signs and symptoms of early pregnancy
Update - 12-24-17
Update 1) Please note that the pink and blue storks in this essay are just for fun, you CANNOT tell your baby's gender from symptoms and these symptoms are all equally applicable to any pregnancy regardless of the gender of your baby.
Update 2) Since pregnancy symptoms are caused by hormones (particularly progesterone) that are also at higher levels after ovulation, it is very, very common to experience symptoms that seem pregnancy-ish when you are not pregnant. Do not go off your sway diet until you have a positive pregnancy test even if you're sure that you are pregnant.
Update 3) You cannot be having pregnancy symptoms before implantation has occured. You may be experiencing symptoms of some sort but it's not from pregnancy, it's from hormone fluctuations. It is believed that some months when you are high in hormones and having a lot of hormonal symptoms, you are also more likely to conceive then - so it's possible to have early symptoms in a month you do end up conceiving, but the symptoms are not caused by pregnancy, they're caused by high hormone levels that then enable pregnancy to occur. It is fine if you do not believe that this is the case, it is fine if you are certain you knew you were pregnant 3 days past ovulation, but whether you believe it or not, don't go off your sway diet till you have a positive pregnancy test.
Update 4)You MUST take a pregnancy test before starting hormonal supplements, drinking alcohol, and especially before starting Clomid or Femara. Even if you have had no symptoms, even if you had what you think was a period, even if you are 110% sure you are not pregnant, take a pregnancy test 14 DPO or the day you're due to start your medication in the case of Clomid and Femara. You can have what appears to be a totally normal period and be pregnant the entire time and you can cause your baby serious harm taking these things while you are pregnant.
Update 5) You cannot tell your baby's gender from early pregnancy symptoms or from the darkness of your pregnancy tests. Please read my reply in this thread for a thorough explanation as to why this is. http://genderdreaming.com/forum/gend...cy-test-2.html
We have a helpful FAQ thread about getting and staying pregnant here:
http://genderdreaming.com/forum/gend...pregnancy.html
Are you a nervous wreck waiting to test? You may be able to tell if you're pregnant days before you can POAS.
:ttcgirl:Fatigue - One of the earliest signs of pregnancy for many of us is sheer, mind-numbing exhaustion. Since a lot of moms feel that way on a daily basis anyway, this is kind of a tough one to notice!
:ttcboy:Sore, tingling breasts - When I was TTC my third son, I was getting something out of my car and I barely hit my breast on the car door. But I had a huge amount of pain and tingling and I knew then and there I was pregnant, even though I hadn't even missed my period yet. If you're breastfeeding, you may not notice this, but you may notice you are suddenly making less milk or nursing has become painful.
:ttcgirl: Spotting and cramping - 7-10 days after conception, you may experience a little spotting as the egg implants in your uterus. Or you may have mild to severe menstrual-like cramps. (this may happen a little sooner if you have gone HT)
:ttcboy:Nausea and vomiting - Usually these symptoms come along a little later in pregnancy, but if you're expecting twins it can strike quite early!! Sensitivity to smell is also a very early sign for some.
:ttcgirl: Food aversions, cravings, changes in appetite - if you're suddenly grossed out by the thought of chicken or eating massive amounts of chocolate, that can be a sign that you're eating (or not eating) for two!
:ttcboy: Feeling lightheaded - Your blood vessels dilate and this can lead to low blood pressure and dizziness, even fainting if you get up too quickly.
:ttcgirl: Moodiness - This is one symptom you can't really trust, because many of us get moody/anxious right after ovulation and/or right before our periods anyway. Still, it can be a sign of pregnancy.
:ttcboy: Constipation - For some of us, this is one of the earliest signs we experience. Progesterone affects the intestines and makes them work more slowly.
:ttcgirl: Headaches and migraines - Headaches and hormonal migraines are extremely common in early pregnancy. Even if you've never had a migraine before, you may experience them in early pregnancy. This may be a result of the lower blood pressure and dilated vessels.
:ttcboy: Vaginal discharge - You're already beginning to form a mucus plug in your cervix that will be with you for the next 9 months - along with a mild but noticeable discharge.
:ttcgirl: Frequent urination and thirstiness - These two things go hand in hand with pregnancy and can start very early on.
:ttcboy: Changes in sexual appetite - You may want to DTD more or want your husband as far away as possible.
:ttcgirl:Heartburn, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, sciatica, pelvic pain - For those of us who have had several pregnancies, we may begin to experience the aches and pains caused by relaxin (the hormone your body releases that allows your tissues to stretch enough to allow a baby to pass through the birth canal) very early on.
NOTE: these are not boy and girl symptoms, I just used pink and blue icons to make them easier to see!