Very Early Pregnancy Symptoms : Everything Short Of a Looking Glass

When you’re desperate to know, you’ll look anything up: the topic of very early pregnancy symptoms has always been a bit of a non sequitur. This is because there are simply too many variations on the same theme, and the sheer flood of confusion has led many an expecting mother to walk away from their laptop in disgust.

Pregnancy & Old Wives' Tales

Fret not: while far from universal, there are a few pregnancy symptoms that have been established by medical science as “likely to occur.”  This is just a fancy way of saying that the scientists have got a hunch as to why these things happen, and while they’re far from sure of it, it beats most of the old wives’ tales out there.

Speaking of old wives, if you have had multiple pregnancies, you will know from experience that these very early pregnancy symptoms tend to differ even if we’re talking about the same human body. This is because you’re more psychologically and physiologically prepared for the act, and so for this article we will stick to first pregnancies.

Constipation may come as a bit of a surprise to the expecting mother, but it certainly won’t go away without a celebration, seeing as it tends to last throughout your term. Beginning as soon as two weeks after conception, it won’t be defeated by mere antacids or laxatives.

And There's More!

Your entire digestive system has been put on slow-motion in order for it to absorb as much nutrients as possible. A swollen uterus pushing against viscera also leads to constipation, and so your stomach has helpfully produced extra acid to assist in digestion despite having heartburn as a side effect. The resulting weight gain then leads to lower back pain. All the maternity pillows and unconventional sleeping positions will only alleviate but never take the ache away.

So if you have been feeling rough lately, it might be a good time to revisit that list of early pregnancy symptoms.