Uterine cramps, extreme hunger, and bloat are just a few of the signs I experienced prior to missing my period that indicated that I was pregnant. Here, I share several more interesting signs that I experienced that pointed to the fact that I was pregnant prior to missing my period and taking a pregnancy test.
Why I don’t like the term “pregnancy symptoms”
I will be referring to “pregnancy symptoms” as pregnancy signs because I don’t like the definition of symptoms in relation to pregnancy. Symptom is defined as: “a change in the body or mind which indicates that a disease is present”. Pregnancy and birth is not a disease or medical condition so “pregnancy signs” seem more fitting.
How many weeks are we pregnant before a missed period?
Our bodies obviously know we are pregnant before we know. After we ovulate (or release and egg to be fertilized), we have up to 12-24 hours to conceive (or for sperm to fertilize the egg, which creates a baby), and after conception, we have about 2 weeks until our missed period. The timeline can vary depending on your fertility cycle.
So we have around 2 weeks where we are pregnant before we miss our period as a confirmation of pregnancy.
During this time, if you are in tune with your body, your body will usually tell you that you are pregnant! It could be in very subtle or in very obvious ways.
Pregnancy signs I experienced before confirmed pregnancy
I subconsciously knew that I was pregnant but I was refusing to feel hope or excitement because I didn’t want to get my hopes up. If you’d like to hear my fertility journey, you can watch it here or read it here. I waited until day 4 of missed period to take a pregnancy test and it was immediately dark.
After confirming my pregnancy, I reflected over the 2 previous weeks of how my body was telling me I was pregnant.
Subconscious ways:
- Extreme urge to eat healthy
- Desire to not keep phone near my uterus
Physical ways:
- Uterine cramps almost daily after ovulation
- Tiredness
- Decreased milk supply (breastfeeding toddler)
- Super emotional
- Bloating
- Extreme hunger
- No libido
- Face acne
- Loose stools
Signs will vary depending on your body but there will be signs due to hormonal changes that your body goes through once you conceive.
Some women actually know the moment that they conceive. I’ve heard many women say they get a certain “feeling”.
Some of my pregnancy signs continued throughout the first trimester and some of them disappeared 3 to 4 weeks into pregnancy.
Please share in the comment sections of what pregnancy signs you experienced that told you that you are pregnant before confirming it with a missed period and/or a pregnancy test. I’m so curious to know!
