Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

Thinking you might be pregnant and wondering what the most common signs of pregnancy are. Well, we got them for you. We’ve included all the common symptoms as well as some the less common ones. Examine the symptoms to your heart’s content, but remember your doctor is the only one who can confirm pregnancy.

Common Signs of Pregnancy

No menstrual period

Although this is not proof positive, absence of your menstrual cycle is a good indicator of pregnancy.

Fatigue and sleepiness

For many women, fatigue is the first symptom of pregnancy. If you suddenly find yourself needing an afternoon nap, you could be pregnant.

Breast changes

Along with fatigue, breast changes are possibly the earliest sign of pregnancy. Breast changes include fullness, tenderness, sensitivity to touch, change in size, and darkening of the areola.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting, also known as morning sickness, is another symptom of pregnancy. Not all women experience morning sickness and morning sickness may not occur until two to four weeks after a missed period. Generally, morning sickness resolves or improves in the second trimester.

Frequent urination

Once you become pregnant, your blood volume increases and your kidneys increase in size. These factors can lead to an increase in urination.

Fullness, bloating, achiness in the abdominal area

Believe it or not for many women the symptoms of pregnancy mimic the symptoms of PMS. If you are experiencing PMS symptoms, don’t rule out the possibility of pregnancy. Some women will also complain of diarrhea or constipation in pregnancy

Mood swings and irritability

Hormonal changes combined with fatigue may cause mood swings and irritability. If you find yourself incredibly crabby this could be a sign of pregnancy. Keep in mind, however, that crabbiness is also a sign of PMS.

Other common signs of pregnancy include an increase in vaginal secretions, aversion to certain foods or smells, weight gain, and constipation.

Less Common Signs of Pregnancy

Implantation bleeding

An estimated twenty percent of women will experience bleeding when the fertilized egg implants into the uterus. Implantation bleeding is typically light in color and amount and generally occurs six to ten days past ovulation.

Headaches

For women that suffer from headaches, pregnancy usually decreases the frequency of headaches. For some, however, there will be a marked increase in the amount of headaches during pregnancy.