Skip to main content

7 early pregnancy symptoms that aren’t just your imagination

Check out these early signs of pregnancy that are often mistaken for other conditions

Call it your “gut instinct” or your imagination, but you’ve been feeling rather… odd lately. Could you be pregnant? Or are you simply imagining some of the physical and mental changes that are happening? The early pregnancy symptoms that occur in the first two weeks seem so subtle that anybody can easily mistake them for another condition. To find out more information about what to expect shortly after conception, read on. You might feel reassured that these signs are not wishful thinking (or the flu) and that yes, you’re actually pregnant.

woman with her hand over eyes

Most common early pregnancy symptoms and signs almost anyone can miss

In a poll conducted this year by the American Pregnancy Association about 1/4 of the women who participated reported a missed period and nausea as the first sign of their pregnancy. While these early signs of pregnancy are two of the most familiar, you shouldn’t be surprised if the missed period goes unnoticed, especially if you have a history of irregular cycles.

Likewise, some people cross nausea off as a stomach virus or even a food intolerance that they’ve never detected before. However, you’d be surprised how many pregnancy symptoms go unnoticed or are simply disregarded as imaginary.

lady sleeping with cell phone nearby

Early signs of pregnancy that you’re not imagining

Other less commonly known early pregnancy symptoms seem to appear out of nowhere. However, you can now take comfort in knowing the following symptoms are not only real but are quite common.

Nasal congestion

Another unusual early pregnancy symptom involves nasal congestion. At first, you might think that you’re suffering from seasonal allergies or even coming down with a cold. However, that’s not the case. The increased blood flow that’s brought on by hormone changes causes the mucous membranes to swell. Consequently, these membranes tend to dry out and bleed easily. This means dealing with stuffy or runny noses and nosebleeds.

Implantation bleeding and cramping

Although one of the preliminary signs of pregnancy involves skipping a period, you can still experience some light spotting. In addition to the spotting, you might also suffer some cramping similar to that of a menstrual cycle. Although these symptoms might make you wonder if you’re pregnant, they’re actually very normal. This situation is called implantation bleeding when the fertilized embryo implants itself on the wall of the uterus. The changes that take place cause you to cramp and bleed, but this is the body’s way of preparing for the developing embryo.

Food aversions

Often you hear about strange food cravings that occur during pregnancy, but have you ever heard of being turned off by certain foods or even by certain aromas? This is not your imagination working overtime. Some smells and flavors will make you feel squeamish which is a normal part of pregnancy. You can blame the hormones for this sign as well.

Swollen breasts

As your body changes at the beginning of the pregnancy, your breasts might feel sore and swollen. Fortunately, this phase is rather short-lived, and the soreness tapers off going into the second trimester. Nonetheless, you’ll still notice a difference in size and shape due to the body’s preparation for the baby’s arrival and breastfeeding thereafter.

Moodiness

Suddenly, you start feeling the blues and can’t figure out why. There’s no reason to worry because, during the first trimester, your hormones fluctuate which, in turn, impacts your mood. So, you’re not losing your mind. Rather, you’re going through the changes that affect the entire body—including the brain—that are brought on by pregnancy. Regardless of the frequency and or the gravity of the mood swings, this symptom usually levels out within a few weeks.

Fatigue

Along with the mood changes, you might feel tired more often than usual. When you’re pregnant, your body produces more progesterone than usual. This hormone prompts the uterus to prepare for implantation and for the safekeeping of the embryo during the early weeks. Going into the second and third months, the placenta then takes charge of continuously producing the progesterone until the baby is born.

So, on the one hand, you can look forward to this fatigue throughout the pregnancy, but on the other, you’ll feel a sense of renewed energy closer to your due date when you develop a sort of “nesting instinct” right before your baby’s arrival.

Frequent urination

Are you going to the restroom more than usual? Chances are, you’re making more restroom runs during the day than before. The marked increase in urination comes as a result of the kidneys working overtime to keep up with the increase of blood flow throughout the body. This change helps to provide nourishment at a rapid pace for the developing baby. Consequently, this process leads to a higher volume of fluid in your bladder.

Of course, if you’re not sure if you’re experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, then you should consult with your doctor. One or more of the previously mentioned symptoms might signal the great news of expecting a little one, but most importantly, you would at least know that these occurrences were not just your imagination after all.

Editors' Recommendations

Leslie Anderson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Leslie Anderson is a freelance writer/writing coach from Roswell, N.M. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and helping students…
Bring imagination back into your kid’s playroom with these ingenious DIY ideas
These DIY kid's playroom ideas are super easy to achieve and great for boosting imagination
Montessori shelf playroom

The kid’s playroom should be a space not just for fun and letting off some of a child’s youthful energy, but also an educational hub that encourages imagination. As you curate a space for your child to play and grow, you’ll want to include unique activities to help them express themselves. So, we’re giving you some incredible DIY playroom ideas that not only make the space look nice but add more room for imaginative play and learning.

Add a chalkboard wall
A chalkboard wall is a classic playroom addition, functioning as both a teaching opportunity and an art station. Not to mention; it also curbs that desire to draw on the walls!

Read more
What is the most common birthday month? The holidays play a key factor
The most common birthday dates (and the most common month) have one thing in common...
Getting ready for an outside birthday party

Have you noticed there's a specific month when everyone in your child's class has a birthday? Notice months that no one seems to have a birthday at all? There's a reason for that, and it has to do with the timing of the holidays. The most common birthday month that will keep you baking treats for your children's friends and have you constantly running from birthday party to birthday party is at the start of the school year for a reason.
Every child seems to be born in this month
No secret to September
Yes, September has the most common birthday dates. Why? Well, do the math backward, and where does that land you? During the holidays! And what do we do during the holidays?

Between the parties, gatherings, the holiday spirit -- and perhaps the holiday drinks -- we are in better moods, which leads to more adults enjoying each other's company. Plus, it's cold outside and we stay indoors longer. Track those nine months, and September is where the babies land.
The most common birthdays in order

Read more
A new study says pregnant women should do this before bed
Pregnancy tip: Dim lights before bed to help reduce risk of gestational diabetes
Pregnant woman sleeping on her side

Most pregnant women take their health very seriously. They work hard to make sure they're eating well and staying active to help grow the healthiest human possible and avoid any issues that could impact their pregnancy. One of those issues is gestational diabetes. The CDC reports that anywhere between 2% and 10% of those tested will develop gestational diabetes during their pregnancy.

While eating a balanced diet is a big factor and a common pregnancy tip in preventing gestational diabetes, a new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Maternal Fetal Medicine suggests that prolonged light exposure at night can also increase a pregnant person's chance of developing this potentially harmful condition.
Turn off the lights earlier
The study showed that of the 741 women involved in the study, those who developed gestational diabetes had a greater exposure to light in the 3 hours before bed than those who didn't. "Our study suggests that light exposure before bedtime may be an under-recognized yet easily modifiable risk factor of gestational diabetes," Dr. Minjee Kim, lead author of the study out of Northwestern University, said in a statement.

Read more