7 Top Earliest Signs of Pregnancy

I knew the moment the sperm hit the egg. How many of us can share the same feeling?

When we talk about pregnancy, some of us know it instantly, and it’s such a beautiful thing, but most women have different experiences, such as bloating, mood swings, fatigue and cramping, which can also imitate the beginning of a period. Even with a period that has been missed, the only way to actually verify that you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.

However, there are some signs to be observed even before a pregnancy test is performed. Our bodies are good at telling us when something is not right. Because we know our body best, it is good to pay attention to some of these early signs and symptoms. Below are 7 signs you may be pregnant.

1. Tender Tummy and Pain around the Belly Button

As women, we go through our pregnancies with various symptoms, and each and every one of us mothers finds that our experiences are very special to us. We never forget how we felt. One of the earliest signs of pregnancy I noticed was a tender tummy, even before I took a pregnancy test. My tummy, especially around my belly button, felt very tender and painful. That’s when I knew I was expecting.

2. Bloating

A bloated stomach is a common early sign of pregnancy. This is a feeling of fullness in the abdomen accompanied by gassiness. Being a new mom, this was one of the first signs of pregnancy, even before I missed my period. You should definitely pay attention to this, especially if you haven’t eaten in a while.

3. Missed Period

A missed period is one of the most common signs of pregnancy. This is especially true for women with regular cycles. However, every woman is unique, and individuals who experience irregular cycles may be inclined to look for other signs that may indicate pregnancy. The best way to determine if you are pregnant is to have a pregnancy test.

4. Tiredness and Fatigue

As a first time mom each pregnancy symptoms can be unique or even a little scary. It’s pretty common to feel tired and drowsy after a long day. However, in the early stages, the feeling of fatigue is elevated, especially around weeks 0-4. During pregnancy your body produces more progesterone, which can make you feel exhausted. Notably, if you have to stand on your feet for long hours, you can start to feel tired pretty quickly.

5. Sensitivity to Smell

If you wake up and find that you can’t stand the smell of certain foods, especially foods that was once appealing to you suddenly triggering your sense of smell. This can be very disturbing because this heightened sense of smell usually leads to feeling sick or even vomiting. This happens during the first part of the pregnancy.

6. Metallic Taste in the Mouth

When I had the suspicion that I might be pregnant, one symptom that stood out to me was the metallic taste in my mouth. This condition is known as dysgeusia, which affects your sense of smell during the early stages of pregnancy. It usually lasts for about the first trimester. The surging hormones in the body are likely to be the cause of your sudden dislike for foods you normally enjoy, as well as foods you normally wouldn’t eat. This condition can continue throughout the second trimester.

7. Period like Cramps and Backache

Period like symptoms such as cramps and backache are something to look out for in the very early stages, even before you confirm it with a pregnancy test. You might want to get a pregnancy test done as soon as possible if these symptoms are present along with the other signs listed above.

Summary

Every pregnancy is different, and some women will experience bloating, tiredness, fatigue, sensitivity to smell, cramping, metallic taste in the mouth as well as tenderness in the tummy area or a miss period. However, even with all of these symptoms, the most accurate way to tell if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.

Please leave a comment below describing your first signs of pregnancy.