8 DPO: The Early Pregnancy Symptoms
The first thing to know about 8 DPO is that it is not just a common term used in the medical world. It is actually a scientific term which means early pregnancy. A woman’s body starts showing signs of pregnancy when she gets her period around 15 weeks into her pregnancy. If you are still wondering how to tell if your baby is growing inside her, read our article How To Tell If Your Baby Is Growing Inside You.
In order to get the most out of your 8 DPO experience, you need to have a good understanding of what causes these symptoms and what they mean. So let us start with some basics!
What Causes These Signs?
There are several possible reasons why a woman might show these signs. Some of them may be due to normal changes during pregnancy while others could be caused by something else. Let us look at each one individually…
1) Increased Blood Flow to the Brain During Pregnancy – This is probably the most common reason behind all these symptoms.
When a woman gets pregnant, her blood flow increases because of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. This causes certain changes in the body and can lead to the following…
2) Tiredness or Fatigue – Perhaps the most common pregnancy symptom is tiredness or fatigue.
This is caused by the increased blood flow to your brain, which makes you tired throughout the day. This is why you need to rest more during this time. But remember, you do not have to cut back on your activity levels!
3) Increased Vaginal Discharge – This is another symptom that could be an indication of pregnancy.
The increased blood flow to the pelvic region can cause increased vaginal discharge, especially when you are about to get your period. You may experience other discomforts like itching and burning as well. While this is not a direct sign of pregnancy, it can still mean that something is not right in the vaginal area. This could be something like an infection or other such problems.
4) Mood Swings – You may notice that you are more prone to mood swings during this time.
It could be something as minor as yelling at your kids or something as major as getting into a fight with your spouse. These mood swings can cause problems in your personal and professional life. So it is always best to keep a check on them!
5) Headaches – Another common symptom of pregnancy is frequent headaches.
These headaches are caused by the increased blood flow to your brain, which puts a little extra pressure on it. This is another symptom that you need to watch out for because it could lead to something more serious.
6) Changes in Appetite – You may notice changes in your appetite during this time.
You may either feel a lot hungrier than normal or lose all interest in food altogether. Make sure you eat healthily even if your appetite is off because you still need the energy!
7) Itching or Tingling Sensation – Some women experience an itching or tingling sensation in their bums, throats or other body parts.
This is also caused by the increased blood flow while you are pregnant. In some cases, you may also feel a kind of pulling sensation in these areas as well. There is nothing to worry about!
8) Enlarged Clitoris – Another strange symptom that some pregnant women experience is an enlarged clitoris.
This usually happens when you get pregnant in the middle of your cycle. It is perfectly normal and you do not need to worry about it. The only thing you need to do is relax and focus on your breathing.
9) Discharge – Some women experience a white, cloudy or yellowish discharge when they are pregnant.
This is also caused by the increased blood flow and will disappear shortly after you give birth. It is nothing to worry about and will not cause any harm to you or the baby.
10) Itchy Breasts – You may notice that one of your nipples itches a lot during this time. This is again caused by the increased blood flow and you can easily solve this problem by applying a little cream or lubricant on it.
11) Mood Swings – As mentioned earlier, mood swings are also a common symptom of pregnancy. The levels of certain hormones in the body increase drastically during this time and this leads to the mood swings. You may feel really happy one moment and then suddenly burst into tears for no reason at all. It is best to avoid situations that can make these mood swings worse.
12) Morning Sickness – This is another common symptom of pregnancy that most women experience. This can range from a minor annoyance to severe nausea. It tends to get worse as the time for your baby to arrive gets closer. Make sure you eat small meals at regular intervals so that you do not fall ill from lack of nutrition.
There are many more symptoms of pregnancy that may or may not occur with you. While some of these are serious, there is no cause for alarm! Just try to relax and focus on your breathing as you go through this journey called motherhood!
Sources & references used in this article:
Do depression symptoms predict early hypertension incidence in young adults in the CARDIA study? by K Davidson, BS Jonas, KE Dixon… – Archives of internal …, 2000 – jamanetwork.com
Depression and anxiety in early pregnancy and risk for preeclampsia by T Kurki, V Hiilesmaa, R Raitasalo, H Mattila… – Obstetrics & …, 2000 – Elsevier
Interventions for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy by D Jewell, G Young – Cochrane Database of Systematic …, 2003 – cochranelibrary.com
Adults with early-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder by MC do Rosario-Campos, JF Leckman… – American Journal of …, 2001 – Am Psychiatric Assoc
Symptomatic patients with an early viable intrauterine pregnancy: HCG curves redefined by KT Barnhart, MD Sammel, PF Rinaudo… – Obstetrics & …, 2004 – journals.lww.com
