Early Pregnancy Symptoms: What to Expect

While most television pregnancy discoveries are marked by a sudden and inconvenient bout of morning sickness or a missed menstrual period, outside of Hollywood, pregnancies can be much more circumspect. You may have never had a consistent period, or you are afraid to take a pregnancy test for fear of what the answer may be

However, even if you are unsure of where to turn or don’t have anyone to talk to during this time, there are resources available to you. Read on to learn more about some of the signs and symptoms that can indicate the early stages of pregnancy, as well as how Thrive St. Louis can help you process this life-changing news.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms You May Not Expect

If it has been about four weeks since your last menstrual period or you just feel “off,” rather than undergoing your normal monthly symptoms, you may be pregnant. Some other signs that can often mimic symptoms of your monthly cycle but may mask a pregnancy include:

Unexplained Mood Swings
For many women, a certain time of the month could tend to make you quicker to anger, but if you find yourself experiencing other symptoms you haven’t experienced before, like dissolving into tears when you would usually be yelling from frustration, this may be due to the hormone swings that can often accompany the first few weeks of pregnancy.

Bloating
While some women can make it to the third trimester of pregnancy before they begin to notice their feet swelling or their abdomen expanding, for some women, bloating can begin early. If you’re not heading to the restroom more frequently than you used to, you may notice it’s harder to zip your clothes.

Spotting
Implantation bleeding is one reason some women can be pregnant for months without realizing it. Although the uterus will retain most of its lining to create the placenta, the implantation of a fertilized egg into the side of the placenta can often trigger bleeding that may mimic a light period. If you’ve noticed that your period this month seemed far lighter than normal, it may have actually been one of the first signs of pregnancy.

What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do

Fortunately, we are here for YOU.  We are here to help you work through your pregnancy options, find counseling, free pregnancy testing, and other services that can make this process seem far more navigable. If you are concerned that you may be pregnant, make an appointment with us.