Both of my pregnancies have been planned, which means following my monthly period I was counting days, tracking my ovulation, and then waiting anxiously. Ten days or so doesn’t seem like a long time, but when you’re waiting to be able to take that oh-so-important test, it feels like f o r e v e r. Both times around I found myself feverishly searching the net for the earliest signs and symptoms of pregnancy and each time I came across things like: nausea, missed period, tender breasts. I mean come on. They might as well include weight gain predominately in the abdominal region. I was always searching for the signs and symptoms of pregnancy before all the obvious signs and symptoms of pregnancy. True, I may have just been searching for the internet’s magic eight ball. But, there are some things I’ve noticed with both pregnancies before I tested positive. In fact, the second time around the test was nothing more than reassurance. Ladies, you know you don’t leave that sticks side after you pee on it, right? You’re practically glued to that thing, anxiously waiting for some stick to tell your fate. Well, this last time around, I peed on it. And then I showered. And then I dried off. And then I combed my hair. Brushed my teeth. You get the idea. Then I looked at the result. It was positive. I knew it would be. And here’s why:
-Menstral cramps for a day. They are strong. So close to the real thing that I find myself in the bathroom immediately expecting Aunt Flow to be there.
-Smell of urine. I think a lab could save money running pregnancy tests and just hire me to sniff their urine. The smell is that distinct to me. It’s strong. And the urine is darker, more concentrated like when you’re dehydrated. I was thrown off by the menstral cramp feeling because that, of course, could always just be your period coming. But once I caught a wiff of that urine, I knew for certain.
-Upset stomach. Not to be confused with nausea. More like a general ache and fatigue. Some dull lower abdomen cramping (unspecific to one side or the other).
-Frequent bowel movements. Not sure why. I think it could be from the increased cramping or it could be due to a change in hormones. But, sure enough, both times this has been a symptom for me.
Do you remember any specific signs and symptoms of pregnancy before you got that positive test?
I had a sneaking suspicion because my pregnancy was planned as well. The biggest thing that tipped me off was 3 days before I tested, we went out with a friend for a few drinks. I had 2 mixed drinks (it was my usual at the time … I normally could drink them all. night.) and a lemon drop shot (instead of my usual jäger). I got terrible heartburn and wound up having to pull over on the way home to throw up. I missed my period 2 days later and got my positive the next day.
My biggest sign was that I was dreadfully tired. I remember for my first pregnancy (which was also planned), I fell asleep extremely early for me. I slept in, which never happened (I have always been awake at 5:30 on the dot, a habit since I was 7). I have anemia so I am used to getting dizzy, but I had constant dizzy spells and wanted to sleep and nap all the time. This was NOT normal. I knew I had to be pregnant with my body acting that way. When the same thing happened in my second pregnancy (not planned, though suspected on the day of conception), I was trying to shrug it off. My first pregnancy I was only about 2 or 3 weeks in when I knew I was pregnant. The 2nd one I at least waited about 4 days past my expected period to get a test taken. My breasts hurt a lot and I agree, the urine smell is SO STRONG and nasty when pregnant!! I felt so different from normal, that I haven’t understood how so many women don’t even know they are pregnant, but I was on the dot each month and used a basal thermometer for a few months before I got pregnant the first time. The second time I found out I was pregnant the same day I stopped nursing my first son (he was 15 months old).
Oh yes, I remember being dreadfully tired too. I couldn’t sleep or nap enough. Not so much with the second one, but that’s probably because I didn’t have a choice with a toddler keeping me busy!
Anemia will wipe ya out! I was pretty anemic after my delivery and had horrible dizzy spells due to my blood pressure dropping. I nearly passed out in the shower a few times. Made my husband so nervous.
I knew I was pregnant the second time around (we had planned this one; the first one was a COMPLETE surprise), and I started feeling symptoms literally days after trying. I immediately became sensitive to smells, had the vivid weird dreams, and hot feet. Hot feet! these have lasted the whole pregnancy 🙁
Hot feet, a? Haven’t heard that one but it gave me a good chuckle 🙂 hehe.
I hope to come share symptoms soon. Hoping and hoping for my first!
Best of luck and hang in there… I remember the stress of trying…
Heya! this is a little bit of a personal question – but how many times did you try to conceive (aka – make LOVE) during your ovulation period? There are so many mixed responses out there… just curious as you’ve had success with both planned pregnancies 🙂 Thanks!
Is it weird that I can’t remember exactly? I’m fairly certain we used the ovulation test kit. When it was near positive (if I remember correctly, your best shot at getting pregnant is like 12 hours before the positive test), we’d try for three consecutive days. With any luck, we’d have “done it” the day before testing positive for ovulation, then the day of and the day after the positive test. Does that make sense? I also tracked my temperature when trying the first time around and found that to be useful. Hope this helps and good luck!
VERY tender nipples!
Mild cramping for 2 or so days around the time my period was due. An odd metal like taste in my mouth and a heightened sense of smell. I remember walking through an ikea cafeteria and I had to run to the bathroom because I thought I was going to be sick from the awful smell. The smell had never turned me off before so it was my first clue that something was up.
I love this post. You are so right that nothing on the internet helps. It is just so different for every person! I am “6 days before missed period” and everything little thing makes me think I am going to miss that stinkin period! “My pee definitely smells super funny” “My boobs really hurt” “This lemon smell is making me gag”… etc… all day! Fun fun fun 🙂 ((I have never been pregnant and stopped that blasted BC 4 months ago!))
Every woman has different experiences of pregnancy. And not every woman has the same symptoms. For me, I experienced cramping and spotting. And I did myself research on the net too.
A bit of a different experience because I was on IVF but my tummy just seemed to expand instantly. I was busting out of my jeans at 5 weeks and I’m only small 🙂
I’ve just started a new blog hop for all things pregnancy and new baby and would absolutely love for you to link up – new and old posts very welcome.
Alice xx
http://mumsmakelists.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-friday-baby-shower-lovely-new-blog.html
These comments are all really exciting! I wish goodluck to everyone and I recommend congratulating the dad to be with a custom cigar! It’s a nice way to celebrate your bundle of joy!
My husband and I have been trying for 9 months to conceive. I have felt/ experienced all of those symptoms however our family has not yet grown beyond the two of us, our cat Maxi and our puppy Coco. Hopefully August will be our month!
Bella xx