Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms: A Simple Guide

Symptoms of pregnancy: Definite vs. possible signs of pregnancy

Early signs of pregnancy, which occur in early pregnancy, are generally considered uncertain. Some resemble PMS symptoms and are therefore confusing for women who are wondering. "How do you know if you are pregnant?" particularly confusing. Additionally, these symptoms vary greatly depending on the woman. Some people don't even notice a pregnancy at first.

There are indeed numerous early signs of pregnancy, but many of them are uncertain. Even more likely signs such as a missed period can have other reasons and do not definitively confirm a pregnancy. Therefore, all signs of pregnancy can only be indicators. However, the more symptoms you notice, the more likely it is that a baby is on the way.

How do you know if you are pregnant and what does being pregnant feel like?

It may sound simplistic, but it is often true: Many women instinctively feel that they are pregnant. However, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what can be determined in the first few weeks. Signs of pregnancy in the first week after fertilization can missing PMS symptoms, mild lower abdominal pain or spotting (so-called implantation bleeding) which occurs when the embryo implants in the uterus. Tension in the breasts or more general symptoms such as nausea or fatigue can also occur. Some women therefore notice a pregnancy very early.

The top 10 uncertain pregnancy symptoms: What are the first signs of pregnancy before missing a period?

Early symptoms of pregnancy include changes in taste and smell

You suddenly don't like the taste of your morning coffee anymore? You can't smell your favorite perfume anymore? That could be typical first signs of pregnancy This is due to the changed hormones. An early pregnancy often manifests itself in the rejection of intense tastes or smells. The rejection of certain foods, alcohol, and cigarettes is also interpreted by some as a kind of protective mechanism of the body.

Watery discharge as a classic sign of pregnancy

In some cases, Increased discharge is a sign of pregnancy.that one is pregnant. This is due to the hormonal changes that the body is currently undergoing. Shortly after fertilization, the body begins to HCG hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin) to be produced, which is formed in the first trimester of pregnancy and is responsible for the initiation and maintenance of pregnancy. Due to the hormonal changes, the genital organs are more heavily perfused, more moisture is formed, and a discharge like water occurs. If it is colorless or white and odorless, there is no cause for concern.

Constipation, bloating, or diarrhea as early signs of pregnancy?

Constipation can be an early sign of pregnancy., because here the hormone progesterone plays a crucial role. It slows down all bodily processes of a pregnant woman to protect the embryos and can thus promote constipation. Bloating can also occur more frequently.

Diarrhea, on the other hand, is not a typical sign of pregnancy. It is not due to altered hormones, but in early pregnancy it is often caused by a change in diet. If the pregnancy is already known, many women eat healthier and a high-fiber diet can initially lead to diarrhea. Otherwise, diarrhea and associated bloating can have numerous other causes that have nothing to do with an early pregnancy.

What kind of stomach pain is a sign of pregnancy?

Stomach aches are part of the first symptoms of pregnancy, if it is about so-called Nidation pain manifestation. This can be felt as pulling or stabbing in the lower abdomen, but the extent of abdominal or lower abdominal pain varies from woman to woman. In this context, it can also lead to a Spotting Implantation bleeding can occur when the fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall and damages small blood vessels in the process.

Heartburn as a sign of pregnancy?

Heartburn can be a sign of pregnancy. However, it occurs less frequently. Hormonal changes can cause heartburn due to reflux or a weakened diaphragm. However, these symptoms occur more frequently at the end of pregnancy. The growing uterus exerts more pressure on the surrounding organs.

Larger breasts and feeling of tension

The first signs of pregnancy that many women notice are changes in their breasts and feelings of tension. The breasts grow, become more sensitive, and may feel tight. Often, the nipples also become larger and darker. The reason: at the beginning of a pregnancy, the breasts are already preparing for breastfeeding, meaning that the increased hormone production stimulates the milk glands to grow.

Are headaches a sign of pregnancy?

Headaches can have many causes. Therefore, they are not necessarily the first sign of pregnancy and not very clear. Nevertheless, there is a connection: if you're pregnant, headaches can occur due to increased estrogen levels. Other reasons could be stress or fatigue.

Pregnancy Nausea and Vomiting

The so-called morning sickness, including morning sickness, is one of the classic signs of pregnancy and occurs in many women. Most often, women are affected by it in early pregnancy, i.e. the symptoms in the form of nausea followed by vomiting occur more frequently between the 6th and 12th week of pregnancy and improve from the third month. Pregnancy nausea is one of the first signs of pregnancy and is as positive signs of a stroke to evaluate: It shows the normal development of pregnancy and the increase of the pregnancy hormone HCG.

Cravings and ravenous hunger as very early signs of pregnancy

Does pickles with mustard and chocolate sound good to you? Then this could be a early signs of pregnancy. It can manifest as diffuse cravings and intense hunger. The cause of this phenomenon is not fully understood. One possible explanation could be the increased need for micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. According to the German Nutrition Society (DGE), pregnant women, for example, have a significantly higher demand for iron¹ (+100%) and folic acid² (+50%).

All of these are very early signs of pregnancy that occur before missing a period can be. Since every woman and therefore every pregnancy is very different, there are other symptoms that can be early signs of pregnancy:

• Severe fatigue: When pregnant, one often feels tired, exhausted, and weak. This is mainly due to a hormone called progesterone. It ensures that the pregnancy continues and has a calming effect.

• Strong emotions & mood swings: Frequent crying and increased emotional sensitivity can be interpreted as symptoms of pregnancy. This is due to the change in hormones and the body. But let's be honest: this sign alone is not very conclusive, as there can be numerous other causes behind it.

• Dizziness: This is also one of the first signs of pregnancy that can sometimes occur. A pregnant woman's body uses a lot of energy to build the placenta. At the same time, a large amount of blood is needed, which dilutes the blood, causing a drop in blood pressure. The result: dizziness, fatigue, and more.

Signs of a safe pregnancy? These signs likely indicate a pregnancy

This is no longer about so-called uncertain symptoms, but these signs quite likely indicate a pregnancy. However, they cannot definitively confirm that a baby is on the way.

• Increased basal temperature over a longer period: If the basal temperature (body temperature upon waking up) does not decrease for about 18 days or before the expected menstruation (bleeding), it is a good sign to recognize an early pregnancy. Caution is advised if, for example, cold symptoms occur, as an early illness can also cause the basal temperature to rise.

• Missed period and PMS symptoms: If the period is missed, it can be a first sign of pregnancy. However, women with irregular cycles know that one should not be too sure. Menstruation (bleeding) can be delayed due to stress, travel, stopping birth control pills, etc.

• Positive pregnancy test: A pregnancy can be detected in the blood just a few days after fertilization. A few days later, around 2 weeks after the embryo implants, a home pregnancy test can also show a positive result. If the pregnancy test is positive, you should visit a gynecologist as soon as possible to confirm the result. If the self-test is negative, there still may be a pregnancy if the pregnancy-maintaining hormone hCG is still too low and therefore not detectable in the urine.

• Gynecological changes: If someone is pregnant, the gynecologist usually confirms this during an examination. The mucous membranes of the genital organs and the uterus itself change due to hormonal fluctuations. However, these changes are generally no longer considered early or first signs, as the pregnancy usually already exists for several weeks.

Naming individual symptoms as clear signs of pregnancy is difficult because every woman and pregnancy are very individual. That is, the question "What are clear signs of pregnancy?" This cannot be answered in a general way.

However, if numerous symptoms occur together, pregnancy is definitely possible even with "only" uncertain signs. Our tip: Listen to your body, trust your instincts, and don't stress yourself too much!

When is the earliest one can tell that they are pregnant?

Medically speaking, a pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks, but it is only at the end of the second week that the egg can be fertilized. Therefore, during the first and second week of pregnancy (gestational age), one is not really pregnant yet. The first week of pregnancy simply starts with the first day of the last menstrual period.

But when do you start to notice that you are pregnant? One of the first signs of pregnancy can be from the second week (5 to 6 days) after fertilization and implantation occur. Then the body starts producing the hormone HCG and the first pregnancy symptoms can appear.

What are atypical signs of pregnancy?

Atypical signs of pregnancy are signs that do not occur very often or are so-called early signs of pregnancy. They can vary greatly and are not immediately associated with pregnancy by many women.

Some women experience various symptoms very early (8 days past ovulation) that they cannot initially assign. Examples of these are back pain, frequent urination, acne and pimples, worse eyesight, herpes, or palpitations.

When do the first signs of pregnancy subside?

It is completely normal that the first signs of pregnancy will diminish over time. This usually happens when the body has adapted to the changed hormone levels. Towards the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, typical pregnancy symptoms such as cramping in the lower abdomen, nausea, and fatigue subside.

Is it possible to be pregnant without any symptoms?

It is quite possible that you are pregnant and not experiencing any pregnancy symptoms. In early pregnancy, the signs are often not clear. And if, for example, stress is added, it is not always easy to attribute it, especially if you already have an irregular period or other health complaints. In addition, there are pregnant women who do not have any symptoms or complaints for a longer period of time - simply because the pregnancy is completely unproblematic.