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When you’re trying to conceive, two weeks can feel like an eternity. On average, that’s how long you have wait after ovulation, before you can possibly get a positive result on a home pregnancy test. For some, it may take even longer!
Luckily, I didn’t have to wait too long. A few early symptoms started to show up for me within a week!
However, these weren’t the typical pregnancy symptoms that I’d always heard about.
I wasn’t nauseous, nor did I have particularly tender or swollen breasts. In fact, had I not started browsing through some pregnancy message boards online, to get an idea of some common early pregnancy symptoms, I probably would have had no idea I was already starting to feel pregnant.
Hopefully sharing my experience will help others identify some early signs, too!
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Here’s what my symptoms looked like:
(DPO= days post ovulation)
1-2 DPO: Soon after ovulation, I remember feeling a bit of mild cramping, similar to PMS. This occurred much earlier in my cycle than I’m used to, which made me take notice.
5-6 DPO: I woke up with a painfully stiff neck! I didn’t think much of it, at first, but a few other women mentioned this as an early sign of pregnancy, so I started to think… maybe. I also thought I felt a mild aching sensation around my pelvis, but I thought it might just be wishful thinking.
8 DPO: I woke up with a strong acidic feeling in my throat, and nothing I ate or drank helped me get rid of it. I also felt the need to clear my throat for most of the day, and I felt very tired. Since I’ve never had acid reflux in my life, I was almost positive this was a sign that I was pregnant.
9 DPO: I became so convinced that I was pregnant, I decided to take a home pregnancy test early. And I saw a faint blue line! I’ve heard that even the faintest line means you’re definitely pregnant, but it was hard to believe it’s true. Still in shock, I decided to wait a little longer to tell Austin– until I get a solid blue line to show him.
10 DPO: I started to feel mild cold-like symptoms, including a stuffy nose and an itchy cough, which continued for most of the following week.
12 DPO: I take another pregnancy test (still 2 days earlier than I probably should have) and I get a solid blue line–> I’m definitely pregnant!
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As you can see, almost none of the “typical” pregnancy signs showed up for me until nearly two weeks after getting the positive pregnancy test. Luckily, knowing some of the more unusual signs helped me identify my situation quickly!
Of course, then the waiting really begins… when you become impatient to see or hear the heartbeat!
I am so happy that I found your website through Pinterest. I have the Resberry Almond Bars in the oven now but noticed this pregnancy section. I am almost 39 and have been trying for a year. I had no idea that it was going to be so difficult. I can’t wait to research the recommended books. Thank you so much for sharing.
The bars are cooling and I know they are delishes since I already scooped some up.
I was hoping you could maybe give me some knowledge or direction on a subject. I started really cleaning up my eating and added working out steadily a little over a year ago. Each day I am getting better and more dedicated. I eat a super clean diet and workout 6 days a week. I am not ovulating and I don’t know if it is diet related. I am pretty sure I am eating enough and I know I am eating clean healthy nutritious foods. Doctors just want to throw me on a medication and try others after until something works. Any ideas on where I can learn more about helping myself?
I wasn’t ovulating for a while, either, so I can definitely relate! I can’t tell you what will work for your body, but you can read about what I personally tried here: https://detoxinista.com/2013/05/preparing-for-pregnancy/
Also, I’ve heard great things about this book: http://amzn.to/18HciBQ
Taking Charge of Your Fertility is an AMAZING book!!!
Are you still eating raw goat cheddar and raw honey? 8 months pregnant now and have avoided thrm dur to midwives instruction but I would be interested to hear about your take. Cobgrats!
Yes, I do still eat raw goat cheddar and raw honey. I stopped briefly during my first trimester, because I was concerned about the risks, but after doing more research on the matter, I feel comfortable consuming raw cheeses that have been aged for 60 days. (The only type that is legal to sell in US grocery stores.)
However, I would never advise another pregnant woman to do the same unless they understood all of the possible risks, and had done their own research to make a decision that they are comfortable with.
Can you recommend any books to read preconception…on preparing your body for pregnancy?
I found the following two books helpful:
Fertilise Yourself
Taking Charge of Your Fertility
congratulations and thank you for your amazing posts. My hubby and I have been trying for a couple of months now. It gets a little frustrating when the test comes out negative. Fingers crossed, hoping this coming Monday the test comes out positive. 🙂
I know how you feel! Best of luck this time around! 🙂
How long did you and your husband try to conceive? My husband and I have been trying for 4 months now and I am trying to stay positive but it is really hard.
We were very fortunate, and it only took us two months to conceive. I used a fertility tracking monitor to track my basal body temperature and ovulation cycles for over 6 months beforehand, to make our odds better when the time came!
Would you mind sharing what kind of fertility monitor you used? There are so many out there…its confusing!
I used the baby comp. It’s an expensive device, but it’s the only thing that has kept me consistent with tracking my fertility over the last 4 years. It’s what I use as an alarm clock each morning!
Megan! Thank you so much for responding on this old post. Thats exactly the one I was thinking of getting. The initial investment is quite steep although the reviews are amazing so I might take the plunge!
for some people it takes over a year…or more. hang in there 🙂
Happy and healthy 9 months, congratulations and thank you for sharing your journey:-)
Congratulations, great post!
Congratulations! Cannot wait to hear more about your adventure! 🙂