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Early Signs of Pregnancy Before a Missed Period: Symptoms and What to Expect

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Early Signs of Pregnancy Before a Missed Period: Symptoms and What to Expect

Are your eyes yearning for a positive pregnancy test? Well, that’s a blissful moment every parents-to-be wish for! However, before you skip periods, your body also naturally starts sending a few clues. These are early signs of pregnancy before your missed period.

Spotting these signs can be a little tricky. It’s because a few of these pre-pregnancy symptoms before a missed period tend to mimic the PMS symptoms. Keep on reading as we chart out a few early pregnancy symptoms before your missed period and how they bring changes in your body.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms Before Missed Period

Typically, a pregnancy test or your doctor can confirm your pregnancy. However, the following early signs of pregnancy before a missed period can also serve to be your clue.

Increase Cervical Mucus


1. Increase Cervical Mucus


One of the first signs of pregnancy before a missed period is usually an increase in your vaginal discharge. This type of discharge is sticky, white, or pale-yellow mucus-like. It’s caused by the changing hormones and increased blood flow in your body. When it becomes creamy and stays the same post ovulation, it’s an indication to take a pregnancy test.

To take care of such discharge, using panty liners is an ideal option. Try out the ALWAYS Multiform Protect Panty Liners which offer dryness and long-lasting freshness. These liners are extra-thin (1mm) and are mildly scented. They offer a comfortable fit and are super gentle on the skin.


2. Changes In Breasts


Are your breasts feeling tender, sore, heavy or swollen? Chances are it’s one of the signs of pregnancy before the missed period caused due to the fluctuating hormone levels. In addition, you might notice that your areolas have become darker than usual. This occurs one- or two-weeks post conception.


3. Fatigue


As your body prepares your placenta to support your baby, it goes all in! This means your body puts in all energy and leaves you feeling tired and fatigued. The changing hormones and lower blood sugar levels also tend to cause this pre-pregnancy symptom before a missed period.


4. Implantation Bleeding


This is one of the most common 3-week pregnancy symptoms experienced before a missed period. Implantation bleeding occurs when an embryo attaches itself to the uterine wall. It results in light pink or brownish spotting which could last for a few hours or 3-4 days. One might notice this type of bleeding 10-14 days after conceiving. It is lighter than your usual period. However, spotting in the middle of your cycle can be caused by other factors too. These include an irregular cycle, a reaction to a Pap smear or rough intercourse.


5. Frequent Urination


Got the urge to pee, every now and then? Consider it as one of the early signs of pregnancy before a missed period. It’s quite common for pregnant women to experience this symptom and hCG levels are to be blamed for it. They increase the blood flow in your body, resulting in more fluids being processed by the kidneys. There are chances that one might notice this symptom in around two weeks after conceiving.


6. Bloating


Feeling a little puffy or bloated than usual? It could be the very early signs of pregnancy before a missed period which is making you bloat. It’s caused by the shifting levels of hormones, predominantly progesterone. It tends to make your digestion slower, resulting in constipation, gas and bloating.

Increase In Basal Body Temperature

7. Increase In Basal Body Temperature


If you are someone who has been trying to conceive for a while, you might already know the importance of tracking your basal body temperature. It tends to rise for 18 days after your conception and remains higher through your pregnancy. However, there are other reasons for an increased basal body temperature. Thus, you can consider it as a cue but cannot solely rely on this symptom for checking your pregnancy.

Remember that you might experience a few of these symptoms and still won’t be pregnant. There have been cases where women haven’t experienced any pre-pregnancy or first signs of pregnancy before the missed period and still have had a healthy pregnancy.

Apart from the above mentioned signs, one might also notice the following pregnancy symptoms like:

  • Mood swings
  • Food aversions
  • Heartburn

When Do Early Pregnancy Symptoms Before Missed Period Begin?

Each of the above-mentioned early pregnancy symptoms tends to showcase their glimpse at different times. For instance, one might notice tender breasts as one of their very first signs of pregnancy before a missed period. But when it comes to implantation bleeding, it occurs only after a few weeks of conception. So, the arrival of early pregnancy symptoms varies from person to person.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms VS. PMS: How To Spot The Difference?

You might have seen that a few of the early signs of pregnancy coincide with PMS symptoms. But the unusual pregnancy symptoms before a missed period like frequent urination, changes in areolas, implantation bleeding, false periods or increased basal body temperature can help you differentiate between the two. However, the sure-short way to know if you are pregnant or not is by taking an at-home pregnancy test or visiting a doctor.

Curious about the signs ovulation is over? Our guide offers clear insights to help you understand your cycle better.

When To Take A Pregnancy Test At Home?

When To Take A Pregnancy Test At Home

The urge to take the pregnancy test as soon as possible can be real! But it’s advised to wait for at least two weeks after ovulation. This allows time for the test to detect the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a hormone produced during pregnancy.

At-home pregnancy tests aren’t completely reliable. Thus, if your test is positive, it’s best to visit a doctor and confirm the news.

Takeaway
Remember that these 1, 2 or 3-week pregnancy symptoms before a missed period are just clues. One cannot confirm their pregnancy until and unless they take a pregnancy test. If you too are waiting for the good news, visiting a doctor should be the ultimate option for you. The doctor can confirm the pregnancy and explain you to the next steps needed.

Now keep a track of your ovulation period with Aways Fertile Days Calculator.


Questions like can I get pregnant before my period are common. Our article explains everything you need to know about fertility timing.

FAQS

1. What are some of the unusual pregnancy symptoms before a missed period?

Some of the unusual pregnancy symptoms before a missed period are as follows:

  • Dysegusia (one gets metallic taste in the mouth)
  • Constipation
  • False periods
  • Frequent urination

2. Can you tell if you're pregnant before a missed period?

There are a few early signs of pregnancy before a missed period that lead you into thinking that you’re pregnant. These include frequent urination, changes in areolas, implantation bleeding or increased basal body temperature. However, a pregnancy test is an ideal and the best way to confirm your pregnancy.

3. How early into pregnancy do you bloat?

One tends to experience bloating in the first trimester. It’s one of the very early signs of pregnancy before a missed period that makes you bloat due to shifting hormone levels and slower digestion.

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