How to Detect Early Pregnancy Symptoms?

Answer 1

Whether you are trying to conceive or pregnancy would be a surprise, those few weeks of not knowing can be an anxious time. Understanding what happens during conception helps establish a timeline by which to gauge symptoms. Sperm can survive for up to 5 days. A woman’s egg, however, will degrade within 24 hours after ovulation. This is important if trying to determine when conception occurred and, therefore, evaluating any symptoms you may be attributing to pregnancy. Conception occurs in the fallopian tube. The fertilized egg then travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus where it implants into the uterine wall. This journey can take about 6-12 days. Once the fertilized egg implants, the body will start manufacturing the hormones that sustain the pregnancy. The two dominant hormones are hCG and progesterone. It’s these hormones that are responsible for the symptoms common in early pregnancy. Considering the physiological process, pregnancy symptoms can present themselves anywhere from 8-15 days past ovulation. However, the only way to know for sure if you are pregnant is by taking a pregnancy test. Over the counter pregnancy tests measure hCG in the urine. Hence, if pregnancy symptoms are present, it is likely that there are enough pregnancy hormones to register positive on a test.

The most common early pregnancy symptoms include:

A missed period; this is often the first indication of pregnancy. However, another symptom of pregnancy is spotting around the time your period is due, commonly referred to as implantation bleeding. This can be very misleading since a woman may mistake this bleeding for her normal period.

Tender/Swollen Breasts

Nausea/Bloating

Mild cramping

Fatigue

Mood swings

Interestingly, the symptoms encountered most frequently early on are similar to those of a normal period, making it difficult to know for sure.

It is important to note that every woman and every pregnancy is different. Some women may experience some or all of these symptoms and some women may not have any. Woman may also experience these symptoms in different degrees, from mild to severe. It is best to see a physician by the 12th week of pregnancy to initiate proper prenatal care.