Week to Week Guide to the First Signs of Pregnancy
Did you know that some of the first signs of pregnancy can start just two weeks after conception? Surprisingly, it's true! Although all pregnant women don't experience the same first signs of pregnancy, many share at least a few.
Here is a week to week guide to the most common first signs of pregnancy:
First Signs of Pregnancy - Week 2
By the second week of pregnancy, you have missed your period or it is late and you may be suspecting that you are pregnant. Besides a missed period, one of the first physical signs of pregnancy is swollen or tender breasts. This could be most noticeable at bedtime, during exercise or while you are taking a shower. Some women experience increased breast sensitivity or a tingling sensation in their breasts at this early stage of pregnancy.
Another one of the first signs of pregnancy is fatigue. Many newly pregnant women say that their normal daily routine becomes exhausting within just a couple weeks of conception.
Week 2 may also bring on the start of morning sickness, which is also one of the first physical symptoms many pregnant women have. And just because it's called morning sickness does not mean it only happens in the morning. A lot of women deal with nausea and vomiting throughout the day, and sometimes morning sickness lasts several weeks or months into the pregnancy.
First Signs of Pregnancy - Week 3
If it doesn't happen earlier, the third week of pregnancy will probably bring about morning sickness. Along with it you may begin to experience a distaste for some smells. This aromatic aversion can lead to increased nausea and vomiting. Besides that, it is now possible that your favorite perfume will make your stomach turn.
Some women begin noticing weight gain by the third week of pregnancy. This may be due to bloating or water retention, and women who have never been pregnant before sometimes don't even notice these changes for another week or two.
First Signs of Pregnancy - Week 4
By the fourth week of pregnancy, bloating and weight gain are more noticeable, and clothes may start becoming just a bit snug. Other signs of pregnancy that will be more obvious now are more frequent urination, constipation and a rise in body temperature.
Some women will feel dizziness or have fainting spells caused by low blood sugar or other hormonal changes they experience during the first few weeks of pregnancy. It is also common to have mood swings or be more irritable during the first stages of pregnancy.
Remember that the first signs of pregnancy vary. Some women experience all of these symptoms, and some women don't have many early signs of pregnancy at all. The important thing is to listen to your body, and see your doctor when you do become pregnant to get the best pre-natal care.