Having a child is a beautiful process, but along with it comes a lot of peculiar occurrences. An expectant mother can experience body changes, mood swings, and other unexpected events. Doctors recommend waiting about a week after a missed period before taking a home pregnancy test. Sometimes, your body will display weird symptoms that can alert you to pregnancy before you even take a pregnancy test!
There are quite a few signs of pregnancy that everyone knows like being tired, missing your period, or having sore breasts. But a pregnant woman can also experience weird symptoms, especially early on in their pregnancy. That’s why it’s so important to listen to your body and be aware of emotional and physical changes. Keep reading to learn all about the weirdest signs of pregnancy!
1. Late Period
The most common sign of pregnancy is a missed period. About 30 percent of women consider a missed period their first sign of being pregnant. Women typically have a 28-day menstrual cycle, and it’s recommended to take a pregnancy test if you’ve gone a month without your period.
Many women can experience spotting or very light periods, so if something seems off with your cycle, take a pregnancy test. If you tend to have an irregular period, get a complete examination from your doctor to be sure you’re actually pregnant. Keep in mind that spotting can continue throughout your pregnancy. If you experience heavy bleeding after confirming a pregnancy, see your doctor as soon as possible.
2. High Body Temperatures
When a woman becomes pregnant, her body naturally weakens her immune system to ensure that the fetus does not get rejected. That process naturally increases your chance of developing the flu or a cold. It also can cause respiratory infections.
Another thing caused by a diminished immune system is high body temperatures. The body naturally raises a woman’s temperature in order to protect her baby. Once a woman’s body reaches over 100.4° Fahrenheit, she’s in a fevered state. Shivering, sniffling, and dehydration are all symptoms of a fever. If you develop a fever during your pregnancy, make sure to see your doctor.
3. Discharge
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is vaginal discharge. Referred to as leukorrhea, the substance is white, thin, and milky. It has a mild odor and is completely normal.
If you are experiencing vaginal discharge, keep in mind that there are a few things to avoid. Never use tampons while pregnant. They can bring new germs into your vagina. Also, stay away from douching. Douching upsets the natural pH and bacteria balance in your vagina and will lead to infection. In addition, treating the discharge like an infection can cause additional issues. If you’re concerned about leukorrhea, use panty liners and notify your doctor.
4. Bloating
Another early sign of pregnancy is bloating. Hormonal changes can lead to feelings of discomfort. Pregnant women have high levels of the hormone progesterone, which is known for affecting the smooth muscles in the body. This reaction means the gastrointestinal tract can become inflamed. Your clothes can get tighter, shoes can become uncomfortable, and even your jewelry won’t fit properly.
Signs of high progesterone levels can include constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and an increase in flatulence. There are several ways to combat bloating. Eat small meals frequently throughout the day. Avoid sweets and fried foods. Try to limit the number of cruciferous vegetables in your diet, like legumes and cabbage.
5. Vivid Dreams or Nightmares
An increase in pregnancy hormones can lead to another interesting occurrence: pregnancy dreams! Hormonal changes, different comfort levels, and unusual sleep patterns can all affect your pregnancy. An emotional and psychological adjustment can lead to vivid dreams and occasional nightmares.
Many women have reported experiencing vivid and intense dreams. They have also had nightmares and anxiety-based dreams. It’s common for dreams to become more frequent and for women to be able to remember their dreams very clearly. Having disrupted sleep because of discomfort or frequent trips to the bathroom can affect your REM cycle, leading you to have weird, memorable dreams. Keeping a dream journal can help you write down what you experience and allow the dream content to leave your unconscious mind.
6. Moodiness
Hormonal changes during pregnancy will almost always lead to mood swings. Because your hormones begin to change almost immediately after conception, moodiness can start very early in your pregnancy. The increase in pregnancy hormones like progesterone and estrogen, combined with an increased amount of fatigue, can make a pregnant woman feel like her emotions are all over the place.
Women who are expecting can go from being happy one minute to crying the next. They can find themselves getting upset about the smallest things, taking their frustration out on their partner.
Mood swings are most common during the first trimester, but they can also continue throughout the pregnancy. Moodiness can lead to mental exhaustion because of all of the concerns, fears, and different feelings about expecting a child. Meditating, walking, spending time with loved ones, and practicing mindfulness can help with overwhelming emotions.
7. Acne
As previously mentioned, hormones are responsible for an early sign of pregnancy. An increase in estrogen and progesterone in the first trimester cause the skin’s natural oil production to increase. Experts believe that more than one out of every two expecting mothers will develop acne.
Women who are more prone to acne and experience flare-ups around their period are more likely to break out during their pregnancy. Those who do not get acne during their first trimester will most likely not develop any blemishes during their pregnancy. It can be tough to treat acne while you’re pregnant because most over-the-counter or prescription treatments can cause congenital disabilities. If you would like to treat hormonal acne, look for drug-free home remedies. Use gentle, oil-free cleansers and moisturize with simple lotions.
8. Stuffy Nose
Another unusual sign of pregnancy is nasal congestion. Many women report waking up with plugged noses and then having to blow their nose frequently throughout the day. This change is caused by the mucous membranes in the nose being extra swollen.
When the mucous membranes swell, they tend to dry out, which can lead to the nose bleeding. Because more blood circulates throughout the body during pregnancy, the blood vessels in your nose are more susceptible to swelling. This condition is known as pregnancy rhinitis and affects up to 30 percent of expecting mothers. Typically it starts during your first trimester and can get worse toward the end of your pregnancy. Women with pregnancy rhinitis will usually get rid of their congestion within two weeks after giving birth.
9. Dizziness
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded during pregnancy is common, especially during the first trimester. Blood pressure tends to drop when you’re pregnant, and the blood vessels will dilate. Dizziness typically starts between the twelfth week of pregnancy and the beginning of the second trimester.
Additionally, feeling faint can be caused by low blood sugar levels. Morning sickness can make you not want to eat, leading to low blood sugar. Nausea can occur within days of conception so the dizziness can begin almost immediately after becoming pregnant. If you feel like the room is spinning, be sure to take care of yourself. See a doctor immediately to ensure that your blood sugar levels are okay and that you are not dehydrated.
