Common Symptoms Experienced by Pregnant Women
Pregnancy symptoms can vary significantly from woman to woman. Common symptoms include:¹
1. Nausea and Vomiting²
This symptom may begin between 2 to 8 weeks after conception and can persist throughout the pregnancy. Up to 70 percent of expectant mothers experience nausea at some point during early pregnancy. Often referred to as "morning sickness," it can occur at any time during the day.
2. Feel hot
Pregnant women often feel hotter due to several factors:
• Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormones can lead to hot flashes.³
• Increased Blood Volume: The body circulates more blood to nourish the baby, causing blood vessels to dilate and bringing blood closer to the skin's surface.⁴
• Harder-Working Heart: The heart works harder to support the developing baby.⁴
3. Mood Swings⁵
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to sharp mood swings, which may begin as early as a few weeks after conception.
4. Frequent Urination⁶
As the uterus expands to accommodate the growing baby, it exerts pressure on the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles. Dr. Lauren Cadish, a urogynecologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, explains, “The pregnant uterus compresses the bladder, limiting its ability to expand fully. There’s simply not as much room for the bladder in the pelvis.”
5. And More
Citations
1. Information from the website of NIH. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/signs
2. American Pregnancy Association. Nausea During Pregnancy, from https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/are-you-pregnant/pregnancy-signs-symptoms/
3. Rebecca C Thurston, James F Luther, Stephen R Wisniewski, Heather Eng, Katherine L Wisner. Prospective Evaluation of Hot Flashes during Pregnancy and Postpartum. Fertil Steril. 2013 Sep 12;100(6):1667–1672. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.08.020
4. UnityPoint Health. 10 Things No One Expects During a Summer Pregnancy, from https://www.unitypoint.org/news-and-articles/10-things-no-one-expects-during-a-summer-pregnancy#:~:text=Pregnant%20women%20have%20an%20increased,causes%20you%20to%20feel%20warmer.
5. American Pregnancy Association. Mood swings during pregnancy. from https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/mood-swings-during-pregnancy/
6. MedicalNewsToday. The causes of frequent urination during pregnancy and what to do. From https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/frequent-urination-during-pregnancy