Although it may seem that at first it is not easy to know if you are pregnant until there is a delay in menstruation around six weeks of pregnancy, from the sixth day after conception they already begin to occur some signs that indicate that you are pregnant although they can be confused with premenstrual syndrome.
It is important to know how to identify them to avoid doing anything that harms the embryo, not drinking alcoholic beverages and certain foods that can be harmful, quitting smoking and taking measures that benefit you, improving your diet, increasing the consumption of folic acid and iron and control physical activity, at least until a pregnancy test confirms the verdict.
The symptoms of pregnancy in the first days and weeks are very characteristic, although in some they may go unnoticed and some women may not notice them, or only some of them because not all women have to feel them, even the same woman may have symptoms. different in different pregnancies, different intensity, frequency and duration.
1. Light bleeding
Between six and 12 days after fertilization, the embryo implants itself in the wall of the uterus, which causes light bleeding that is often confused with the period.
2. Abdominal pain
Along with this slight bleeding, discomfort occurs in the lower part of the abdomen accompanied by swelling of the belly, very similar to the pain that occurs during the first days of menstruation.
3. Discomfort and changes in the breasts
Sensitivity, a feeling of swelling, enlargement and various discomforts in the breasts are other signs of an early pregnancy that many women can also confuse with the start of another menstrual period. The glands of the breast begin to prepare for lactation and hormonal changes cause an increase in progesterone and estrogen that affect the sensitivity and appearance of the breasts.
4. Delayed menstruation
This is usually the unequivocal sign that you are pregnant, although the number of days of the delay that warn of an incipient pregnancy varies depending on the regularity of the cycles of each woman, although it is time to start thinking about taking a pregnancy test.
The delay of menstruation is usually the most unequivocal sign of an incipient pregnancy (iStock)
5. Nausea and vomiting
Although they are not the first signs, in the 6th week the first nausea and vomiting already appear, which will be repeated throughout the first trimester although there are many women who can suffer from them throughout their pregnancy.
In the 6th week the first nausea and vomiting already appear (iStock)
6. Constipation
The increase in progesterone, a muscle relaxant, causes bowel movements to slow down, accentuated by the lack of space as they have to make room for the large expansion of the uterus. All this contributes to the appearance of constipation.
7. Excessive tiredness and sleepiness
What until a few days ago was not a problem, a few days after the gestation will become a tiring task. Hormonal changes affect the nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems, causing tiredness and drowsiness during the first trimester, forcing you to rest more often and take a nap throughout the day.
Hormonal changes affect the nervous, respiratory and cardiovascular systems causing tiredness and drowsiness (iStock)
8. Increased urge to urinate
The muscle relaxation caused by the increase in progesterone also affects the bladder, which sees its ability to empty completely reduced, and the increase in the amount of blood and other liquids circulating through the body make the kidneys work more, This causes the need to urinate more frequently. Later, the increase in the size of the fetus causes the bladder to become compressed and its storage capacity decreases.
9. Alterations of taste and smell
The senses of taste and smell are seriously affected from the first moments of pregnancy. The smells, even the most unnoticed, unleash an extreme sensitivity. It is also common to experience a significant alteration in the perception of flavors and abundant salivation, so that foods that you loved produce a total rejection. On the other hand, the desire to eat foods that, in a normal situation, would not have occurred to you, is also awakened.
The senses of taste and smell are seriously affected from the first moments of pregnancy (iStock)
10. Dizziness
Hormonal changes cause the cardiovascular system to be overwhelmed, which can cause dizziness caused by a drop in blood pressure and blood sugar levels, anemia, increased respiratory rate… These vertigos and dizziness are manifest when standing up or getting out of bed.
Hormonal changes cause the cardiovascular system to be overwhelmed, which can cause dizziness (iStock)
11. Appearance of acne, blackheads, pimples
Sex hormone imbalances cause increased oiliness of the skin and acne, blackheads and pimples to appear, or worsen if they already exist.
Imbalances in sex hormones cause increased oiliness of the skin and acne (iStock)
12. Increased vaginal discharge
During the first weeks of pregnancy, vaginal discharge appears more intense and thick than normal.