Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

What are the symptoms of pregnancy?

Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

Basal body temperature stays high: If you've been charting your basal body temperature (your temperature when you first wake up in the morning) and you see that your temperature has stayed above the coverline for 18 days in a row, you're probably pregnant.
Braxton Hicks contractions - These start from your 6th week, but you only feel them when you are about halfway your pregnancy.
Constipation - Pregnancy hormones will slow down bowel functions to give maximum absorption time of vitamins and nutrients.
Darkening of areola (breast nipple) - This can be one of the first symptoms which can appear as early as one week after conception and then throughout pregnancy. The symptom is due to increasing amount of hCG hormone that begins at implantation.
Dizzyness - The growing uterus compresses major arteries in your legs which causes your blood pressure to drop. This makes you feel light headed.
Excessive salivation - Glands produce more moisture during pregnancy due to hormones. The spitting stops at about 16 weeks.
Exhaustion or feeling sleepy - Can occur one to six weeks after conception and last your entire pregnancy.
Feeling pregnant - Call it a sixth sense, some women are just "feeling" pregnant.
Food cravings - About 85 percent of women report at least one food craving during pregnancy. They are caused by hormonal changes in the body. Sweet or salty snacks are most popular.
Frequent urination - This symptom is caused by hormone changes. You may see it six to eight weeks after conception and it will be with you for your entire pregnancy. This is caused by hormone changes and growing pressure on the bladder.
Having a positive pregancy test - The most obviuos one, apart from having a huge belly of course. Home pregnancy test are known to be 99% secure, but do see a doctor when your test is positive!
Headaches - As hormone levels fluctuate throughout a woman's pregnancy, the frequency and severity of headaches may vary as well. About 2 in 5 women notice an increase of headaches during the first months of the pregnancy.
Heartburn - Two reasons: The uterus is very swollen and starts to push upward as it grows. The increasing levels of hCG will also slow down digestion making your stomach not empty as fast which increases the stomach acid.
Increased sense of smell - The slightest thing can make you feel nauseous.
Irritability - Hormones cause a lot of mood swings and irritability during a pregnancy.
Light bleeding - Light bleeding (spotting) may occur approximately 4 - 10 days from ovulation. It's pink or brown in color, sometimes accompanied by stomach cramps. Caused by the egg implanting itself in the endometrial lining. Many women mistake this for a normal period.
Lower abdominal cramps - Stomach cramps in combination with a light bleeding: see `Light bleeding`
Missed period (Amenorrhea) or a period with less bleeding than normal - As soon as you get pregnant your periods stop. Instead, you will have a light bleeding (spotting) approximately 4 - 10 days from ovulation. Many women mistake this for a normal period.
Morning sickness - Morning sickness is very common. Most pregnant women have at least some morning sickness, and about a third have vomiting.
Nausea and vomiting - See `Morning sickness`
Tender or swollen breasts - This symptom is one that can appear rather quickly after fertilization - one to two weeks after conception and will most likely be with you your entire pregnancy. The symptom is due to increasing amount of hCG hormone that begins at implantation.
Tiredness - Your body goes through hormonal changes. hCG forms in your body, your temperature is higher due to the amount progesterone circulating through your body which will make you feel tired. Take it easier, eat more calories. (300 more a day)

Other Causes
Stress, illness, changes in diet and other situations can cause the pregnancy symptoms as well. The only way to confirm your pregnancy is to take a pregnancy test and then visit your doctor for confirmation. Home pregnancy tests are very reliable and most can show results as early as 10 to 14 days after fertilization.

Even if you have a postitive pregnancy test and have some or all of these pregnancy symptoms, you will need to visit your health care provider and get a blood test done to get the absolute confirmation of your pregnancy.

If you have these pregnancy symptoms and you believe that you are pregnant, be sure to take care of your health. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. If you are taking prescription or over the counter medication, be sure to check with your doctor to make sure they are safe to take while pregnant. Start taking folic acid to help ensure the health of your unborn child.

Comments: Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms

Comments 1 to 24 of about 103.
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Bray0705 - 7 days ago.
Hey, I need some advice here. Okay my lmp was 9/28, i started spotting and some bleeding on and off for about 4 days. It had started and stopped w/ brown spotting. I feel pregnant but not sure. My boobs hurt and i have backaches, im extremely tired, emotional and of course moody. When i was bleeding it didnt seem like my period it was very diff and weird, i didn't even cramp. I've taken 3 hpts and they were all negative but the last time ive taken one was 2 weeks ago. I was thinkin about takin another one or getting a blood test but im kinda scared to know, i don't want to be disappointed. Please ladies i need advice just send me a private msg. thanks

staceyp - 7 days ago.
hi all!! im in need of sum advice! I had my af this month but it wasnt normal, lasted 7 days and was only really regular bleeding for a day and that was it! I hav been gettin funny cramps and feeling nausciuos and dont know whats happening like do i wait til my af comes next month? Also i hav been on anti biotics for a mouth infection and hav been havin pain killers so this worries me alot!! I am gettin the tooth pulled out in a days time and i hope that im not preg cos i hav to hav local anesthetic to get it out.

Fairydust - 14 days ago.
Hi All, I had a mc (10 wks) in August and had to have a dnc. We are still trying and I had my af once since then. I was due again last monday. had some light spotting in my cm and only blood once. I did a test but it came back -ve. I'm not sure whats going on... does it take a while for the cycles to even out? Am I being over eager?

c.ruth - 16 days ago.
Back again ladies... this time still questioning. i thought i was, but i had af.... it should be here in 5 days or less... by this time though headaches are gone... breast are no longer tender, and only mild cramps till it happens. I still have headaches that will not go away, my bb pain gets worse. Do they tend to throb? and hurt beneath your breast as well? they feel so bruised and seem to be fuller. my back aches like no one's bussiness and heartburn everyday when i don't eat food that should cause it. part of me is freaked or worried cos this yr my sister in law had her baby and now my cousin, so it's baby making season for the fam... but next week i'll do the hpt. but please, answer me on the bb questions ladies, please, and thank you

manda-may - 39 days ago.
tnkygal try another home pregnancy test... I've been told that first thing in the morning is a good time to do one. Good luck.

tinkygal - 39 days ago.
Hi I had sex over 7 weeks ago, a week after that i had my period it was lighter than normal and didnt last as long. i was due for my period again on the 7th, its now the 15th and no period..... im not normally this late. i normally get really bad period pain a week before my period leading up to the day i get my period, i have not had the pain this time? i have been feeling a bit sick, tired all the time and need the the toilet all the time. i did a home pregnancy test a few days ago and this came back negative, i did do the test late on in the afternoon after drinking alot of water , tea and coffee. im now wondering if i could be pregnant?? any help or advice would br great. thanks

chicklet1525 - 40 days ago.
I feel pregnant and my boobs are sore and my period isnt due till around the 26th am I ????????? I hope so. I am I know it. My boobs are throbbing as I speek

GBMom - 40 days ago.
c.ruth - I'd wait a couple days and take another test. I got a negative test when my period was 4 days late but I waited 2 more days and got a positive result. (I actually took 2 tests and both were positive). My doc said it can take your body a while to show up the hormone in the test so if you still don't get your period and test is still negative, I'd call your doc. Good luck!

leine - 40 days ago.
is there anybody who experience light bleeding for 3 days pinkish and it turns to brown?instead of my monthly period due date....

manda-may - 41 days ago.
c.ruth if you want to find out for sure if you are pregnant, then the best thing to do is go to the doctors and get a blood test. Your hormone levels are probably not high enough yet to work on a home pregnancy test (you need to wait till after your af is due or after - I did mine when I was due for af and the positive result was still very very faint), but a blood test will find out for sure. Good luck.

c.ruth - 41 days ago.
Mkay, some advice or help plez. af should be here thurs, or fri. well, my bb have been more tender than usual, heartburn, headaches (which may be from fever cos i'm getting over a cold) queasy randomly in the day, but more mornings and night, always hungry, but can't eat much, heartburn. I am on the pill, but I missed a couple in the first week, three in a row the 2nd, did fine till thurs the third week. i think i ovulated, cos i felt pressure and that cervical mucas stuff showed up. bought a test, but no results, i had two uti's in one and a half month..spotted for a day. kinda panicky. I've had scares, but this feels different. i still feel a pressure around my lower belly. idk if it's just getting over a cold and the uti's plus starting classes at my college or stress, i just need advice ladies. Thank you

Mandie N Family - 46 days ago.
I want a bump, NO Mine didn't when I was preg with my 4th baby. My breats didn't even hurt me (Bother or anything like that) I thought I couldn't breastfeed her but after she was born I did get to breastfeed. Everyone is Different

I Want A Bump - 61 days ago.
Do every pregnant womans areola darken?

wishingpink - 72 days ago.
Good Luck chatterscene.com

DRhoping2be - 72 days ago.
I am hoping for 'pregnancy signs and symtoms' this month...wish me luck :)! Good luck to EVERYONE!!! Baby dust to you all!

staceyp - 72 days ago.
Hi all im after some advice i have been having lower tummy twinges and cramps feeling heavy down there esp today at work! Also ive had sore boobs and nausea. Could i be preg? af is due around the 19th of this month but it isnt regular but goes on about a 21 day cycle. Also today i hav had very sore leg cramps and my tummy feels very uncomfortable! arghh i gotta just wait but who knows really. We arent trying but we arent avoiding pregnancy either and havin unprotected sex.Did any1 get any of these symptoms?

babbs34543 - 77 days ago.
I'm 5 weeks 5 days link but i DO NOT feel pregnant. I mean not even in the slightest. I'm not bleeding or in any pain..i just feel like this is a dream not really true. My OB doesn't like to see her paitents until 10 weeks that awhole month!! I'm just soo worried. Should i at least ask them to check my HCG levels?

Senior baby - 84 days ago.
Im kinda confused bout something.. i have been having pains that feel like ligament pains. i started my period (or what i think was my period) on aug. 15th. was on for bout 3 days and i got off.. a week later i started spotting for one day. i keep having very bad headaches and lower stomach pains. could i be pregnant? and having symptoms already?

deanne2005 - 87 days ago.
Me and my husband have been trying for a baby for 2 weeks now and well i have noticed my Breast are leaking already and my breasts are swollen. I do think i am already Pregnant as this happened with our first baby, Does anyone think i am pregnant? Has anyone else felt the same too?

thuy - 92 days ago.
DRhoping2be - you can get a blood test. Otherwise, wait a week and do the hpt again. Depending on what kind of hpt you have, some are more sensitive and can detect lower levels of hcg than others so you may want to check on that as well.

DRhoping2be - 92 days ago.
NEED ADVICE PLEASE!!! My partner and I are TTC. I have short cycle (only 22 days). I should have started on 8/15 but didn't...I have waited a week, but still no AF. I took a 2 HPT's last week and got varied and not clear results (one faintly positive and one negative). Any advice? Thanks!

felicia-lundstrom - 109 days ago.
Hi Ladies. Wondering if anyone can help anwser my questions! If so, please write a private message on my page! Thanks. I last had my period around July 3th (give or take a day) I've been cramping for about a week now like I'm going to get my period but still haven't. I'm about 3 or so days late and it makes me very nervous because I normally get my period every 3 weeks... not every 30 days. I took a Digital Pregnancy test today and it says that I'm not pregnant. I have absolutely no symptoms of being pregnant... so why is my cycle late???? The only thing that I can think of is maybe from working out a lot. I have done about 20 miles this week, I go to the gym 3 hours a day... I just started so I am wondering if this is the reason why I am late... if any one has any ideas on what it could be, please let me know!!!!

Bri - 109 days ago.
Then*Along*Came*7 - When I'm shaky it's usually low blood sugar. Try to eat something healthy. Not caffine and such. Try some fruit with healthy sugars. It might help. This pregnancy I've been having a horrible time with eating. Either I can't eat or don't know what I want to eat so I don't until it's too late and then I'm scarfing whatever is in the fridge. Try an apple or orange.

Bri - 109 days ago.
tobij - Honey I was having all sorts of symptoms at 3.5weeks! Seriously! I was sick before I even got a positive test. I was tired. My back was aching, I was constipated. I had every ache and pain except breast tenderness and I atribute that to the fact that I still breastfeed. The reason your back and side and such may hurt is from a hormone called relaxin. While it sounds like a wonderful hormone...it's not! HAHA! Relaxin helps your bones relax and sift to accommodate your baby as s/he grows. The 1st trimester is always the worst for me. You have all the nasty symptoms and none of the fun ones like movement. Once baby starts moving and you have a belly to show for it pregnancy does get a little better. While your back still may hurt and you may still be tired people understand that you may need more breaks. More time to sit down. At 7weeks people just don't understand (unless they've been pregnant recently). Even your mom might not remember the feeling of the 1st trimester and all its 'joys'. Sorry you are hurting. Tell your fiance to go read a book. HAHA!

tobij - 109 days ago.
Is it normal to be getting all of these symptoms at 7 1/2 weeks???? I have them and my fiance keeps saying 'Your not that pregnant' and doesn't understand them.. nor has he taken the time to read up on any of them