More to panic over: what's the first signs of pregnancy?

[Writer]

I think I'm just getting a little head-y and stressed right now over grad school, but I want to ask my fellow DU women: what are the first signs of pregnancy? That is, the first week or so when you really didn't know if you were pregnant or not?

Let me edit to add what I'm experiencing: tiredness, a bit crampy in the tummy, and I have a headdache. I know about breast tenderness so I keep grabbing myself (LOL) checking to see if their feeling a bit more doughy.

Otherwise, all systems are normal.

[SeattleGirl]

1. It's different for everyone

My first sign was I threw up after drinking coffee -- that had NEVER happened to me before. But before you get too scared or worried, get tested. That's the best way to find out.

[AlCzervik]

2. breast tenderness in my case that i thought was the usual pms breast

tenderness but this went on for 3 weeks before i finally bought the home test.

[LeftyMom]

3. Breast tenderness

Darker nipples
Changes in the sense of taste or in appetite

BTW: here's a list of HPTs and thier sensitivity (should you wish to find out sooner rather than later.) http://www.babyhopes.com/pregnancy-test-sensitivity.html

[Thtwudbeme]

4. lots of spit...sleepy....boobs hurt

especially right around your nipples.

If you have lots of saliva...and I am not kidding about this...you will know. It will be so unusual that you won't have to ask anyone to describe it.

[tjdee]

5. I felt more tired, craved meat insanely...but you'd better take a test.

I've known women who got their period, thought everything was normal...until they started throwing up all the time. As the first poster said, it's different for every woman.

In hindsight, I was a vegetarian who all of a sudden REALLY WANTED meat, I got winded and sweaty after just walking a few city blocks... when I finally went to the doctor it was because I thought I had the flu. Everything made me nauseous, I felt really rundown...Pregnancy really sucked for me actually. But my kid is terrific, so there's that.

Good luck (whichever way you need that to go, LOL)!

[xmas74]

21. I craved meat too.

I rarely ate meat at that time but all I wanted was a rare steak-the bloodier the better.

[GCP]

6. Breast tenderness for me too

And sudddenly being absolutely unable to drink coffee.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. Well, there are several early presumptive signs......

Breast tenderness, having to pee frequently, some achy crampy sensations...

But the biggie is not having your period!

When I was having my girls, there weren't any home tests for pregnancy...

You had to go to the doctor's for that......

Good luck!

[LeftyMom]

8. Oh and (fellas don't read this)

a while freakin' lot of cervical mucus.

[MissB]

9. For me

it was sore boobs and the need to pee frequently. Usually the peeing thing only shows up late in pregnancy when the munchkin is squishing your bladder with his/her feet, but for some reason I felt the need early on.

If you're only a little late, it could be the stress of having to defend your thesis.

[tjdee]

10. Yes--don't discount stress as a reason for being late.

Happens a lot to me, which is incidentally yet another reason I didn't suspect I was pregnant....

Hmm.

But yeah, I agree. Stress may have a bit to do with it.

[grace0418]

17. That's exactly what I was going to say. Extreme stress can make me really

late, which adds more stress, which just becomes vicious cycle.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. My dear missb!

Ah, for once, I can turn to my nursing for info!

Frequent peeing early in the pregnancy is usually due to the fact that the uterus is pressing on the bladder. Later on, the uterus rises up away from the bladder, and the need for peeing passes until the end, when there's no room in your abdomen for anything!

And then you need to go much more frequently again....oh joy.......

Hope this helps!

:hi:

[MissB]

13. That explains it!

I remember the day I figured out I was pregnant for the second time - I was on a business trip and had to drive for many hours. I kept having to stop and after the third time or so, I went "uh oh".

Thanks! :hi:

[Whoa_Nelly]

12. Just get a pregnancy test kit and know for sure--quit worrying :-)

Shoot, they even sell them at the dollar store.

Just do it and find out. The PG tests show from pretty early on now.

Finding out beats worrying in my book every time.

[tigereye]

14. I just knew

but that's partially because I was planning on being pregnant and had taken direct action - leaving birth control out of the picture. :)

Feeling really tired, craving eggs and potatoes, and throwing up all the time came a bit later.

[rug]

15. He stops calling.

[AlCzervik]

16. another thing for me--certain smells made me really sick

like coffee and bagels of all things, a nice jewish girl like me eating bagels all my life and all of a sudden the very smell of them makes me want to puke.

[July]

18. I had a similar experience.

Coffee, something I can hardly live without, smelled awful to me. Garlic, another favorite for this half-Italian girl, was abominable. I was so glad when the little critters came out and I could enjoy my favorites again.

[hatredisnotavalue]

19. Smells killed me

I woke up one morning and BOOM, I didn't want a cigarette. Happened with both kids.

[Maddy McCall]

20. Why don't you just go buy a pregnancy test? How late are you?

No one here can tell you if you are pregnant or not, so the best bet is to go spend the $8 and do the test.

If you get a positive result, then you need to go to an OBGYN to find out for certain.

If you get a negative result and you're still late, wait several days and take another test.

Everyone has different symptoms--some people have no symptoms. You can't ascertain whether or not your pregnant unless you take the test.

[tjdee]

22. And as Whoa_Nelly pointed out, they have them at the dollar store!

Though, I have to say, that when I started to suspect I was pregnant, I DID NOT want a test right away. I kept hoping I'd just get my period and be done with it.

[Fleshdancer]

23. I was always thirsty, tired, and my breasts were sore

The thirsty part really stands out in my mind though. I would drink water all day and still feel completely dehydrated. It was annoying.

[uppityperson]

24. you're female?

I always assumed you were, I don't know, just Writer. Good luck there and let us know.

[AirmensMom]

25. Panic.

Just kidding. I just knew ... can't say how. And I swear I started to show a week later. But I agree with those saying to get a home pregnancy test.

[Mz Pip]

26. Smells

Coffee, smoke, gasolene, perfume

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Sequoia]

27. Waist line feels a tad bit thicker where you hitch up your jeans.

[av8rdave]

28. The only truly reliable one is...

a positive pregnancy test. Get a test, so you can stop worrying!

Regards,

[Pithlet]

29. Locking.

It's against the rules to ask for medical advice on DU. I'm sorry. I hope you find out and are able to put your mind at ease, soon.