9 Subtle Clues that You Might Be Pregnant
Before my first pregnancy, I enjoyed a glass of wine with dinner and an occasional big, juicy chili dog. But even in those very first days after I conceived, the wine tasted flat and the hot dog repulsed me. Fast-forward a few weeks. With a positive pregnancy test in hand, I realized that my body knew I was pregnant before my mind did. Here are some of the clues you may notice that tell you're pregnant - even before a test can.
Clue 1} Breast tenderness
Your breasts may be extra tender as early as a week or two after conception. "You're making so much estrogen and progesterone in early pregnancy that the glands in the breasts start growing," explains Jasbir Singh, M.D., an OB-GYN at Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie in Texas. This hormone surge causes breasts to retain more fluids and feel heavy, sore or more sensitive than normal PMS tenderness.
How Your Breasts Change During Pregnancy
What to do Buy a very supportive bra.
Clue 2} Implantation bleeding
When the fertilized egg implants into the plush lining of the uterus about six to 12 days after conception, spotting-light vaginal bleeding-may occur. This is harmless, but if you suspect you're pregnant, let your doctor know, just in case it's something else. (If the bleeding occurs as late as 12 days after you conceive, you may think it's your period.)
Due Date Calculator
What to do Call your doctor if you notice any bleeding.
Clue 3} Fatigue
During the first few weeks, your body is working 24/7 behind the scenes to support the pregnancy, and fatigue is a normal response. The extra progesterone produced after conception causes your basal body temperature to rise, which in turn contributes to a lack of energy.
What to do "Take prenatal vitamins early on, eat a healthful diet, drink plenty of fluids to keep your blood pressure high enough, and rest when you can," Singh says.
Read More: Prenatal Vitamins Made Easy
Clue 4} Frequent urination
You might think this comes later, when the baby presses on your bladder, but frequent peeing sometimes starts early. Not only can the swelling uterus put pressure on your bladder, but the extra blood flow to the kidneys (which begins right away) also causes them to produce more urine.
What to do Nothing, unless the frequent urination is accompanied by burning, urgency or other signs of infection. (If so, notify your doctor.) Do not cut back on your fluid intake.
Food Fixes: Expert advice and real-life solutions for every stage of pregnancy.
Clue 5} Food aversions and nausea
This can start as early as two weeks after conception. "Progesterone causes a lot of things to slow down," Singh says. That includes your digestive processes, sometimes resulting in constipation or indigestion. Since your stomach doesn't empty as quickly as it normally does, it thinks there's too much going on in there and wants to purge in some way-either into the gut or out through the mouth.
A Nod to Nausea: What to do about morning sickness
What to do Many women find ginger and lemons soothing. Ask your doctor about special vitamin B6 supplements that may alleviate nausea. Acupressure wristbands also can help. If you're vomiting frequently or can't hold down any liquids, see your OB for possible IV hydration and medication.
Get tips 6 - 9 here at Fit Pregnancy.
