Slovenčina 
Some women know they are pregnant before their period is even due because they feel pregnant, while others mistake early pregnancy signs for PMS. Here are the 11 most common signs that you might be expecting, along with explanations for what causes them.
1. Tender or sore breasts
As soon as the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, you may feel tension in your breasts. Some moms-to-be report that their breasts are painful when touched. It’s caused by increased blood flow. You may even notice that your breasts are growing. Later in pregnancy, you might experience colostrum (baby’s first breast milk) leaking from your nipples, which is how your breasts prepare for breastfeeding when your baby arrives.
2. Stronger sense of smell
It’s when you notice your co-worker, who sits on the opposite side of the office, had chinese food for lunch.
An intensified sense of smell is typical during pregnancy. Most probable reason for it is to keep the unborn baby safe. You may notice smells such as smoke from a fire sooner or start avoiding harmful things such as certain chemicals, alcohol or cigarettes.
3. Nausea or vomiting
Morning sickness is a nightmare. At the time when you are trying best to maintain healthy diet and to avoid junk food, you may feel so sick that you can’t even think of eating. Then, when you get hungry, you may eat anything from the nearest fast food restaurant.
Nausea in the first trimester is caused by the high level of the pregnancy hormone hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), which is responsible for the baby’s nutrition at the start of pregnancy. Its level drops significantly in the second trimester when the placenta develops and takes over providing nutrition for the baby. At that time, sickness will go away for most women.
My advice is:
Don’t worry too much about your diet as long as you manage to drink enough fluids and eat anything that gives you the energy to “survive.” Your baby will get all the nutrients he or she needs, whether you eat healthily or not.
The tricky thing about eating unhealthy during pregnancy and breastfeeding is that YOU will miss out on nutrients. You will have a healthy baby, but your hair, nails, bones and joints may become weaker.
That’s why you should return to eating healthily as soon as morning sickness subsides and you start feeling a bit better.
4. Cramping
Cramping similar to your period pain is very common in early pregnancy. It’s caused by stretching ligaments and muscles around your uterus as it starts to grow. If the pain is too sharp or too intense, you should get checked by your doctor. Otherwise, there’s nothing to worry about.
Many moms-to-be say the pain is slightly different to the one they know as period cramps.
5. Implantation bleeding
When the fertilized egg implants into the endometrium (uterus inner lining) by making a tiny hole and sinking in, this could cause a slight bleeding, also known as spotting. When you see it, it should be pink or light brown color. If the bleeding gets heavier, is accompanied by pain, or you feel generally unwell, you should talk to your doctor.
6. Tiredness
Your body works hard throughout your entire pregnancy because you’re growing another human being, and it’s not easy. I was fit and healthy when I first got pregnant and I was shocked how weak and tired I felt.
I remember calling my doctor crying: “What happened to me? I can barely get up from my bed in the morning! What’s wrong with me? I just want my normal life back!”
“Welcome to pregnancy, girl,” was his reply.
Why do you feel tired during pregnancy?
Feeling tired during pregnancy can be attributed to several factors, including a high level of progesterone, an increase in blood volume in your body, low blood sugar levels and low blood pressure.
However, the good news is that you can expect to feel more energetic again during your second trimester. In the meantime, it is essential to get as much rest as possible to compat fatigue.
7. Heartburn during pregnancy
Your body is getting ready for birth, the hormone progesterone causes the smooth muscles to relax. This relaxation allows your uterus to grow and prepares the birth canal for labour. But it can also relax the valve that closes the top of your stomach causing stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus and cause burning or painful sensation.
To alleviate heartburn, try drinking a sip of water to flush the acids back into your stomach. Sitting upright or placing an extra pillow under your back when lying down can also help. Additionally, peppermint chewing gum is a helpful home remedy.
If your heartburn is severe, speak with your doctor about safe stomach acid reducing drugs that you can take during pregnancy.
8. Frequent trips to the bathroom
Frequent urination is one of the surprising first signs of pregnancy. Many people think it occurs only before the end of the pregnancy when your baby is pushing down on your bladder.
Yet, waking up at night to go to the bathroom can be one of the first things you notice before your period is due.
Why?
The amount of blood in your body increases by 40-50% during pregnancy. Your kidneys are working harder to filter more blood, leading to increased urine production.
9. Food cravings or aversions
Pregnancy can bring about funny food cravings or aversions. These cravings do not necessarily indicate a vitamin or mineral deficiency, nor do they reflect your baby’s gender or his/her future preferences.
Changes in your sense of smell, taste buds and metabolism of sugars and proteins can cause you to crave different foods.
So go ahead and spoil yourself with a nice treat, sweet or savory, and enjoy this special time of being pregnant.
10. Mood swings
Emotional rollercoaster is “just” another symptom of pregnancy. Your body is flooded with hormones, affecting your mood.
As soon as the pregnancy test confirms your pregnancy, you’ll need time to process the new information and get ready to be a mom. This can make you even more emotional and prone to mood changes.
Getting used to the idea of being a mom-to-be could be harder than you expect, even if being pregnant is your dream coming true. All the pregnancy symptoms you experience as well as upcoming increased responsibility could feel a bit overwhelming.
It’s absolutely okay to feel this way. Don’t worry, you can do it and you will be the best mom for your new baby!
11. Pregnancy glow
Pregnancy glow is something you probably won’t notice. Your spouse, family or colleagues at work might see it, though. Some people have a nose for pregnancy, so don’t be surprised if someone asks “Any news?” looking at your belly.
Is pregnancy glow really real?
Yes, it is. Increased blood flow during pregnancy can make your face look fuller. Your skin can become less dry (or more oily), giving it a shinier appearance.
When to test for pregnancy?
If you can’t wait until the first day of your missed period, you can purchase an early pregnancy test. It may provide you with a positive result up to 4 days before your expected period date.
Example:
If you have a regular 28 day cycle and your last menstrual period date (LMP) was September 1st.
Ovulation date: September 15th
Next period expected: September 29th
The day you can take EARLY pregnancy test with over 90% accuracy: September 25th (10 days past ovulation)
Check our Fertility calculator to find out when your ovulation might have happened. Our Pregnancy calculator will tell you how many weeks pregnant you are.
You can increase the chances of detecting pregnancy early if you use the first morning urine, which contains higher concentration of hCG – the hormone that makes the test turn positive.
If the test result is positive, congratulation, you’re pregnant!
If it’s negative but you feel pregnant, try testing again in 2 days. The level of hCG doubles every 48 hours, so there’s much higher chance of seeing a positive result then.
Good luck, and I hope you see your BFP // soon!
(Photo by John Looy on Unsplash)
