It may never occur to you that a runny or stuffy nose could be connected with being pregnant, but many women experience cold or flu-like symptoms in early pregnancy. This is due to higher levels of estrogen during pregnancy which can cause swelling in the mucous membranes throughout the body, including the nose.
In very early pregnancy (based on the data submitted to the VEP Symptom Tracker as of October 24, 2008)it is most common on 9 and 10 days past ovulation with 4.4% of pregnant women experiencing it.
Headaches in pregnancy tend to occur most frequently in the first trimester. Hormone levels rise dramatically in early pregnancy, and can contribute to headaches. Changes in your blood circulation and blood volume during pregnancy can cause increased pressure on your blood vessels. This increase requires greater fluid intake to counteract dehydration, which can be another cause of headaches. Be sure to get at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Low blood sugar could also be the culprit, be sure to eat a healthy well balanced diet, with adequate protein and iron intakes. Avoid foods that can trigger a headache: like chocolate, MSG, cheese and spicy foods. Other possibilities are stress and anxiety or not getting enough rest. Try to take time each day to relax and make sure you get enough sleep.
Our data on September 4, 2008 shows that headaches are most common on 9 days past ovulation with 15.5% of pregnant women experiencing this symptom. Our data also shows that headaches is one of the top ten most common early signs of pregnancy. (View Top Ten Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms)
Some women report that they notice the sudden appearance of “road map” veins (more prominent blue veins) most often these are most apparent in the breasts. Because of an increased blood supply to your breasts during early pregnancy, these veins may become more visible. Some women also notice a change in the appearance of veins all over their bodies, including arms, stomach and legs.
Based on our data (as of August 28, 2008) this early pregnancy symptoms is most commonly reported on 9 days past ovulation with 8.6% of pregnant women experiencing it.
Click to view the full graph that outlines the reported instances of this symptom for all days past ovulation. (From Ovulation Day to 21 days past ovulation).
The exact reason for pregnancy cravings is not known, but many speculate that the new or strange cravings pregnant women experience are actually the body’s way of asking for a particular nutrient it may be lacking. The actual food craved is not necessarily what the body needs but may need something in the food. The cliché of craving pickles may be an indication your body needs more sodium, or the desire for a burger and french fries may be a need for protein, sodium or potassium. Studies also show that the high levels of hormones present during pregnancy can alter a woman’s sense of taste and smell. This change can also lead to food aversion.
How many women experience this symptom during very early pregnancy?
Click to view a chart that breaks down the symptom by day past ovulation.
If you wanted the standard list of symptoms, a quick search engine query would yield a ton of results. The problem is that it’s the same list repeated over and over. What you have come across here is a list based on symptoms recorded by real women using the VEP Symptom Tracker. When a positive pregnancy test result is recorded the symptoms experienced during that cycle are anonymously added to the overall statistics in real time!
So, what really are the most common early pregnancy symptoms? Well let’s have a look at the chart below and see! This is a dynamic chart, meaning it changes over time. It is based on the information provided by CTP members using the VEP Symptom Tracker. These are the most common symptoms as experienced by real pregnant women from around the world!
As women keep entering their symptoms the more the data grows and changes!
If you are trying to conceive and want to be part of the largest database of very early pregnancy symptoms become a member and be a part of the answer!
Countdown to the beginning of your pregnancy one symptom at a time…
You can do a search in any search engine and find hundreds of websites with a list of the most common early signs of pregnancy… but how many of them list the lesser known or the strange? Well based on information provided by CTP members using the VEP Symptom Tracker, we have compiled the data of what symptoms are experienced and when, including the obscure and less talked about signs. These are statistics based on real women who tracked their very early signs and symptoms right from the day of conception!
Here is a list of symptoms that you may never have attributed to pregnancy! Now that it’s on a list (and supported by hundreds of women) you can! :)
Are you trying to conceive? Do you want to track your early signs and symptoms during the seemingly endless two week wait and find common symptoms with women who became pregnant? Then you absolutely must become a CTP member!
VEP Symptom Tracker = Very Early Pregnancy Symptom Tracker
In a nutshell: A free, unique online tool that enables women who are trying to conceive to monitor, record, compare and share their very early symptoms each day from ovulation to testing. This tool also enables members to share their results in real-time with other women. Each successful cycle recorded by our members is incorporated into the overall statistics & graphs which in turn helps someone else to better understand their own symptoms.
Log in each day and record the signs and symptoms you experience (there is a list of over 60 symptoms to choose from!)
Enter your pregnancy test results as you go
Now the fun part!
For each day past ovulation that you have symptoms recorded you can then compare the ones you experience with all of our members (it will give you the percentages of how many pregnant women had the same symptoms as you! Great to obsess over!)
And once you have multiple cycles recorded you will be able to compare each day past ovulation to your previous cycles. This is a great way to uncover patterns in your symptoms and to discover any new and promising symptoms!
Once you enter a positive pregnancy test (Yipee!) your symptom data is then incorporated into the graphs (anonymously of course) and will be available to other women searching for answers about the symptoms they are experiencing during their two week wait! Women helping women through the “trying to conceive journey”.
It definitely is a helpful companion during the anticipation of the “two week wait”!
“Dysgeusia” is the medical term for a change in your sense of taste; usually you’ll get a sour or metallic taste that continues even when you’re not eating. Hormones, particularly estrogen, play a part in controlling the sense of taste. During pregnancy your hormone levels flutuate quite widely and thus your sense of taste may vary or change. Like nausea and morning sickness, it should diminish or disappear by the second trimester.
There are a few things you can do to combat this, acidic foods like citrus juice and lemonade and if your stomach can manage it, any food marinated in vinegar - like pickles! Also try brushing your tongue each time you brush your teeth and rinse with a weak salt or baking soda solution to neutralize the pH levels.
Most women experience increased fatigue during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. Your body is producing higher levels of progesterone which can make you feel sleepy. Your body also produces extra blood to carry oxygen and nutrients to the developing fetus, this means your heart needs to work harder. Low blood sugar can also be to blame.
Listen to your body; it is working very hard to create your little one. This symptom has only one cure. If you are tired, then sleep - even if it means going to bed at 8pm or taking small naps during the day.
Avoid stimulants (like caffeine, these can be harmful in high doses), get lots of rest (cut back on extra responsibilities if needed, at least until the second trimester), eat a balanced healthy diet (be sure to get enough protein and iron) and get regular exercise (even just walking 30 minutes a day will help).
