Many women believe that if they ever become pregnant, somehow they’ll just “know.” While the body offers numerous signals to one’s health, well-being and changes, early pregnancy symptoms are sometimes subtle enough to be overlooked. This can lead to a delay in seeking prenatal healthcare, which can negatively affect the health of mother and baby alike. That’s why it is so important to know what to expect and watch for the signs.
Common early pregnancy symptoms include…
Cramps and Spotting: As the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall, it can create some cramping and light bleeding, often within 6-12 days of fertilization. Many women mistake this for PMS or the start of a period, but it’s generally much lighter than a typical period.
Sore Breasts: Pregnancy causes estrogen and progesterone levels to rise, blood flow to increase and your body to store more fat. As early as the fourth week of pregnancy, this can lead to breast soreness.
Nausea: Vomiting is an unfortunate reality for many pregnant women, especially early on. Contrary to its common name, however, “morning sickness” can happen at any time, day or night. Nearly 70% of expectant mothers experience nausea at some point.
Frequent Urination: As your body begins to pump more blood, your kidneys work harder to filter all that fluid. That produces more urine, which then makes its way to your bladder, leading you to visit the ladies room more often.
Muscle Aches: Rising hormone levels along with the physical expansion and stretching of various body parts often leads to a variety of muscle and body pains. The lower back is especially prone to these aches.
Of course, later in the pregnancy, for most women, symptoms become even more apparent. Your abdomen and breasts swell. You get tired more easily. The skin around your nipples may darken and you may develop a line on your skin from your belly button to pubic area.
Some women, however, may have few physical symptoms, or may dismiss symptoms as being related to something else.
If you have any reason to believe you may be pregnant, it’s crucial to get a pregnancy test as soon as possible. Knowing for sure that you are pregnant empowers you to make healthy decisions, like finding quality prenatal healthcare or talking with a peer counselor about your pregnancy options.
At Sira in Gainesville, we offer no-charge medical pregnancy testing and free access to counselors who will listen to your questions, offer compassionate advice and connect you with helpful community services.
Contact Sira today at 352-377-4947 to schedule your free test.