Pregnancy Symptoms: When Do They Start?
Pregnancy symptoms
Pregnancy
symptoms can start days, weeks, or even months before you even know you’re
pregnant, but when do pregnancy symptoms start exactly? There are different
factors that play into this, such as your age and the time of the month, so
it’s impossible to give a clear answer. But here are some common pregnancy
symptoms that can help you know if it’s time to take the test!
Pregnancy test
One of the
most critical first steps to take is finding out whether or not you’re actually
pregnant. Most women wait to take a pregnancy test until their missed period,
but that’s actually one of the worst times to do it. A woman’s estrogen and
progesterone levels can fluctuate throughout her cycle, which means those
hormones may cause a false positive when they’re at their lowest—the day before
your period is expected. That said, don’t freak out if you get an unexpected +
sign on an early test; a negative result at six weeks doesn't mean there's no
baby in there, just that it hasn't grown enough for its presence to be detected
yet.
The 3 Stages of Pregnancy
Pregnancy symptoms don’t just appear
overnight. There are four distinct stages of pregnancy, and it’s important to
know what to expect at each one. Stage 1 is that crazy period where you can’t
wait to tell everyone about your condition, but your doctor doesn't even need a
test to confirm you're pregnant yet (you could be in stage 2 or 3 and have no
idea). Your body is getting used to producing pregnancy hormones and they may cause
some nausea, fatigue, and breast tenderness. Stages 2-4 are marked by changes
in how your body looks and feels.
Morning Sickness
It’s not a
myth that morning sickness is worse in the morning, though no one knows why. It
might be that morning sickness is caused by high levels of hormones released
when you first wake up, or perhaps it's because your stomach isn't quite empty.
Either way, if you're feeling queasy at 7 am, wait an hour and see if things
improve. If they don't, your doctor can prescribe medication to help control
symptoms until they go away on their own. If nausea comes on later in the day,
eat small meals throughout to prevent nausea from coming back (no skipping
meals!). It may seem obvious, but hydration is crucial during pregnancy—drink lots
of water! Also, try ginger tea and suck on licorice root for nausea relief.
First Trimester
Pregnancy
lasts for 40 weeks, with a gestational period (the number of weeks from
conception to birth) that lasts between 37 and 42 weeks. But how do you know when
your pregnancy begins? Most doctors and hospitals will consider a pregnancy
confirmed once an embryo has been implanted in your uterus—about six days after
fertilization occurs. In other words, if you’re pregnant and haven’t had a
positive home pregnancy test, you might still be waiting to experience
first-trimester symptoms such as nausea or breast tenderness. Even if you think
you might be pregnant, it could take up to two weeks for these symptoms to
surface.
Second Trimester
The second
trimester is when morning sickness typically ends and pregnancy symptoms start
to level off. You’ll probably have more energy, fewer aches and pains, less
nausea, and longer periods of feeling well. In terms of diet, there are a few
things you should eat in your second trimester if you want to stay healthy for
both you and your baby. The Institute of Medicine recommends at least 200mg of
calcium a day (while pregnant) to strengthen your bones. It’s also recommended
that pregnant women eat enough vitamin C to maintain their iron levels.
Third Trimester
The Third
Trimester is definitely a mixed bag of emotions. Some women love it while
others hate it. You should feel your baby kick, which can feel like butterflies
in your stomach, but with every kick, you’ll know that there’s no turning
back—in just a few months you’ll be holding your little one in your arms. It is
also common to develop an uncomfortable condition called symphysis pubis
dysfunction (SPD), which causes pain in your pelvis when walking or standing up
from sitting for too long. Pregnant women should avoid stretching exercises and
opt for doing Kegel exercises instead to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles,
which will help reduce lower back pain later on and make delivery easier by
helping you push more effectively during labor.