18 Early Signs Of Pregnancy After Missed Period

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Most couples consider testing for pregnancy after a missed period, which is usually the first sign.Pregnancy can be confirmed using a home urine pregnancy test within a few days of the missed period.It is recommended to test in the morning hours since the hCG levels in urine may be higher due to less urination and water consumption during the sleeping hours.

There are also various causes for missed periods; hence, if the pregnancy test is negative, you may consult a doctor to know the exact cause. Read on to learn more about the chances of pregnancy after a missed period and early pregnancy symptoms.

18 Early Pregnancy Symptoms After Missed Periods

The early symptoms of pregnancy may vary from one woman to another.

Early Symptoms And Their Timeline During Pregnancy(1)

Symptoms	Timeline (when it starts)
Mild cramping, light spotting	Week 4
Nausea	Week 5
Fatigue, morning sickness, tender breasts, frequent urination	Week 6
Weight gain	Week 11
Pregnancy glow, acne	Week 12

1. Tender and swollen breasts:The hormonal fluctuations in the body make your breast feel tender and sore. Once the body gets adjusted to the hormonal changes, the discomfort will subside in a few weeks(2).

2. Light spotting:A light spotting of blood, also known as implantation bleeding, occurs after fertilization when the fertilized egg gets implanted to the uterine lining.It happens at about 10 to 14 days (1-2 weeks) after conception, but not all pregnant women experience it(3).

3. Morning sickness:It can start at any time, during the day or night. It begins around the 6th week in the first trimester, usually due to hormonal changes. This subsides as the pregnancy progresses, for most it settles after first three months are over.

4. Frequent urination:An increase in the blood levels causes the kidney to filter more fluid, leading to increased urination. However, it is important that you tell your gynecologists as UTI is common in early pregnancy and should be treated.

5. Fatigue:An increase in theprogesterone levelscan make you feel tired. Also, the body is working more to meet the demands of your baby, making you feel tired.

6. Moodiness:The hormonal changes in the body can take a toll on your mental health. You may feel emotionally adrift, which is common during the gestation period.

7. Heartburn:The progesterone hormone relaxes the esophageal sphincter, which allows the gastric juices to flow upward into the esophagus andcause heartburn(4).

8. Bloating:An increase in the progesterone level slows down the digestion process causing gasand bloating.

9. Constipation:A slowdown in the digestion process due to hormonal fluctuations causes the food to move slowly in the digestive tract, whichleads to constipation.

10. Cramping:Mild uterine cramping can be experienced during the initial days, but not all woman have this. Also, a heaviness in the lower abdomen is common.

11. Headaches and dizziness:An increase in the blood level and hormonal changes make you dizzy and causes headaches. Also, low blood sugar level, dehydration, nasal congestion, and nausea could accompany a headache(5).

12. Food aversions or cravings:It is common to develop an aversion to certain foods and smells in the prenatal period. Some women may have a craving for a particular food. All this is due to the hormonal changes happening in the body.

13. Nasal congestion:An increase in the blood level leads to the swelling of nasal membranes. This allows more mucus to flow in and cause nasal congestion. The swelling of the membranes can also lead to nosebleeds.

14. Lower backache:Some women may experience lower backache in early pregnancy. However, it becomes more prominent as the pregnancy proceeds.

15. Acne:As the hormonal levels go up, the androgen level increases. This causes the sebaceous gland to secrete more oils that clog the pores, making room for bacterial growth which in turn gives rise to acne(6).

16. Pregnancy glow:The influx of hormones increases the blood volume, and its circulation makes your skin brighter.It also causes the skin glands to secrete more oil, thus making it look shinier.

17. Faster heartbeat:As the demand for oxygen and nutrients increases, the heart needs to work harder to pump in more blood for the fetus. The result is an increased heart rate(7).

18. Metallic taste:Hormonal changesslow down the gustatory function, leading to taste changes during the initial phase of pregnancy. Once the hormonal levels are back to normal, you regain the tastes(8).

While these symptoms indicate pregnancy, they are not definitive. A pregnancy test is the only way to confirm a pregnancy.

When to Take a Pregnancy Test?

The ideal time for a pregnancy test is after you have missed the periods around four to five days overdue,do a home pregnancy kit test using the first urine sample in certain cases the body produces abnormally low levels of hCG. But the level of hormone is not sufficient enough to get detected on a home pregnancy kit. However, a blood test can help detect the hCG level even in its least concentration(9).

If you are planning to take a pregnancy test, then wait till youmiss your periodsto get a reliable result.

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