SingaporeMotherhood | Pregnancy
February 2021
Are you Pregnant? Check these 9 Early Signs of Pregnancy to find out
Are there early signs of pregnancy that can tell you if you are expecting even before you take a pregnancy test? Yes. A pregnancy test kit detects human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), a hormone produced during pregnancy, in your urine to confirm whether you are pregnant. Most kits can do this from the fourth or the fifth week of pregnancy, which means you can get a BFP (big fat positive) within a week of missing your period. But for some women, it is a “gut feel” or other physical indicators are the early signs of pregnancy — like the ones below — that tell them they have conceived.
✅ You Missed your Period
Aunt Flo visits you like clockwork every 28 days, but has yet to make an appearance even a week after her expected date. Barring any other ovarian concerns, you could be pregnant.
✅ There was spotting
You thought it was the start of your period, then it ended. Known as “implantation bleeding”, this happens when the fertilised egg attaches itself to the uterus. There may also be mild cramping.
✅ You are soooooooooo Tired
Pregnancy fatigue is a thing. You may experience it even before you realise that you are pregnant, and wonder if you are ill, as you have never, ever felt this level of exhaustion before. Chances are, it’s just pregnancy hormones making their presence felt. This sense of constant tiredness eases off during the second trimester, but usually returns in the third.
✅ Your Breasts are Sore
Breastfeeding is still a long way away, but your breasts have already started to feel full, heavy, even a little sore. They may also have started to swell. Your nipples may feel tender to the touch. It’s like PMS, but more.
✅ You feel Queasy
It’s not full on morning (and noon, and night) sickness yet, but your sense of taste has changed, and you feel a constant sense of nausea. This is probably caused by pregnancy hormones as well.
✅ You keep wanting to Pee
Find yourself running to the loo more often? This could be a sign. During pregnancy your body pumps more blood than usual, causing your kidneys to process more fluid, and hence increasing the fluid in your bladder and causing you to look for the toilet more regularly.
✅ You’re Bloated. And Constipated
Bloating and constipation could also be early signs of pregnancy. Similar to how it is before you have your period, these are caused by hormone changes.
✅ You’ve got that Dizzy feeling
True story: a friend got up from bed one morning, and promptly fell down. Her blood pressure had dropped because of pregnancy hormones, so when she stood up, she got dizzy, and fell. At that time, she had no idea that she was pregnant. If you suspect that you may be expecting, move slowly when getting up from a lying or a seating position.
✅ You Smell… Everything
While this is not medically proven, many expectant mothers report a heightened sense of smell when pregnant. Consequently they also have an aversion to certain foods and drinks. It’s been speculated that this is nature’s way of telling pregnant mothers to avoid ingesting food which could harm the foetus.
You and the early signs of pregnancy
Whether you’ve been trying to conceive for a month, a year, or more, you are probably hopeful and excited at the thought that you could be pregnant. If you are experiencing any of these early signs of pregnancy, there is a chance that you do have a bun in the oven. Fingers crossed, and all the best!
Featured image: Imani Bahati on Unsplash
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