Introduction
Everyone is familiar with the common pregnancy symptoms. It looks like you skipped a period. Those breasts of yours are very soft. Not to mention how exhausted you constantly feel.
But these are just the beginning of the symptoms that pregnant women experience. Expect anything from mucus discharge to metal taste to headaches.
Here is a list of ten unusual pregnancy signs that nobody ever mentions.
1. Early pregnancy discharge
Although vaginal discharge is common, it is not usually a sign of pregnancy. However, most expectant mothers produce thick, viscous mucus, typically described as white or pale yellow, beginning in the first trimester and continuing throughout the pregnancy.
The discharge is brought on by elevated hormone levels and vaginal blood flow. During pregnancy, it rises to protect the cervix and vaginal walls from infections as they relax. Get checked out by a doctor if the bleeding:
• smell
• burn
• itch
• change to a cyan-yellow hue
• thickens or thins out significantly
2. It will cause your body to heat up
After ovulation, your body temperature is a little higher than normal when you wake up in the morning. That’s how it remains until your next period begins.
However, if this temperature, also known as basal body temperature, remains high for more than two weeks, you may be pregnant.
3. You’ll be experiencing constant discomfort (headache, cramps, and the need to urinate).
Changes in hormone levels and blood volume during pregnancy have been linked to headaches.
Period-like lower abdominal cramping occurs in some women. Most women will also visit the restroom more frequently than usual. Your bladder is feeling the effects of your expanding uterus. Find out more about incontinence during pregnancy.
4. As a result, you may experience vertigo-inducing sensations
Lightheadedness and dizziness are common complaints among pregnant women, especially during the first trimester. Blood pressure drops and blood vessels widen during pregnancy.
However, pay close attention to how you feel. An ectopic pregnancy may be the cause of severe dizziness, vaginal bleeding, and severe abdominal pain. The fertilized egg in an ectopic pregnancy is implanted in a place other than the uterus. To prevent potentially fatal complications, you must seek medical attention without delay.
5. You simply cannot proceed
You might feel like you have to go to the bathroom or pass gas. This, however, is not occurring. That’s because hormonal shifts during pregnancy, along with some prenatal vitamins, can cause constipation.
When you’re pregnant, your digestive system naturally slows down. This allows for a little more time for nutrients to enter your bloodstream and reach your child.
A high-fiber diet, plenty of water, and regular exercise can help fill the void if you can’t make it to the gym. Ask your doctor if you need to take a stool softener during pregnancy.
7. Gather some tissues, and a cup of tea, and retire to bed.
Pregnancy weakens your immune system. This means you’re more susceptible to coughing, colds, and the flu. It is common for pregnant women to have cold or flu-like symptoms early in their pregnancy.
Discuss pregnancy-safe treatment options with your doctor. Pregnant women are more vulnerable to severe flu illnesses. This can cause serious health issues for your baby.
8. It burns in your chest.
During pregnancy, hormones alter everything. This includes the valve that connects your stomach to your esophagus. During pregnancy, this area relaxes, allowing stomach acid to leak into your esophagus and cause heartburn.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals to fight back. Also, avoid fried foods. Avoid carbonated beverages, citrus fruits, juices, and spicy foods.
9. You go up and then down.
When you become pregnant, your hormones undergo a dramatic shift. This can cause your emotions to become out of whack. You’ll be unusually emotional and weepy. Your libido fluctuates between hot and cold, then back to hot. You might also have mood swings. This is very common in the early stages of pregnancy.
10. You will taste metal.
Increases in estrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy can cause taste changes in many pregnant women.
Some pregnant women experience metal taste due to a condition known as dysgeusia. You’ll feel like you’re eating old pennies with your lunch. Eat saltines and chew sugarless gum to get rid of the metallic taste. Drinking colder liquids or eating spicy foods are also options.
Summary
Some of the symptoms listed above may lead you to believe you’re just stressed and tired. However, when combined, they can indicate pregnancy. Take note of what your body is telling you. You may see your doctor for a pregnancy test.
4 Weeks Pregnancy Symptoms And Tips.
Overview
A urine pregnancy test will usually show a clear positive by the time you’re 4 weeks pregnant.
It’s strange, but your egg could have only been fertilized within the last two weeks. Still, pregnancy dating begins with the start of your last menstrual period.
You can estimate the day your child will be born by entering this date into a due date calculator. To learn more, take this pregnancy quiz.
Body modifications
Your baby has just been implanted into the lining of your uterus. Your body is now starting the amazing series of changes that will occur over the next 36 weeks, give or take a few. A missed period is one of the first physical signs you’ll notice. This means that your progesterone levels are taking over your hormonal balance to keep your pregnancy going.
Your body will produce more and more human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as your baby grows. This hormone can be found in your bloodstream as early as 7 to 11 days after conception. It is produced by the cells that eventually develop into the placenta.
Normal levels at 4 weeks should be between 5 and 426 mIU/mL.
Your fetus
Your unborn child is a blastocyst at the moment. This week has seen rapid progress. By the end of the week, about half of these cells will have developed into an embryo the size of a poppy seed. The other 50% of cells help keep your baby healthy and safe.
The size may sound absurdly small, but what’s even crazier is that your child’s chromosomes have already determined many of his or her characteristics, including eye color, hair color, sex, and more.
Formation of a Twin in Week 4
If you’re expecting twins, you might experience more severe symptoms during the first trimester. Since you now have double the joy in your life, your hormone levels are bound to be higher than usual. You may have more early pregnancy symptoms than if you were carrying a single baby. To find out if you’re pregnant, you can take a test this week, but you won’t learn the total number of babies until your first doctor’s appointment, which typically occurs around week 8. If you’re seeking fertility assistance, you may have a more expedited first appointment.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone levels are sometimes tested to confirm pregnancy after in vitro fertilization or other fertility treatments. High levels of hCG and progesterone may indicate that you are carrying multiples, even though an ultrasound has not yet revealed this.
Symptoms of pregnancy at 4 weeks
You may not notice much going on with your body at this early stage. Some women don’t realize they’re pregnant for weeks if they don’t closely monitor their menstrual cycles or if their cycles are irregular.
However, by week 4 of your pregnancy, you may be experiencing the following:
• breast sensitivity
• exhaustion
• a lot of urination
• nausea
• increased sense of taste or smell
• food desires or variations
Overall, the symptoms in week 4 are frequently similar to your regular premenstrual symptoms. So much so that many women believe their periods will begin at any time.
Here are some natural remedies for early pregnancy symptoms:
• Wear a supportive bra during the day and to bed if it helps relieve sore breasts.
• If you’re feeling sluggish in the afternoon, try taking a catnap. Exercise can also provide you with a much-needed energy boost.
• If you’re going to the bathroom too frequently, you should cut back on your liquid intake. But don’t go too far, because you need hydration now more than ever.
• Nausea is uncommon this early, but if it occurs, try eating small, frequent meals and avoiding foods that cause nausea. Many women find relief from carbohydrates and tart foods.
What to do this week to ensure a healthy pregnancy
When your pregnancy test comes back positive, contact your doctor or midwife to schedule your first prenatal appointment. Don’t be concerned if the deadline is far in the future. The majority of women are seen for the first time around week eight.
Depending on your healthcare provider’s protocol, you may also be required to visit the office for preliminary blood work. This will confirm your pregnancy and allow you to monitor your hormone levels. Your hCG level will be determined by a single test. This figure should double every 48 to 72 hours. The other person will measure your progesterone levels.
Both tests are run at least once to determine the increase in numbers. It is never too late to begin healthy habits, even in week four. Eat whole foods, avoid smoking and alcohol, and start taking prenatal vitamins if you haven’t already.
Exercise is also an excellent way to alleviate pregnancy symptoms while also keeping your body and baby healthy. Generally, any activity you did before pregnancy is safe to continue during the first trimester. You should consult your doctor about any changes that may be required for vigorous exercise.
Outline
The first few weeks may appear to be a difficult waiting game. It’s simple to compare notes with family and friends. Remember that each pregnancy and each woman are unique. What worked or was a problem for someone else may not apply to your situation.
If you have any questions or concerns while pregnant, your first point of contact should be your healthcare provider. They’re used to getting calls and even silly questions, so go ahead and ask!
