Research-backed
Image: Shutterstock
Pregnancy is one of the most profound life experiences. It is beautiful and rewarding, but behind all that pregnancy glow and warm fuzziness in your heart, there is a whole other world. We’re talking about morning sickness, tender breasts, and the terrible urge to pee every other hour!
It may help to know that the symptoms you are experiencing are normal. You’re not in it alone — moms-to-be world over are on the same page, so you’ve got company! We’ve listed eleven of the most common pregnancy symptoms that you should be aware of:
1. Implantation Bleeding And Cramps
Image: Shutterstock
Spotting or implantation bleeding is one of the first signs of pregnancy. It’s easy to miss because some women might assume that they’re just having a light period (1).
The egg, once it has been fertilized, will get implanted into the uterine wall. This is where it develops during your pregnancy. You might experience mild cramps when implantation takes place, which usually occurs for around two days (2).
2. Nausea Or Morning Sickness
Image: Shutterstock
We’re all too familiar with nausea, more fondly known as morning sickness. It usually starts around two or eight weeks post-conception and can go on till the end of the first trimester. Also, don’t be alarmed if your morning sickness isn’t limited to the mornings alone — it can happen at any time during the day (3).
3. Stuffy Nose
Image: Shutterstock
Sometimes, you get a stuffy nose because of your pregnancy. Blame the increase in blood volume for this — it swells up the nasal membranes. This condition is known as pregnancy rhinitis (4).
4. You Will Have A Heightened Sense of Smell
Image: Shutterstock
A lot of pregnant women complain of a heightened sense of smell. Hormones are a potential contributor to this condition (5).
5. You May Feel Dizzy
Image: Shutterstock
Again, hormones are at play. It might cause your blood vessels to relax. This is to increase the flow of blood to your baby. However, when this happens, blood pressure can reduce, hence, the dizziness (6).
6. A Frequent Need To Pee
Image: Shutterstock
We’ve mentioned an increase in blood volume. The kidney will have to process all that extra fluid, which translates to extra pee breaks. This can happen throughout your pregnancy (7).
7. You Will Have Food Aversions
Image: Shutterstock
Don’t be surprised if you’re suddenly repulsed at the sight of your favorite food. Food aversions are a common side effect of pregnancy. Few studies suggest that this is an evolutionary trait. The idea is to stop the mother from eating foods that might pose a health risk to herself and the baby (8).
8. You Will Also Have Food Cravings
Image: Shutterstock
We just spoke about food aversions, so cravings might be contradictory, but it is definitely a part of your pregnancy journey. This is an extremely common symptom of pregnancy, and it’s okay to give in to your cravings as long as you’re not overdoing it (9).
Also, notify your doctor if you’re craving non-edible stuff — this could be a condition known as pica (10).
9. Fatigue
Image: Shutterstock
Fatigue is a common sign of pregnancy. This is because your body is on overdrive, trying to prepare for a tiny human. Your body is undergoing several changes, so fatigue is pretty much inevitable (11).
10. You Will Have Excessive Mood Swings
Image: Shutterstock
We often assume that having mood swings during pregnancy is just a stereotype, but there’s more. Your hormones are raging, and it has an impact on the way your body functions. Having to deal with all your bodily changes can make you feel cranky (12).
11. Sore or Tender Breasts
Image: Shutterstock
Almost as soon as a week or maybe two after conception, you may notice that your breasts are sore and tender to the touch. This is the earliest sign of pregnancy. It’s your body’s way of preparing you for breastfeeding. It’s easy to miss this pregnancy symptom since most women experience sore breasts before their period, even if not pregnant (13).
Bizarre Pregnancy Symptoms
While these are some of the more common pregnancy symptoms, there are also a few bizarre ones that are worth mentioning:
- Hair Growth
Image: Shutterstock
We’ve often heard how pregnancy can make your hair look lush, shiny, and lustrous. It’s true — excess estrogen in your body can have that effect on your hair. But that’s not all. You might also notice unusual hair growth in your back, chin, and sometimes, your butt! (14)
- Larger Feet
Image: Shutterstock
If you thought your feet couldn’t grow after a certain point, you thought wrong. Several pregnant women have reported an increase in their shoe size — just another reason for you to get new shoes (15).
- Changes In Vision
Image: Shutterstock
You might find yourself squinting your eyes while reading. The fluid in your cornea is to blame for this — it changes during pregnancy. This is normal; however, it is best to notify your doctor about any vision changes you may experience (16).
- Increased Drooling
Image: Shutterstock
Your hormones are not the only things raging; your saliva is too. Pregnancy can cause an increase in the production of saliva (17).
Pregnancy isn’t exactly a walk in the park, especially since sometimes, the discomforts outweigh the more positive side effects.
There may be moments when you feel overwhelmed with all that is going on in your body. It may help if you share your concerns with your partner or a friend. If the symptoms of pregnancy worry you too much, talk to your doctor to get some help. Have you been experiencing any side effects of pregnancy lately? Let’s help each other through this journey. Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
