It’s very common that some women don’t realize they’re pregnant after 1 week or even 2 weeks. I believe that some of you who are reading this might not really know what the early symptoms of pregnancy are. Are fatigue, mood swings, and other symptoms not just PMS? I listed some of the prevalent symptoms of early pregnancy especially 7 DPO symptoms or 7 days past ovulation.
The symptoms I am going to talk about in this article are probably the symptoms you are experiencing right now, so you better assess yourself. Some women don’t realize that they are pregnant because they assumed that their late menstrual cycle is just late, and if they feel some of the symptoms they just attribute it to pre-menstrual symptoms.
Remember, though, that 7 days past ovulation is not yet the stage that you are ‘pregnant’ (presence of fetus) because the eggs are still traveling in your fallopian tubes, however, it is considered as part of the whole pregnancy process.
Read carefully the list below and take a look at the chart.
1. Backache
At the early stages of pregnancy, the supporting disks and ligaments soften because of the progesterone hormonal level and this will lead to backaches. The development of urinary tract infections during pregnancy can cause backaches too. You might feel back pains when you haven’t even done hard work whatsoever.
2. Bloating
The increase of progesterone hormonal level during the early stages of pregnancy also relaxes the smooth muscle tissue in your body, which also includes your gastrointestinal tract. The relaxation of these smooth muscles slows down the body’s digestive process. This well leads to burping, bloating, flatulence and it creates an uncomfortable feeling in your abdomen.
3. Fatigue and Exhaustion
During the first trimester, pregnant women will usually experience exhaustion and increased fatigue. The high level of progesterone in your body will make you sleepy, exhausted, and dead tired throughout the day. Also, your heart needs to work harder than usual because your body is producing extra blood to carry nutrients and oxygen to the developing fetus.
That’s why if you feel tired or exhausted, take little naps and rest. Your body is doing double and even triple work to maintain the developing zygote’s health and yours. Avoid the stimulants like coffee because they won’t make you sleep. Drink milk because it will help you sleep quickly. Get a lot of rest if you can; eat a balanced diet, avoid heavy dosage of medications for safety purposes, and don’t forget to exercise because oversleeping is not good too.
4. Gas or Flatulence
Like what I’ve pointed out, the rise of hormones during pregnancy will relax the smooth muscles in your body, and it includes your digestive tract. Your digestive process will slow down and the bacteria will get the opportunity to work on the undigested food before its elimination. This will lead to more fermentation and more gas as a result.
Also, pregnant women are usually constipated and it can be one of the reasons too because it slows down the bowel movement. As result, it will make you feel more bloated and gassy.
Read more: Green Poop While Pregnant
5. Increased Cervical Fluid
During pregnancy, many women will notice more cervical fluid or vaginal discharge. However, this is normal. It is creamy and white like a lotion and it would slipperily. It occurs throughout the day and sometimes appears in bunches. If you notice it has an unusual smell and color and you are experiencing itchiness, consult your physician because these might be a sign of yeast infection or thrush.
6. Dull Cramps and Pressure
Cramps are also a sign of the incoming monthly menstrual cycle, and some don’t realize that it’s already a symptom of 7 dpo symptom. There are women who experience dull pressure or mild cramps in the early stage of their pregnancy. Cramps are common and normal during pregnancy. There are a lot of things happening in your body because it creates a new environment for a fetus so cramps are really expected.
There are women who also experience this as early as implantation or the attaching of an embryo to the uterus. Cramps are like period cramps, twinges, sharp pain, and bubbles or tingles that is why you have to keep track of when you have your last period because the cramps you are experiencing right is a symptom of 7 dpo.
7. Nausea
Nausea and queasy sensation begin in the early stages of pregnancy. Nausea strikes any time of the day. This nauseous sensation is commonly called morning sickness. There are women who experience it during the afternoon and evening but they also say when it’s worst during the mornings when they have an empty stomach, that’s why it is referred to as morning sickness.
An increased sense of smell is also experienced by pregnant women and when nauseous odors like food, perfume, smoke, and coffee they will feel nauseated. I also experience this and most of the time the smell that I liked smelling before becomes the hated one.
Another thing, if you skip a meal because you feel queasy, there is a possibility that it will lead to swings or low blood sugar. This situation will, even more, worsen the nauseous feeling you have. But how to avoid this? One thing you can do is to eat to avoid keeping your stomach empty. Eat snacks or small meals throughout the day to keep your stomach full and drink milk or water between meals to avoid dehydration. Check your diet and supplements to see if they should be taken during your pregnancy.
8. Sensitive and Sore Nipples
After conception, you will notice some changes in your breasts. Again, the rise of hormones in your body changes breast tissues and increases blood flow. The hormonal level can cause sore or sensitive nipples. These changes are enjoyable for other women but can be very painful to others too. Do not worry that much, during the next stages of pregnancy and there’s a new surge of hormones, the pain will go away.
9. Tender Breasts
After conception, tender or swollen breasts are the early symptoms of pregnancy. The development of milk-producing cells and milk ducts will cause your breasts to become tender, swollen, or sensitive to touch. Burning sensation, throbbing, tingling, and itchiness can also be felt. The breasts will also become bigger; change their shape and size.
10. Vivid Dreams
There are some women who experience vivid dreams during the early stage of pregnancy, and it sometimes happens throughout the pregnancy too. One of the causes of this is the change in the hormonal level of the body. There are those who shared that they tested positive in their dreams, or that they are having a baby shower.
Feeling positive now that you can actually confirm your ‘pregnancy’ at this early stage? Then congratulations! If you are experiencing all of the symptoms mentioned above, then you really are at the earliest stage of your pregnancy.
The first few weeks of pregnancy might cause many changes in your body. Your body is preparing itself for the development of the fetus for 9 months. But remember, external physical changes might not happen yet to your body but internal changes are.
I know; the things that I mentioned are very drastic changes to you because you are now in your motherhood state, so you better take all the symptoms positively and take care of yourself. I put up this list because I sympathize with women like you because I went through the same process.
Giving information about pregnancy makes me fulfilled because pregnancy is not easy, though it is also a very beautiful feeling. Your baby is yet to develop in the following weeks and months, but I want to congratulate you in advance! Welcome to motherhood!
If you have questions or you want to share something about your experiences and if have anything else you want to say, just leave it in the comment box below!
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