What are the signs of implantation and early pregnancy?

Are you hoping for a baby and watching keenly for the very first signs of pregnancy? When might you notice something unusual, something distinctive that other mums have told you about? It is not easy to catch the symptoms of implantation and hormonal changes, because every woman feels different. In fact, it often happens that an approaching period brings bodily signs that are easy to confuse with those first special sensations of pregnancy. Do not worry if you do not notice anything at all, that can happen too.

We have gathered the most common signs you may experience.

The very first signs can vary widely

There are some well known symptoms of early pregnancy, and there are others that can point to something else entirely. If you notice several signs at the same time, there is a higher chance you may be expecting. However, some mums-to-be go through this period with no symptoms at all. So do not worry if you do not notice anything out of the ordinary.

Let us look at the most common symptoms new mums often report:

• Sudden nausea and feeling sick

• Bloating

• Strong and frequent tiredness

• Breast tenderness and growth

• Enlarged nipples, darkening of the areola

• Pulling lower tummy pain, mild cramps

• Increased vaginal discharge

• Light spotting

• More frequent need to wee

• Dizziness

• Headaches

• Unusual food cravings or aversions

• Mood swings

• Missed period

As you can see, many of these can also come with other health issues. For example, nausea, tiredness and food aversion can be caused by a viral infection. Breast tenderness and tummy cramps can be a sign of a period arriving at an unusual time if your cycle is not regular. Even so, if several symptoms appear, it is worth taking a pregnancy test as soon as possible and seeing your doctor.

What symptoms might appear later?

After the very first signs, you will probably notice a number of pregnancy symptoms as time goes on. Areola darkening usually appears later, and some mums only start to feel the frequent urge to wee in the following weeks. Many report strong tiredness and sleepiness that often begin around week 7 and typically last until weeks 12 to 14. They can barely get out of bed and may nod off several times a day. Severe nausea and vomiting can also appear, usually causing discomfort until around weeks 12 to 14.

How does pregnancy develop?

The length of pregnancy is not counted from the day of fertilisation, but from ovulation. To see the process clearly, it helps to start there. In the ovaries, hundreds of thousands of follicles develop, each containing an egg cell. Each month, usually only one fully matures and, around mid-cycle (about day 14), it ruptures so the egg can break free and begin its journey towards the womb.

Sperm cells set off towards the egg along a challenging path until one finally reaches it and fertilises it. The egg starts to divide — the tiny life of the fertilised egg begins, for now only at the level of cells. On day 2 it has two cells, on day 3 it has four to six to eight cells, and by day 4 it already consists of many cells.

Implantation begins on days 6 to 7, as the fertilised egg approaches and then reaches the uterine wall. Implantation is completed on days 8 to 10. This is a crucial moment in the establishment of pregnancy. The zygote attaches to the thickened uterine lining and connects to the mother’s circulation. From this point it is called an embryo. Hormonal changes begin in the mother’s body, such as increased production of the pregnancy hormone hCG.

What might be the signs of implantation?

If you are excited and want to observe this few-day window, you can look out for the following:

• Track your body temperature changes. Your temperature fluctuates across your cycle. It is usually lower at ovulation, then rises and drops again before your period. These shifts are only a few tenths of a degree. If implantation happens, temperature does not fall as it typically does before menstruation.

• Light bleeding can occur with implantation. It is usually small in amount, brownish or darker, and spotting, and it tends to appear about one week before your expected period.

During this period, few people feel strong sickness, weakness or nausea.

What can we do to support successful implantation?

Preparing for pregnancy is part of thoughtful family planning. We truly should do everything we can for our future child’s health and life. What matters is not only lifestyle during implantation, but throughout the whole of pregnancy. There are basic habits that are easy to follow yet very important for mum and baby’s health. Mums-to-be need to take care of themselves to do as much as possible for a smooth pregnancy.

We have brought four key points, though it is worth reading up in professional articles for more detail:

• Healthy lifestyle, balanced diet and plenty of fluids, prioritising vegetables and fruit

• Professional care for any existing health conditions

• Avoid harmful factors: too much caffeine, smoking, alcohol, stress

• Essential nutrients, using good quality pregnancy vitamins chosen with your doctor’s advice

Why is it important to go for the first medical check as soon as possible?

Timely medical care has many benefits. Confirming the fact of pregnancy is the doctor’s role. They determine how far along you are and the expected due date. You can get answers to your questions, and they can recommend the most suitable vitamins and dietary advice for your baby’s healthy development.

If you have any health problems or existing conditions — for example diabetes or high blood pressure — be sure to tell them so your status can be monitored. Even at this early stage a doctor may notice if there is a problem, such as an ectopic pregnancy or a risk of miscarriage.

The sooner a mum-to-be seeks medical care, the more likely she is to avoid complications and ensure the best care for both herself and her baby throughout pregnancy.

Did you know?

• During IVF, eggs are fertilised outside the body, and the embryo is placed into the womb at the morula stage on day 3, or the blastocyst stage on day 5.

• The blastocyst is a critical stage of the embryo that only the best dividing, most suitable embryos reach. This stage can be achieved in laboratory settings too, to increase the chances of successful transfer.

• Most pregnancy tests can detect pregnancy from the first day of a missed period.

References:

NHS — Signs and symptoms of pregnancy: 

Tommy’s (UK) — Early signs and symptoms of pregnancy