First Symptoms and Sensations of Pregnancy

Have you just found out that you're pregnant? Congratulations! From now on, you'll start to notice symptoms and sensations of pregnancy, as well as lots of changes to your body and emotions. Don't worry, it'll be one of the most wonderful moments of your life.
First Symptoms and Sensations of Pregnancy

Written by Yamila Papa

Last update: 27 December, 2022

Beyond missed periods, there are other ways to know if you’re expecting a baby. The first symptoms and sensations of pregnancy that appear are worth enjoying. 

We’ll tell you all about them in this article.

First symptoms and sensations

Once the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, certain biological changes occur in women. On the other hand, some women don’t notice any of the first symptoms and sensations in addition to their missed period.

Of course, every future mom is different and experiences pregnancy in a unique way. Don’t feel bad if you haven’t noticed any changes yet. Wait a few days and you’ll see what happens. It’s a magical process that’ll be very exciting.

What are the first symptoms and sensations of pregnancy?

The egg has been fertilized and has traveled through the fallopian tube to the uterus where it was implanted. From that moment, you’re pregnant, even though you don’t know it yet.

However, the body knows what’s happening. Therefore, it starts to produce more of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG for short), as well as progesterone and estrogen.

These hormonal changes are noticeable to pregnant women, as well as people around them. Before you even say “I’m pregnant,” you may have experienced the following first symptoms and sensations of pregnancy:

1. Increased breast size

Since many women experience this as a premenstrual syndrome, many don’t pay much attention to it. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll need a bigger bra size. However, you may feel like your breasts are bulging and a little more sensitive than usual.

First symptoms and Sensations of Pregnancy

The hormones that cause this are estrogen, progesterone and prolactin. Therefore, they’re starting to prepare breasts so they can breastfeed.

2. First symptoms and sensations: Urinating all the time

If you drink enough water every day, you might not think this is specific to pregnancy. However, women who don’t drink a lot of water will be amazed at how often they feel the need to go to the bathroom.

Why is this? The uterus is growing, and it puts pressure on the bladder.

3. Excessive fatigue

No matter how much sleep you get or what activities you do, it seems like you’re always tired and don’t have enough energyThis is very common during the first few weeks of pregnancy, since your body uses all of its “fuel” to create a new life.

“Once the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, certain biological changes happen in women. On the other hand, some women don’t notice any of the first symptoms and sensations in addition to their missed period.”

4. Scents and fragrances

During pregnancy, your sense of smell sharpens. Additionally, you could feel nauseous from bad smells

You could also feel repulsed by scents you even liked before pregnancy, like perfume or freshly brewed coffee. However, now you might not be able to stand them.

5. Nausea and vomiting

You might not have said “I’m pregnant” out loud, but you already suspect it because every morning, you feel the intense urge to vomit.

You can feel nauseous at any time of the day because of the increase in the HCG hormone. This, in addition to your missed period, will help you be sure that you’re about to be a mother.

First symptoms and Sensations of Pregnancy

6. Cravings

Feeling like eating chocolate, ice cream or a piece of cake doesn’t mean that you’re pregnant. However, when that desire for a particular meal becomes almost an obsession, you can start thinking that something is happening inside you.

They say that cravings come from your body’s additional need for sugar, since during pregnancy, your blood sugar levels fall. However, that wouldn’t explain why some women want to eat salty things, like chips or a cheeseburger.

Other first symptoms and sensations you might experience are mood swings, not liking certain foods that you loved before, abdominal swelling, light bleeding, increased sensitivity and desire to cry, and low sex drive.

Additionally, you might also experience dizziness, colic, constipation, increased vaginal discharge and severe headaches.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.