Pregnancy is by far one of the best experiences a woman can ever go through. Bringing a baby to life is a miracle!

But how can you know if you are pregnant or not?

As ancient doctors say: The only proof of pregnancy is childbirth! But with modern medicine, many signs, symptoms, tests, and examinations could tell you if you are pregnant or not, when are you due, the gender of the baby/babies and more. First, you should know that not all women feel the same symptoms as each other, in fact even if this is your second or third pregnancy that doesn’t mean that you will have the same symptoms of your first pregnancy! Each pregnancy is unique on its own, just like the baby you are growing inside you! Second of all, the only sure test of pregnancy is a positive blood test followed by ultrasonography of the uterus to make sure that the pregnancy is well placed inside the uterus (not an ectopic pregnancy). But before going through all that, you may suffer a few symptoms that indicate that you are pregnant and will make you seek more professional help.  

Here are 7 pregnancy signs and symptoms to help you know you are pregnant even before visiting an obstetrician!

 

Pregnancy symptom #1: Implantation bleeding:

Pregnancy starts the moment the sperm fertilizes the ova (egg) and moves through the fallopian tube and implements itself into the uterine wall. Conception/fertilization causes one of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy which is implantation bleeding! It happens after your ovulation window with a couple of days up to a week and is accompanied by a few blood spots and cramping. It may be mistaken for menstrual cramps, as they also show bleeding but in menses, the bleeding is much more severe and the cramps are more painful.  

Pregnancy symptom #2: Vaginal discharge:

Almost immediately after fertilization, your body starts producing hormones of pregnancy to start adapting to attend to the fetus. One of the signs of adaptation is the thickening of the vaginal walls that show vaginal discharge. This discharge is white, milky and odorless. If it has a bad smell or itches, visit your gynecologist immediately.  

Pregnancy symptom #3: Your Breast Changes:

It is normal after conception that levels of pregnancy hormones start spiking, these hormones affect your breasts too. Your breasts may become tender, swollen, heavier and fuller within 2 weeks of fertilization. And within less than a month, the areola (the circular area around the nipple) starts darkening. But note that temporary breast changes are also common with premenstrual syndrome, but it fades away the moment you get your period. In pregnancy, these changes will increase throughout your pregnancy and even more with breastfeeding.  

Pregnancy symptom #4: Nausea (Morning Sickness):

One of the most famous symptoms of pregnancy is morning sickness although it is not common in all pregnancies! Less than 25% of pregnant ladies suffer from nausea (especially in the morning or after meals). What is more common is that you crave food you don’t like, and hate food that was once your favorite! These switches are attributed to hormonal changes in your body although the exact cause is still unknown. Food aversion usually lasts until the 14th week of pregnancy, but some ladies may suffer from it the whole pregnancy. The best way to overcome this nausea is by adding healthy, natural and organic food to your diet during pregnancy.  

Pregnancy symptom #5: Missed Menses:

This is one of the most noticeable symptoms of pregnancy, is missing your period. If you have clockwork menstruation, then missing your period is a very obvious sign. Of course, this doesn’t indicate that all late or delayed periods mean that you are pregnant. How? If you lost too much weight suddenly you may miss a period. being under really stressful conditions (grief or loss or even exams) you may miss a period. messing up taking your birth control pills you may miss a period. This means that although missing a period is a very solid sign of pregnancy, but it is not as efficient as a blood pregnancy test and an ultrasound!  

Pregnancy symptom #6: Urination and constipation:

Frequent urination is a common symptom for many pregnant women, it starts within 2 weeks of missing your period but it has other many causes like suffering from a urinary tract infection, or if you use diuretics or if you are pre-diabetic or diabetic. The only confirmation of any of these diseases is blood and urine tests. Constipation is also a common symptom in pregnancy, it is related to the pregnancy hormones especially progesterone. This hormone causes your intestine to move slowly leading to constipation and change in your normal bowel habit. The best way to overcome this symptom is to eat food with higher fiber content.  

Pregnancy symptom #7: Mood swings and headaches:

Although mood swings are most common with premenstrual syndrome, it also happens throughout the first trimester. This is also true with headaches, fatigue, back pain, and dizziness. All common with PMS but they can also happen with pregnancy. These were the most common symptoms that you can feel in your early pregnancy, but none of them are a sure sign that you are in fact, pregnant. The only sure indication of pregnancy is having a urine test which is a home-based test, if positive then it means you are 99% pregnant, so the next step is to have a blood test ( b-hCG hormone test) you can have this test in both qualitative (positive or negative results) or quantitate ( to know if the pregnancy is stable or maybe a threatened one). Finally, an ultrasound (preferably vaginal) is the only best examination to make sure you are having a safe intra-uterine pregnancy!  

Magrabi’s advice:

Pregnancy is one of the best experiences ever, to know if you were blessed or not you may look for signs and symptoms of pregnancy or better, visit your obstetrician as soon as you believe you are pregnant to make sure you and your baby are safe!