When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start? A Week-by-Week Guide
Introduction
Pregnancy is a special time in a woman's life, but it can also be a confusing and overwhelming experience. One of the most common questions women have is when do pregnancy symptoms start? In this blog post, we will explore the early symptoms of pregnancy, pregnancy symptoms week by week, how pregnancy happens, are pregnancy tests accurate, and can a pregnancy test be false negative from a functional medicine and nutritional therapy perspective.
Early Symptoms of Pregnancy:
The early symptoms of pregnancy can vary from woman to woman, and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. Some women may experience no symptoms at all, while others may have a combination of symptoms. The most common early symptoms of pregnancy include:
Missed Period - One of the earliest and most obvious signs of pregnancy is a missed period. If you have a regular menstrual cycle and have missed a period, it is recommended to take a pregnancy test.
Nausea and Vomiting - Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy, and it can start as early as two weeks after conception. Nausea and vomiting are caused by the increase in hormones, specifically human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced by the placenta.
Fatigue - Feeling tired is another common symptom of pregnancy, and it can start as early as one week after conception. Fatigue is caused by the increase in progesterone, which is a hormone that helps to maintain the pregnancy.
Breast Changes - Breast tenderness and swelling are common early symptoms of pregnancy, and they are caused by the increase in hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone.
Mood Swings - Changes in mood, including irritability and emotional outbursts, are common during pregnancy. Mood swings are caused by the increase in hormones, specifically estrogen and progesterone.
Pregnancy Symptoms Week by Week:
The early symptoms of pregnancy are just the beginning. As the pregnancy progresses, new symptoms may emerge. Here is a breakdown of pregnancy symptoms week by week:
Weeks 1-4: During the first four weeks of pregnancy, the embryo is implanting in the uterus. Some women may experience light spotting, cramping, or a slight increase in body temperature during this time.
Weeks 5-8: During weeks five to eight, the embryo is rapidly developing. Morning sickness may start during this time, as well as fatigue, breast tenderness, and mood swings.
Weeks 9-12: During weeks nine to twelve, the embryo is now a fetus, and it is developing rapidly. Nausea and vomiting may become more severe during this time, and some women may experience heartburn, constipation, or headaches.
Weeks 13-16: During weeks thirteen to sixteen, the fetus is growing rapidly, and the uterus is expanding. Many women start to feel better during this time, with symptoms such as nausea and vomiting decreasing.
Weeks 17-20: During weeks seventeen to twenty, the fetus is now moving around and developing its own unique personality. Women may start to feel the baby's movements, and they may experience back pain, leg cramps, or varicose veins.
Weeks 21-24: During weeks twenty-one to twenty-four, the fetus is continuing to develop its lungs and other organs. Women may experience shortness of breath, and they may notice that their belly is getting larger.
Weeks 25-28: During weeks twenty-five to twenty-eight, the fetus is now viable, which means that it could survive outside of the womb with medical assistance. Women may experience Braxton Hicks contractions, which are practice contractions, and they may start to feel more tired and experience more frequent urination.
Weeks 29-32: During weeks twenty-nine to thirty-two, the fetus is continuing to grow and gain weight. Women may experience more intense Braxton Hicks contractions, as well as back pain and difficulty sleeping.
Weeks 33-36: During weeks thirty-three to thirty-six, the fetus is preparing for birth. Women may experience more frequent contractions, and they may start to feel more pressure in their pelvis.
Weeks 37-40: During weeks thirty-seven to forty, the fetus is now considered full-term, and it is ready to be born. Women may experience more intense contractions, as well as a bloody show, which is the passing of the mucus plug that seals the cervix.
How Pregnancy Happens:
Pregnancy happens when sperm fertilises an egg. This usually happens during ovulation, which is when an egg is released from the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube. If sperm is present in the fallopian tube, it can fertilise the egg, and the fertilised egg will then implant in the uterus. From there, the embryo will develop into a foetus over the course of the pregnancy.
Are Pregnancy Tests Accurate?
Pregnancy tests are highly accurate, but they are not infallible. Most pregnancy tests are based on the detection of hCG in urine or blood, which is a hormone produced by the placenta. However, there are a few factors that can cause a false negative result, including:
Testing too early - If you test too early, before the levels of hCG have had a chance to build up in your body, you may get a false negative result. It is recommended to wait until the day after your missed period to take a pregnancy test.
Using a faulty test - It is rare, but sometimes pregnancy tests can be faulty. If you suspect that your test is faulty, it is recommended to take another test.
Taking certain medications - Certain medications, such as fertility drugs, can cause false positive or false negative results on a pregnancy test.
Can a Pregnancy Test be False Negative?
Yes, a pregnancy test can be false negative. As mentioned earlier, there are several factors that can cause a false negative result, including testing too early, using a faulty test, or taking certain medications. If you suspect that you are pregnant but your test is negative, it is recommended to wait a few days and then take another test. If you continue to get negative results but you still have pregnancy symptoms, it is recommended to speak with your healthcare provider.
Conclusion:
Knowing the early symptoms of pregnancy and understanding how pregnancy happens can help you to navigate this exciting time in your life. Pregnancy tests are highly accurate, but they are not infallible, and it is important to understand the factors that can cause false negative results. If you suspect that you are pregnant, it is recommended to speak with your healthcare provider to confirm your pregnancy and to start receiving prenatal care. By taking care of yourself and your growing baby, you can help to ensure a healthy and happy pregnancy.
References:
American Pregnancy Association. (2018). Pregnancy Symptoms - Early Signs of Pregnancy. Retrieved from https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/early-pregnancy-symptoms/
Mayo Clinic. (2021). Pregnancy week by week. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20047732
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2017). How is pregnancy calculated? Retrieved from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/calcul
Wilcox, A. J., Weinberg, C. R., & Baird, D. D. (1995). Timing of sexual intercourse in relation to ovulation. New England Journal of Medicine, 333(23), 1517-1521. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199512073332301
American Pregnancy Association. (2018). How accurate are home pregnancy tests? Retrieved from https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/pregnancy-tests/
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2019). FAQ156: Prenatal Development: How Your Baby Grows During Pregnancy. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/prenatal-development-how-your-baby-grows-during-pregnancy
MedlinePlus. (2021). Pregnancy - week by week. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002398.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Pregnancy Tests. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/trying-to-get-pregnant/ovulation-pregnancy-tests.html