A missed menstrual period is often the first recognizable sign of a possible pregnancy, but there are other signs and symptoms of early pregnancy as well. Not all women have all symptoms or experience them in the same way. The most common first trimester symptoms are discussed in the following slides
Breast enlargement, tenderness, or pain similar to premenstrual symptoms, can occur early on during pregnancy. The breasts may feel full or heavy, and the area around the nipple (areola) may darken. A dark line called the linea nigra that runs from the middle of the abdomen to the pubic area may appear.
The first sign many women recognize as an early sign of pregnancy is a missed menstrual period (amenorrhea). Some women may experience lighter-than-normal periods, and they may also have spotting that can occur 1 to 2 weeks following conception. A missed menstrual period can be caused by other conditions aside from pregnancy, so it is not always a definitive sign.
The extra progesterone in a woman's body during pregnancy may cause her to feel fatigued and tired, and the need for naps increases. By the second trimester, energy levels usually rise again.
"Morning sickness," or nausea and vomiting that occur in early pregnancy usually happens between weeks two and eight of pregnancy. It's a misnomer because the nausea and vomiting can happen at any time. It's thought changes in levels of estrogen may play a role in developing nausea. Another early pregnancy sign may be food cravings or aversions. Women may have an unusual urge to eat a particular food, even one she previously did not like, or she may be completely repulsed by a food she used to love. This is common and usually the food aversions fade with the first trimester.
The rise in progesterone during pregnancy can also cause abdominal bloating, fullness, and gas. The weight gain in the first trimester is usually minimal, but cramping and bloating may make you feel as if you have gained more than the typical one pound per month.
