Feeling Pregnant: Common Early Signs of Pregnancy
The term “feeling pregnant” refers to a series of symptoms in the very early stages of pregnancy that many women undergo. Although it’s common for a pregnant woman to be completely oblivious to their delicate state, many women have a deep intuitive link to their bodies that allows them to detect pregnancy before a standard pregnancy test would be able to. Feeling pregnant may entail stiffness in your lower back, moodiness, some change in your digestive regularity, and sensitivity in your breasts with the possibility of extreme tenderness.
If you have noticed some changes in your body’s behavior and think you’re feeling pregnant, go over the following information and see if these symptoms match up with you. If some of them do, it is quite possible that you are in the early stages of pregnancy, and you should take a pregnancy test or schedule to have your doctor examine you. If you are not exhibiting these symptoms, but still have a sense of something being wrong, then you should schedule an appointment with your physician, as it may be signs of a serious condition.
Skipping a Period
Skipping or missing your period is obviously one of the biggest signs of pregnancy, particularly in women that have very regulated and precise cycles. This is not a fail-safe sign though, as many women have very irregular cycles, and it is not uncommon for them to go months without a period.
If skipping your period is out of the norm for you, pay close attention to these other symptoms that are associated with early pregnancy.
Fatigue and Drowsiness
During pregnancy, your body utilizes a very large amount of energy as it prepares itself to be a home for the baby. Changing hormone levels also wreak havoc on your energy levels. Because of this, pregnant women will frequently experience fatigue and drowsiness. It is quite common for women to find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning, and many women begin taking naps in the afternoon during the early stages of pregnancy.
Morning Sickness and Nausea
Perhaps the most well-known sign of early pregnancy is morning sickness. Morning sickness can be caused by a variety of factors. If you are used to drinking coffee in the morning, you may find that it is now too strong for you and your body rejects it. Additionally, if you hadn’t eaten during the evening or night, you may feel queasy because your stomach is empty and your body is craving food. This symptom may present itself as early as one week into the pregnancy.
It’s also important to note that many women do not experience nausea during the morning, but rather during the afternoon or at night. Some unlucky women experience nausea and vomiting frequently all day long. Certain foods that were once enjoyed can be too rich now for your changing biochemistry. If you are experiencing this symptom, eat smaller meals, and snack lightly throughout the day. Eating soda crackers is another excellent way to avoid nausea.
Frequent Bathroom Breaks
One of the more annoying symptoms of early and advanced stages of pregnancy is frequent urination. Although during the very early stages of pregnancy your uterus has not swollen enough to put pressure on your bladder, your body will still cause extra fluid to be processed by your kidneys and expelled.
If you’ve noticed a sudden fluctuation in the amount of bathroom breaks you’ve been taking, pay attention to how much liquid you are ingesting. There could be a logical explanation for it. If you’re truly pregnant, however, be prepared to deal with this symptom for the full 9 months.