The most accurate way to know whether you’re pregnant or not is by taking a pregnancy test, but there are many signs and symptoms that can indicate that you may be pregnant. You must know about the prominent pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness and food cravings. Pregnancy can have you craving sweets and desserts or spicy foods and it’s okay to indulge in them, but have you been told about the weird and unusual symptoms of pregnancy?
In the initial months or the first trimester of pregnancy, significant hormonal changes occur, resulting in some symptoms indicating pregnancy. We would discuss some weird pregnancy symptoms that you might experience. However, not everyone would experience them.
Nose Bleeds:
The hormonal changes that occur in the body can potentially cause nosebleeds. These nosebleeds are not something you should worry about as they are rarely serious. They can be managed at home, but you should seek medical attention in case they last longer than 10-15 minutes or you faint.
Mood Swings:
The hormonal change can be the culprit to your constant mood swings, but these are normal. In fact, you can feel highly emotional and sensitive, while other times, you would burst out in laughter. This may settle down as the pregnancy progresses. If you have a history of depression or anxiety, you’re more likely to be vulnerable to such mood swings. Indulge yourself in healthy activities, and in case you’re struggling, talk to a specialist.
Headaches:
While you’re pregnant, the estrogen levels increase in the body leading to headaches. These headaches reduce in the last trimester. You should let your doctor know as these can be an indication of preeclampsia 20 weeks into pregnancy. Don’t take medications without consulting your doctor, and in case these headaches get severe and you experience them along with visual disturbances and dizziness, immediately seek professional attention.
Dizziness:
As our pregnancy progresses, the blood vessels dilate in order to supply more blood to the uterus resulting in decreased blood pressure. This can ultimately lead you to feeling dizzy, however, you should pay attention to the other symptoms you might observe along with it. If you observe it in combination with other pregnancy symptoms, it’s okay, and it’s normal, but if you observe unusual symptoms like severe abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding, it can indicate an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is the fertilization and development of an embryo outside of the uterus, and in such cases, you should immediately contact your OB/GYN.
Acne:
Women who had acne before pregnancy would observe that their acne got worse during pregnancy, and women who did not have it previously would develop some. These clogged pores increase due to the increased progesterone levels. You can seek professional medical help for these, or some of the suggested ways to manage this acne are as follows:
- Cleans face with lukewarm water or cleanser twice a day
- Avoid picking on the acne to avoid scar formation
- Opt for oil-free cosmetics
- Check your products with healthcare professionals
Vaginal Discharge:
Women can observe having vaginal discharges during their menstrual cycle as well, but they are also normal during pregnancy. Vaginal discharge is the body’s way of avoiding infections by secreting sticky, pale=yellow, or white mucus. These can start in the first trimester and occur throughout pregnancy.
Although these discharges occur due to changes in the hormones, you should seek medical if you observe any of the following:
- Itching
- Burning
- Smell
- Greenish-yellow discharge
- Discharge becomes very viscous or watery
Sense of Smell:
During pregnancy, you would have a heightened sense of smell, and you might become sensitive to certain sort of smell. This can also act as a contributing factor to nausea, as you might not be able to stand certain types of smells. A strong sense of smell is the body’s way of avoiding food poisoning. This explains why you may feel irritated by certain food smells as it may potentially cause food poisoning.
Metallic Taste:
Taste changes can occur among pregnant women, and the increased levels of progesterone and estrogen are the culprit. You would feel a metallic taste in your mouth. The condition is referred to as dysgeusia and is experienced by about 93% of pregnant women. Although this condition could be inconvenient and uncomfortable but they’re not something you should worry about or be concerned about.
Cravings:
Cravings during pregnancy is very common, and you could crave various types of food. These could be sweets, desserts, spice,s or tangy foods. You can definitely indulge in these cravings and satisfy them but you should be careful of your diet. You might crave many weird food combinations, but its okay and completely normal. Do remind yourself that your diet needs to be balanced and should contain all your daily requirements for the best for you and your baby.
False Period:
This phenomenon can occur in about 25-40% of pregnant women and is more commonly referred to as implantation spotting. Implantation spotting occurs when a fertilized egg embeds itself or implants in the uterus wall. This can result in slight spotting or implantation spotting. It usually occurs about 2 weeks after the egg fertilizes.
There are other reasons for bleeding, such as due to ectopic pregnancy or other medical conditions. However, bleeding in such conditions tends to be heavy and accompanied by extreme pain or cramps.
Fatigue:
Due to the surge in progesterone, you can feel tiredness and fatigue. Progesterone prepares the body in order to accommodate the baby, and this can result in you feeling fatigued. It is common during early pregnancy, and you might feel tired throughout your pregnancy. Try not to carry heavy weights and carry out healthy activities to keep your body active.
Heart Palpitations:
During your pregnancy, you might feel like your heart skipped a beat or fluttering or pounding, but you should know that your body is now growing another life, and it needs to pump blood to both you and your little one. This means your heart has an extra load of work to do and might ultimately result in heart palpitations. These are common during pregnancy, and you shouldn’t worry about them, but in case you feel like something is wrong, definitely let your doctor know about it.
Constipation:
Like some women who experience constipation during their menstrual cycle, constipation can also be felt during pregnancy as the bowel walls relax, making it hard for you to pass stool. Although this more commonly occurs in later pregnancy, this can also possibly occur in the first trimester.
Heartburn:
You may not be a person who usually experiences heartburn, but the situation is different during pregnancy. The baby in your body exerts pressure on the digestive system, which can result in acid reflux. This acid reflux is the reason why you might feel heartburn. To avoid heartburn, you should eat small frequent meals but avoid having late-night snacks and fizzy drinks, which can cause acid reflux.
When Should you see your Doctor:
These symptoms are not something you should entirely rely on, but if you see them appear in combination, there is a higher chance that you might be pregnant. You can simply take a pregnancy test to confirm. If these symptoms appear severely, you should visit the doctor as they may be due to some underlying medical reasons.
The Bottomline:
Among many other symptoms, these are some weird symptoms of pregnancy. These could be inconvenient and bothersome, but you could contact your doctor for advice on how to cope with them. Be sure not to take any medicine, whether over-the-counter painkillers or not, before talking to your doctor. These measures are for your and your baby’s health and protection.
If your pregnancy is confirmed, congratulations! Indulge in your cravings but maintain a healthy and balanced diet, and carry out healthy activities that would benefit both you and your baby. Opt for pregnancy-friendly exercises to keep yourself active and observe your symptoms. Most of the symptoms are normal, but if you feel something isn’t right, do seek professional advice.
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