Could you be pregnant? While the definite and irrefutable answer is in a pregnancy test and a doctor’s visit, some signs could be making you suspect it. Knowing the more common pregnancy symptoms is going to be essential to identify the first signs and symptoms that indicate that this important change in your life might be happening. Keep reading so our experts at South Plains Rural Health Services can tell you all about it.
When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start?
First of all, it is important to know when these changes start to happen within your body. According to our providers, for most people, the first symptoms of pregnancy start showing around four to six weeks after conception. This could coincide with the time of a missed period.
Identifying Pregnancy Symptoms in Lamesa, Texas
Pregnancy is a unique journey for each mother. While there are multiple signs and symptoms, some more common than others, you might not experience each and every one of them. However, experiencing several of them at once could be a sign that it is time to take a test or reach out to a gynecologist in Lamesa, Texas.
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10 Most Common Pregnancy Symptoms
As soon as conception starts, some shifts begin within your body, including metabolic and chemical changes. These can give rise to what are popularly known as classic pregnancy symptoms. Here are the 10 most common according to our experts in Lamesa, Texas.
Missed Period
One of the most common and first pregnancy symptoms is when a week or longer has passed without the start of what is usually a regular period. While this could be related to other health reasons, if you suspect that a pregnancy is possible, it might be good to consider taking a pregnancy test.
Fatigue
Fatigue ranks high as one of the first and most common symptoms of pregnancy, more often experienced during the first trimester. It is likely that you feel more tired or sleepy during the day, probably caused by the rapid changes occurring within the body during pregnancy, particularly in the first stages.
Breast Changes
Early pregnancy changes can make the breasts sensitive, sore, and/or swollen. This change tends to occur after four to six weeks of pregnancy, but for some it can start as early as two weeks. It is also possible that the areola and the area close to the nipples darkens or enlarges.
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is usually accompanied by nausea, with or without vomiting, and, contrary to what its name implies, it can occur at any time of the day or night. This symptom typically begins one or two months after pregnancy starts, but it can begin earlier for some women, while others might never experience it.
Increased Urination
You might find yourself urinating more than usual. This is because, during pregnancy, the amount of blood in the body increases, leading the kidneys to work overtime and process extra fluids. These fluids end up in the bladder, which increases the frequency with which you have to urinate.
Eating Changes
Food cravings and aversions are common during pregnancy. While certain foods or smells can cause a strong sense of disgust in you, it is possible that you’ll have a great appetite for others. Additionally, taste perception and food preferences can shift during this stage of your life, returning to normal after it ends.
Period-Like Symptoms
In early stages of pregnancy, women can experience symptoms similar to those experienced during premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or a normal period, such as cramping and bloating. This makes it common to confuse pregnancy with a usual cycle due to their similarities.
Light Bleeding
Another possible early sign of pregnancy is light bleeding or spotting. This can occur about 10 to 14 days after conception, but it can also happen as early as one week after it. These symptoms can also be experienced around the time when you would usually expect to have your menstrual period.
Mood Swings
Similar to the symptoms experienced during your period, moodiness or mood swings can also appear during a pregnancy. In this case, due to the increased production of hormones, physical fatigue, and major life transitions, you could feel unusually emotional, weepy, irritated, or you could experience rapid shifts of emotions.
Aches
Experiencing different discomforts, such as lower-back aches or headaches, can be another of the common pregnancy symptoms that appear during the first trimester. Additionally, experiencing nasal congestion or sinus headaches can also occur due to changes in blood flow and hormones.
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FAQ
How soon can you get a pregnancy test?
You can take an at-home pregnancy test the first day of a missed period, as early as 10 days after conception, or as late as 21 days after it.
Can pregnancy symptoms be mistaken for PMS?
Yes, several early pregnancy symptoms can be easily mistaken for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) due to their similarities in both its physical and mental impact.
What are some of the less common symptoms of pregnancy?
Some of the less common symptoms of pregnancy can include changes in taste, pregnancy rhinitis, hypersalivation (increased saliva), constipation, heartburn, and skin changes.
Experiencing Pregnancy Symptoms? Come See Us in Lamesa, Texas
If you suspect you’re pregnant, experience some of the aforementioned pregnancy symptoms, or get a positive pregnancy test, come see us. At South Plains Rural Health Services, our experts provide comprehensive and compassionate healthcare services for our patients and their families. Contact us to schedule a consultation or find us in our office in Lamesa, Texas to discover if you’re really pregnant and start this new stage of your life on the right foot.