Anecdotal reports of heightened sense of smell during pregnancy are common, and the majority of pregnant women report increased olfactory sensitivity (Nordin et al., 2004; Cameron, 2007, 2014).
A change or increase in odor — while likely occurring because of your fluctuating hormones — may also seem more pungent to you because your olfactory senses are also heightened during pregnancy.
Very early pregnancy symptoms (like sensitivity to smell and tender breasts) may show up before you miss your period, as soon as a few days after conception, while other early signs of pregnancy (like spotting) might appear around one week after sperm meets egg.
What causes heightened sense of smell during pregnancy? As with so many pregnancy symptoms, when it comes to your keener sense of smell, you can once again blame those pregnancy hormones. In this case, estrogen can make every little scent that wafts your way feel like an all-out assault on your nostrils.
Why? Because as strange as it might sound, moms-to-be are known to have an uncanny sense of smell—in fact, it's often one of the first signs of pregnancy. So if you're suddenly gagging at the scent of garlic or ground beef (or can't even stomach a simple stroll through the grocery store), you might just be expecting.
“Your dog is smart enough to pick up on these changes during pregnancy, both in a physical way — which is how your body will be changing, your stomach, your smell — and in an emotional way, such as your feelings and your mood,” she says.
Normally, the color of urine can be light yellow or yellow to transparent. But for a pregnant woman, this change is more prominent and noticeable. The urine color can change from light yellow to dark yellow. It can go to an orange-yellow shade too.
In most cases, an unusual ammonia-like vaginal smell during pregnancy is caused by changes in urine. This can be due to lifestyle factors, such as dietary preferences, dehydration, and supplement use. What a person eats and drinks during pregnancy can affect the smell of their urine.
You might notice symptoms like light bleeding, spotting, cramps, or bloating around week 3 when the egg implants into your uterus.
Symptoms of rising hCG levels can include fatigue, nausea/vomiting (aka morning sickness), dizziness or light-headedness, breast tenderness, and feeling emotionally sensitive.
A heightened sense of smell is common during pregnancy2, and is often one of the first telltale signs that you are expecting! What causes your super sensitivity to the smells around you? You guessed it–you're shifting hormones, particularly estrogen.
Lower abdominal pain is normal during pregnancy and is most common between 18 and 24 weeks. Your growing uterus is pulling and straining the muscles that support it. You may feel sharp pains or just a mild pulling sensation. It often occurs when you cough, sneeze, stand up, sit down, roll over, or during sex.
Pregnancy Tests
It's too early to take a home pregnancy test in week 3. But, by the middle or later part of next week, you might be able to detect the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine with a sensitive early test.
Rising levels of progesterone during PMS can cause symptoms that mimic pregnancy to a T, whether it's tender breasts, a ravenous appetite, mild cramping, moodiness and fatigue, spotting, or even nausea.
Interestingly, some women may be more aware of the naturally occurring ammonia-like smell of urine during pregnancy because of their heightened sense of smell, research suggests.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV): According to the American Pregnancy Association, 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women will get bacterial vaginosis. The condition is caused by an imbalance of good and bad vaginal bacteria. The main symptom of BV is a fishy-smelling, gray discharge.
Dogs differ, so their reactions can, too. Some dogs become more protective of their owners during pregnancy and will stay close by your side. As your baby bump grows, this protective drive may even increase. But while some dogs adjust well to the change, others have a hard time.
Every dog reacts differently to their pregnant owner, some become protective, others more aloof, and others may even seem apathetic. One thing for sure is your dog notices a difference. Dogs are creatures of habit, trained and comforted by routine.
Where is pregnancy acne located? There is no specific place for pregnancy acne to appear. Commonly, they surface up on your face, chin, neck, chest, and back. These may also occur at any other body part or in places you've never had pimples before.
Women who usually need only 6 hours of sleep at night often find they need nearly double that during these first weeks of pregnancy. And for others, daytime tiredness is paired with trouble sleeping deeply or for more than a few hours at night. Nausea and vomiting can also be a big drain on your energy.
Stretching of the uterus
Symptoms of your uterus stretching may include twinges, aches, or mild discomfort in your uterine or lower abdominal region. This is a normal part of pregnancy and a sign that everything is progressing normally. Watch for spotting or painful cramping.
You can do this by inserting a finger into your vagina to feel for the cervix. Your middle finger may be the most effective finger to use because it's the longest, but use whichever finger is easiest for you.
Bloating may be one of your most frequent and least charming early pregnancy symptoms, first showing up around week 11 and likely lasting throughout your pregnancy up until delivery day.