The first signs of pregnancy may appear approximately 2-4 weeks after unprotected intercourse during fertile days, that is, around 4-6 weeks of pregnancy. Keeping that in mind, we are going to find out more about the most common signs of pregnancy and when to take a pregnancy test.
Absence of menstruation
The most common reason to take a pregnancy test is the absence of menstruation. Although periods can be delayed for many reasons, a sexually active girl or woman may miss them due to pregnancy.
Most pregnancy tests are very accurate if done before your period. However, sometimes the level of hormones may not be enough for a pregnancy test to show a positive result. If a girl or woman does not get her period, and the pregnancy test shows a negative answer, the pregnancy test should be repeated after a few days.
Bleeding
Some women notice light bleeding, and brownish or brownish-red spotting a few days before their period. This is implantation bleeding.
Breast changes
At the beginning of pregnancy, the breasts become swollen and painful. However, exactly the same symptoms can occur before menstruation. Some girls and women notice that their nipples also increase in size and darken in early pregnancy.
Nausea and vomiting
Pregnancy-related morning sickness or even vomiting usually begins between the second and eighth weeks of pregnancy. However, nausea can appear not only in the morning – many pregnant women feel nauseous throughout the day.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common companion of early pregnancy, if, of course, it is not caused by other reasons, such as a constant lack of sleep. It can be difficult for pregnant women to go through the day without a nap or rest breaks.
Fatigue during early pregnancy is usually caused by changes in the hormone progesterone. Later, fatigue disappears and pregnant women feel more energy in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Food cravings or intolerances
Food cravings or intolerances are common during the first trimester of pregnancy, although sometimes they can continue throughout pregnancy. Some women sometimes crave non-food items, such as earth or ice. If you develop cravings for inedible things, it is best to take a pregnancy test.
Gas or frequent urge to urinate
Early pregnancy is characterized by constipation and bloating in the belly. Many women also experience a frequent urge to urinate and notice an increase in urine output.
Irritability and mood swings
If you get upset for no good reason or even if a cat or dog annoys you, it’s likely that hormones are doing their job.
A heightened sense of smell
Most pregnant women notice that their sense of smell becomes very sensitive. This can be a side effect of rising estrogen levels in the body.
More vaginal discharge
Due to the effect of estrogen, the discharge usually becomes more abundant. If they do not have an unpleasant smell and are whitish, there is no reason to worry.
Basal body temperature remains high
If you have measured your basal body temperature and it remains increased after ovulation, you are probably pregnant.
Palpitations
Does your heart beat faster? It is possible that you are pregnant.
The bottom line
What are the main signs of pregnancy and when does a woman start to notice them? No two women are the same, so there is no exact answer either. Some women feel the signs of pregnancy earlier, others much later, and still others do not feel them at all. However, there all the signs mentioned above can be used to suspect pregnancy quite early.
Always remember that weeks of pregnancy are counted from the first day of your last period, not from the moment of unprotected sex.You can calculate whether you made love during your fertile days with the ovulation calculator.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/early-symptoms-timeline
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1751721411001564
