The female body functions like a true machine, and any slight difference in its workings can indicate that something is happening. It’s no different when a woman becomes pregnant and the signs her body gives that everything is in motion, as the body must adapt to one of its greatest transformations in life. But for those trying to conceive, who have been seeking their long-awaited positive for months or years, any sign, no matter how small, can be considered a pregnancy symptom. Therefore, let’s understand what can truly be considered an indication of an ongoing pregnancy and what can be confused with other normal factors of the menstrual cycle. There are some symptoms that are widely recognized as pregnancy symptoms, while others can be mistaken for PMS symptoms or even other health-related factors or occurrences. Let’s list the main and most evident signs of pregnancy.

Main Pregnancy Symptoms

  • Breast tenderness
  • Sensitivity to strong smells, including perfumes;
  • Morning sickness;
  • Dizziness;
  • Excessive salivation;
  • Tiredness greater than usual;
  • Increased urinary frequency.

Even though these pregnancy symptoms alert women who are expecting a positive or who are not using contraception, it’s necessary to take other factors into account, like missed periods.

When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start?

Many women have this doubt, even to ensure they are not experiencing symptoms caused by their own mind, the so-called psychological pregnancy. But it’s important to know when symptoms may occur and are reliable. Usually, the most evident pregnancy symptoms start to occur from the 5th or 6th gestational week, which is around the 7th or 14th day after the expected date of your period. But symptoms like sickness and morning nausea can happen even before your period is late, like in some cases when a woman suspects pregnancy before the missed period. However, the most visible and noticeable signs from the female body’s changes, such as abdominal bloating, shortness of breath, constipation and heartburn tend to appear as the belly grows and the pregnancy progresses. It’s worth noting that not all women feel pregnancy symptoms; in some cases, pregnancy may be discovered later on, such as in situations where a woman only finds out she is pregnant at five or six months. These are rare cases, but may occur because of the absence of symptoms, mainly the lack of missed periods. It’s also important to say that every pregnancy is different, and if you had a lot of sickness and heartburn in one pregnancy, the next might be totally different, just like the period of discomfort, which can last only during the first trimester (which is most common), or last until the end of the pregnancy.

Is Implantation a Symptom of Pregnancy?

Implantation is a symptom that isn’t well known among women, being more popular among those actively trying to conceive who are eagerly searching for any signs that they have conceived that cycle. But it’s not considered a common symptom and often goes unnoticed.

What Is Implantation?

Implantation is the moment that characterizes the embedding of the embryo in the uterus. This occurs naturally about a week after ovulation phase, marking the beginning of pregnancy (or 14 days before the scheduled date for your period). During implantation, there may be a small amount of bleeding, in some cases unnoticeable or confused with light spotting. This bleeding is known as implantation bleeding. Implantation occurs in all women, but not all are able to detect the symptom. But if you notice implantation, which is usually seen in your underwear or when you wipe after using the bathroom, wait a few days and take a pregnancy test to confirm. The closer it is to the day of your next period, the higher the concentration of hCG and the easier it will be to confirm.

How to Relieve Pregnancy Symptoms?

The most common and most frequently complained about symptom during all of pregnancy is definitely nausea. Many women can go long periods dealing with vomiting, especially in the morning. For most, nausea and vomiting resolve after finishing the first trimester, but some women have to face this uncomfortable symptom until the very end of pregnancy. The obstetrician usually indicates, at the start of prenatal care, which medications are authorized for use during pregnancy to help control nausea and vomiting, but they don’t always work or sometimes only bring temporary relief. But how to reduce this symptom or relieve it more comfortably for the expectant mother? Some changes in eating habits and food tips can help ease nausea. Here are some suggestions for prevention:

  • Eat something as soon as you wake up: preferably a plain cracker, which is light and will help raise your blood sugar levels;
  • Increase the number of meals per day: Normally we have 3 meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), increase to up to 6 small meals a day, or eat every 3 to 4 hours, keeping your blood sugar levels stable
  • Avoid spicy or very fatty foods;
  • Vitamin B6 is recommended to control nausea. Take your prenatal multivitamin properly;

Tips to Relieve Nausea

Some very simple and even homemade tips can help alleviate intense nausea, which can ruin anyone’s day. Here are some suggestions:

  • Suck on ice or a lemon;
  • Avoid exposure to strong smells and using perfumes that cause nausea, as well as products with a strong scent;
  • If brushing your teeth has become torture: temporarily swap brushing for mouthwash;
  • Drink milk: calcium helps neutralize stomach acid;
  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially if you’re not able to eat properly. Have juices, teas, smoothies and stay hydrated and nourished.

Can a Pregnant Woman Menstruate?

As the first reliable sign that pregnancy might be happening, a missed period is always hoped for by women trying to get pregnant. But what if all the symptoms are there and you still get your period, is it possible? Can a pregnant woman menstruate? We see many reports from women who discovered their pregnancy later on and claim to have had periods as usual during the months. But we need to warn that a pregnant woman never menstruates under any circumstances. The presence of this blood may be due to several other reasons, but not the normal menstrual cycle, and we will explain why. The site where the embryo attaches inside the uterus is the endometrium, and without it, it is impossible for a baby to develop healthily. In menstruation, it is the endometrium itself that is expelled through menstrual blood, so how could you be pregnant and a baby developing if there is no endometrium? The causes of bleeding that can be mistaken for menstrual blood are increased hormone levels, which may cause bleeding, but nothing heavy or with a flow like a period. If the bleeding is dark, it is an indication of low progesterone levels and if you see large clots that are bright red, it is elevated estrogen levels. If you are pregnant and have bleeding, you should see your doctor immediately, it is not normal! Important Tip: Unsure if you’re pregnant or not? Ideally, take an efficient pregnancy test, with sensitivity of 10mUI, capable of detecting pregnancy even before the missed period. Check out the Famivita pregnancy tests here. See also: How to Take a Pregnancy Test? The Best Way to Avoid Mistakes Photo: pixabay.com