Trying to get pregnant isn’t always easy, especially when you don’t exhibit the traditional signs of morning sickness. But the truth is, there are several other symptoms related to early pregnancy that many women don’t know about.
Whether you’re struggling with infertility or are newly pregnant, the Collaborative Women’s Care team offers tips to achieve a healthy pregnancy. Dr. Eduardo Valdes and his team provide obstetrics care, ultrasounds, and well-woman exams to women in the Miami, Florida, area.
Morning sickness is a common early sign of pregnancy, affecting up to 70% of pregnant women. It often causes nausea and sometimes vomiting, which usually stops after the first trimester.
Morning sickness doesn’t just occur in the morning – it can happen at any point in the day. It’s caused by hormonal shifts during pregnancy and a heightened sense of smell. This sometimes leads to food aversions, which also trigger nausea and vomiting.
Most cases of morning sickness respond well to anti-nausea medications, but severe cases may require additional medications or IV hydration to replenish lost fluids.
Although morning sickness is extremely common, it’s not the only sign of pregnancy. In fact, some women never experience it at all.
Some of the early symptoms of pregnancy aren’t as noticeable or prevalent as morning sickness. Five lesser-known symptoms we see in early pregnancy include:
When you’re pregnant, hormones are rapidly changing, especially in the first trimester as the baby is forming. These hormonal shifts often lead to severe mood swings that range from anger to crying over nothing.
Breast changes also occur as the body’s hormones shift. It’s common to notice breast or nipple tenderness along with darkening of the areolas.
An increase in progesterone slows gastrointestinal motility and digestion, which can lead to bloating and constipation throughout pregnancy.
When you become pregnant, your body’s blood volume increases to support the fetus. Increased blood volume and blood pressure changes may cause dizziness or frequent headaches.
Cramping and spotting are usually signs that your period is coming, but they can also be signs of early pregnancy. Implantation can cause some light spotting right after conception as well as mild cramping.
Symptoms of pregnancy vary from woman to woman. Some people miss their period, and that’s their only symptom, while others are uncomfortable their entire pregnancy.
The above symptoms are all normal for short periods, but if they persist past the first trimester, contact us so we can evaluate you and your baby. Any bleeding during pregnancy warrants an appointment to ensure nothing is wrong.
To schedule an appointment for a prenatal visit, please call our Miami, Florida, office to speak with Dr. Valdes or use our convenient online booking feature.
