Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-08-05
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Pregnancy’s ten months often bring a whirlwind of discomforts. Planning to conceive? Curious about the signs? Already expecting? Wondering how to tackle those pesky symptoms? Bowtie breaks down common pregnancy woes with easy tips to help you sail through smoother!
Common Pregnancy Symptoms List
| Pregnancy Symptoms | Related Common Physiological Reactions |
| Stomach Pain | Acid reflux, indigestion, abdominal bloating, feeling of fullness and discomfort |
| Headache | Migraine, tension headache, vomiting, nausea |
| Cold | Fever, headache, muscle pain, general fatigue, loss of appetite, cough |
| Vomiting | Nausea, vomiting |
| Back Pain | Back pain, lower back pain |
| Lower Abdominal Pain | Cramping pain in the lower abdomen, constipation |
Pregnancy Stomach Pain Symptoms
During pregnancy, expectant mothers may experience stomach pain for various reasons, such as constipation or ligaments stretching as the body changes, leading to stomach cramps. This type of stomach pain is relatively mild and usually subsides after a while. However, severe stomach pain could be linked to serious conditions like ectopic pregnancy, placental abruption, urinary tract infection, miscarriage, or preterm labor.
Common Symptoms and Relief Methods
When an expectant mother has stomach pain, it’s often accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Acid reflux
- Indigestion
- Bloating
- Feeling of fullness and discomfort
In such cases, besides getting plenty of rest and finding a comfortable position to let the pain gradually ease, expectant mothers can also try these methods to relieve stomach pain or reduce its chances:
- Avoid eating before bedtime
- Steer clear of spicy, greasy, or caffeinated foods and drinks
- Prop up your head with extra pillows while sleeping to keep it higher than your abdomen
Important Notes
If an expectant mother experiences stomach pain along with any of these unusual symptoms, she should seek medical attention promptly for a thorough check-up:
- Blood in urine or stool
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Back pain
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Severe stomach pain lasting more than half an hour
Pregnancy Symptoms: Headaches
Headaches are a very common discomfort in early pregnancy, with numerous causes such as changes in hormone levels, poor sleep, stress, fatigue, low blood sugar, excessive hunger, or dehydration from morning sickness.
Additionally, a small portion of persistent headaches could be a symptom of preeclampsia, where pregnant women may also experience high blood pressure, swelling in the face and hands, and excessive protein in the urine.
Headaches are a very common discomfort in early pregnancy, with numerous causes such as:
- Changes in hormone levels
- Excessive stress
- Fatigue
- Low blood sugar
- Excessive hunger
- Dehydration from morning sickness
Additionally, a small portion of persistent headaches could be a symptom of preeclampsia, where pregnant women may also experience high blood pressure, swelling in the face and hands, and excessive protein in the urine .
Common Symptoms and Remedies
When pregnant women experience headaches, they are usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Migraines
- Tension headaches
- Vomiting
- Nausea
In such cases, pregnant women can use the following methods to relieve headaches or reduce the chances of them occurring:
- Avoid smoking or second-hand smoke
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration from morning sickness
- Maintain a positive mindset
- Apply cold or hot compresses to the forehead during headaches to ease the pain
- Try to avoid triggers for migraines, such as flashing lights or noisy environments
Important Notes
If pregnant women have headaches, they can still take medications containing paracetamol, but they need to pay attention to the dosage and timing. If in doubt, consult a family doctor before taking any medication. Additionally, try to avoid medications containing codeine, ibuprofen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) .
Moreover, if pregnant women experience headaches along with other symptoms of preeclampsia , such as severe pain below the ribs, persistent heartburn, swelling in the hands and feet, blurred vision, etc., they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Pregnancy Symptoms: Dealing with Colds
Whether you’re pregnant or not, it’s easy to catch a common cold or the flu during seasonal changes or peak flu seasons. The former is caused by cold viruses, mainly leading to upper respiratory infections that are relatively mild. The latter, triggered by flu viruses, can bring on symptoms like fever, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue.
Common Symptoms and Management Tips
Here are some common symptoms of a cold:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- General fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Cough
In such cases, pregnant women should adopt these methods to prevent or treat a cold:
- Get the flu vaccine
- Maintain good personal hygiene
- Avoid crowded places
- Get plenty of rest and exercise
- Seek medical advice early and follow your doctor’s instructions for medication
- Consume enough vitamins and stay hydrated
- Ensure sufficient sleep
Does a Cold During Pregnancy Affect the Baby?
During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system weakens, and physiological changes in the lungs and heart can make cold symptoms more severe and longer-lasting, with a higher risk of complications. If a flu leads to fever or complications, it could impact fetal development and even raise the chances of premature birth or miscarriage.
Pregnancy Symptoms: Vomiting
In early pregnancy, many women experience morning sickness, which involves nausea and vomiting. This is mainly due to rising hormone levels, low blood sugar, and other factors. Certain conditions can make it worse, like carrying twins or triplets, excessive fatigue, or high stress.
Common Symptoms and Coping Tips
Vomiting in pregnancy often comes with nausea. Morning sickness is common, so here are some ways to ease it and reduce vomiting episodes:
- Get plenty of rest
- Avoid foods with strong smells or those that make you queasy
- Eat small, frequent meals
- Drink lots of water
- Try acupressure (massage your wrist points)
- Take anti-nausea medication if needed
Points to Note
If you’re dealing with morning sickness plus any of these symptoms, see a doctor promptly for a thorough check-up.
- Significant weight loss
- Fever
- Infrequent urination with dark urine
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Vomit with blood
- Persistent headache or abdominal pain
Pregnancy Symptoms: Back Pain
As your baby grows during pregnancy, the added weight puts more strain on your lower back, often leading to aches and pains for expectant moms. Plus, your body’s ligaments stretch and soften to prepare for delivery, which can pressure your back and pelvic joints, causing that nagging back pain.
Common Symptoms and Relief Tips
Pregnant women with back pain might also experience shoulder, neck, or overall back discomfort. To ease symptoms or reduce the chances of back pain, try these simple strategies:
- Avoid lifting heavy objects
- Opt for flat shoes and skip the high heels
- Sit with your back straight and use good support
- Get plenty of rest
- Massage your lower back or do gentle stretches
When to Seek Medical Advice
If back pain comes with any of these symptoms, see a doctor promptly for a thorough check-up.
- Mid-to-late pregnancy back pain could signal preterm labor
- Fever
- Vaginal bleeding
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Pain under the ribs
- Weakness or unusual tingling in the legs
Pregnancy Symptoms: Lower Abdominal Pain
During pregnancy, the round ligaments connecting the uterus to the abdomen stretch and contract due to changes in body shape, causing lower abdominal pain similar to menstrual cramps. Additionally, constipation, urinary tract infections, ectopic pregnancy, and other factors can also lead to lower abdominal pain in pregnant women.
Common Symptoms and Handling Methods
When pregnant women experience lower abdominal pain, the area may feel crampy and painful, and there might also be constipation issues. In such cases, try these methods to alleviate the discomfort:
- Relax your body to ease the pain
- Place a pillow or warm water bottle on your lower abdomen
- Eat foods high in dietary fiber to improve constipation
- Temporarily reduce physical activity
Precautions
If you experience lower abdominal pain along with any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly for a thorough check-up.
- Severe pain or more than 4 contractions within an hour
- Vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge
- Fever or chills
- Burning sensation during urination
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