Stuffy nose and sneezing early sign of pregnancy forum

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11 Early Signs of Pregnancy to Look Out For

Feeling tired, nauseous or sensitive to smells? You might be pregnant.

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It's easy to miss some of the common early signs of pregnancy, as many of these symptoms can easily be mistaken for other ailments. To know whether or not you should buy a pregnancy test, Dr. Dana Gossett, an OB-GYN and professor with the University of California San Francisco’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, says it's important to monitor your periods.

"Women keeping track of their periods is important," she tells Woman's Day. "It provides a window into your overall health if you have a lens on what your period is doing. There are tons of free apps out there that you can use to track it. If more people are doing that and are in tune with their gynecological health, they’re more likely to recognize when they could be pregnant."

If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, and your period has been MIA, it may be worth taking a pregnancy test or visiting your OB-GYN.

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Fatigue

A very common early symptom of pregnancy is fatigue, according to Dr. Gossett. "Most women in their first trimester feel exhausted, and many can mistake early pregnancy for coming down with something else, like a cold or flu," she tells Woman's Day.

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Nausea

Gossett says that nausea is another early symptom of pregnancy. "About 80% of women experience nausea early in their pregnancy," she says. "But that means that one in five don’t. So some women might think, 'I’m not feeling nauseous so I’m not pregnant,' and that might not be true."

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Sensitivity to Smells

Gossett says that becoming unusually sensitive to smells could be another sign that you might be pregnant. "If suddenly food smells are really turning you off, or if you have an aversion to foods you usually enjoy, that could be another early sign of pregnancy," she says.

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Increased Urination

Increased urination can be symptomatic of a few different things, including pregnancy. Dr. Andrei Rebarber, an OB-GYN, president of the Maternal Fetal Health Associates in New York, and a Clinical Professor at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine says if you're urinating more often than usual (but there isn't any pain), you might be pregnant.

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Bloating

If you're feeling unusually bloated or have cramps, that might also be a sign that it's time to take a pregnancy test. Gossett and Rebarber both say this can be another early symptom of pregnancy that many women could miss.

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Constipation

If you're having trouble going to the bathroom, that could be another early symptom of pregnancy, according to Gossett and Rebarber who both mention this as a potential sign.

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Breast Tenderness or Enlargement

Breast changes are an early symptom of pregnancy for many women. If you notice that yours are unusually sensitive or feel fuller than usual to the touch, Dr. Rebarber says this could be an early symptom of pregnancy.

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Pelvic Pain

Unusual pelvic pain is one potential symptom of pregnancy that needs to be addressed immediately. "Pelvic pain is serious, as it can indicate an ectopic pregnancy," explains Dr. Rebarber. An ectopic pregnancy is one where the fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus.

"If someone is experiencing pelvic pain, they need to see a provider as soon as possible," Rebarber says.

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Bleeding or Spotting

Even if you think you've gotten your period, there could actually still be a chance you're pregnant. "If you think you’ve gotten your period, but you have some of these other symptoms, you may actually be pregnant," Gossett says. "Sometimes there is bleeding when a pregnancy is implanting, and it can be confused with a period. So it may be worthwhile to rule it out if you’re experiencing any of these other symptoms."

Jamie Ballard Contributing Writer Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance.

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