Pregnancy symptoms in the first few weeks

In the first weeks of pregnancy, you may have some annoying symptoms, even if some women feel comfortable.
One should know the typical symptoms to know whether to consult a doctor.

The first symptoms of pregnancy include amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), insomnia, nausea and fatigue.
Even slight abdominal cramps are an indication of pregnancy after a week.
Often these abdominal cramps occur along with clear vaginal discharge.

Often these cramps occur together with a light brownish vaginal discharge (implantation bleeding).
Some women suffer a fake pregnancy. This is a psychosomatic illness that causes some pregnancy symptoms and delayed menstrual periods.
However, the pregnancy test is negative. The woman is not pregnant.

Most common symptoms of pregnancy

Amenorrhea
The absence of menstruation is one of the first and most common signs that pregnancy indicates. Sometimes the cycle skips and triggers false alarms, which can be triggered by stress.

Changes in the breast
Due to hormonal changes that occur in the body after fertilization, the breasts can swell and hurt. They can also appear fuller and heavier. The areola around the nipple may become darker.

Cramps and light bleeding
Some women may experience mild cramps during the first two weeks of pregnancy. They resemble cramps during menstruation.
This symptom occurs together with light bleeding.

Fatigue
In the early stages of pregnancy, progesterone levels very quickly increase and lead to drowsiness.
In women with low blood sugar or low blood pressure, body energy is drastically reduced.

Nausea and vomiting Women often experience nausea and vomiting due to elevated estrogen levels. In early pregnancy, women have an increased sense of smell. Thus, any type of smell associated with food, colors, or cigarette smoke can cause nausea.

Cravings or aversion to food
The hormonal changes can trigger cravings for certain foods in pregnant women. Some women may also develop an aversion to certain foods during pregnancy.

Mood swings
Hormone changes can affect the sensation of pregnant women.

Headache Hormone changes can lead to mild or severe headaches during early pregnancy.

Constipation
In the first two weeks of pregnancy, progesterone levels increase.
Due to the increased amount of progesterone, intestinal activities are slowed down, so that the intestinal contents are no longer transported as quickly as before. This can cause constipation.

Dizziness
In the initial stages of pregnancy, blood sugar levels and blood pressure decrease, as a result of which the blood vessels dilate. Due to this, pregnant women may experience dizziness.
This can also lead to unconsciousness.

Increase in basal body temperature This is the oral temperature
that is measured in the morning after awakening.
During ovulation, the temperature increases and remains elevated until the end of the menstrual cycle.

Symptoms of fallopian tube or extrauterine pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal form of pregnancy in which the embryo develops outside the uterus, for example:

• in the fallopian tube (ectopic pregnancy),
• in the ovary,
• in the cervix,
• in the abdominal cavity.

Early symptoms and signs

Extrauterine pregnancy occurs in the first 7-8 weeks of pregnancy. At the initial stage, it resembles a normal pregnancy.

The first signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy are similar to those of a normal pregnancy:

• absence of menstruation,
• Chest pain.

However, within a few days, the pregnant woman shows symptoms such as:

• Backache
• Stomach ache
• abnormal vaginal bleeding,
• spasms on one side of the pelvis,
• Nausea
• Vomit
• hypotension
• accelerated heartbeat.

Vaginal bleeding occurs along with hormonal changes. The hormone beta hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is found in the woman’s blood at lower levels than during normal uterine pregnancy.

Delayed or irregular menstruation along with severe abdominal pain are symptoms of extrauterine pregnancy.

In these cases, one should immediately go to a hospital to avoid serious complications such as rupture of the fallopian tube.

If the fallopian tube ruptures, this leads to:

• severe pain in the pelvis or abdomen,
• shoulder pain,
• Fatigue
• Vertigo
• fainting,
• accelerated heartbeat,
• Sweating.

Massive blood loss can lead to shock.

Pregnancy symptoms in the first few weeks

First trimester

First week: The first day of the last menstrual period is considered the first day of pregnancy.

Pregnancy begins about 2 weeks before conception, when the egg leaves the ovary and travels to the fallopian tube for fertilization.

The body makes progesterone and estrogens to promote ovulation and fertilization.

The menstrual cycle is not yet delayed and there is no nausea.

There may be symptoms similar to premenstrual syndrome, for example:

• chest pain,

Second week: When sperm and egg unite, fertilization occurs.

The fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus. This can trigger slight bleeding (implantation bleeding).

The pregnancy symptoms are not yet obvious and the calculated date for the start of menstruation has not yet come.

Third week: During this week, the child grows very quickly.

One may notice some early signs of pregnancy such as:

• fatigue and drowsiness during the day,
• Nausea
• slight abdominal cramps,
• chest pain,
• Mood swings as in the cycle.

Blood stains may also be observed when the embryo implants itself in the uterus.

Usually the woman begins to be more hungry. Some women, on the other hand, lose their appetite due to nausea.

A healthy lifestyle is important:

• One should choose orange juice or other foods containing folic acid and a vitamin-rich and nutrient-rich diet.
• You should avoid alcohol and stop smoking. Tobacco smoke can cause serious harm to the child.

Fourth week: The embryo is about 2 mm in size at this time. The organs begin to form.

The progesterone has a calming effect, and along with the other hormones of pregnancy, it can cause fatigue and drowsiness.

This early stage of pregnancy can cause:

• greater sensitivity to odours,
• darkening of the areolas of the breast,
• Cramps
• whitish discharge (leucorrhea), which is mucus from the cervix,
• low blood loss, which is still due to the nidation of the embryo.

If the blood loss is greater, the gynecologist should be consulted, because it could be:

• a spontaneous abortion,
• an extrauterine pregnancy.

Many women, however, do not feel any changes in their bodies.

Symptoms in the second month of pregnancy

Fifth week: Morning sickness and vomiting occur.

After eating, many women suffer from gastroesophageal reflux, which can lead to heartburn.

It is a problem caused by hormones. The gastric gatekeeper is relaxed and allows the gastric juices to rise.

In the fifth week, the embryo takes its final shape.

Sixth week: In this week, the most common symptoms are:

• Constipation
• Swelling
• strong salivation.

The doctor will order a blood test for the mother to:

• Determination of the mother’s blood group and the compatibility of the Rh factor between mother and fetus.
• Look for existing infections caused by dangerous viruses in pregnancy, such as rubella and toxoplasmosis.

Conducting a complete physical examination and determining body weight.

The child’s heart begins to beat and is visible on ultrasound.

The child measures about 4 mm.

Seventh week: In this week one observes the development:

• the umbilical cord,
• of the legs and arms.

You can feel the following symptoms of pregnancy:

• chest pain,
• Swellings
• abdominal pain,
• frequent urination,
• Nausea
• Feeling of weakness.

Eighth week:

The fetus develops rapidly:

• The eyelids, optic nerve and retina of the child are formed.
• One can also observe rapid development of the ears, nose and throat.
• The child’s genitals appear as small buds.

Symptoms of pregnancy in the third month

Ninth week: The special symptoms in this period are:

• swelling due to water retention,
• Fatigue.

The fetus begins muscle development, it can perform some movements, even if the mother does not notice them.

On ultrasound you can see:

• the very large head,
• the ears,
• the eyes covered by the eyelids.

The fetus is now 2 cm tall and weighs about 2 grams.

Tenth week: Some of the striking symptoms of this period are:

• Ravenous appetite
• mood swings,

The child now has all the vital organs.

The uterus is the size of a softball, so it is about the size of a grapefruit.

Eleventh week:

The fetus develops:

• Pancreas
• Gall bladder
• Thyroid.

The child’s reflexes also develop.

The symptoms mainly observed by the mother are:

• Fatigue
• Stress
• Shortness
• Rhinitis, increased blood circulation and water retention also lead to obstruction of the airways.

Twelfth week: Nausea decreases, but multiply:

• Swellings

Some women suffer from pimples and acne due to the hormones.

The fetus measures 4 cm, fingernails and vocal cords are developed.

The kidneys of the child begin to function.

Thirteenth week: The first trimester comes to an end.

The most distressing symptoms, such as nausea and constant constipation, have passed.

This is the trimester with less intense symptoms.

The changes in the body are becoming more and more apparent:

• Weight gain: the woman gains about 1 kg per month. However, there is no need to worry about weight gain, as nausea in the first 3 months leads to loss of appetite and weight loss.
• The abdomen grows: you can see a roundish shape of the abdomen.

• Abdominal cramps and abdominal pain: causes, in children, in pregnancy
• Weight loss in pregnancy and in newborns
• Muscle weakness in the legs