The first symptoms and early signs of pregnancy

The answer to the question "Am I pregnant?"

The only sure way to answer this question is to take a pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests (such as tests from a urine sample of which there are over 25 species) achieve an accuracy of 99%, and can be used at the earliest “on the day of expectation of regular menstruation”. However, there are certain early symptoms that could lead to the conclusion that it is a pregnancy. Pregnancy diagnosis requires a multifaceted approach including medical history, physical examination, laboratory processing, and ultrasound examination. Currently, doctors use all these methods to diagnose pregnancy in early gestation and at the same time rule out possible pathology. Traditional pregnancy confirmation included only anamnestic data on the menstrual cycle, the date of the last menstrual period, and a gynecological examination. A physical examination of a pregnant woman by a gynecologist finds several signs: an enlarged uterus, softening and enlargement of the cervix (the so-called Hegar's sign, noticed after 6 weeks). Chadwick's sign is a bluish discoloration of the cervix, a consequence of the venous path and can be noticed from the eighth week of pregnancy. Thanks to advances in medicine, especially chemical pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, doctors can now diagnose pregnancy even before those physical signs and symptoms of pregnancy appear. Different hormones can be measured and monitored in diagnosing pregnancy. The most commonly used test is the blood beta-subunit HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which can be analyzed no earlier than the 8th and 11th day of conception. Ultrasound diagnosis with a vaginal probe can be done at the earliest between the 4th and 5th week of gestation. The gestational sac is visualized first, then the yolk sac, and the embryo is first shown between the 5th and 6th week of gestation. The diagnosis of intrauterine pregnancy can be made only after ultrasound examination of the yolk sac. Fetal heart movements can be noticed at a fetal size of 2 to 3 millimeters, or from the 5th or 6th week of amenorrhea.

Do all women have early pregnancy symptoms?

Every woman is different, so her experiences in pregnancy are similar. Not every pregnant woman has the same symptoms in pregnancy, or even the same symptoms as in a previous pregnancy. So, it can be said that each pregnancy is specific in its own way. Also, the early signs and symptoms of pregnancy are often similar to what happens before and during menstruation, so the symptoms are not easy to recognize. It is important to know that such symptoms can be caused by conditions other than pregnancy. Therefore, if you notice these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that you are pregnant. The only reliable confirmation of pregnancy is a blood pregnancy test (i.e., determination of serum beta-HCG). A few days after conception (conception), the fertilized egg clings to the lining of the uterus. This can cause early signs of pregnancy.

What are the early signs of pregnancy?

The main early signs of pregnancy are as follows:

1. Scarce bleeding and cramps. Such bleeding is also called implantation bleeding and can occur 6-12 days after fertilization. Cramps resemble menstrual cramps, so women often substitute such bleeding for the onset of regular menstruation. But that bleeding and cramps are of a weaker character.
2. White milky discharge from the vagina resulting from epithelialization of the vaginal wall is also enhanced; this odorless discharge that continues throughout pregnancy is harmless and does not require treatment.
3. Changes in the breasts are another sign of early pregnancy. After conception, the amount of female hormones increases sharply, and precisely because of these hormonal changes, the breasts can become hard, fuller, swollen, and can be sensitive to touch. The area around the nipples, called the areola, can darken and there is often a visible venous entanglement through the skin of the breast.
4. Nausea (morning) with or without vomiting. Morning sickness is a known symptom of pregnancy; however, not every woman has nausea. “Morning” nausea can occur at any time of the day or night, sometimes occurring as early as three weeks after conception. The exact cause of nausea is not known although pregnancy hormones play a major role. Pregnant women can also be bothered by various odors, which did not bother them before and now cause vomiting. It is possible that nausea, cravings for certain foods, and aversion to certain foods can last throughout pregnancy. For most pregnant women, these symptoms decrease after the 13th week of pregnancy.
5. Fatigue and drowsiness. It is normal to feel very tired at the beginning of pregnancy, as early as one week after conception. Fatigue is most often associated with high levels of the hormone progesterone, although there are other causes of fatigue such as low blood sugar, low blood pressure and a sudden increase in blood production.
6. Absence of menstruation. The most noticeable sign of early pregnancy - and one that prompts most women to take a pregnancy test - is the absence of menstruation. But not all missed or delayed periods are caused by pregnancy. In addition to pregnancy, there are other causes that cause the absence of menstruation. Variation in body weight, hormonal imbalance, fatigue or stress, and various infections and medications can cause delayed menstruation.

https://modex.tech/developers/pregnancymeter Other early signs of pregnancy are:

1. Mood swings. A sudden rise in pregnancy hormones can make you unusually emotional and tearful. Mood swings are also common.
2. Headache and back pain. Many pregnant women report frequent headaches of a moderate nature and chronic lower back pain.
3. Dizziness and fainting. They are associated with dilation of blood vessels, lower blood pressure and low blood sugar.
4. Frequent urination. For many pregnant women, frequent urination begins between the 6th and 8th week of pregnancy. Although it can be caused by a bladder infection, diabetes or excessive use of diuretics, in pregnancy it is most often the result of increased levels of pregnancy hormones and pressure of the pregnant uterus on the bladder.
5. Constipation or constipation. During pregnancy, high levels of the hormone progesterone can cause constipation. Progesterone slows the passage of food through the intestines and slows down peristalsis.
6. Rise in basal body temperature. Basal body temperature rises slightly after ovulation, and an increase in early morning temperature after waking up may be the first sign of early pregnancy.

Am I really pregnant?

Unfortunately, these signs and symptoms are not unique to pregnancy. Some of them may indicate that you are ill or that your period is about to begin. On the other hand, you can be pregnant without experiencing any of these signs and symptoms. If you miss your period or notice any of the symptoms from the previous list, you can take a home pregnancy test - especially if you are not monitoring your menstrual cycle or it is irregular and varies from month to month. If your home pregnancy test is positive or you suspect pregnancy, consult your gynecologist who will further advise you in detail. The earlier your pregnancy is confirmed, the sooner you can start prenatal care.