If you’re ready to have a baby, you’re probably keeping track of your period and checking carefully every time you go to the toilet to see if you’ve had your period this month.
When you’re trying to conceive, you may over-analyze any new feelings you’re experiencing. Is your stomach bloated? Are your breasts sore? Is your lunch not settling properly in your stomach?
Every woman has her own journey to motherhood, so the symptoms and timing may vary. Some women start experiencing early pregnancy symptoms a week or two after conception, while others start experiencing symptoms four or five weeks after conception. Some women don’t experience symptoms until their period is late, or even later in the pregnancy. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, most women start experiencing pregnancy symptoms in their fifth or sixth week, while others experience symptoms at the end of the sixth week and some in the eighth week. But let’s find out what are the signs that appear in the first month of pregnancy.
Symptoms seen in the first month of pregnancy
1. Absence of periods
If you’re expecting a baby, you’ll probably be keeping track of your period and checking every time you go to the toilet to see if you’ve had your period this month. A missed period is often one of the first signs of pregnancy and can be a sign that a baby is on the way.
2. Pain in the breasts
Do your breasts feel tender and swollen? Breast pain is another symptom that indicates you have conceived this cycle, but unfortunately, some women experience pain as part of their normal menstrual cycle, so it can be hard to tell the difference. Usually, if you have conceived, the pain will get worse over time, and you may start to notice changes in the appearance of your breasts.
3. Darkening of the areola
The areola is the area around your nipples. They may start to look darker and larger within a week or two of conception, making this one of the most noticeable early pregnancy signs. You may also start to see more visible veins and small bumps along the edge of the areola. These are called Montgomery tubercles and will help smooth out your nipples so they’re ready for latching on when your baby arrives.
4. Fatigue
Are you feeling tired just doing your normal, everyday activities? Unfortunately, fatigue can last throughout your pregnancy and beyond. Your body is producing more blood to deliver nutrients to your growing baby. You should feel a little more energy during the second trimester.
5. Increased sense of smell
Does the smell of the scrambled eggs you usually make for breakfast suddenly make you feel nauseous? A heightened sense of smell is often associated with morning sickness and usually subsides after the first trimester.
6. Swelling
Another unpleasant symptom in early pregnancy is gas. The increase in progesterone and estrogen is the reason behind this symptom and can cause abdominal pain, bloating, burping and passing gas. This symptom can persist for the entire 9 months of pregnancy.
7. Mood swings
You may begin to experience mood swings similar to those you feel in the days before your normal period. These uncontrollable changes in your emotions are caused by changes in your hormones, especially in the first trimester when estrogen and progesterone levels change.
