The most well-known sign of pregnancy in the early stages is a delay in menstruation. However, it cannot be called accurate: pregnancy is indicated by a “lateness” of menstruation by 10 days or more. And for women with irregular cycles, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether she has a delay or not.
If a woman is planning a pregnancy, then she wants to find out about her new condition as early as possible. But the test gives results after two weeks of delay, and ultrasound - in the third week of pregnancy.
What signs indicate early pregnancy?
On what day after conception do signs of pregnancy appear?
The signs of an “interesting situation” are quite individual. Pregnancy without symptoms also occurs. Some women do not feel any changes in their body during the first few weeks. Knowing the signs of pregnancy is also important because similar symptoms may be caused by other conditions that require treatment. On what day after conception do signs of pregnancy appear? Their appearance is individual. One of the most significant signs is a delay in menstruation. However, even before this point, many women note characteristic “bells” signaling pregnancy. The first signs of pregnancy before a missed period:
- A blood stain on underwear is usually caused by implantation bleeding and is considered one of the earliest signs. Implantation of the embryo into the uterus occurs 6-12 days after conception. Some women experience cramping pain in the abdomen during this period.
- Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy. Nausea usually appears between the second and eighth weeks after conception. Nausea may be accompanied by vomiting. This unpleasant condition is most common during the first trimester, but some women experience nausea throughout their pregnancy.
- Changes in the breasts can occur as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Since the blood supply to the breasts increases due to hormonal changes, they become swollen and sensitive, and the woman feels a tingling sensation around the nipples.
- Fatigue is a typical symptom of pregnancy. Already in the first week after conception, many women complain of loss of strength.
The above are the signs of pregnancy in the first or second week.
What could cause a delay with a negative pregnancy test?
The female body can react sharply to the appearance of both external and internal problems, so a long delay in menstruation can occur for one of the following reasons:
- prolonged stress;
- strong emotional experiences;
- severe weight loss;
- exacerbation of a chronic disease;
- intoxication due to abuse of alcohol, drugs and medications;
- moving or long trip;
- severe inflammatory process in the body;
- starting to take hormonal contraceptives or switching to another method of contraception;
- recent genital surgery;
- obesity;
- hormonal disbalance;
- inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system;
- genital injuries;
- consequence of an abortion or miscarriage.
REFERENCE. Only a gynecologist can find out the true cause of the delay after a full examination.
Feelings in the first days of pregnancy
A survey conducted by the American Pregnancy Association reported the following are the most common early signs of pregnancy:
- 29% of women surveyed reported delayed menstruation;
- 25% indicated that nausea was the first sign of pregnancy;
- 17% noted changes in the breasts;
- Although implantation bleeding is often considered the first sign of pregnancy, only 3% of women named it as the main one.
Sensations in the first days of pregnancy can manifest themselves in a change in taste preferences and an increased sense of smell. “I want a pickled cucumber, and immediately” or “Take away this fish, the smell makes me sick” are typical “whims” of pregnant women.
Unfortunately, things don't always go according to plan. Failures occur when the fertilized egg never reaches the uterus, but remains and develops in the fallopian tube or, being pushed out of it, attaches outside the tube. Signs of an early ectopic pregnancy depend on the site of attachment of the zygote. The main symptom is any pain in the lower abdomen. It usually occurs on one side and is associated with a change in body position. The time of onset of pain depends on the location of the fetus in the fallopian tube, but manifestations are usually observed already at 5-6 weeks of pregnancy. Cervical implantation can be painless for a long time, but it is characterized by prolonged bleeding.
Other pregnancy symptoms you may experience
Throughout your pregnancy, strange and wonderful things will happen to your body. Some of the physical symptoms (such as nausea) may disappear, while others (such as nasal congestion and heartburn) may persist throughout pregnancy. Here are some of the symptoms you may encounter in the second and third trimesters:
Discharge
Clear or white vaginal discharge is normal during pregnancy. However, if you have discharge that has a strong odor or is accompanied by painful itching, this is a reason to consult a doctor.
Cramps or pain in the lower abdomen
Later in pregnancy, you may experience lower abdominal cramps. They may be associated with round ligament pain or Braxton-Hicks contractions.
Backache
Back pain during pregnancy can be caused by hormonal changes, weight gain and changes in posture due to a growing belly. To keep your back healthy and relieve pain, watch your posture, sleep on your side, and exercise.
Frequent urination
Although the frequent urination you may have experienced in early pregnancy will likely subside in the second trimester, it may return again by the third trimester. This is because your baby puts pressure on your bladder, causing you to feel the urge to go to the toilet more often.
Itchy skin
In areas where the skin stretches (such as the stomach and thighs), it may itch. Use a good body moisturizer and do not shower in hot water as hot water dries out the skin.
Breast changes
Breast tenderness and enlargement are signs that can occur early in pregnancy, but are just some of the changes you may see throughout pregnancy. Other possible changes include darkening of the nipples, stretch marks on the skin, and breast discharge in the third trimester.
Stretch marks
As your skin stretches during pregnancy, stretch marks may appear on your skin. Typical places for stretch marks to appear are the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and breasts.
Lack of air
Your baby may put pressure on your diaphragm and lungs, making it difficult for you to breathe. Watch your posture - a straight back and straightened shoulders create more space for your lungs to inhale fully.
Pain and discomfort
At different stages of pregnancy, you may experience different symptoms of pregnancy. This may include toothache or sensitive gums, varicose veins or hemorrhoids, as well as leg swelling or calf cramps. Read more about this in the article “What can hurt during pregnancy?” .
In most cases, physical discomfort and moderate pain during pregnancy are normal. But there are dangerous symptoms that cannot be ignored. These include: severe headaches, changes in vision, or sudden swelling. If you notice something in your health that worries you, be sure to consult a doctor.
The symptoms and experiences of pregnancy can be overwhelming and even draining at times. But time will fly, and the day of birth will come - the day when you will hold your baby in your arms.
You will learn more about the development of pregnancy by week, month and trimester from our pregnancy calendar [https://www.pampers-gorodok.ru/pregnancy/pregnancy-calendar]. An amazing journey awaits you! Enjoy.
Other signs of pregnancy
Many women, after unprotected intercourse, begin to use a pregnancy test almost daily. When will a pregnancy test show a positive result? The most important sign of pregnancy is the absence of regular menstruation. Other signs of pregnancy after a delay:
- darkening of the areolas around the nipples;
- Mood swings caused by hormonal changes. It is important to note that this is a normal phenomenon, however, if a woman is constantly depressed, then she needs the help of a specialist;
- dizziness, fainting;
- metallic taste in the mouth;
- frequent urge to urinate. From about the 6th week, a pregnant woman has to go to the toilet more often;
- swelling of the face, hands;
- changes in blood pressure;
- lower back pain;
- vaginal candidiasis (thrush of pregnant women);
- hypersalivation (increased secretion of saliva).
It should be noted that the symptoms of a false pregnancy are very similar to the signs of a real one. That is, the woman experiences the same sensations, but in fact she is not pregnant. The diagnosis is made through the results of ultrasound, ECG, and gynecological examination. In this rare psychophysical condition, consultation with a psychotherapist is necessary. Read more about false pregnancy on our website https://www.dobrobut.com.
Some women do not experience any signs of pregnancy in the first trimester. This is fine. Pregnancy is a physiological process, so it often passes without any unpleasant sensations.
Related services: Ultrasound examination Consultation with an obstetrician-gynecologist during pregnancy
Do all women experience early pregnancy symptoms?
Every expectant mother and every pregnancy is unique. You may only experience some of the first signs of pregnancy. Some people notice some signs of pregnancy even before a missed period, while for others the delay becomes the first sign of pregnancy. Moreover, the symptoms during your second pregnancy may differ from those you encountered the first time.
If you think you are pregnant, take a home pregnancy test first. If the test result is negative but you continue to experience pregnancy symptoms, repeat the test in a week. If the test is positive, make an appointment with your doctor to confirm your pregnancy. You can use our pregnancy calculator to calculate your due date.
Once your pregnancy is confirmed, download our pregnancy guide, which has everything you need for your upcoming journey!
What is the 1st obstetric week of pregnancy
“The first week of pregnancy, the so-called embryonic period, is calculated from the actual conception,” clarifies obstetrician-gynecologist Maria Prokhorova. - But not everyone knows this date. Even if you have seriously prepared for conception, fertilization itself does not always occur on the day we have planned. Therefore, obstetricians-gynecologists are guided not by the actual duration of pregnancy, but by the obstetric one.”
It may differ from the actual one by about two weeks. This happens because the obstetric period is calculated not from the expected date of conception, but from the last menstrual cycle. A woman checks with a doctor on what day her last menstruation began. This date is considered the starting point in the onset of pregnancy, that is, the beginning of the first obstetric week.
The actual conception could not happen at this moment. Fertilization of an egg is possible only during the period of ovulation, when the finished cell leaves the ovary and ends up in the fallopian tube. For each woman, this happens at its own time, which depends on the characteristics of the body, hormonal status, and the duration of the menstrual cycle.
If it is short, ovulation occurs faster - before the 10th day of the cycle. If it is long, the “ovulatory window” may “open” later - from the 14th to the 18th day of the cycle. Thus, the embryonic period, which begins from the moment of conception, turns out to be one to two weeks shorter than the obstetric period.
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What diseases can cause absence of menstruation?
Delayed menstruation is caused by the following gynecological diseases:
- polycystic ovary syndrome;
- ovarian wasting syndrome;
- inflammatory processes in the tissues of the uterus and appendages;
- corpus luteum cyst;
- fibroids and other types of tumors.
IMPORTANT! Do not try to diagnose yourself or prescribe any medications yourself. To make sure that the cause of the delay was any gynecological disease, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a doctor who, if necessary, will prescribe an adequate course of treatment.
If your chest hurts, but the test is negative and your period is late
The most common cause of chest pain due to a delay in menstruation is pregnancy. But if the test turns out to be negative, the unpleasant condition could appear for one of the following reasons:
- mastopathy;
- frequent and prolonged stress;
- consequences of recent infectious diseases;
- consequences of heavy physical activity;
- consequences of breast surgery;
- acclimatization period;
- diseases of the female genital organs;
- starting new oral contraceptives or other hormonal medications;
- ovarian dysfunction;
- oncology.
IMPORTANT! If a delay in menstruation with chest pain repeats several cycles in a row, you should consult a gynecologist and mammologist as soon as possible.
Diagnosis of the reasons for the delay
To make an accurate diagnosis and identify the cause of the delay, the doctor will need additional examinations:
- Examination in a gynecological chair;
- Blood tests: beta HCG, TSH, T4, a complex of gynecological hormones (6 indicators);
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs. This will help eliminate the possibility of pregnancy, tumor formations in the genital organs and other reasons that can lead to a delay in menstruation.
Based on the examination results, the doctor will conduct a consultation, adjust the prescribed treatment or prescribe a new one. After treatment and the onset of a new cycle, you will definitely need to come to the doctor for a second consultation for examination.
The most important thing when your period is late is not to start panicking. If menstruation is delayed by only 2-3 days, this is a minor and completely natural deviation. If your period does not come after 5-7 days, do not try to solve the problem yourself and immediately contact a gynecologist.
