The many biological and emotional changes you experience can be contributing causes.īe sure to tell your doctor if you don’t feel like your usual self. Depressionīetween 14 and 23 percent of all pregnant women develop depression during their pregnancy. Prenatal care usually involves screening for anemia. The condition can lead to premature birth and low birth weight. Pregnant women have an increased risk of anemia, which causes symptoms such as lightheadedness and dizziness. Around half of all pregnant women report back pain during their pregnancy. Later on, your increased weight and shifted center of gravity may add to your back pain. Hormones and stress on the muscles are the biggest causes of back pain in early pregnancy. If spotting or bleeding occurs alongside your cramps, it could signal a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. CrampsĪs the muscles in your uterus begin to stretch and expand, you may feel a pulling sensation that resembles menstrual cramps. Hormone changes during early pregnancy can slow down your digestive system. When stomach acid leaks out, this can result in heartburn. Hormones released during pregnancy can sometimes relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus. having a prior history or a family history of pregnancy-induced hypertension.A number of factors can increase your risk, including: High blood pressure, or hypertension, sometimes develops during pregnancy.
Weight gain becomes more noticeable toward the beginning of your second trimester. You can expect to gain between 1 and 4 pounds in your first few months of pregnancy. Always contact your doctor if you’re concerned. The latter often affects the surface of the cervix (which is very sensitive during pregnancy).īleeding can also sometimes signal a serious pregnancy complication, such as miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or placenta previa. Implantation usually occurs one to two weeks after fertilization.Įarly pregnancy bleeding can also result from relatively minor conditions such as an infection or irritation. This bleeding is most often the result of implantation. Some women may experience light bleeding and spotting in early pregnancy. Contact your doctor if your headaches don’t go away or are especially painful. They’re usually caused by altered hormone levels and increased blood volume. There are many health conditions other than pregnancy that can cause a late or missed period. However, a missed period doesn’t necessarily mean you’re pregnant, especially if your cycle tends to be irregular. Missed periodĪ missed period is one of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy (and maybe the most classic one). Others will appear weeks later, as your hormone levels change. You may notice some signs and symptoms before you even take a pregnancy test.