There are many symptoms of early pregnancy that you may experience.
***Key Points***
You may experience any of the following symptoms in early pregnancy
Most will improve as the pregnancy progresses but seek help from your midwife or doctor if you are concerned.
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Tiredness
- Dizziness or feeling faint
- Tender Breasts
- Changes to your skin
- Changes to your hair
- Needing to pass urine more often
- Constipation
- Haemorrhoids
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Leg cramps
- Backache
***Key Points***
***Nausea and vomiting***
Most pregnant women experience some degree of nausea between 5 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. Many women report the nausea is at its worst at around 9 weeks. It is often referred to morning sickness, however for it may be present throughout the day or night.
Symptoms can vary from mild to severe – although for most women this will reduce dramatically by 18 weeks for a small number of women the nausea can continue until your baby is born
Although the cause of nausea is not clear, hormone levels and slowed emptying of the stomach can likely to contribute.
The following suggestions may help reduce symptoms and avoid dehydration:
- Avoid being very hungry or having an empty stomach – eat small meals or snacks more often.
- Have a packet of dry biscuits by the bed to snack on when you wake before getting up.
- Eat small meals frequently and have foods that are high in protein such as nuts or cheese.
- Avoid spicy or fatty foods
- Sip cold, clear fluids such as water, mineral water or
- Try drinking sliced ginger in water, ginger or peppermint tea or lemon slices in hot or cold water.
- Avoid strong smells such as greasy, spicy or fatty foods, stuffy rooms or strong odours such as perfume, chemicals, coffee, food or smoke.
- Rest when you can to avoid being over tired
- If pregnancy multivitamins or iron makes the nausea worse, try taking them at night and avoid taking them without food.
- Vitamin B6 supplements (pyridoxine) are proven to be helpful for nausea.. Green leafy vegetables, bananas, tuna and chicken are natural food sources of Vitamin B6.
When should I call my midwife or doctor?
If the nausea or vomiting is causing you significant distress, or you are unable to drink small amounts of fluids on an ongoing basis or if you think you are developing hyperemesis gravidarum please call your pregnancy care provider for advice.
Other signs to be aware of:
- Dramatic weight loss
- Extreme fatigue
- Very dark urine
- Vomit that contains blood
There are a range of medications that are safe to use in pregnancy and have been shown to be useful in treating persistent nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Please talk to your pregnancy care provider about your options.
***Nausea and vomiting***
***Tiredness***
It is common to feel an overwhelming sense of tiredness during pregnancy, often occurring in early pregnancy.
Being tired and exhausted can affect your mood. Look after yourself emotionally as this is a tough period during pregnancy, especially if it is early and you have not shared your pregnancy with friends or family.
If you are feeling experiencing nausea tiredness can make this worse. Be reassured this will not affect your baby but it makes work and life much more difficulty to cope with.
The only option is to rest as much as you can. Take time out to nap in the day if possible and accept help from family and friends. Your body is doing the amazing work of growing and nurturing a baby, you need to care for yourself during this time.
***Tiredness***
***Tender breasts***
Increased hormone production may make your breasts unusually sensitive from early in poregnancy.
Your breasts will feel fuller and heavier, and you will likely increase a cup size or two.
Wearing a more supportive bra or a sports bra can help with the discomfort.
***Tender breasts***
***Dizziness***
Normal circulatory changes in early pregnancy may result in your feeling dizzy or faint. This is because pregnancy affects your circulation, impacting oxygen levels which makes you feel dizzy or faint.
Try to avoid long periods of standing and when you stand from sitting do so slowly. If you feel dizzy while standing, sit or lie down. Stay hydrated and wear cool loose clothing to avoid over heating as this may increase the likeliness of feeling faint.
Tips to help with dizziness or feeling faint
- get up slowly after sitting or lying down.
- If you feel faint lie down on your side.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat regularly to keep your blood sugar levels stable.
If dizziness persists or is occurring frequently contact your midwife or doctor for advice.
***Dizziness***
***Passing urine more often***
Needing to go to the toilet more often during your pregnancy is normal and is caused by the hormonal and physical changes occurring in your body during pregnancy.
During early pregnancy, hormonal changes increase the frequency with which you need to use the toilet and pass urine. This may also be due to weakened pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy. You can help by practicing your pelvic floor exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
You should speak to your Midwife or Doctor if you experience burning or stinging when passing urine or if there is an offensive smell when you pass urine.
If you are experiencing incontinence pregnancy such as a leakage of urine when they cough, laugh or sneeze, or just get up from a sitting position you should let your midwife or doctor know.
If your pelvic floor muscles are weakened then the internal organs are less well-supported, which can lead to difficulty controlling a leak of urine and at time faeces.
You may benefit from a consultation with a women’s health physiotherapist.
***Passing urine more often***
***Skin changes***
Pregnancy hormones can change the tone and colour of your skin. The extra blood circulating around your body can cause your skin to “glow” or feel flushed.
For some women, the pregnancy hormones may cause acne, pimples or dry reddened patches. Areas of skin that may get darker during pregnancy including the area around your nipples, the genitalia, the inner sides of thighs and armpits.
Chloasma is a specific form of pigmentation also referred to as the “mask of pregnancy” and appears as brown patches on the bridge of the nose, cheeks and neck. Some dark-skinned women develop patches of paler skin on the face and neck. These patches will begin to fade after the baby is born.
Some women develop a dark line running down the centre of their stomach, called a Linea nigra.
Sunlight intensifies areas of skin that are already pigmented and many women find that they tan more easily during pregnancy. Even after birth the deeper pigmented skin will remain darker for sometime, but will gradually fade and disappear.
Stretch marks may also develop in pregnancy, most commonly in the third trimester of pregnancy. These are most commonly found on the stomach or breasts and will fad over time after pregnancy.
***Skin changes***
***Hair changes***
Hormonal changes in pregnancy may result in your hair becoming thicker
Many women report their hair feels thicker around 14-16 weeks of pregnancy. An increase in the hormone oestrogen results in a change of cycle to the hair follicles meaning they stay longer in the growing phase and less hair falls out.
Can I dye my hair during pregnancy?
There is not adequate research into the use of hair dye during pregnancy, however it is not thought to be harmful to your developing baby as your hair only absorbs small amounts of the harmful chemicals used in hair dye.
However we should always be cautious around chemicals, especially in pregnancy so follow these safety tips
- Always colour your hair in a room with adequate ventilation
- Always wear gloves if you are handling the dye yourself
- Do not leave the dye on longer than recommended and follow the instructions carefully
- Rinse thoroughly after application
***Hair changes***
***Constipation***
Hormonal changes during pregnancy mean you are more likely to become constipated, often occurring in early pregnancy. An increase in the hormone progesterone during early pregnancy means your food moves more slowly through your intestine, this is called a reduction in gastric motility.
Constipation means you are not opening your bowels or passing a stool (faeces/poo) as often as you would normally or when you do the stool is hard to pass and you may be straining to open your bowels.
Normal bowel function does differ from person to person but usually if you are passing less than three (3) stool per week we could call this constipation. 25-40% women will report some degree of constipation during pregnancy hopwever in most cases this will resolve itself as pregnancy progresses.
If you do not have adequate fibre in your diet or are not drinking enough fluids this can increase the likelihood of constipation as well. Some medicines, such as those prescribed for nausea and heart burn and some pregnancy multi-vitamins can also increase constipation.
Tips to assist to relive constipation
- Increase fibre in your diet – eat more wholegrain foods, fruits and vegetable, nuts, dried fruit or legumes are a great source of fibre
- Stay hydrated by drinking 8 glasses of water each day. Reduce intake of coffee, tea or soft drinks
- Stay active and take gentle exercise every day, such as walking, swimming, yoga
- Go to the toilet when you feel the urge, do not put it off.
***Constipation***
***Haemorrhoids***
Haemorrhoids (also known as “piles”) are varicose veins in the rectum and anus. They can be internal, external or a combination of both. Internal haemorrhoids may bleed a little but are usually painless. If the vein becomes enlarged or swollen, it can protrude to become an external haemorrhoid. You may experience itching, burning, slight bleeding and pain when you open your bowels.
The following suggestions may be helpful:
- Avoid constipation and straining on the toilet by including plenty of fibre in the diet by eating fruit and vegetables, wholegrain foods
- Drink plenty of water to reduce constipation
- Avoid standing for long periods.
- Get regular gentle exercise
- Open your bowels when you feel the urge and attempt not to strain to pass a stool. This can make haemorrhoids worse.
- A deep warm bath may relieve the discomfort or an ice pack directly to the anal area may numb the painful sensations temporarily.
- Rectinol ointment, available from pharmacies, can be applied to haemorrhoids that are causing discomfort.
It is important to see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis of haemorrhoids as there are other medical conditions which have similar symptoms.
Your doctor or Midwife can discuss with you the options to relieve symptoms during pregnancy. These may include laxatives, pain relieving medication, suppositories, creams or ointments.
***Haemorrhoids***
***Indigestion or heartburn***
Changing hormones in early pregnancy may result in many women experiencing indigestion or heartburn.
Indigestion is a feeling of pain or discomfort in the stomach or abdomen, mostly occurs after eating or drinking, although it can occur at anytime. Symptoms may also include nausea, reflux or regurgitation, feeling bloated or burping.
Heartburn is a burning sensation in the throat or chest, caused by stomach acid coming up the oesophagus (the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach) and irritating the lining. Due to the effects of the pregnancy hormones the peristaltic movements that push swallowed food from your food pipe into your stomach and then along your bowel are slower. Your stomach also takes longer to empty. This slowdown gives nutrients more time to be absorbed into your bloodstream and to reach your baby, however this can also cause heartburn during pregnancy.
- Tips to avoid indigestion and heartburn
- Avoid high fat or spicy foods
- eating smaller meals, more often
- Avoid lying down after eating
- Avoid drinking with meals, drink before or after
- chewing gum, which may cause you to produce more saliva to help neutralise the acid
- raise the head of your bed by 10 to 15cm
- sleep on your left side
***Indigestion or heartburn***
***Muscle cramps***
Muscle cramps in the feet, legs or thighs are common during pregnancy, especially at night. The cause of cramps is unclear. Some suggested reasons include changes in metabolism, vitamin deficiency, being too active or not active enough however research does not adequately tell us the reasons.
The following may help:
- Stretching your calf muscles before bed may reduce overnight cramps
- Gentle exercise such as walking and calf raises can help to promote circulation and reduce cramps
- Magnesium supplements, which can be bought from pharmacies or health-food stores.
Please talk to your Midwife or Doctor if you are considering starting magnesium supplements, they are disturbing your sleep on an ongoing basis
***Muscle cramps***
***Backache***
Most women experience backache at some stage during their pregnancy. The causes include altered posture as the baby grows and hormonal changes, which lead to the loosening of ligaments that support our bones and pelvis. This is helpful as we prepare for labour but can result in backpain in pregnancy.
The following suggestions may be helpful:
- Be aware of your posture – stand with your weight evenly on both legs, your back straight and your pelvis tucked under.
- Do not lift heavy objects
- Use chairs with good back support when sitting.
- Avoid periods of prolonged standing.
- Sleep on your side
- Rest with your legs elevated.
- Wear flat shoes with good arch support
See a women’s health physiotherapist if pain persists or impacts your activity or ability to rest and sleep.
***Backache***
Resources
Cullen G, O’Donoghue D. Constipation and pregnancy. Best Practice Research Clinical Gastroenterology 2007; 21 (5):807-818.
Quijano CE, Abalos E. Conservative management of symptomatic and/or complicated haemorrhoids in pregnancy and the puerperium. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. July 2005; Issue3. Art. No. CD004077
Hair treatments in pregnancy. Organization of Teratology Information Specialists. July 2020. Available at https://mothertobaby.org/fact- sheets/hair-treatments-pregnancy/
https://www.continence.org.au/get-help/resources
https://www.gesa.org.au
