Early Pregnancy Symptoms and When to See a Doctor

One of the earliest signs of pregnancy in women with regular menstrual cycles is a missed period. But did you know that your body may be signalling your pregnancy to you long before your missed period? Moreover, a missed period is not always a definite indication that you are pregnant, since irregularities in the menstrual cycle can occur due to several reasons, including illness, stress, physical activity or as a result of taking birth control pills. If you have missed a period but have tested negative on your home pregnancy tests, consider having an online medical consultation with a registered doctor to discuss possible reasons.

Some early pregnancy symptoms are given below. However, it is important to remember that every woman and every body is different, so you may or may not experience any or all of these symptoms. The only definitive way of confirming pregnancy in its early stages is through a blood test that detects the levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in the blood. This test can detect a pregnancy as early as six to eight days after ovulation.

In the early stages of pregnancy, especially during the first 12 weeks, your body is undergoing a lot of changes to prepare itself for the foetus. You may find that you’re feeling exhausted after doing physical activity that you previously used to do without running out of breath. You may feel sleepier than usual and may feel a frequent desire to take naps.

Hormonal changes within the body are likely to make you feel emotional, upset, or angry. You may experience random, unexplained mood changes.

While commonly known as “morning” sickness, these feelings of nausea and the urge to vomit, or even vomiting, may occur at any time of the day. You may also feel a heightened sense of smell, and may feel nauseous when you smell certain scents or smells. Your tastebuds are also likely to change, and what you may have found irresistible before could make you suddenly want to throw up. Some women even report craving non-food items, such as soil or paper. This could be an indication of a nutrient deficiency and should be discussed with your doctor. You may also want to talk to your doctor if you’re unable to keep anything down, as nutrient deficiencies could affect both you and your baby.

Many women report feeling tenderness in their breasts, darker nipples, or feelings of heaviness. However, it is important to note that you may experience breast swelling and tenderness even before your period, so this symptom could also be an indication that your period is near.

As your growing uterus puts more pressure on your bladder, you may experience a frequent need to urinate. This is also because of hormonal changes in the body which causes an increase in levels of body fluids and makes the kidneys work more efficiently.

Hormonal changes can cause the digestive system to slow down, resulting in bloating, constipation, and increased flatulence. Do not try to self-medicate or take laxatives if you suspect you’re pregnant, and get in touch with your doctor for ways to manage your discomfort.

Some women may experience cramping in their lower abdomen, similar to menstrual cramps. They might even see a little bit of blood on their underwear, which is often confused as the beginning of a period, especially if a woman is not expecting to get pregnant. However, this spotting is usually much lighter than a period, and usually disappears after a day or two. Often also known as implantation bleeding, it occurs shortly after conception.

If you’ve taken a pregnancy test and it came back positive, book an online medical consultation with a registered doctor. Your doctor will be able to write you a pathology referral to confirm the pregnancy and help you with the next steps to take. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, you will typically be required to book regular appointments with your GP, midwife or gynaecologist to check up with your and your fetus’ health. An online medical consultation can make the initial steps easier, by allowing you to speak to a registered doctor, get pathology or specialist referrals or just consult with a doctor about your symptoms quickly and from the comfort of your home.

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