Pregnancy symptoms usually start in the first week of pregnancy based on the date of your last menstrual period. Your last menstrual period is considered week 1 of pregnancy, even if you were not pregnant. Because the expected delivery date is calculated using the first day of your last period.

 

 A common misconception is that a missed period and nausea is the only sign of pregnancy. This is just the earliest sign of pregnancy. As such, you might seek several alternatives to manage the all-mighty first-trimester symptom, nausea and vomiting.

 

Let’s go through other common signs you should watch out for listed in this article.

 

Cramping and spotting 

From week 1 to week 4, everything is still happening on a cellular level. The fertilised egg creates a blastocyst (a fluid-filled group of cells) that will develop into the baby’s organs and body parts. 

 

About 10 to 14 days (week 4) after conception, the blastocyst will implant in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus. This can cause implantation bleeding, which may be mistaken for spotting. It also causes a mild cramp.

 

A missed period 

Once implantation is complete, your body will begin producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone helps the body maintain the pregnancy. It also tells the ovaries to stop releasing mature eggs each month.

 

 You will likely miss your next period four weeks after conception. If you have an irregular period, you’ll want to take a pregnancy test to confirm. Most home tests can detect hCG as soon as eight days after a missed period. A pregnancy test will be able to detect hCG levels in your urine and show if you are pregnant.

 

Raised body temperature

A higher basal body temperature may also be a sign of pregnancy. Your body’s core temperature may increase more efficiently during exercise or in hot weather. You’ll need to drink more water and exercise cautiously during this time.

 

Fatigue 

Fatigue can develop at any time during pregnancy. This symptom is expected in early pregnancy. Your progesterone levels will soar, which can make you feel sleepy. That's the reason you feel sleepy at odd times.

 

Increased heart rate 

Around weeks 8 to 10, your heart may begin pumping faster and harder. Palpitations and arrhythmias are common in pregnancy. This is usually due to hormones. 

 

Increased blood flow due to the fetus happens later in pregnancy. Ideally, management starts before conception, but if you have an underlying heart problem, your doctor can help supervise low dosages of drugs.

 

Breast changes 

Breast changes can occur between week 4 and 6. You’re likely to develop tender and swollen breasts due to hormone changes. This will likely go away after a few weeks when your body has adjusted to the hormones. 

 

Nipple and breast changes can also occur around week 11. Hormones continue to cause your breasts to grow. The areola, the area around the nipple, may change to a darker colour and grow larger.

 

Mood swings

Your estrogen and progesterone levels will be high during pregnancy. This increase can affect your mood and make you more emotional or reactive than usual. Mood swings are common during pregnancy and may cause depression, irritability, anxiety, and euphoria.

 

Frequent urination and incontinence 

During pregnancy, your body increases the amount of blood it pumps. This causes the kidney to process more fluid than usual, which leads to more fluid in your bladder.

 

Hormones also play a significant role in bladder health. You may find yourself running to the bathroom more frequently or accidentally leaking.

 

Bloating and constipation

Similar to symptoms of a menstrual period, bloating may occur during early pregnancy. This may be due to hormone changes, which can also slow your digestive system down. Constipation can also increase feelings of abdominal bloating.

 

Morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting 

Nausea and morning sickness usually develops around weeks 4 to 6. Although it’s called morning sickness, it can occur any time during the day or night. It’s unclear exactly what causes nausea and morning sickness, but hormones may play a role.

 

 Many women experience mild to severe morning sickness during the first trimester of pregnancy. It may become more intense toward the end of the first trimester but often becomes less severe as you enter the second trimester.

 

High blood pressure and dizziness 

In most cases, high or normal blood pressure will drop in the early stages of pregnancy. This may also cause feelings of dizziness since your blood vessels are dilated (more open). High blood pressure as a result of pregnancy is more difficult to determine.

 

Almost all cases of hypertension within the first 20 weeks indicate underlying problems. It may develop during early pregnancy but may also be present beforehand. Your doctor will take your blood pressure during your first visit to help establish a baseline for a regular blood pressure reading.

 

Smell sensitivity and food aversions 

Smell sensitivity is a symptom of early pregnancy that is mainly self-reported. There’s little scientific evidence about smell sensitivity during the first trimester.

 

However, it may be necessary, as smell sensitivity may trigger nausea and vomiting. It may also cause a strong distaste for certain foods.

 

Does kanwa reduce nausea in the first trimester of pregnancy?

Potassium, popularly known as Kanwa to the Hausa tribe, Kaun for the Yoruba tribe and Akanwu for the Igbos. To the Western world, it’s known as Calabash chalk.

 

Most Nigerian women get drawn to eating and sucking potash during their pregnancy to reduce the possibility of nausea and vomiting. 

 

Potash is dangerous for your growing foetus, and early consumption, as seen in the first trimester of pregnancy, may lead to a miscarriage. Chewing on a piece of gum and sweets is best to subside your nausea and vomiting.

 

 

The first trimester of pregnancy is a very delicate stage. You need your foetus to grow efficiently. Ensure to rest, and make necessary lifestyle changes like avoiding alcohol, smoking, drugs, intense exercise, and eating fast foods and junk.

 

We know how tempting it can be. But you need to cut back on junk to aid proper foetal growth. Stay safe, mama! 

 

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