The unusual early pregnancy signs no one talks about include having vivid dreams, developing bleeding gums and dealing with a stuffy nose.
Although these symptoms can feel unusual, hormonal fluctuations tend to be the most likely cause of suddenly having a heightened sense of smell or itchy breasts. But, pregnancy symptoms can also overlap with the signs of other hormone-related conditions such as PMS. Knowing how to tell when your symptoms might be due to pregnancy and when to call your doctor helps you prepare to care for your health and improve your comfort.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms: What’s Normal, and What’s Just Not Talked About
Everyone knows that missing a period or having a round of morning sickness might mean you’re pregnant. Yet, people don’t tend to talk about the more awkward signs of pregnancy, such as developing skin tags or drooling a lot, since they sometimes generate embarrassment.
Why These Symptoms Happen (Hormonal Changes Behind Them)
According to What to Expect, you can thank a flood of pregnancy hormones for causing your unusual symptoms. For example, estrogen can contribute to a stuffy nose. Progesterone might be behind your gums suddenly bleeding.
Metallic Taste: A Surprising Mouthful
A metallic taste is typically caused by increasing pregnancy hormones. Using sugar-free gum or a mint can help disguise the taste.
Heightened Sense of Smell: Scent Sensitivity
According to The Bump, women often notice a heightened sense of smell around the sixth week of pregnancy. In some cases, your increased awareness of scents could influence your nausea and morning sickness.
Excess Saliva: The Unwanted Drool
Excessive drooling may be harmless, but you might need to increase your water intake to stay hydrated. The good news is that the excess saliva might protect your teeth from the effects of stomach acid if you have morning sickness or indigestion.
Unexpected Skin Changes: Tags and Hair Growth
Hormonal surges might cause you to need to pull out your tweezers to address a brand new chin hair. Skin tags may shrink after delivery, or you can talk to your doctor about your options for managing large ones that irritate.
Bleeding Gums: Dental Distress
Seeing pink on your toothbrush might cause you to rush to the dentist. According to Cleveland Clinic, pregnancy gingivitis affects up to 75% of pregnancies.
Vivid Dreams: Nighttime Adventures
Vivid dreams can leave you feeling exhausted as though you really took an overnight adventure. Your colorful dream life might be another hormone-related symptom, or you might be experiencing disruptions in your sleep cycles from nighttime wakings.
Itchy Breasts: Uncomfortable Sensations
Dry skin, stretching and conditions such as eczema might all cause you to experience this annoying early pregnancy symptom. Using lotion, wearing a well-fitting bra and staying cool can help ease any itchiness you feel.
Pregnancy Acne: Skin Breakouts
That beautiful pregnant glow might be marred by a few extra blemishes, but you should see your skin clear up soon after delivery. For now, keep practicing good skin hygiene and avoid irritating any acne spots.
Nasal Congestion: The Stuffy Nose Surprise
Increased blood flow to your nose combined with fluctuating hormone levels could cause you to feel a little stuffier than normal.
Frequent Urination: Urgency and Frequency
According to Medical News Today, you might notice increased urination by the time you reach 10 weeks of pregnancy. While the extra trips to the bathroom might be frustrating, you’ll want to continue drinking enough water to stay hydrated.
How to Tell These Apart From PMS
Early pregnancy symptoms can feel a lot like PMS, but you can tell them apart by checking to see if you’ve missed a period or had any spotting around the time implantation would take place.
When These Symptoms Typically Appear
Sensitive women might notice slight symptoms appearing in the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy. By the time you miss your period, you could also be noticing deep fatigue, nausea and other early pregnancy signs.
When to Check In With a Doctor
You’ll want to check in with a doctor as soon as you realize that your period is late. But, you can always reach out to your doctor anytime you notice new or unusual symptoms that could indicate a pregnancy.
Conclusion: Managing Unexpected Symptoms and Seeking Medical Advice
The good news is that most early pregnancy symptoms are manageable with simple, at-home care techniques such as taking a mint. But, seeking medical advice for any severe symptoms can help you find safe solutions if you suspect you might be pregnant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pregnancy brings lots of questions about unusual symptoms, and reading through these can help you find the answers you need fast.
When did you test positive for pregnancy on Reddit?
On Reddit, many women report testing positive for pregnancy within a few days before or after their missed period.
Is fatigue normal during the first trimester of pregnancy?
Yes, fatigue in the first trimester of pregnancy is normal and typically associated with rising hormones.
How many weeks am I pregnant?
The best way to find out how many weeks you are pregnant is to consult with your physician, although you can get a rough estimate by calculating how many weeks it has been since your last menstrual period.
I just found out I’m pregnant. Now what should I do?
The first thing you should do after finding out you are pregnant is reach out to your doctor to confirm the pregnancy and begin your prenatal care.
Can you have these symptoms and still not be pregnant?
Yes, these symptoms can be due to other causes. The best way to find out if your unusual symptoms are due to being pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.
