While awaiting the long-awaited happy news of pregnancy, women may notice subtle early symptoms. These should not be ignored, as they are considered early signs of pregnancy. Even before a missed period, women can start monitoring their body for changes and early indications of pregnancy.
Although a missed period is one of the most reliable early signs, other symptoms may appear before lab or home pregnancy tests. Dr. Rifaat Nagi, an obstetrics and gynecology specialist, highlighted 10 early signs that indicate pregnancy before a missed period, including some unusual or unexpected symptoms such as a metallic taste in the mouth.
1. Abdominal Cramps and Bloating
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Mild cramps in the lower abdomen are normal due to uterine expansion.
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Bloating accompanies cramps because progesterone slows digestion, causing gas buildup.
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Relief: Eat fiber-rich foods, drink plenty of water, and take light walks.
2. Breast Pain and Swelling
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Breasts may feel heavy, sore, and warm, with hot flashes in the area.
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Nipples may change color, but this does not indicate the baby’s gender.
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Overall breast changes confirm early pregnancy.
3. Food Aversions or Unusual Cravings
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Women may develop aversions to certain foods or crave unusual foods.
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Caused by hormonal changes affecting smell and taste.
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Tips: Eat disliked foods in moderation and use lemon or mint to counter unpleasant smells.
4. Metallic Taste in the Mouth
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Some women experience a metallic or rusty taste.
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Causes are unclear, but hormonal changes affect senses, particularly in women who consume sweets, onions, or retain fluids.
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Tips: Eat green apples, sip lightly salted water, or suck on ginger candy in moderation.
5. Nausea (Morning Sickness)
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Nausea and vomiting may occur, especially in the morning before getting out of bed.
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Caused by elevated pregnancy hormones.
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Tips: Eat small salted biscuits before rising, drink water, and avoid sudden movements.
6. Spider Veins (Telangiectasia)
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Small, radial red veins may appear on shoulders or chest.
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Rare but considered an early pregnancy indicator.
7. Skin Tags Around the Chest
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Small, under-the-skin growths may appear on the chest, underarms, or neck.
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Usually genetic, passed from mother to daughter, and are early pregnancy markers for some women.
8. Fatigue and Mood Swings
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Hormonal changes may cause tiredness, irritability, anxiety, or unexplained tears.
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Usually subsides after the first trimester unless accompanied by clinical depression.
9. Frequent Urination
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Increased bladder sensitivity and hormonal changes cause more frequent urination.
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This is physiological, unrelated to gender or twins, and may reappear near delivery due to fetal pressure on the bladder.
10. Thicker Eyebrows
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Rarely, women notice increased eyebrow hair density.
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Historically, grandmothers and even ancient Egyptians used this as a way to detect early pregnancy.
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Scientific explanation is unclear, but it is recognized in medical literature as an early sign before lab testing.
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