Recognising Early Pregnancy Symptoms: From First Month Signs to Common Issues

Discovering the early pregnancy symptoms can be an exhilarating yet nerve-wracking experience. Whether you are trying to conceive or just want to educate yourself, knowing the first month of pregnancy symptoms can offer clarity and peace of mind. From subtle body changes to more pronounced indicators, understanding these early signs of pregnancy plays a crucial role. Let’s begin this journey of understanding the first month of pregnancy symptoms. Equip yourself with this knowledge so you can begin this inspirational journey with confidence. 

Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms At First Month

Here is a list of 8 early signs and symptoms of pregnancy: 

• Missing a menstrual period 

• Frequent urination 

• Tender, tingling, swollen breasts 

• Morning sickness 

• Food cravings and a change in taste 

• Tiredness 

• Feeling bloated 

• Mood swings 

1. Missing a menstrual period during early pregnancy 

A missed period is perhaps the most reliable and most important early pregnancy symptom. However, it is still possible to have some light bleeding or a light period even while pregnant.  

2. Frequent urination during early pregnancy 

If you need to pee more often than usual, especially during the night, this could be a first month of pregnancy symptom.  

3. Tender, tingling, swollen breasts during early pregnancy 

Your breasts may feel more tender and become larger, not dissimilar to the days before your period comes. You may also experience a tingling sensation, along with more visible veins and darkened nipples.  

4. Morning sickness during early pregnancy 

This is one of the classic pregnancy symptoms, but don't be fooled by the name: morning sickness can occur any time of day. When you're pregnant, these symptoms tend to appear early on, around six weeks following your last period. You can find out more about morning sickness symptoms and remedies. Should you find you're throwing up continuously and you're struggling to keep anything down, you may have a condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum, which needs treatment. Contact your GP if you find you're sick all the time.  

5. Food cravings and a change in taste during early pregnancy 

Early signs of pregnancy can also include changes in tastes and cravings. You may find your senses of taste and smell become heightened; maybe you’ll feel a metallic taste in your mouth or you’ll start craving new foods. On the other hand, foods and beverages you once loved, like coffee or tea, may become repulsive to you. Just like craving a peanut butter sandwich packed with pickles and dipped in ice cream is a tell-tale sign of pregnancy, another sign is a sudden aversion to certain foods. Read more about pregnancy cravings here.  

6. Tiredness during early pregnancy 

It’s common to feel tired when you’re pregnant, particularly in the first 12 weeks. This occurs due to the hormonal changes that are taking place in your body, which can make you feel exhausted. 

7. Feeling bloated during early pregnancy 

This bloating is caused due to hormonal changes and is quite similar to the feeling you get during your menstrual cycle.  

8. Mood swings during early pregnancy 

Your body is going through some major changes and with the hormones more active than ever before, you will go through a wide range of emotions in a short space of time. Don’t worry if you burst into tears without an explanation, mood swings are just one of the early signs of pregnancy symptoms and are especially pronounced during the first trimester.  

If you notice any of these early pregnancy symptoms, take a home pregnancy test. If the test is positive, make an appointment with your doctor who can confirm a pregnancy by observing changes in your cervix or uterus or by detecting a foetal heartbeat via an ultrasound. You can also use our due date calculator to find out how far along you are in your pregnancy.  

However, if you experience any of the early pregnancy symptoms given above but the test comes out negative, there is still a chance you may be pregnant. Wait a week and take the test again. 

Other Signs And Symptoms During Early Pregnancy 

Your body will go through many changes as your baby grows, and you may notice a few symptoms occurring throughout your pregnancy. Some of these natural and normal pregnancy signs may include: 

1. Vaginal discharge during early pregnancy 

A milky, musky-smelling white discharge during early pregnancy is your body's way of cleaning the cervix. It is typical throughout life but increases during pregnancy.  

2. Cramps during early pregnancy 

Implantation cramping can occur early on when the fertilised egg nestles into the uterine wall. Later on, stomach cramps during pregnancy can be a result of round ligament pain or Braxton Hicks “practice” contractions.  

3. Headaches during early pregnancy 

Hormonal changes, fatigue, and tension can all cause headaches, but they can also be a sign of high blood pressure, so mention headaches to your doctor.  

4. Weight gain during early pregnancy 

It's natural to put on some weight during pregnancy. If you start with an average BMI, it's normal to gain about 25 to 35 pounds. The normal amount of weight gain can vary based on your starting weight.  

5. Back pain during early pregnancy 

Backaches can be caused by hormonal changes, weight gain and changes in your posture due to your growing belly.  

6 Heartburn during early pregnancy 

Hormonal changes relax the muscles that keep digestive acids out of the oesophagus but heartburn can also be caused when your growing baby pushes up against your stomach.  

7. Constipation and bloating during early pregnancy 

Pregnancy hormones weaken the muscles in your bowels leading to sluggish digestion.  

8. Itchy skin during early pregnancy 

Wherever your skin stretches during pregnancy (the abdomen, breasts, hands, and feet), it can feel itchy.  

9. Shortness of breath during early pregnancy 

Pregnancy hormones can change the frequency and depth of your breathing, meaning you'll get winded more easily. Your baby pushing against your lungs, plus the extra weight gain can also cause that out-of-breath feeling. 

How Quickly Can I Know If I’m Pregnant? 

You may be wondering when pregnancy symptoms start. Once again, it’s different for every woman. Some may experience the first month of pregnancy symptoms in the first few weeks after conception. Others may be pregnant and not experience any symptoms at all for a while.  

You may be asking yourself “How do I know if I’m pregnant?” If you think you may be pregnant, a home pregnancy test will confirm it. There’s no way to know that you are pregnant without taking a test. If you’re experiencing any of the early signs of pregnancy and take a home pregnancy test but the test comes out negative, there’s still a chance you may be pregnant. Wait until your period is a week late (or more) and then take the test again. If the test comes out positive, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to confirm the pregnancy. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, check out our go-to pregnancy guide, which includes lots of pertinent information and tools you'll need to navigate your pregnancy, including infographics, checklists, trackers and more!  

Do All Women Experience Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy?  

Each mom-to-be and each pregnancy is unique, so you may only notice some of these early signs of pregnancy. For example, the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy could occur before a missed period; alternatively, missing a period may be your first clue that you’re pregnant. What’s more, the symptoms you notice in a second pregnancy may be different from what you experienced the first time around.  

When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start?  

You may be wondering when pregnancy symptoms start. Once again, it’s different for every woman. Some may experience early signs of pregnancy in the first few weeks after conception. Others may be pregnant and not experience any symptoms at all for a while.  

How Do You Know You’re Pregnant?  

You may be asking yourself “How do I know if I’m pregnant?” If you think you may be pregnant, a home pregnancy test will confirm it. There’s no way to know that you are pregnant without taking a test. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of pregnancy and take a home pregnancy test but the test comes out negative, there’s still a chance you may be pregnant. Wait until your period is a week late (or more), and then take the test again. If the test comes out positive, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to confirm the pregnancy. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, check out our go-to pregnancy guide, which includes lots of pertinent information and tools you'll need to navigate your pregnancy, including infographics, checklists, trackers, and more! 

When to Consult Your Healthcare Provider  

Most of the time, the aforementioned physical discomforts and changes are completely normal, but there are some signs you should not ignore, including severe headaches, changes in eyesight, or sudden swelling (oedema). If you notice anything that just doesn’t seem right, consult your healthcare provider.  

Conclusion 

The very early stages of pregnancy can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions like - excitement, curiosity, even a little anxiousness. Knowing these early pregnancy symptoms and what to expect will prepare you for this extraordinary adventure. Remember that each pregnancy is different and the best resource for professional advice is always your healthcare professionals. Stay informed and make the most of each of these precious moments of this new and beautiful chapter of life. 

See our Pregnancy Calendar for a more detailed description of everything that happens during each week, month and trimester.