The Journey Towards Getting Pregnant

Once you have ditched the contraceptives and started tracking your body basal temperatures and are high there, you wonder if these are just premenstrual syndrome (PMS) signs or a tipoff that there is a bun baking in the oven?

Although most women start to notice the early pregnancy signs early enough, they have to wait for two weeks after ovulation to get a positive rest when using a home pregnancy test kit because it tests for the HCG levels (Human Chorionic Gonadotropins). The HCG is a hormone produced by the placenta which makes its way into your uterine when the embryo starts to implant on the uterine wall between seven and fourteen days after fertilization.

 

Below are signs that you might want to look out for:

Heartburn

Growing pressure from the uterus push the stomach upwards away from its normal position leading to heartburn signs.  Relaxation of one or more sphincters in the guard of acid reflux from the stomach.

Smell Sensitivity

Increased estrogen levels are responsible for a heightened sense of smell in pregnant women even during the early stages. This can also be a PMS side effect.

Bloating

As must as this a common disliked PMS symptom, then increased progesterone level in pregnancy may cause bloating also. This hormone is responsible for slowing processes in your body in including digestion, causing indigestion or constipation. You don’t feel hungry as you type.

Frequent Urination

If you find visiting the restroom more frequently, you may want to confirm if you are pregnant or at the onset of your periods.  This may happen after a fortnight or just a week after conception because your kidneys are preparing to excrete toxins and waste from your blood in preparation for the baby on board.  The increasing size of the uterus also exerts more pressure on the bladder leading to an urge to pee more frequently.

Increased BBT

BBT refers to basal body temperature. It typically increases due to increase progesterone levels during pregnancy and when ovulating. Your basal body temperature is supposed to drop naturally when you have your periods. If your temperature remains up thereafter eighteen days post ovulation, then you may want to confirm if you are expecting.