Pregnancy symptoms: Know the first signs and find out if you are pregnant

Expecting a baby is a magical moment in women's lives. But it is true that pregnancy often takes some of them by surprise!

Does the first distrust usually arise after one or more days delay in menstruation? This is the case for regular menstrual cycles. But it is noteworthy that this, although it is the best known, is not the only sign of pregnancy.

When a woman becomes pregnant, her body initiates a series of transformations to facilitate interaction between the mother's and baby's metabolism. Due to this fact, pregnancy symptoms begin to emerge, which vary greatly from person to person.

13 main symptoms of pregnancy

Alfonso Massaguer, gynecologist, obstetrician and director of the Mother Clinic, recalls that usually the first sign of a pregnancy is menstrual delay. "But other symptoms of pregnancy can begin as soon as BHCG hormone production begins, even before menstruation fails," he says.

The most common, according to the gynecologist, are:

1. Emotional changes
2. Sleep disorders
3. Amendment of general provision
4. Cramps or abdominal pain
5. Sensitive breasts
6. Vaginal bleeding
7. Breast enlargement and darkening of the areolas
8. Abdominal sagging
9. Intestinal disorders
10. Feeling sick
11. Gastric burn and esophageal reflux sensation
12. Appetite Changes
13. Skin and hair changes

Massaguer emphasizes that each pregnancy is unique. That is, each woman feels the pregnancy differently, and more: each woman feels a different pregnancy from other pregnancies! The signs of pregnancy are very varied and can be experienced or not, in different intensities and combinations with each new pregnancy ?, highlights.

However, despite the particularities of each pregnancy, the gynecologist and obstetrician talks below about the main symptoms of a pregnancy and gives further guidance on this important phase in a woman's life. It is worth checking:

1st Symptom of Pregnancy: Emotional Changes

Can emotional changes occur from joy to sadness and even lability? which is the sudden change in mood.

Can a pregnant woman cry, for example, when she is thrilled to watch a television commercial or become extremely angry and sad after a simple argument with her partner? This is because, at this stage, small things can gain disproportionate relevance.

2nd Symptom of Pregnancy: Sleep Changes

It is more common for sleep to occur. That is, the woman tends to go to sleep early and has more difficulty waking up in the morning, regardless of how many hours she has slept.

A feeling of "disproportionate" tiredness daily activities are also to be expected and this fatigue can arise with just one week of gestation. The thing is, for women who already have a pretty tiring routine, the day can become exhausting.

It is noteworthy that tiredness and increased sleep in pregnancy occur due to hormonal changes. It is a symptom of early pregnancy, but usually disappears in the second trimester, but generally returns later in the pregnancy.

3rd Symptom of pregnancy: change in general mood

It is common that in pregnancy changes occur in the general disposition of women. For example, in the morning she may be feeling perfectly well, willing to perform her activities.

But can welfare go on to prostration? what is a state of extreme physical and mental dejection? that for no obvious reason.

4th Symptom of pregnancy: cramps or abdominal pain

Can early pregnancy cause some discomfort in the lower abdomen and even a bloated feeling in the belly? symptoms similar to those that appear days before menstruation.

It is worth mentioning that, with pregnancy, the uterus undergoes changes (including size), which stimulates the appearance of some contractions, felt by the woman as colic. It is also acceptable for her to feel a heaviness in the lower abdomen as well as twinges in the lower back, lower abdomen and vagina.

5th Pregnancy Symptom: Sensitive Breasts

The pregnant woman may feel her most sensitive and puffy (swollen) breasts. The simple act of putting on the bra, for example, can be annoying.

For women who have the habit of sleeping on their stomach, too, breasts can become a nuisance at this stage when they are most sensitive.

6th Pregnancy Symptom: vaginal bleeding

Small vaginal bleeding may occur.This is because, after fertilization of the egg by a sperm, the embryo travels through the fallopian tubes and is implanted in the uterine wall for 6 to 12 days, and this implantation can cause minor bleeding (often even confused with menstruation). about to arrive).

7th Symptom of pregnancy: breast enlargement and darkening of the areolas

Breast enlargement is a common symptom of pregnancy and may appear as early as the first or second week of pregnancy. It occurs by hormonal changes that promote the stimulation of the mammary glands, leaving them prepared for the breastfeeding phase.

It is noteworthy that this change may occur early in some women, but this is not a rule: others notice breast changes only after several weeks of pregnancy.

There may also be darkening of the mammary areolas, which happens due to the increase of pigment cells in the region, by the action of hormones.

Pregnancy Symptom 8: Abdominal sagging

So how is it possible for abdominal volume to increase even in early pregnancies? Already as a preparation of the body to support uterine growth?, abdominal sagging may occur in some women. But, it is worth mentioning, this varies greatly from woman to woman.

Pregnancy Symptom 9: Intestinal changes

It is common for gas to increase at this stage of a woman's life, even in the first weeks of pregnancy.

This is a somewhat embarrassing symptom, especially in situations where women often spend hours indoors with other people (such as working in an office). However, it should be viewed as best as possible.

During pregnancy, constipation may also occur (also called constipation or constipation).

10th Pregnancy Symptom: feeling sick

Nausea and vomiting are typical symptoms of pregnancy. They usually get worse between the 8th and 16th weeks of pregnancy, but there are women who already have these symptoms by the 2nd or 3rd week.

It is noteworthy that seasickness still has very different intensities from woman to woman.

11th Symptom of pregnancy: gastric burning and esophageal reflux sensation

During pregnancy, intestinal transit slows down, and as a result of this, in addition to the stuck bowel, gastric burning and a feeling of reflux may occur.

12th Symptom of Pregnancy: Appetite Changes

During pregnancy there is a large hormonal, emotional and metabolic change, which generates changes in appetite and food acceptance in women. They can happen from lack of appetite (lack of appetite) to binge eating and the possibility of desires.

For example, a woman may have an aversion to certain food and / or smell that she previously liked. Or vice versa: you may want to try something you never wanted to prove before, among other changes.

13th Pregnancy Symptom: Skin and Hair Changes

Due to hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, changes in the woman's skin and hair may occur due to the decrease or increase in oiliness.

In females, it is noteworthy, acne is closely related to hormonal changes that cause increased skin oils. Therefore, it may be that at any time during pregnancy, the woman develops acne or worsens the picture she had before.

When can a woman know she is pregnant?

Blood test: Alfonso Massaguer points out that with increasingly accurate and sensitive BHCG hormone detection tests today, it is possible to detect a pregnancy from the eighth day after conception. "That is, even before any menstrual delay, when using the quantitative BHCG blood test," he explains.

Pharmacy Test: The urine test, adds the doctor, although very safe, is more suitable when there is a menstrual delay.

5 common questions of first-time pregnant women

1. Desire for eating certain foods: myth or reality?

Does the pregnant woman, in fact, feel more desire to eat certain foods or is this just a myth?

Massaguer explains that during pregnancy there is a large hormonal, emotional and metabolic change, which generates changes in appetite and food acceptance. "During the nausea phase, more acidic, lighter and colder foods are better accepted than hot and fatty foods," he says.

Also according to the doctor, after the 20th week of pregnancy, fetal blood formation begins and some pregnant women develop anemia, which may increase the desire for iron-rich foods, for example.

"Although common, the wishes of pregnant women do not have a confirmed scientific explanation," highlights the obstetrician and gynecologist Massaguer.

2. Why do most pregnant women feel sick?

Feeling sick is a well-known symptom of pregnancy.But why does this happen? Is there a period of pregnancy when this symptom becomes more present or does it vary from woman to woman?

Alfonso Massaguer explains that both BHCG and progesterone, pregnancy hormones, can slow stomach and bowel movements and can also lead to acidity changes that increase the feeling of nausea. "Usually they get worse between the 8th and 16th weeks of pregnancy, but can have very different intensity from woman to woman," he says.

3. When should a woman look for a doctor?

From what moment the woman? suspicious that you may be pregnant? should you look for a doctor?

Massaguer points out that the search for a doctor should precede the attempt to get pregnant. But if pregnancy occurred before a preconception consultation, pregnancy testing and medical consultation should be done as soon as possible. "Early monitoring of pregnancy with adequate prenatal care is essential for the well-being of mother and baby preventing disease and complications," he explains.

4. Are bleeding during pregnancy always a sign of risk?

Bleeding during pregnancy deserves attention. But, as Massaguer explains, they are not always related to complications. "They may be due to implantation and placental movement, for example," he says.

"Small or minimal bleeding is not usually associated with gestational loss and 50% of pregnancies are maintained even after moderate to large live bleeding," the doctor adds.

However, remember: in case of bleeding, consult your obstetrician as soon as possible.

5. Can pregnant women practice physical activities?

Can women exercise during pregnancy or are they unwilling to do so? This is a common doubt among many people.

Alfonso Massaguer explains that pregnant women can and should exercise, provided under the guidance of their obstetrician. "Low impact exercises, from mild to moderate, are very beneficial for most pregnant women and can even improve their well-being during pregnancy," he says.

General care during pregnancy

After the confirmation of pregnancy and, regardless of the symptoms the woman feels, it is essential that she take certain care at this important time in her life, after all, she now carries within herself a new being.

Below, gynecologist and obstetrician Massaguer talks about the general care that a pregnant woman should have:

• Pregnant women should not be prolonged fasting and should consume fluids properly.
• They should not eat undercooked meats, or poorly washed vegetables.
• They should avoid touching earth directly.
• They should avoid uncomfortable and static positions to minimize the risk of discomfort.
• Impacts are not welcome, so beware of falls!
• They should not carry excess weight: if it does not harm the baby, it will certainly harm the spine.
• They should avoid chemicals and read labels before changing the look of their hair.

Remember, lastly, that pregnancy is not a disease, quite the opposite: it is the beginning of a new life. However, it is a phase that requires care. So all attention is welcome! If in doubt always consult your obstetrician.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms | Kaiser Permanente (April 2024)