Weird Early Pregnancy Symptoms No One Tells You About

Everyone knows the classic signs of pregnancy. You’ve missed your period. Your breasts are tender. And you’re tired all the time.

But pregnant women also experience a whole host of symptoms beyond these first signs. From mucus discharge to tasting metal to headaches, expect the unexpected.

Here’s a list of weird early pregnancy symptoms no one tells you about.

1. Early pregnancy discharge

While many women experience vaginal discharge, it’s not often associated with pregnancy. But most pregnant women will secrete sticky, white, or pale-yellow mucus early on in the first trimester and throughout their pregnancy.

Increased hormones and vaginal blood flow cause the discharge. It increases during pregnancy to prevent infections as your cervix and vaginal walls soften. Visit your doctor if the discharge starts to:

smell
burn
itch
turn greenish-yellow
becomes very thick or watery

These may be signs of an infection.

2. Your body will turn up the heat

When you first wake up in the morning after ovulation, your body temperature is slightly elevated. It stays that way until you get your next period.

But if this temperature, known as basal body temperature, stays elevated for more than two weeks, you may be pregnant.

3. Your head will hurt, you’ll feel cramps, and you’ll want to pee all the time

Hormonal and blood volume changes during pregnancy can lead to headaches.

Some women also experience period-like cramps on either side of the lower abdomen. And most women will make extra trips to the restroom. That’s because your growing uterus puts pressure on your bladder. Learn more about pregnancy incontinence.

4. It’ll feel like the room is spinning

It’s not uncommon for pregnant women to feel lightheaded or dizzy in the first trimester. Pregnancy causes blood pressure to drop and blood vessels to dilate.

But pay close attention to your symptoms. Severe dizziness coupled with vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus. Make sure to see a doctor right away to avoid life-threatening complications.

5. You may experience a false period

About 25 to 40 percent of pregnant women will lightly bleed or notice spotting early on in their pregnancy. Slight bleeding can happen when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This is known as implantation bleeding. It’s common about two weeks after conception.

Bleeding can also be caused by cervical irritation, an ectopic pregnancy, or a threatened miscarriage. Make sure to get medical help right away if your light bleeding gets heavier or is accompanied by severe cramps, back pain, or stabbing pains.

6. Your chest, burns

Hormones change everything during pregnancy. This includes the valve between your stomach and esophagus. This area becomes relaxed during pregnancy, which can cause stomach acid to leak into your esophagus, causing heartburn.

Fight back by eating smaller, more frequent meals. Also, cut out fried grub. Try to avoid fizzy drinks, citrus fruits, juices, and spicy foods.

7. You’ll taste metal

Increases in estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy can lead to changes in taste for many pregnant women.

A condition called dysgeusia has some pregnant women tasting metal. You’ll feel like you were chomping on some old pennies with your lunch. Get rid of the metallic flavor by munching on saltines and chewing sugarless gum. Also, try drinking colder liquids or eating spicier foods.

Takeaway

Some of the symptoms listed above may make you think you’re just stressed and run down. But experienced together, they can point to pregnancy.