Early Pregnancy Symptoms before Missed Period

INTRODUCTION

One of the most obvious and immediate signs of pregnancy is a missed period. But there are many other symptoms which indicate pregnancy before a missed period.

An egg will fertilize and then attach itself to the uterus of the mother and this is when you get pregnant.

There is a surge in hormones and the body goes through many complex changes in its effort to accommodate a new life within the womb.

Most symptoms of pregnancy occur during the first week of conception, but some of them last much longer. It is critical to observe carefully if you are having the below-mentioned symptoms as they can be an indicator that you are pregnant.

Listed below are some pregnancy symptoms you might have before a missed period.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A PREGNANCY BEFORE A MISSED PERIOD

1. NAUSEA

If you are experiencing Nausea or vomiting which is also called morning sickness then this can be a sure shot indicator that you are pregnant. You will start feeling uneasiness and nausea within the first few weeks of pregnancy.

Because of the rise in estrogen and progesterone levels, you would feel like throwing up or vomiting many times a day. This is not the morning only problem. The urge to vomit may occur many times in the day. This will continue through all trimesters. More than 70 percent of pregnant women experience nausea in the few weeks prior to a missed period. More than 50 percent of women who are pregnant feel nausea within six weeks of pregnancy and this can be the case at times earlier than that too.

2. ELEVATED BASEL BODY TEMPERATURE

It is important and imperative to monitor basal body temperature for months to get a cue of a noticeable change. This observation is often more accurate than the other symptoms.

Your body temperature increases before ovulation and then come back to normal once your period cycle has ended. This is not the case with pregnant women. While you are pregnant the basal body temperature tends to be on the higher side for a sustained period of time.

As the body is preparing itself for a new life within you the basal temperature remains high with the implantation in place.

This is because the immune system of the body is re-aligning itself to go through the gestation period smoothly.

You should observe your body temperature and if it is on the higher side for over 20 to 30 days post ovulation then you can be sure that you are pregnant and ready to create life.

3. FOOD CRAVINGS AND AVERSIONS

This is an important symptom which should not be ignored. While hormones in your body are playing havoc and realigning themselves you may crave your favorite food items and you can also become extra sensitive to particular odors and smells. You might take a liking to pungent and tangy or spicy food and might also develop a version for some other foods.

These symptoms occur at the beginning of your pregnancy journey and usually do not last long. It has also been noticed that some pregnant women start eating less in the days before their periods.

4. HEAVY SORE AND TENDER BREASTS

A week before you miss a period your breasts tend to become heavy, sore and tender and your areolas become darker than usual. Many pregnant women also experience pain in their breasts. Nipples become darker and women start feeling itchy, prickly or tingly there.

These symptoms are also noticeable after you have missed your period as well. These symptoms occur because of the rise in estrogen levels in the body.

5. MOOD SWINGS

Once you are pregnant the changes in the hormone levels will make you behave in extremes. At times you will be joyous, excited and happy and at other times you will be sobbing, depressed and crying over the smallest of issues. This happens as the imbalanced hormones affect the neurotransmitters in the brain causing extreme behavior patterns.

Thus it is critical to have emotional support and sit back and relax in case you are not feeling normal and up to it.

6. CRAMPS AND BLEEDING

Some evident and early signs of pregnancy pre periods are light bleeding, spotting, and menstrual cramps. These symptoms are known as implantation bleeding. Once the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus that is the moment the implantation happens.

In normal circumstances and if you are having normal menstrual cycles then the bleeding will occur almost a week before the missed period. This implantation bleeding may last for a few hours and can go on till a few days as well.

You should be observant and watch out for signs of excessive bleeding as that might be an indication of a miscarriage or a period.

7. URINATION FREQUENT URGE

During your pregnancy, while the uterus starts pushing at your bladder the tendency to frequently urinate will only increase. Your body will have to deal with many hormonal changes and extra blood production. Thus frequent urination is a symptom you cannot avoid and this will sustain throughout your pregnancy. The kidneys need to work overtime and this causes frequent urination. This urge surfaces closer to when your periods are due and is a symptom you cannot afford to ignore.

8. EXHAUSTION AND FATIGUE

Because of the hormonal changes taking place in your body, you tend to feel fatigued and tired all the time weeks before pregnancy. You will feel lazy and sleepy and get tired easily. Also as the body needs to produce more blood for the fetus it needs more rest and sleep. Thus there is no harm in relaxing and resting without carrying out any strenuous activity during your pregnancy. You should also feed yourself well and partake a rich diet of iron, vitamins, minerals and a lot of healthy fluids.

9. INSTABILITY AND DIZZINESS

Many pregnant mothers experience dizziness and light headed unstable feeling and this is a regular symptom of pregnancy. The Blood pressure reduces as a result of blood vessels dilating and this leads to imbalance and dizziness.

In case there is extreme vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain accompanied by dizziness then you should seriously consider seeing a medical professional.

10. ACHES AND PAIN

Many pregnant mothers experience aches and pains in their bodies. This happens as hormones are busy creating space for the new life which in maturing inside the body and this impacts the ligaments. As the ligaments stretch there are aches and pains especially in the spinal area before you miss your period.

11. CONSTIPATION

Pregnancy has an adverse impact on your bowel movements. Due to the sport in hormones and the slow pace of digestion, bowel movements harder. Constipated bowels are caused by the progesterone hormone and make it harder for you to poop. This can also be an early sign of pregnancy. If this is happening then you should consult a doctor and go for a pregnancy test.

12. CRAZY BIZARRE DREAMS

You may get crazy and vivid dreams some weeks into your pregnancy before you have missed your period. A strange feeling surfaces a week into conception.

The pregnancy hormones work overtime in a complex manner which causes illusions and awkward dreams in pregnant women.

13. HOT FLUSHES IN THE BODY

You might get hot flushes in your body when your periods are due and this can be a sign of early pregnancy. You should observe carefully if you are getting heat flushes in your organs. This can be a sign that you have conceived before your period.

14. EXCESSIVE AND OBSESSIVE THIRST

The excessive blood formation in your body leaves you thirsty and hungry and thus many times pregnant women are observed to down gallons of water. This is a sign of pregnancy before a period. Also, constant hunger is accompanied by thirst.

15. SHORT BREATH

As the body adjusts to accommodate another body within itself it has to provide oxygen for not one but two bodies. This shortness of breath is observed in pregnant mothers as there is an increased need for more and more oxygen in the body.

16. CERVICAL MUCUS THICKENING

The cervical mucus will become creamier and thicker and stay like that until you have missed your period. Thus an increase of cervical mucus is an indicator of pregnancy before an impending period. The Vaginal area may also become sore and there might be an itchy feeling when you pee.

17. SALIVATING AND DROOLING

The condition known as ptyalisgradidarum is not very common but affects some women who start excessive saliva production before they miss their period. There is also morning sickness and heartburn due to this condition.

18. ACNE, BUMPS, AND SPOTS

Because of the increased hormonal activity straight after conception, there can be occasional pimples and zits in the pre-menstrual phase. Also at times, the acne starts disappearing before your period and this is a sure shot sign of pregnancy.

19. AWKWARD MOUTH TASTE

If you are pregnant, before your periods you will at times feel an awkward and confusing taste in your mouth. It might taste as if you have just ingested some strange mineral or metal. This metallic taste can be an indicator of pregnancy.

The symptom generally tones down and disappears after the first trimester but in some cases, it lasts longer.

20. TIGHTNESS AND BLOATING

Stomach pulls and twinges are one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy before a missed period. Increased levels of progesterone are the cause of this symptom. This hormone with its increased levels of trap gas in the intestines and impede digestion.

There can be occasional farts and burps because of the trapped gas which can be awkward in social situations.

CONCLUSION

The above-mentioned symptoms are indicators that you are soon to be a mother. They should not be taken lightly. Pregnancy is a very sensitive and vulnerable period of a mother’s life. It is critical that the pregnancy is spotted early and the necessary precautions are taken. This is done so as to avoid the risk of miscarriage or any other complications.

So if you are experiencing any of these symptoms before a missed period then you should consult a doctor immediately and go for a pregnancy test.

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