Signs of pregnancy in the first or second week and after a missed period

A missed period does not always mean pregnancy. And if the test is negative, do not delay your visit to your obstetrician-gynecologist. Because menstrual irregularities are an alarming symptom that needs to be dealt with by a specialist. But first you need to understand when it's time to start worrying. Remember these numbers:

24–38 days (remember that the day the menstruation begins is considered the first day of the cycle). Less than 24 days or more than 38 is a reason for concern.

Menstruation should end in 8 days If bleeding continues longer than this period, you should immediately contact an antenatal clinic.

On what day after conception do signs of pregnancy appear?

The signs of an “interesting situation” are quite individual. Pregnancy without symptoms also occurs. Some women do not feel any changes in their body during the first few weeks. Knowing the signs of pregnancy is also important because similar symptoms may be caused by other conditions that require treatment. On what day after conception do signs of pregnancy appear? Their appearance is individual. One of the most significant signs is a delay in menstruation. However, even before this point, many women note characteristic “bells” signaling pregnancy. The first signs of pregnancy before a missed period:

1. A blood stain on underwear is usually caused by implantation bleeding and is considered one of the earliest signs. Implantation of the embryo into the uterus occurs 6-12 days after conception. Some women experience cramping pain in the abdomen during this period.
2. Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy. Nausea usually appears between the second and eighth weeks after conception. Nausea may be accompanied by vomiting. This unpleasant condition is most common during the first trimester, but some women experience nausea throughout their pregnancy.
3. Changes in the breasts can occur as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Since the blood supply to the breasts increases due to hormonal changes, they become swollen and sensitive, and the woman feels a tingling sensation around the nipples.
4. Fatigue is a typical symptom of pregnancy. Already in the first week after conception, many women complain of loss of strength.

The above are the signs of pregnancy in the first or second week.

Menstruation is affected by weight.

Very obese women will have irregular cycles. Such patients complain to the doctor about the need to frequently change pads. Their periods do not come according to the calendar and last longer than expected.

Or a completely different patient - a young girl diagnosed with anorexia. She wants to look slim and has lost all her fat tissue. As a result, the body has nothing to produce estrogens from, and menstruation stops altogether. As a rule, such patients have osteoporosis, dry mucous membranes (including the genitals), it is difficult for them to study and work, since it is difficult for them to remember any information.

Over the years, the reproductive system asks for rest. She usually gets tired by age 40. And then the cycle is no longer so regular, warns gynecologist-endocrinologist Victoria Kasyan . – But in some situations, menopause occurs at 30 years old. This feature is often passed on from mother to daughter. If a woman knows about a family problem, she will rush to have a child.

Feelings in the first days of pregnancy

A survey conducted by the American Pregnancy Association reported the following are the most common early signs of pregnancy:

• 29% of women surveyed reported delayed menstruation;
• 25% indicated that nausea was the first sign of pregnancy;
• 17% noted changes in the breasts;
• Although implantation bleeding is often considered the first sign of pregnancy, only 3% of women named it as the main one.

Sensations in the first days of pregnancy can manifest themselves in a change in taste preferences and an increased sense of smell. “I want a pickled cucumber, and immediately” or “Take away this fish, the smell makes me sick” are typical “whims” of pregnant women.

Unfortunately, things don't always go according to plan. Failures occur when the fertilized egg never reaches the uterus, but remains and develops in the fallopian tube or, being pushed out of it, attaches outside the tube. Signs of an early ectopic pregnancy depend on the site of attachment of the zygote. The main symptom is any pain in the lower abdomen. It usually occurs on one side and is associated with a change in body position. The time of onset of pain depends on the location of the fetus in the fallopian tube, but manifestations are usually observed already at 5-6 weeks of pregnancy. Cervical implantation can be painless for a long time, but it is characterized by prolonged bleeding.

Why is it so dangerous if menstruation occurs irregularly?

If the red days of the calendar do not come in the next month, then imbalances in the functioning of the reproductive system immediately occur, which causes serious problems for the entire woman’s body.

For example, can one with a high probability assume the likelihood of infertility and the problem of miscarriage of a future pregnancy if the patient’s corpus luteum is not functioning well, or there is insufficiency or dysfunction of the 2nd phase?

Uterine bleeding occurs, endometrial pathology appears (even cancer), if ovulation does not occur, there is no balanced change in the endometrium (uterine mucosa).

A doctor may suspect osteoporosis if follicles stop developing normally, which means that estrogens (female sex hormones) are poorly synthesized. However, receptors susceptible to them are found not only in bones, but also in hair, skin, vessel walls, brain, and mucous membranes. Therefore, all organs suffer from hormonal imbalance. This means that a woman’s solution to any health problem should begin in the gynecologist’s office. This will save effort, time and money.

Other signs of pregnancy

Many women, after unprotected intercourse, begin to use a pregnancy test almost daily. When will a pregnancy test show a positive result? The most important sign of pregnancy is the absence of regular menstruation. Other signs of pregnancy after a delay:

• darkening of the areolas around the nipples;
• Mood swings caused by hormonal changes. It is important to note that this is a normal phenomenon, however, if a woman is constantly depressed, then she needs the help of a specialist;
• dizziness, fainting;
• metallic taste in the mouth;
• frequent urge to urinate. From about the 6th week, a pregnant woman has to go to the toilet more often;
• swelling of the face, hands;
• changes in blood pressure;
• lower back pain;
• vaginal candidiasis (thrush of pregnant women);
• hypersalivation (increased secretion of saliva).

It should be noted that the symptoms of a false pregnancy are very similar to the signs of a real one. That is, the woman experiences the same sensations, but in fact she is not pregnant. The diagnosis is made through the results of ultrasound, ECG, and gynecological examination. In this rare psychophysical condition, consultation with a psychotherapist is necessary. Read more about false pregnancy on our website https://www.dobrobut.com.

Some women do not experience any signs of pregnancy in the first trimester. This is fine. Pregnancy is a physiological process, so it often passes without any unpleasant sensations.

Related services: Ultrasound examination Consultation with an obstetrician-gynecologist during pregnancy

What to do if a second pale line appears on a pregnancy test?

If a woman receives similar results on multiple tests in a row or within two to three days, pregnancy should be considered. However, in addition to successful conception, it is necessary to exclude dangerous conditions that may be accompanied by dark lines.

First of all, you should contact a gynecologist and undergo an analysis to determine the level of hCG. Blood tests determine the presence of hCG and its exact concentration. This is necessary to confirm a normal pregnancy, exclude ectopic and certain types of oncology.

The second stage is an ultrasound examination to detect the embryo and its location. At the beginning of pregnancy, the most accurate results can be obtained with transvaginal ultrasound. Diagnostics allows you to evaluate the following parameters:

• Localization of the fetal egg. On this basis, intrauterine pregnancy is determined and ectopic pregnancy is excluded.
• Gestational sac. Its presence is the first sign of pregnancy.
• The number of embryos, chorion and amniotic fluid.
• Reproductive system. The uterus with the cervix (shape, structure, defects, fibroids, etc.), dimensions (normal, enlarged), location and structure of the appendages are visualized. Helps to exclude pathological processes in the form of tumors of various etiologies.

The appearance of a second barely noticeable stripe does not always mean pregnancy, ectopic conception or pathology. But, in any case, it requires repeated use of the test after a few days and a detailed gynecological diagnosis.

Is it possible to determine the gestational age by ultrasound?

It is possible, but approximately. The doctor determines the approximate period by ultrasound up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, measuring the size of the embryo:

From the fourth to fifth weeks of pregnancy, an additional indicator such as the coccygeal-parietal size is used. The values ​​of this indicator are more accurate for determining the gestational age using ultrasound. Some of these values ​​can be found in the table:

And although the CTE indicator is more informative than the size of the ovum, both methods are insufficiently accurate and are only indicative. Especially in cases where a woman does not remember the exact dates of her last menstruation.

Useful and very necessary information

• What are the advantages of the clearblue highly sensitive pregnancy test, and what other parameters distinguish it from express tests from other manufacturers. From what point can reliable information be obtained, and can he provide reliable data before the delay.
• Find out in detail whether a pregnancy test can be wrong, what conditions contribute to the distortion of data, and what needs to be done to prevent an error from creeping into the test readings.
• Be curious about what a positive pregnancy test is and looks like. What is a “control” stripe, and what intensity can the coloring of the second stripe have if the result is clearly positive?
• If the test result is positive, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with what toxicosis is in the early stages of pregnancy and what measures need to be taken to promptly stop the symptoms.

Which method do you prefer to follow? How often or how many times have you used defining tests? Tell us how often you have been let down by such devices. Share your opinion at the bottom of the article - here you can leave not only your comments, but also your questions. Join the conversation by adding and adding new information, and together we will make this site more constructive and useful for users.

How to get the most reliable result?

In order for the test results to be as reliable as possible, you must read the instructions for using the test and strictly follow them.

Following the simple rules of the procedure will help you avoid the appearance of a pale second line on the test and clearly interpret the result:

• It is best to carry out the testing procedure no earlier than the first day of missed menstruation. Some doctors even advise waiting at least 5-7 days from the expected start date of your period. The earlier pregnancy is diagnosed, the less chance that the result will be 100% reliable.
• To perform the test, you must take only fresh urine. It is good if it is possible to perform the procedure in the morning, immediately after waking up. It is at this time that the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin in the urine will be maximum.
• If the procedure is planned for the evening, then during the day you need to avoid drinking too much liquid. Also, on the eve of the study, you should avoid taking diuretics and any other drugs that have a diuretic effect.
• The exposure time of urine to the test should not be less than 5-15 seconds (according to the instructions for use).
• Before carrying out the procedure, you need to take care of the cleanliness of the container for collecting urine and the external genitalia.
• The result should be assessed no earlier than after 3-5 minutes. Until this time, the second stripe (if it appears) may remain weak and dim.