I’m going to start out by suggesting that if you’re thinking you may be pregnant, please contact your doctor. Don’t spend all day on the internet trying to figure it out yourself.
The first trimester is what is considered to be the most important trimester out of all three. You want to make sure you’re not doing anything to harm your new little one because,
With that said, let’s get started with what you actually came here to see! A
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Cramping (implantation)
If you are having light to mild cramping with or without bleeding and it’s not time for your menstrual cycle, this could be a sign of pregnancy.
Cramping can happen during implantation when the egg has been fertilized and attaches itself to the uterus lining. You may experience it anywhere from one to two weeks after the egg has been fertilized.
If you have reason to believe this may be happening to you, it would be best not to take any pain medications for the discomfort until talking to your doctor just in case it is implantation. Certain medications are more likely to cause miscarriages.
Basal Body Temperature Changes
Your basal body temperature tells you about the changes in your menstrual cycle every month. If you record your temperature every morning, you will notice a pattern and it will let you know when you are ovulating by the sudden increase in temperature.
By the time you reach the beginning of your cycle again, the temperature should drop. If the temperature stays elevated instead of dropping around this time, it is a sign of pregnancy.
I kept track of my basal body temperature by recording it every morning before I got out of bed. I took my temperature with a basal thermometer, then recorded it in this free app called Flo.
A resource I used to learn a lot about tracking basal body temperature and other useful things about the female body is in a book called Taking Charge of your Fertility. It’s a really popular book for women who are trying to conceive,
Light Spotting (Implantation)
If it’s not time for your menstrual cycle and you notice you are spotting or bleeding, this may be a sign that implantation has happened. Spotting can happen during implantation when the egg has been fertilized and attaches itself to the uterus lining. This blood is sometimes accompanied by cramping.
Nausea
Nausea and vomiting are often one of the very first symptoms women recognize in pregnancy. Though not all women have morning sickness during pregnancy, over 50% of women have been recorded to have experienced it during the beginning of their pregnancy.
Headaches
Headaches during all trimesters of pregnancy are common. In the first trimester, a sign of pregnancy can be these headaches. Your hormones are changing tremendously, and your body is creating more blood for the baby to share with you, therefore making you experience headaches at times.
I suggest drinking more water. That helped me immensely with knocking out a lot of these uncomfortable symptoms listed. It is suggested to drink at least 10 cups of water per day when pregnant.
It helps to get a large refillable water bottle that you can take with you everywhere you go. I love my glass water bottle with a silicone sleeve around it. Water just tastes better to me when it comes out of glass. I take it everywhere I go.
Fatigue
Fatigue is often experienced soon after conception. I know it did with me! (It will likely come back in the third trimester) I just wanted to sleep all the time! Your body is using an extra amount of energy to create this beautiful being inside you.
You need your extra sleep where you can get it. Try going to bed an hour early or get a nap in during the day if possible.
Cervical Mucus Changes
Changes with your hormones often cause your cervical mucus to change consistency and color. Also, the amount of cervical mucus often increases when you are ovulating or in early pregnancy. This thin white discharge will eventually become your mucus plug.
Keep in mind, if this discharge is accompanied by itching and burning, contact your doctor. That would indicate a possible yeast infection and you’d want to get that taken care of promptly.
Areolas Darkening
Another early sign of pregnancy is the darkening of your areolas. The increase of progesterone and estrogen hormones flowing through your body will often change the pigmentation of your areolas and it can happen fairly quickly after conception. As soon as the first two weeks of pregnancy!
Our bodies physical appearance changes so quickly in this pregnancy experience and this is just the beginning.
Constipation
Constipation can often come along with being pregnant. A heightened hormone level can cause the intestinal muscle to relax and process foods at a slower rate.
Try not to let yourself stay constipated; it can lead to an emergency situation.
It’s best to drink more water, get some exercise a few times a week, and eat foods with higher fiber content.
Some healthy high fiber foods include fruits, such as:
- Apples
- Pears
- Berries
- Dried apricots
You can include more vegetables in your diet
- green peas
- broccoli
- asparagus
- beans
I love sweets, so instead of candy that may stop you up, I eat fruit. A good tip is to try to get a majority of your grocery items out of the produce section and stay away from all the processed foods in the middle of the store.
If these options don’t seem to work, ask your doctor about what kind of stool softener or laxative they recommend for you. Staying hydrated is extremely important to keep things moving but remember to drink even more when you are taking stool softener or laxative.
Blemishes
You may have heard people talk about the “glow” and nice skin pregnant women have. Well that’ll be a little later on in pregnancy. Most likely in the second trimester.
An early sign I noticed on myself started as the blemishes that I usually get around when my period starts, accept they got gradually worse.
I usually only get a pimple or two on my chin during my period, but I began noticing more and more popping up all over my forehead soon after conception.
If you are the same, don’t worry. They will soon clear. Acne medication is a no-no during pregnancy. It likely won’t help anyway since the blemishes are hormone related.
Just be patient and it will go away; it is all for a good cause!
Overall
I’ve just noticed that the increase in a woman’s hormones can change so much in the body! It’s amazing to me. And though it may be uncomfortable, or you may feel a little more self-conscious of the way your body looks to you, just remember you are creating a human being!
No matter what, try to keep a positive attitude. God is with you and everything is happening just as it’s supposed to.
Negative thoughts only make things harder for you. With all these extra hormones, it can make you more stressed or anxious, but just remember to take time to breathe and relax.
You may find my post about self-care tips helpful during this time in your life!
Please feel free to share in the comments what your first signs and symptoms were!
If you’re ready to start looking for baby names, check out my baby name posts. I’ve made one for first names including boy and girl names, middle names for boys, and also middle names for girls.
If you have trouble choosing a name, this post can help you with tips for choosing the perfect name for your baby!
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