Pregnancy is a life-changing experience that brings joy and excitement to expecting parents. While most women rely on traditional methods like missed periods and morning sickness to confirm their pregnancy, there are other unusual signs that may indicate the miracle of life growing inside. This article explores 14 surprising signs of pregnancy, ranging from spiritual connections to extraordinary dreams and the universe’s mysterious ways. So, if you suspect you may be expecting, keep an eye out for these fascinating indicators that go beyond the ordinary.
1. The Whisper of the Divine: Spiritual Connection
When you have a strong relationship with the Divine, you might receive whispers about life-changing events and with that, you must trust it!
Having God tell you are pregnant is one major sign that is happening. You might hear it through a prayer, a verse in the Bible, or an image within a church or temple.
Of course, these signs shouldn’t be confused with other more common signs of pregnancy. Be sure to get tested sooner than later!
2. The Unusual Dream: Messages from the Subconscious
Initially, the interpretation of dreams is right up there with the pharaohs and the Mayans. Dream interpretation is part of several ancient cultures and religions, and they are seen as a form of divine communication from the universe to the individual.
While the scientific backing of dreams and their roles is a little more wishy-washy, most people agree that dreaming can be tied to an individual’s mental and emotional state. In other words, dreams are a reflection of our waking lives. As such, pregnancy dreams are not entirely unusual for a woman considering the pregnancy process is quite an emotional rollercoaster.
What’s unexpected, however, is if anyone other than the pregnant woman dreams of it. There are several stories of partners, friends, and family members who dreamt about the pregnancy before they knew about it. It’s difficult to explain, especially in a scientific realm. However, the current theory is that the individual’s state of mind is picking up on cues that they aren’t necessarily aware of.
A person’s psychic abilities are determined by the right hemisphere of their brain. This part of the brain is responsible for non-linear and abstract thinking patterns. As such, it’s not impossible for it to pick up on societal cues and to be aware that their loved one is pregnant before they are.
3. Intuition: Trusting Your Gut Feeling
Most women don’t know they are pregnant until their next period is missed. This is around 4-6 weeks of pregnancy. Before you take the test, you may have this gut feeling that you are pregnant. Rely on it. If you have a strong feeling that you are pregnant, it’s a sign that you are indeed expecting. This could also be a sign during the early stages of pregnancy.
What if I take a test and it turns out negative?
There are several reasons why pregnancy tests turn up false negatives:
- Too early to test
- Expired or damaged test kit
- For best results, always read the label and follow the instructions of the pregnancy test. If you get a negative result but still feel pregnant, consider retaking the test a week after your missed period. If the result is still negative, but you still believe you’re pregnant, consult your doctor immediately.
4. Sensitivity to Smells: Sniffing Out Pregnancy
Another surprising sign you might be pregnant is if you find yourself responding to smells much more strongly than usual or if certain odors make you feel nauseous. The scientific term for this is “hyperosmia,” which means an increased sensitivity to the smell of some substances.
You may even find that you’re just more sensitive to smells in general, or that smells don’t smell quite the way they used to. Again, this can be incredibly subtle, or it can be quite obvious. I have a friend who finds herself hating the smell of coffee each time she’s pregnant. If you’re at a place like a restaurant or a bar and the smell of someone else’s food or drink is just making you feel ill, that could be a sign you’re pregnant (or it could just be a sign that you should find a new place to eat!).
It makes sense that you would have some aversions to smells when you’re pregnant, especially if they are strong ones, since many women experience nausea during pregnancy. But it’s not totally clear why this happens! Some scientists think that smelling certain odors might help pregnant women avoid potentially harmful substances. Other researchers think that hormones may be partly to blame, as they are for so many other symptoms of pregnancy.
In any case, it may sound strange to include sensitivity to smells in a collection of subtle signs you might be pregnant—perhaps it seems like a symptom that would be pretty noticeable. But for some women, it is subtle! Many women will tell you that they didn’t even realize they were pregnant until they started reacting more strongly to certain smells.
And being sensitive to smells can be highly relevant for women who are trying to get pregnant or who are currently pregnant, because certain smells can make them feel extremely nauseous. If this is something you’re dealing with, you might try the same things that help with any other type of nausea: ginger, peppermint, wristbands designed to help with motion sickness… and certain smells like vanilla or lemon can also help with queasiness.
5. Food Cravings and Aversions: The Mysterious Desires
In the first couple of weeks, you might think that it is out of the ordinary, and you are just being picky with your food.
But by the time you notice a certain food makes you nauseous in your list, it might be a sign. A sudden change in your appetite may be because of the pregnancy hormone fluctuations, which can also cause morning sickness.
Having a craving for different types of food or hating something you used to love is another story. You may also find yourself wanting to eat meat frequently if you are expecting. Or on the contrary, the smell of meat turns you off … The signs are not always consistent from woman to woman. The only thing common between them is a change in their eating habits.
First Trimester: Why do you feel nauseous all the time?
Being nauseous is normal, but it doesn’t mean that everyone experiences it. However, it affects most women during their first trimester. These are the potential reasons for morning sickness:
- When The Hormones Hit You
The most common reason for morning sickness is hormonal changes, primarily estrogen and progesterone. Both of these hormones are important for pregnancy. However, the changes happening in your body can lead to nausea and even vomiting.
Some might even get a terrible case of nausea before they realize they are pregnant. It can be disconcerting to feel incredibly unwell if you don’t know why, so look at the symptoms and compare them with the first onset of pregnancy. If you haven’t taken a pregnancy test yet, then do one now.
- You Are Sensory Overload
During pregnancy, your senses can become heightened and more sensitive than they usually would be. As such, you may find smells, textures, or sights that you once loved are now unbearable or uncomfortable. These heightened senses can occur around the same time as you start to feel nauseous.
- Mind Over Matter?
People can generally be more in tune with their bodies during pregnancy; therefore, any slight change in mood or physicality could cause a person to have a stronger reaction than usual. Slight dizziness or tiredness can be exaggerated into nausea and sickness because of an unconscious association with possible pregnancy.
If you are convinced that pregnancy is not the answer if you are not physically tired or hungry, then you might want to visit your doctor.
Second Trimester: What Happens on Week 28?
In your second trimester, expect nausea to subside as your hormone levels start to level off. The reason that early nausea and vomiting have not completely disappeared at 28 weeks is that there are several reasons behind them. However, remember to consult your doctor if anything unusual happens.
- Your Body Grows
You might be feeling sick because your torso is growing and stretching out, creating an uncomfortable sensation in your stomach. During this time, there is also the risk of acid reflux if you have regularly been feeling nauseous throughout the pregnancy.
- High Blood Pressure
Preeclampsia can occur during pregnancy and is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in urine. It can develop when your body starts to produce amniotic fluid after 16 weeks and can lead to many unwanted complications such as kidney failure and seizures.
- An Unhealthy Lifestyle
Having an unhealthy diet or putting on too much weight could lead to illnesses such as diabetes, which might make the side effects of pregnancy more pronounced.
6. Fatigue and Lethargy: Energy Drain
Energy drain is a common sign of pregnancy, with studies ranging from 50%-90% of pregnant women experiencing it. Physiologically, this is due to a few reasons:
- Workload: According to Dr. Thomas Ruiz, “During the first trimester, most women will feel more tired than usual.” This is because your body is increasing in blood volume and expanding the uterus, both of which require extra energy.
- Protein Deficiency: A study by Nebert et al. found that individuals with protein deficiencies have less energy and increased vulnerability to infections. This is especially bad when you’re pregnant, as it will be harmful not just to you but also your developing child.
- Low Blood Pressure: Low blood pressure can result in fatigue and dizziness. It happens quite often during the early stages of pregnancy and can range between mild and severe cases.
Psychologically, the main cause is the stress and anxiety of being pregnant. Women tend to overthink and fret more when they’re pregnant, even if it’s a planned one. If they don’t release this pent-up energy constructively, it can result in depletion, leaving them tired and drained after stressing all day about every little thing.
If you’re experiencing energy drain, I recommend getting protein supplements, vitamins, and iron tablets if necessary. But also try to engage in activities that help to destress you. Massages, aromatherapy, or even just walking in the park will help to release some endorphins (happy hormones) and ease the anxiety.
7. Heightened Emotions: Riding the Hormonal Roller Coaster
If you are pregnant or hoping to conceive, it is crucial to be in tune with your emotions. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can spark an emotional wave that surges up and down with erratic abandon. During pregnancy, your body produces greater amounts of estrogen, causing heightened levels of emotional sensitivity. This makes you more prone to mood swings.
These abrupt shifts are normal, and usually occur at the beginning of your first trimester. However, some women experience these heightened emotions throughout the duration of their pregnancy. Never underestimate the power of your body to adapt, trust that it will find a balance eventually.
Most pregnant women feel heightened emotions such as:
- fear
- anxiety
- worry
- irritability
- anger
- happiness
- joy</li>
It is important to maintain self-care practices during your pregnancy to reduce the probability of developing mental health issues. Elevated hormones are part and parcel of pregnancy and can often steer you off path towards depression if you are not careful.
Try and maintain a healthy routine including regular exercise, a balanced diet and a few moments of relaxation each day. Incorporate deep breathing exercises or morning meditation into your daily routine. And don’t forget about the wonders of aromatherapy and essential oils, some blends are particularly effective in calming your emotions.
8. Breast Changes: Preparing for Motherhood
One of the early signs of pregnancy is the tender breasts that you may experience in the first few weeks after conception. Your breasts may also feel fuller than usual or sensitive to touch, and the areolas may darken and enlarge.
These changes happen in preparation for your breasts to start milk production. After giving birth, your breasts will transition from pregnancy to nursing mode, and the discomfort you are experiencing is often a symptom of hormonal changes in your body.
In the first two weeks after conception, your body’s estrogen and progesterone levels spike and your body responds by increasing blood supply to your breasts. This can cause your breast tissue to swell and lead to discomfort.
By the time you are 6-8 weeks pregnant, your milk glands will have been activated as your body prepares to produce and deliver a milk supply for your baby.
How can you tell if your breast changes are caused by pregnancy?
Also, the progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormones don’t just cause tenderness and increase blood flow. They also work to suppress your immune system, which can leave you more susceptible to developing mastitis or a breast infection caused by bacteria entering your milk ducts.
Although it is unusual for mastitis to occur during pregnancy, you should still be on the lookout for mastitis symptoms such as a red, swollen, or tender area on your breast that is painful when touched, burning or warmth in the area, fever, chills, body aches, or fatigue. If you suspect you have mastitis, contact your obstetrician or midwife right away for treatment.
9. Frequent Urination: The Call of Nature
They say that the heavier the flow, the lighter the period. This is why some women feel that getting their period is such a liberation. This statement, however, is not limited to menstruation alone. It also holds true for making frequent trips to the bathroom. If you find yourself going to the bathroom more often than usual, then that might be a sign that you’re eating for two!
Seriously, urinating frequently is a typical sign of pregnancy. Early on in pregnancy, hormonal changes can make your digestion process slow down, and this can make you feel bloated. The growing uterus presses against your bladder which can cause frequent urination. The urge of peeing becomes stronger if your baby assumes a position that put pressure on it.
The more common time for frequent urination occurs in the first and third trimesters. In your first trimester, you might notice that you’re visiting the bathroom quite often. It eases up in the second trimester but starts to increase again as your pregnancy progresses. When you reach your third trimester, you’ll find that you’re no stranger to this discomfort.
Before assuming you are pregnant, it is important to take note of other symptoms that accompany frequent urination, such as burning sensation during urination or blood in your urine. These symptoms may indicate an infection such as urinary tract infection (UTI). If any of these signs appear, consult a healthcare provider immediately.
10. Mysterious Spotting: Signs Beyond the Period
Mysterious spotting is characterized by mild bleeding that happens between menstrual cycles. In the world of pregnancy, however, this could be a sign that something monumental is happening. A few spots could signal a fertilized egg being implanted in the uterus.
Internal bleeding may also be due to hormonal changes happening in your body. However, if the bleeding is heavy and lasts for days, it’s best to have it checked by your OB-GYN. This could be a symptom of an ovarian cyst or a miscarriage.
Regardless of the flow, mysterious spotting along with these subtle hints should prompt you to take a pregnancy test for affirmation.
In conclusion, pregnancy is a beautiful and awe-inspiring journey. While traditional signs like missed periods and morning sickness are common indicators, it’s fascinating to explore the more unusual signs that might signify the presence of a little one. From spiritual connections and signs from God to vivid dreams and unexplained happenings, these signs can provide comfort and excitement during this special time. Remember, if you experience any of these signs and suspect you might be pregnant, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for medical confirmation. Embrace the journey and cherish the miracles that come with it!
