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?