections from traveling upwards and harming your baby.
25. Nipple changes
Pregnancy hormones cause your body’s melanin production to increase temporarily – you might notice this has caused your nipples and the area around them (the areolas) to turn a darker colour.
26. Changes in facial skin tone
It may not occur to all women, but some women may experience changes in facial skin colour during pregnancy. This is medically referred to as melasma, chloasma or ‘mask of pregnancy’ and is caused by a temporary increase in pigmentation.
27. Winds of change!
It might be an embarrassing symptom which you’d rather not talk about, but the wind could mean your digestive system is adapting to those baby hormones.
