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If you are actively trying to conceive you probably know there is generally a two week waiting period from ovulation before you are supposed to start testing for pregnancy. Pfft…who wants to wait that long? When I was trying to conceive I would start taking pregnancy tests as soon as could. I knew that a fertilized egg could implant around 7-9 days past ovulation so I would start testing around that time frame. The earliest I have seen a positive pregnancy test was with my youngest son. I got a big fat positive at 9 dpo. I was just so eager to see a BFP!
Testing early and wanting to be pregnant so bad allowed me to observe various early pregnancy signs. Be forewarned some of the following may be TMI for the faint hearted so you may want to check out now.
- Lower back pain. With most of my pregnancies (I’ve had 4) I’ve noticed lower back pain early on. Usually right above my buttocks.
- Headaches. Probably from the new hormones flowing through my body!?
- Erect nipples. I thought it was strange that my nipples were always hard all of a sudden considering they are not usually like that. Took a test, and yep I was expecting my first son.
- Tender breasts. I was on progesterone which can also cause this as well but ouch!
- Nosebleeds. Ah, the fun of increased blood flow.
- Dizziness/light-headed. I would randomly get light headed and dizzy. You know that whoa feeling when you stand up too fast? I guess blood was needed elsewhere.
- Lactating feeling. This is a strange symptom to describe but if this isn’t your first pregnancy you know what this feeling feels like. All I can say is that I started feeling a lactating letdown feeling and I wasn’t breastfeeding at the time. I thought it was strange but then I thought, hey, maybe it’s a pregnancy sign. Sure enough, I got a BFP that day!
- Darker areolas. Boy, did the area around my nipples get darker (and bigger later on). Babies need their target practice!
- Taste changes. My husband and I were eating out at a restaurant that I normally love. This time, however, the rolls tasted like soap. Yes, soap! Then later that week mint chocolate chip ice cream tasted like soap too. My husband thought I was so weird! Found out I was pregnant a few days later.
- Increased temper. Things that never bothered me before would just drive me crazy. One time I was babysitting a couple kids while watching my own son. All of a sudden, I just couldn’t handle them just doing regular kid things. My temper scale got real short and touchy. I found out I was pregnant sometime that week.
When in doubt take a pregnancy test and consult your doctor.
What early pregnancy signs did you notice?
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
February 22, 2016 at 9:11 amI only knew because I was SO tired. That was a dead giveaway.
Krystle
February 26, 2016 at 11:20 amMy tiredness didn’t kick in for a couple weeks at least but then I was dead tired.
tara pittman
February 22, 2016 at 9:52 amCongrats on being pregnant. The only sign I had with my kids was being sick to my stomach.
Krystle
February 26, 2016 at 11:20 amI’m glad I didn’t have that one!
Barb
February 22, 2016 at 5:48 pmGreat information and I’m sure very helpful to those women trying to concieve! Wish info like this was around when I first got pregnant. It would have been very helpful
Heather
February 22, 2016 at 7:32 pmYeah, I remember waiting for my BFP! 5 Years later and we are done having kiddos. But what an exciting time it is!
Krystle
February 26, 2016 at 11:24 amIt was a very exciting time. Oh the ups and downs but it was all worth it 🙂
Elizabeth O.
February 22, 2016 at 7:45 pmWhen I had the twins, I didn’t have these symptoms, I just noticed my appetite got a lot bigger and I was eating double. Other than that, I just didn’t get any period and that’s it. I feel so lucky that I didn’t experience any morning sickness or dizziness.
Krystle
February 26, 2016 at 11:25 amI’m glad I didn’t get morning sickness either!
Ana De- Jesus
February 23, 2016 at 3:45 amThere are so many changes you go through when you are pregnant it can be quite difficult to cope but having a good support system definitely helps.
Krystle
February 26, 2016 at 11:26 amSo very true. A support system makes all the difference.
Lexie Lane
February 23, 2016 at 7:48 amThis is so helpful and interesting. Thank you for sharing!
Laci
February 23, 2016 at 8:14 amYes these are all dead on !!! And never plan to feel them again 🙂
Krystle
February 26, 2016 at 11:26 amHaha. I don’t think I do either.
Healing Tomato
February 24, 2016 at 11:42 amThese are very useful tips
Ana Fernandez
February 24, 2016 at 1:48 pmIt is amazing how your body tells you that you are about to start a new adventure!
Terri S
September 19, 2017 at 8:32 pmThis is very informative. Thank you for sharing your list of signs.
Makayla
January 1, 2018 at 6:02 pmI am 6 days late, had unprotected sex on December 10th and was supposed to start my period on the 27th. Never been late before. I’m having major emotional mood swings that usually signal my period. Such as crying a LOT and very impatient and irritated. Been getting bad headaches. Also my period signs. And period like cramping. Expected my period since I have all the other parts of it. But nothing yet. I’m also releasing a lot of watery discharge as of 2 days ago. I had to wear a pad yesterday cuz it leaked thru my pants. I may take a test today but I don’t want to see a negative. Any one every experience those symptoms with their pregnancies?
Krystle
January 5, 2018 at 5:05 pmHaving sex can cause those symptoms. Sex causes a flush of hormones and other things that can cause discharge, mood swings, and most certainly a late period. However, these symptoms CAN come along with pregnancy as well. Discharge can be caused by ovulating and can be normal if sexually active. I would always take a test to be sure.