1. Feeling tired
Hormonal changes in early pregnancy can leave you feeling extremely tired.1 Although exhaustion can definitely make life feel more difficult, it won't cause harm to you or your baby.
What can help: The best thing you can do is try to put your feet up as much as possible. Maybe even take a nap when you can. And the good news is, most women find their energy levels start to return at the beginning of the second trimester.
2. Change in taste and smell
A more sensitive sense of smell and a strange metallic taste are common early signs of pregnancy. Fortunately, they’re temporary changes and will pass.
What can help: Try to avoid strong smells, especially those that make any nausea you’re experiencing worse.
3. Changes to your breasts
One of the signs of early stage of pregnancy is breast tenderness. As your body starts to adapt to new hormone levels, the glands inside the breast begin to grow and prepare for milk production. As a result, they may become bigger and feel sensitive. You may also notice your veins are more pronounced, your nipples may get darker and don’t be surprised if you get a tingling sensation in this area too.2,3
What can help: With all the changes to your breasts you’re likely to find your old bras become a little snug. Investing in a well-fitting bra can help you feel more comfortable.
4. Constipation
Even very early in pregnancy, increased levels of the hormone progesterone can cause food to pass through your intestines slower. This may lead to constipation.4
What can help: Take a walk, do regular exercise and drink water to stay hydrated. Eating plenty of high-fibre foods could also help regulate bowel movements.
5. Peeing more
More frequent urination can happen throughout pregnancy, starting for many mums-to-be in the early weeks after conception.5 This is down to your kidneys going into overdrive to produce more urine, as an efficient way to flush waste from your body more promptly. Later in pregnancy your baby pressing on your bladder is a more likely cause of your frequent night-time toilet trips.
What can help: To lessen your need to pee overnight, try drinking less in the late evening and drink more fluids during the day.
6. Nausea or sickness
Morning sickness is a classic symptom of early pregnancy. But it’s not a rite of passage for every mum-to-be. It also doesn’t happen exclusively in the hours before midday. Unfortunately, for some women it can be an all-day occurrence that can linger for many weeks. Although the cause of morning sickness isn’t completely clear, a sudden rise in hormones may be the likely culprit.6,7
What can help: Try eating small, frequent meals consisting of plain foods such as bread, pasta, rice, and crackers. And sip regularly on water..
7. Food aversions and cravings
While certain food smells will make your nausea worse, you may find yourself obsessively hankering after foods you’ve previously been ambivalent to.8
What can help: Make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need by eating a healthy, balanced diet.