No, false, possible or certain first signs of pregnancy. When do they appear?

Pregnancy can present with a number of different symptoms, many of which are vague and may not even be noticed by women. Other symptoms are distinct and may indicate a probable pregnancy after just a few days.

However, pregnancy symptoms are relatively non-specific. They include a number of signals that may indicate something else.

Then there are manifestations that already more accurately and clearly point to pregnancy. Although they are not completely certain, they still more clearly confirm the presence of a fertilized egg.

Among the most certain signs or manifestations of pregnancy is, in particular, a positive result of a pregnancy test. Subsequently, it is, of course, the confirmation of pregnancy by a gynecologist.

For more information on all these and other pregnancy signs, please see our article.

Fertilization of the egg by sperm, its nesting and symptoms

After fertilization of the egg (female sex cell) by the sperm (male sex cell), a so-called zygote is formed. This is the name given to the diploid cell, which, after nesting in the uterine wall, develops further.

The fetus produces a specific pregnancy hormone, hCG. The processes present in pregnancy begin.

The egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube. It remains there for 6 to 12 days before it reaches the uterus.

For more information on ovulation and fertilization, see the article: Ovulation, calculation of fertile and infertile days. How to plan a pregnancy?

Whether or not you are very eager to have a baby, you want to find out about pregnancy as soon as possible. This is natural. However, it takes a few days for certain changes to start happening in the body.

The hormone hCG (chorionic gonadotropin) mentioned above is the starter of these changes. It starts to form after the egg has nested in the uterus. Its task is, among other things, to ensure that the lining of the uterus is suitable for the development of the fetus.

The hormone hCG is secreted only after the egg has nested in the lining of the uterus, usually about 7 to 12 days after conception. This hormone is not present in the urine until 1 to 2 days later.

Read also the article.

Pregnancy or premenstrual syndrome?

Pregnancy hormones prepare the environment for the proper development of the fetus. However, they are also the cause of some side symptoms. These may not be very pleasant.

These include:

• a distended abdomen
• mood changes
• breast enlargement and tenderness

Before the onset of menstruation, however, certain hormonal changes occur. Approximately two weeks before menstruation, there is a decrease in estrogen and an increase in progesterone.

These rapid hormonal changes may be the cause:

• Irritability
• abdominal pain
• breast tenderness
• increased fatigue

Some women do not experience them at all. Others experience symptoms so intense that they make normal activities impossible. But then we can talk about premenstrual syndrome.

The imbalance of hormone levels before the onset of menstruation causes many difficulties and unpleasant symptoms. These difficulties associated with the onset of menstruation mainly affect young women around the age of 20.

The first and uncertain symptoms of pregnancy

In the first days after fertilization, it is difficult to distinguish the initial symptoms of pregnancy from other problems or premenstrual syndrome.

Women may experience:

• sensitive and full breasts
• Fatigue
• irritability
• bloating
• increased basal temperature
• headache
• abdominal pain
• nausea

Clearer signs of pregnancy

Among the clearer and more typical signs of pregnancy is delayed menstrual bleeding. Pregnancy is probably viewed as the first cause by women of childbearing age.

Delayed menstruation or complete omission of menstruation may have other causes. Read also the articles:

• Why is my period late?
• How does the menstrual calendar work?
• What are the signs of approaching menopause?

Other symptoms typically associated with pregnancy include:

• Nausea, vomiting
• Fatigue
• sensitivity to strong tastes and smells
• frequent urination
• breast enlargement
• breast tenderness
• abdominal pain
• changes in the skin
• light bleeding or spotting

What causes skin changes during pregnancy?

One of the causes is an overall increase in blood circulation. The skin is more vascularised and looks healthier.

The increased secretion (excretion) of melatonin causes darkening of the nipples, the appearance of a darker stripe in the navel area towards the genitals and also the appearance of dark spots on the skin.

Bleeding as a sign of pregnancy?

Around day 11 to 12 after fertilisation, the egg settles in the uterine wall. This may cause light bleeding or a pink or brownish discharge.

This is not menstrual bleeding, as some women may think. It usually lasts only one to two days. If you have longer bleeding or pain, see your doctor. It may also be an ectopic pregnancy.

Read also our article.

Sure signs of pregnancy

Most women who suspect pregnancy rely on the result of a pregnancy test. This analyses the presence of the hormone hCG (chorionic gonadotropin) in a woman's body.

This pregnancy hormone is produced after the fertilized egg begins to nestle in the wall of the uterine lining. It is then that it begins to release various substances and hormones into the woman's bloodstream, especially the aforementioned hCG hormone.

After the egg has nested, various substances are released into the bloodstream of the woman's body, which prevent the onset of menstruation and provide suitable conditions for the growth of the foetus.

Today, there are many types of pregnancy tests. Most of them work with a urine sample. Strip, stick, cassette or digital tests can detect the presence of pregnancy hormone in the urine quite reliably.

However, there are also tests that take a drop of blood from your finger.

Any pharmacy will be happy to advise you on which pregnancy test to choose.

Nowadays, pregnancy tests are relatively accurate and sensitive at a very early stage of pregnancy. However, it is still recommended that you use the test at the earliest on the expected day of your period.

You can read more not only about the pregnancy test, but also about the first signs of pregnancy in our article.

What is biochemical pregnancy?

Nausea, fatigue, irritability or shortness of breath. The first possible signs of pregnancy are further confirmed by a delay in menstruation and a positive pregnancy test.

However, joy can quite often be replaced by sadness. Many women nevertheless experience menstrual bleeding, even before they have time to visit the gynaecological outpatient clinic.

How is it possible that despite a positive test, menstruation has arrived? Am I or am I not pregnant?

In many cases, a pregnancy ends in miscarriage at a very early stage. Although the egg has been fertilised, for various reasons it has taken hold in the uterus only weakly or not at all.

Its attachment in the lining of the uterus was sufficient to start producing the hormone hCG. However, it was not strong enough to hold on and prevent menstrual bleeding.

During menstruation, some of the uterine lining detaches. Along with the detached lining, the fertilised egg that was not sufficiently attached is expelled. The foetus is then aborted.

Such a pregnancy is terminated before the fetus is visible on the ultrasound, i.e. by about the 5th or 6th week of pregnancy. Many women may not even know about this pregnancy. It is more likely to be noticed by women who are trying for a baby and take a pregnancy test before the onset of menstruation.

Possible causes of embryo expulsion from the uterus:

• Alcohol
• drugs
• smoking
• drugs
• stress
• inadequate nutrition
• injury
• illness

According to some studies, the number of spontaneous abortions is increasing. Biochemical pregnancies have a part to play.

You might also be interested in the article.

Confirmation of pregnancy by a doctor

The surest confirmation of pregnancy is, of course, from a doctor. After a positive test, it is necessary to contact a gynecologist.

He or she will probably ask you the date of the first day of your last menstrual period. Based on this date, he or she will book you in for an examination.

However, this will probably not be until sometime around the 6th to 8th week of pregnancy. Earlier than this, an ultrasound scan cannot yet give a good indication of the presence and condition of the foetus.

Few doctors do blood tests for the presence of the hCG hormone. Moreover, they cannot reliably determine the condition and location of the egg.

Of course, there may be situations when you need to know about the presence of pregnancy as soon as possible. For example, you are going to have surgery, certain treatments, a business trip, etc. Then consult your gynaecologist who will suggest the next course of action.

Around the 6th week of pregnancy, the doctor can detect the presence of a yellow body or gestational sac through ultrasound. Sometimes around the 7th week, the beating heart of the fetus can also be detected.

This is usually the moment when the mother considers the pregnancy to be really certain. This is usually when she shares her joy with those around her.

However, when the parents break the news is up to them. Many couples keep it to themselves until it is really advanced.