When Your Pregnant Do Stomach Moves Up and Down Is That the Baby's Heartbeat

There are an astonishing number of very early signs that you might be pregnant, then we've compiled the most common symptoms by talking to fertility experts, midwives and obstetricians, analysing the latest scientific research – and asking hundreds of mums and mums-to-be direct and in our forums.

"Symptoms of early pregnancy range from the more obvious – such as a positive early on pregnancy test – to the lesser-known – such as foreign tastes and bloating," says Dr Amin Gorgy, fertility consultant and co-managing director of the The Fertility & Gynaecology Academy.

"The verbal symptoms – and the severity of them – will be different for everyone but there are certainly a large number of early signs of pregnancy that are worth looking out for."

The main signs broadly autumn into 11 main categories, each affecting different physical areas of your body (such as your breasts, your head or your tummy) or different emotions you may exist feeling.

Before we start, though, a piddling word of circumspection: some of these early pregnancy symptoms are tantalisingly similar to those you become when you're pre-menstrual or when you're having your period – which means information technology can exist tough to tell whether your body's actually telling you you're significant or not.

Hither is our list of the 41 primeval and nearly common symptoms and signs of pregnancy…

YOUR BREASTS

ane. Sore, sensitive, heavy boobs

Soreness or tenderness in your breasts can be one of the very earliest pregnancy symptoms. "Changes to the breasts tin can actually start as early on as i to 2 weeks afterwards conception," says Dr Larisa Corda, obstetrician, gynaecologist and IVF consultant. "Pregnancy hormones can make breasts swollen and sore. Or they may experience heavier or fuller or more tender to touch."

Information technology's certainly a symptom many of the mums on our forum recognise. "I started getting really sore boobs and sore nipples 7 to 10 days after my last period finished," says DemWatson. "I thought it was due to my period because I was also experiencing cramping. I took a pregnancy test around 2 weeks later and it was positive!"

"I tested considering I had really sore boobs," adds ErinDsoontobeB. "They were that sore, I had to clothing a bra in the bath!"

Breasts feeling sore? Notice out more – including tips to assist save the hurting

2. Veiny boobs

This is ane of the early on pregnancy signs BabyC2017 picked up on. "My boobs are SO veiny," she said. "They are usually large only the veins are never prominent. Now I tin clearly meet them – similar someone drew on me in blue pen!"

"Yeah, the veins in your breasts may expect more than pronounced," confirms Ellie Cockburn, a midwife at the world-famous The Portland Hospital. "This will be due to the claret flow to the breasts increasing."

For Jo1311, her veiny boobs were definitely a sign of positive news: "I got veins on my boobs and my nipples changed colour. I tested and got a BFP [Big Fat Positive exam result]."

three. Tender, tingly, darker, more 'sticky out' nipples

Your nipples may also alter significantly during the early weeks of pregnancy. "Your nipples may begin to ache, tingle or beetle more than usual," says midwife Ellie. "The areoles – the dark circle around your nipple – may also become even darker and larger."

Tender nipples were the first sign for Tamarabell on our forum. "I started to get a feeling I was pregnant most 1.5 weeks before I was due on, so pretty early," she says. "I had actually tender nipples and sort of collywobbles in my tummy for a few days. My test came up positive the calendar week before I was due. The md didn't believe it and made me practice another one. I but sort of knew that something was different!"

"Who'd have thought nosotros'd ever get excited almost sore/dark nipples!" adds lynz_81, who's been pregnant before. "Exist warned: they will only become bigger and darker now!"

YOUR TUMMY

four. Late or missed period

Beingness late or missing your monthly period is the most well-known early sign of pregnancy – and for 1 in 3 women, says the American Pregnancy Association, a missed period is still their 1st pregnancy symptom.

There are plenty of other symptoms in our list that you may find earlier y'all miss your period only, every bit Dr Larisa Corda says, "this is the one that prompts about women to go a pregnancy test.

"Be warned though that non all missed or delayed periods mean you're pregnant. Sometimes weight changes, hormone bug, stress or recently coming off contraception tin touch on your periods and maybe lead to you missing a period or having a delayed period."

And of course, for many of us, late and irregular periods can exist the norm – which is why information technology's useful to know other symptoms.

Saying all that, if your menses is unusually late, it'south time to take a pregnancy test.

Find out how early you tin can take a pregnancy test
Tardily period just negative pregnancy test? Why y'all could actually exist pregnant

5. Feeling a bit sick

Probably the nigh talked-well-nigh symptom is, of course, morning sickness. You can actually beginning feeling queasy from as early every bit 2 weeks of pregnancy, due to changes with your hormones.

That's certainly what happened to mamapink on our forum: "The showtime symptom I had was starting to feel slightly travel sick when in the car or on the passenger vehicle."

Not every pregnant woman feels sick, and non every significant women who feels sick actually throws upwardly. "But about 9 in 10 women will either suffer from vomiting or nausea, and this tends to last until about 12 weeks," says Rachel Heathcock, an antenatal teacher at the NCT.

At that place is no conclusive inquiry explaining to why morn sickness happens just, says Dr Amin Gorgy, "it is widely considered to be brought on by the sudden increase of hormone levels in your torso – specifically the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) – that are required to develop the placenta."

"And despite its proper noun," adds Dr Amin, "morn sickness isn't exclusively confined to the morn. It can strike at any time of the day or dark."

"I had morning sickness very early on, at about 3 weeks," says Bride-carly-barley, "and my tastes changed. I couldn't eat anything potent-tasting and the scent of my husband making his forenoon coffee made me want to be sick!"

To combat the sickness Dr Amin advises eating lilliputian and often. "And ensure you go on up fluid intake. In extreme cases, anti-sickness medication tin be prescribed."

Find out more than nearly when morn sickness starts and how long it lasts

6. Spotting or light bleeding

It's not unusual at all to have light spotting or haemorrhage in early on pregnancy – in fact, it can occur in around 20% of pregnancies.

Dr Larisa explains the science backside it: "This is 1 of the earliest signs of pregnancy and is usually associated with 'implantation bleeding' – when the fertilized egg or embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus. The embryo unremarkably implants between vi to 12 days later conception.

"Not all women volition go spotting though, and then don't worry – it's non a reflection of how successful the implantation has been!"

Forum mum xFran82x says she had implantation haemorrhage eight days after ovulating. "I had some watery pinkish discharge when I wiped a few times," she says, "and and then institute 2 dots of brown claret on my pants. I tested the next afternoon and got a faint positive result."

And it was like for BabyGirlsMummy: "I had a regular 28 day cycle and the implantation haemorrhage was nearly a week before I'd take expected my period. Mine was some pink cervical mucus for a couple of days – enough that I needed a panty liner."

If you lot do drain, our skillful say you should definitely get annihilation unusual checked out by your md. "In about cases, spotting is nothing to worry about," says Dr Amin, "but information technology can exist a sign of something more than serious like an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. If yous experience any bleeding that's non normal for you, seek immediate medical attending."

Got some spotting? Find out how long it can last

7. Period-similar pains

This is a disruptive symptom, as it can happen exactly around the time that you would expect your regular period pains. If y'all're hoping you might be meaning and then start feeling menstrual-type cramps, this may be a sign of pregnancy rather than your period. Nevertheless, information technology's 1 of the less common symptoms.

"These can often happen with spotting – are are also the effect of the embryo planting into the wall of the womb," explains midwife Ellie Cockburn.

Forum mum firsttimemum88 felt these pains at 5 weeks. "I'yard having pains like I do on my menses," she said. "I found everyone says it'southward normal. A hot camomile tea helps."

eight. Stomach cramps

Rather than menstruation-way pains, some women feel a chip of tum cramping. This may be due to your ligaments starting to stretch as your uterus (womb) starts to alter shape.

"At effectually a week subsequently I would have ovulated, I got precipitous tummy pains similar a stabbing pain," describes forum mum gsmummy55. "Around the fourth dimension of my missed menses, I felt tired, with cramps, and needed the loo more. And a week after that, I started being sick!""

Find out more than well-nigh cramps in early pregnancy

9. Tummy twinges, pulling and pinching

These are some of the terms our mums use in our forum when describing the sometimes curious feelings many of us have in our stomachs in early on pregnancy.

It might feel like your muscles are being stretched or fifty-fifty pinched from within, and tin seem to be on either side, as forum mum Louis2 who is 5 weeks meaning, describes."For the by few days," she says, "I accept been having a few lower abdominal twinges, often on one side, but occasionally on the other."

"I had abdominal twinges at approx v weeks and panicked," addsxxmrsjohnstonexx. "But the doctor said it was just everything stretching and changing and non to worry."

10. Bloating

"Bloating is a lesser known pregnancy symptom just it definitely can occur," says Dr Amin. And, if you lot find you lot've got a bloat bump way before any kind of infant bump, it's probably all down to pregnancy levels of the hormone progesterone.

"Progesterone can cause bloating by assuasive the smooth muscle in the walls of the bowel to relax," explains obstetrician Dr Claire Hein. "Hormones often accept several effects – some of them less desirable than others!"

"I had bad bloating in the 1st trimester," recalls forum mum Kelmo. "I could hands pull off looking 5 months but it did ease around 12 weeks."

Pinpoint the foods that are pregnancy bloat villains

YOUR Trunk 'Down THERE'

11. Needing the loo more than often

If you're meaning, the loo may become your new all-time friend over the next few months. One Taiwanese study found that 'urinary frequency' – aka needing to pee a lot – affects 77% of pregnant women.

At the very beginning of pregnancy, it's non the pressure of your growing baby on your bladder that's causing you lot to wee a lot (that item pleasance comes later!). Instead, it's pregnancy increasing the blood menstruum to your kidneys past 35% to 60% – and because it's the kidneys job to produce urine, that means more urine collecting in your float.

As mum-to-be lunar eclipse says on our forum, information technology can get a bit much, especially at night. "I'one thousand 5 weeks and peeing at to the lowest degree three to 4 times every nighttime. I've non got a decent sleep for virtually a week at present. It surely tin't get worse – I'll be sleeping on the toilet!"

Peed off with peeing? What'southward normal in pregnancy – and what yous tin can do nigh it

12. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Confusingly, frequent trips to the loo can too be a sign of a urinary or bladder infection. And even more confusingly, both can be more likely when you're pregnant due to your changing hormones.

"Reduced immunity during pregnancy, even in the early stages, can be responsible for an increased susceptibility to urinary tract infections," explains midwife Ellie Cockburn.

Common signs of a UTI include stinging when yous wee, sharp, depression abdominal pain and, sometimes, a little blood in your wee. You should come across your GP if you notice any of them but information technology'due south not something to worry about considering information technology's easily treated – as forum num Chloe123 says: "I had several UTIs throughout early pregnancy. They are very common. The sooner yous get a wee sample to your GP, the better so then they can treat you for it."

Why it's important to treat a UTI when you're meaning

thirteen. Trapped air current

Not as funny as it sounds. In fact, non funny at all – trapped wind tin give you a painful swollen feeling in your stomach or under your ribs, even in very early pregnancy.

"Shifting hormones during the start trimester tin can interfere with normal digestion, causing trapped air current," explains midwife Ellie.

Over on our forum, mum-to-be Charmed was admittedly not overjoyed by her trapped-air current symptoms. "I suffered terribly with this for virtually 2 weeks," she says. "It was agony one dark and I thought it must be a test to meet how I might cope with contractions!"

Of form, trapped wind tin can also become passed wind, as in farting and burping, which can make you feel better subsequently – but may not be appreciated much past those close by!

There she blows! How to avoid and salve trapped wind in pregnancy

fourteen. Constipation

Been regular and of a sudden gone on a poo-no-bear witness? "Constipation is a side effect of the increment in progesterone in your trunk, which relaxes the bowel walls and tin make it harder to poo," explains midwife Ellie.

Equally with constipation when you're non pregnant, the solution is usually simply eating more fibre, fruit and veg and keeping your h2o intake up.

Bunged up? Find out which foods to swallow and which to avert

fifteen. Diarrhoea

Yes, the pregnancy gods have a humor! If you lot're not constipated, you might have the runs instead. This tin happen at any indicate in pregnancy, but is one of the symptoms several of our forum mums singled out equally something they had in the first few weeks.

This time, though, we can't blame our friendly pregnancy hormone progesterone.

"It's actually more likely to be a side-result of picking up a tummy problems due to reduced immunity during pregnancy," says midwife Ellie.

For HappyMrsS on our forum, certain foods caused the problem. "I worked out that there were certain foods that would crusade it more than others," she says. "Chinese nutrient went straight through me and anything that was quite rich did the same. It stopped at around x weeks I remember."

Neenawneenaw agrees: "I had diarrhoea through the 1st trimester which really freaked me out, as unremarkably I accept IBS with constipation. But it was fine, and of course had no ill outcome on the baby."

Stop the trots: what to endeavour when you're pregnant

16. Change in cervical mucus

Some of our forum mums discover their cervical fungus changes – and they seem to take more fungus than usual.

In very early pregnancy, your mucus may seem to be thinnish and slippery for longer than usual (its texture changes across your normal monthly cycle) and information technology will and then thicken due to the increase in progesterone.

For forum mum Blue_Gecko, this thickened mucus was 1 of the clearest early signs she was pregnant. "The cervical mucus was creamy and quite heavy," she recalls. "It felt quite moist downwardly at that place."

Cervical mucus is usually a pale white/yellow color but don't worry if you meet a chocolate-brown discharge: this is also common. Information technology's normally harmless, but if you're worried, have a conversation with your GP.

17. Thrush

Thrush is another pregnancy symptom that is affected by the increasing level of the hormone progesterone – and enquiry reported in the American Periodical of Obstetrics and Gynaecology suggests that, during pregnancy, women are twice as probable to develop thrush than at any other stage in their life.

A sign of thrush can exist increased or thicker cervical mucus – just this is likewise a sign of early pregnancy, and so permission to be confused! Thrush does take other symptoms, too, though, including itchiness and soreness, and perhaps a stinging sensation when you wee.

On our forum, CupcakeLadyJ is a sufferer. "I am just 4 weeks and I have got thrush," she says. "It feels uncomfortable more itchy – like a niggle I can feel down below!"

Check which anti-thrush medication is safe to accept

YOUR SLEEP

18. Tiredness

From feeling a bit rundown to experiencing complete fatigue (here at MFM we telephone call it 'pregxhaustion'), unusual tiredness can be a very early sign that you're pregnant.

"Extreme tiredness often comes as a shock but is a completely normal symptom of early pregnancy," says Dr Amin Gorgy. "During the 1st trimester, your body's hormone levels skyrocket and the rise in progesterone can really have a significant affect on how you experience. Feeling tired is a sign that yous need to irksome down and residue up."

Forum mumhoped-for Yummymummyalli found the exhaustion hits her about at the start of the twenty-four hours and when she'south finished piece of work. "I am wearied when I wake upwards," she says, "merely sort myself out by the time I get to piece of work. Then past 7pm I'1000 tired once again. I've been going to bed i or 2 hours earlier than usual."

Combat pregxhaustion: midwife tips that aid

19. Sleeplessness

If it's not tiredness you're feeling, then maybe it's the opposite and you but tin can't become to slumber in the first place. The cause? Yep, experts believe it's changes in our hormones (those hormones take a LOT to respond for).

For poor forum mum-to-be EvelynsMummy6390 indisposition has been really quite debilitating. "My starting time hint of existence pregnant was that I just couldn't sleep one night," she says. "Right now it's by 4am and I've been in bed since about 9pm as I was and so tired. Slept an hour and PING! awake and can't get comfy."

Meanwhile Lauri27 says she initially blamed her insomnia on anxiety and excitement at finding out she was pregnant. "I am 4 weeks and only simply found out I was pregnant," she says. "I haven't been able to sleep for the last two nights and thought I was simply nervous. I didn't know this was a matter!"

20. Vivid dreams

"Some just-significant women mention experiencing foreign or unusually vivid dreams," says midwife Ellie Cockburn. "This is not and then much a symptom of pregnancy as information technology is of all the emotions and natural anxiety around becoming a parent."

And equally some of our forum mums share, the dreams really can exist unusual!

"I dreamt I bought my older daughter a infant goat, as there is a little greyness one at our local open subcontract that she absolutely adores. But it was white and I was so worried that she wouldn't similar it, I woke up crying!" says iii-little-princesses.

One of Critters-Mum-Claire-21 was particularly brilliant: "I dreamt final night I had a iv ft 11in baby and the only thing I could get to fit him was a scarlet velour jumpsuit!"

Find out what your pregnancy dreams might mean

YOUR Head

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21. Headaches

"Headaches can certainly be an early sign of pregnancy," says Dr Larisa Corda. Although more common during the latter part of your first trimester and then into your second, she says headaches can starting time earlier and are (you lot guessed it!) due to the alter in hormones in your body.

For forum mum RedBrown28, they were definitely at that place at the get-go. "I had headaches for most a month in early pregnancy," she says. "It was a nightmare equally I normally never go headaches. Thankfully they did pass and, by about 15 to xvi weeks, they were nowhere to be seen."

"They were torture," agrees Happy-Mrs-S. "I phoned my midwife in tears. She told me that they are very common in early pregnancy and caused by all the hormones. She told me to make certain I drank equally much as I possibly could and, as information technology was summer, I tried to get extra liquids from eating lots of melon and water ice lollies, also."

Check out which headache painkiller is safe to accept in pregnancy

22. Feeling light-headed

Dizziness and feeling faint is more unremarkably reported as a 2nd and tertiary trimester symptom just information technology's definitely not unknown as an early-pregnancy sign – and for forum mum Supersquish it was the clincher.

"I was queuing in Primark," she says, "and felt faint all of a sudden, and it suddenly hit me! I remember thinking, 'Oh my God!' and dropping my items and running to Boots for a test! I knew it was going to be positive."

And information technology was!

Is that faint feeling a lack of iron?

YOUR MUSCLES & JOINTS

23. Backache

Back pain, particularly in your lower back, is an early symptom pinpointed by several of our mums – even correct at the showtime of pregnancy.

"I had lower backache almost a calendar week before my period was due," says forum mum-t0-exist xlittlemissx.

"It is caused by ligaments in the body becoming softer and stretching, which tin put a lot of strain on the lower back," explains midwife Ellie.

"In addition," says Dr Larisa, "constipation, which is common in early on pregnancy because of the effect of pregnancy hormones on the gut, can also cause backache too."

Forum mumhoped-for nikkiandneil was suprised to get early backache. "'I'm merely five weeks!" she says. "I have been having backache every 24-hour interval for the last week and a half. It ordinarily eases off if I move nigh, though."

Read the best mum tips for soothing agonized pregnancy backs

24. Achy hips, legs and artillery

Yep, it's not merely your back – your hips, legs and even arms may likewise ache at different times during early pregnancy due to hormone changes.

"Yesterday I had a achey left leg and an achey right arm and I was similar, 'Am I falling to pieces?' And then this morn I got a BFP [Big Fat Positive exam]. At least I know why!" says Sparkling_DiamondButton.

"Yep," says Dr Larisa. 'It's those pregnancy hormones loosening up your ligaments and joints to ready for all-around your growing babe."

25. Leg cramps

Studies, such as this 2006 i in the Journal of Reproduction & Infertility, advise that between a third and a half of pregnant women experience leg cramps in pregnancy – although usually not until they're well into their tertiary trimester.

Early on cramping does happen but it's not oftentimes every bit severe as the cramping yous may experience subsequently on (there'south something to await forward to!)

They are plenty of theories equally to why leg cramps happen in pregnancy – from vitamin deficiencies to electrolyte imbalances – but no one's come up up with the definitive answer yet.

Hop? Stand on a cold floor? Best tips for relieving leg cramps

YOUR Rima oris

26. Sour or metallic taste

Forum mum sealeyB says she had a "really metallic sense of taste" in her rima oris very soon afterwards ovulation and "information technology didn't become for 2 weeks". And she's definitely not alone in experiencing this early pregnancy symptom.

"Experiencing foreign tastes, known as dysgeusia, is one of the bottom-known but actually quite common early pregnancy signs," says Dr. Amin Gorgy. And, one time over again, pregnancy hormones are the culprit.

The metallic gustation symptom tin vary in its intensity merely information technology'southward definitely sour. "It'due south equally if I have sucked 2p pieces!" says forum mum-to-be Deli3.

Could there be other reasons why you lot have a foreign sense of taste in your mouth?

27. Nutrient tasting 'wrong'

Dysgeusia tin can bear upon yous in early on pregnancy is other ways – going off previously favourite foods and drinks considering they don't taste 'right' any more than.

"My first sympton was an aversion to Diet Coke which I normally love! Information technology just seemed to taste funny," says forum mum-to-be Hushpuppy.

"I had a trouble with java," recalled fellow forum mum bev6. "Information technology tasted stronger, if not bitter, and I could not drink information technology. I besides had a horrible motion picture in my mouth that I could not get rid of – it lasted for weeks"

28. Excess saliva

Another weird one – y'all may discover yous have more than saliva in your oral cavity or observe a bit of drooling when you fall asleep!

The medical term for this one is 'ptyalism' and experts believe information technology happens because your body knows it is pregnant and the nerves that control salivation are more than stimulated than usual.

29. Dry mouth

Then once more, you may get the opposite to excess saliva: a dry mouth. And, forth with that, yous may find you lot're more thirsty than usual, which is normal simply, very occasionally, can be a sign of gestational diabetes.

When mum ILOVECUPCAK3S discovered she was significant – very early on – dry oral fissure was one of the many symptoms she experienced. "I had headaches, actually spotty skin, depression, mild flow-similar pain, restless slumber, dry rima oris, hot flushes, tiredness, crying all the time, sore boobs and major bloatedness." Nearly a total business firm there, ILOVECUPCAK3S!

30. Haemorrhage gums

Not a pretty symptom but, from fairly early on in pregnancy, when you brush your teeth, you may find a scrap of blood on your toothbrush or in the sink when you spit out.

This is all due to a combo of pregnancy hormones and more blood pumping around your body, making your gums corking.

Only even if it'southward uncomfortable, it's all-time to brush your teeth more, not less according to the experts. "Many people think they should terminate brushing if they accept bleeding gums just this isn't the example," says Janet Clarke from the British Dental Association. "Castor more than and make an date to see your dentist about it,"

What you should know about looking subsequently your teeth in pregnancy

YOUR Olfactory organ

31. Increased sensitivity to smells

This is a big early sign for lots of our forum mums. Can you suddenly smell damp? Does your pet have a new whiff most them? And have you lot started thinking your partner could exercise with a good wash and a splash of cologne?

Oh yeah, your sense of smell may be so heightened that you tin can smell things that you didn't even know had a odor, as MadForNO5 experienced: "Vii days after ovulating, I started to get a strong sense of aroma. I could smell admittedly everything!"

The downside? The slightest olfactory property can make you lot feel queasy.

32. Stuffy or runny olfactory organ

"I have a runny nose and I'thou sneezing a lot. Information technology started a week earlier my period was due and I'one thousand 5 weeks now," says forum mum-tone jumpingzebra.

Merely anouska-b has the opposite problem. "I've had a stuffy nose all the fashion through, starting right from the get-go. I've go ane of those annoying people who breathe actually loudly!"

Sounds contradictory until you realise that the main culprit here is your pregnancy levels of the hormone oestrogen, which tin increase mucus production. Pass the tissues…

Are Vicks and Sudafed decongestants safe to take during pregnancy?

33. Nosebleeds

It doesn't become more glamorous than this early on sign: blood dripping from your nose. Information technology happens quite commonly in pregnancy, from early on till quite late, because the blood vessels in your nose aggrandize when y'all're meaning, putting more than pressure on the fragile vessels in your nasal passages.

"My nosebleeds started as soon every bit I got pregnant (although I didn't know I was at the time) and I get them quite desperately," says forum mum kelsy1978. "My midwife suggested I carry a modest canteen of Lucozade with me at all times and so that, afterwards the nosebleed, information technology gives me a little choice me upwards. "

Notice out the best way to stop a nosebleed when you're pregnant

YOUR DIGESTION & Appetite

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34. Not hungry

In those 1st few weeks of pregnancy, your ambition may be affected. Many of our forum mums-to-be institute they were suddenly less hungry than before – either because they were feeling queasy or because their normal hunger just wasn't in that location.

That's how it was for ClaireHair: "I'm off nutrient," she said. "Not much appetite. I just have to eat what I fancy [when I do feel hungry]. Saturday nighttime, that was chips, curry sauce and deep-fried chilli beef from the Chinese!"

35. More than hungry or more thirsty

While some mumshoped-for all of a sudden tin can't comport the thought of eating, others suddenly find they're and then ravenous, eating is all they can think almost.

For forum mum MsDodger, her ambition went through the roof. "I eat a lot normally but this it was a massive spring," she says. "I could not (and still cannot) cease snacking all twenty-four hour period and eating large meals."

And this ravenous urge tin utilise to drinking as well, as eating, as bleurgh discovered. "Thirst! I wondered how much I could actually potable before drowning myself. Even my hubby said he nearly asked if I was drinking for ii earlier I tested."

36. Not sure if hungry or sick

Oh love, our appetite really can be a bit of a rollercoaster in early pregnancy. It tin can exist a disruptive time when you're non certain if you lot're feeling ill because you need to eat or y'all're feeling sick because yous've got morning sickness and eating volition make it worse.

Forum mum-to-be katie4matthew sums it all up when she says, "I tin can't tell the divergence between feeling sick and hungry at the moment. I'k and then confused!"

37. Heartburn

Ouch. While heartburn is a very frequent mid to belatedly-pregnancy symptom, we know from our forum posts that some mums-to-be experience it in the early weeks of pregnancy, as well.

Indeed, for MissTysonMayer, it was 1 of the very first signs that she was pregnant. "I felt dissimilar from what would of been effectually iii weeks," she says. "Had a bad stomach and felt ill, heartburn, headaches. The lot. Then I tested the next week when I was due and information technology was positive!"

And then what's going on? "In pregnancy, the sphincter at the top of your stomach relaxes, allowing breadbasket acid to rising upwardly into your oesophagus," explains family GP Dr Philippa Kaye.

Tin can yous take antacids, like Gaviscon, when y'all're significant?

YOUR Peel

38. Spots and acne

Remember those outbreaks that peppered your teens? Well, they could exist back at present y'all're pregnant. Given the hormonal changes in early pregnancy, it'southward no surprise that i of the commencement signs can be an eruption of spots – as if we don't have enough else to cope with!

"When I got significant, the kickoff symptoms were that I got little bumpy spots on my brow a few days earlier my period was due," forum mum mama pinkish says.

"Yes, for many meaning women, the hormone progesterone can cause a flare upwardly of the teenage acne that y'all idea you'd ditched years ago," explains GP and homeopath Dr Jeni Worden. "Essential as information technology is, progesterone is to arraign for many of pregnancy'south less desirable effects."

In a bad spot? What you lot can do if y'all have a breakout

39. Hot flushes

Some of our forum mum-to-be say they have felt that rising heat creeping upward on your pare during early pregnancy and so it might but be a sign that there is expert news on the way.

It's well known, as the NHS Pregnancy & Infant Guide confirms, that hormonal changes and an increase in blood supply to the peel tin can mean your basal temperature (your normal resting body temperature) is higher than normal. And Us researchers from the Academy of Pittsburgh have institute that hot flushes affect just over a third of mums-to-exist at some stage in their pregnancy.

For Tullah on our forum, hot flushes affected her from as early as 5 weeks' pregnant: "I'one thousand normally always cold just accept been really hot especially in bed," she says. "Yesterday I was walking nearly the shops and had to accept a sit down, I was and then hot. My stomach seems to be very hot, besides!"

Cool facts on hot flushes in pregnancy

YOUR EMOTIONS

40. Oversensitivity, grumpiness, tearfulness

Tin't picket Bake Off without vehement upwardly? Find niggly things have become super niggly? Your emotions are heightened in the early days of pregnancy and the result tin be sudden and surprising mood swings.

"Your body is producing hormones at levels you've never experienced before and they're whizzing round your system similar wildfire," says independent midwife Eleanor May-Johnson of Neighbourhood Midwives.

Which would explain why forum mumhoped-for racheltidy is finding herself flying off the handle at annihilation and everything: "I am 5 weeks pregnant. I'g ordinarily a chilled-out person. However, the last few days I have turned into the devil! I just want to shout at everyone!"

Up and down? Find out what mood swings are normal

41. Feeling dissimilar

Finally, sometimes there's not a specific 'matter' that's different, it'southward simply yous don't feel quite, well, the same. Pregnancy can work in mysterious means, and sometimes you just accept a gut feeling that you've conceived.

Obviously, in that location are no scientific studies to substantiate that 'feeling' pregnant could, in any way, mean you are pregnant just this, from ace10 on our forum, is not the only post we've seen similar this:

"I am half-dozen days past ovulation and today I simply can not shake the feeling that I am pregnant. It'due south like something in me is telling me I am? Its very strange."

And so, a week afterward, she comes dorsum to add: "Well I judge my feeling was spot on considering I got my Big Fat Positive [test result]. I tested today and the line came upward pretty much directly away. Nosotros are so happy!"

And so peradventure there'southward something in it…

And then, I've got some of these symptoms. Am I definitely meaning?

Frustratingly, as we've already explained, many of the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy we've details above are the same as, or can be easily dislocated with, the signs and symptoms of PMS or the signs and symptoms that your menstruation'southward on its mode.

Some of the signs – nausea, breast tenderness, mood swings, and a frequent demand to wee – are, anecdotally, more common signs of pregnancy than others. Merely yous could exist significant without experiencing whatever of them. And you may non be pregnant even if y'all experience them all.

"Nosotros will all experience the first signs of pregnancy in completely different ways," says Dr Amin Gorgy. "There is no specific fashion that you lot 'should' feel. We are all individuals."

Equally wise forum mum gazsgirl says, "Anybody is different and most symptoms are and so like period ones, it's ever hard to know until you run across the line."

Fourth dimension to take a test if yous haven't already…

About our fertility expert Dr Amin Gorgy

Dr Gorgy co-founded The Fertility & Gynaecology University in 2004 and is now its co-director. Previously, he was the deputy managing director of the Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre. He is a swain of the Regal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (2006) and a member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.

About our expert obstetrician Dr Larisa Corda

Dr Corda is an obstetrician and gynaecologist who specialises in IVF. After working in Sydney at IVF Commonwealth of australia (2012-13), s he returned to the UK and was awarded membership of the Royal Higher of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. She now works as a gynaecologist and IVF consultant and is likewise Fertility Expert for ITV'south This Morning time testify.