What does it mean when you are pregnant with no symptoms? According to the National Library of Medicine, 88 percent of pregnant women experience at least one pregnancy symptom in the first trimester. Common pregnancy symptoms include breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, food cravings, heartburn, and constipation. However, a very small amount of women experience no symptoms throughout their entire pregnancy.
Pregnancy symptoms vary from one pregnancy to the next. Experiencing typical pregnancy symptoms is usually a sign of a healthy pregnancy, and there is nothing to worry about. If you are pregnant with no symptoms and are wondering what that means, keep reading.
In this post, I will discuss the following.
- Can you be pregnant with no symptoms except a missed period?
- Onset, Frequency, and Severity of Pregnancy Symptoms
- Absence of Pregnancy Symptoms
- Changing or Disappearing Symptoms of Pregnancy
Disclaimer:
This post is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.
Can you be pregnant with no symptoms except a missed period?
Are you pregnant with no symptoms? Do not worry. Being pregnant with no symptoms is not a sign that your pregnancy is unhealthy. Instead, you should actually feel lucky because pregnancy symptoms are the worst.
It’s different for everyone. Some women experience severe symptoms, while others experience mild symptoms like mood swings. Some feel symptoms some days while others only feel them on certain days. Feeling nothing is quite rare (1 out of 475 pregnant women), but totally normal. There may be causes to why you don’t feel any symptoms during pregnancy.
A missed period is the biggest sign of pregnancy. There are other reasons it could occur, but your pregnancy can be confirmed at your doctor’s office. Pregnancy symptoms do not guarantee that you are pregnant. You must miss your period and get a positive pregnancy test to be considered pregnant.
Onset, Frequency, and Severity of Pregnancy Symptoms
Pregnancy symptoms usually begin in the first trimester around five to six weeks from the first day of your last menstrual cycle. The first symptoms are usually implantation bleeding, implantation cramping, and breast tenderness.
The symptoms usually subside during the second trimester. Instead, your growing belly begins to show. Most women believe that the second trimester is the best because pregnancy symptoms have subsided and their bellies are not too big to cause discomfort.
The severity of symptoms varies from one pregnant woman to another. Some women experience severe morning sickness, while others may feel mild nausea. Some gain weight very quickly, while others gain only a few pounds.
Absence of Pregnancy Symptoms
Because of the complete absence of pregnancy symptoms, pregnant women may experience denied pregnancies or cryptic pregnancies. Denied pregnancies refer to pregnant women who deny that they are pregnant. According to the National Library of Medicine, 1 out of 475 pregnant women experiences a denied pregnancy. Cryptic pregnancies refer to pregnant women who don’t know they are pregnant because of the lack of pregnancy symptoms.
Some reasons for an absence of pregnancy symptoms include:
- You are too early on in pregnancy. Most pregnant women do not experience symptoms until 6 weeks of pregnancy. HCG, the pregnancy hormone, and progesterone are the main causes for pregnancy symptoms. They need to be high enough in the body to cause symptoms.
- You are simply one of the lucky ones who do not experience pregnancy symptoms.
- Some women with PCOS, polycystic ovarian syndrome, may not feel symptoms at all during pregnancy.
- You were expecting exaggerated symptoms. You may not be noticing them.
- You are not actually pregnant. You must take a pregnancy test and get a positive, or visit a doctor’s office.
Changing or Disappearing Symptoms of Pregnancy
Not having symptoms from the beginning to the end of your pregnancy is usually not a concern. It is rare, but it does happen to some women. However, if your symptoms are changing or disappearing, that can be concerning. You should see a doctor or a health care provider if you are concerned about your symptoms.
Fetal Movement Decreases
After you first feel your baby move (quickening), which is around 16-22 weeks of pregnancy, you should continue to feel it moving. If your baby stops moving, you should immediately see a doctor. A decrease in fetal movement could be a sign that something is wrong, and you and your baby need medical help.
From around 28 weeks of pregnancy, you need to start counting daily fetal kick counts. This could give you a hint if there is anything wrong. There are a few reasons for a decrease in fetal movement, and they include:
- Your placenta is in the anterior position meaning it is found in front of your uterine wall. This will make it harder for you to feel the baby.
- Your baby is in a sleep cycle, which means your baby will move less.
- There is a problem with the umbilical cord. It could be wrapped around the fetus’s neck.
Whatever the cause, if you are feeling less fetal movement, contact your doctor. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Disappearing Symptoms
Disappearing pregnancy symptoms are concerning. During the first trimester, disappearing symptoms could indicate that you may be having a miscarriage. Many women lose their symptoms or stop feeling pregnant right before a miscarriage.
During the second trimester, many of your early pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness, constipation, and fatigue will disappear. That is totally normal. Your growing belly will be a better indicator that you are pregnant.
In Conclusion “Pregnant with No Symptoms”
1 out of 475 pregnant women is pregnant with no symptoms. Some women do not even realize they are pregnant until their pregnancy bellies begin to show. Even though it is rare, it is possible.
Having no symptoms while pregnant does not mean you are going to miscarry. Instead, it means you are one of the lucky ones who don’t have to struggle with annoying pregnancy symptoms.
Disappearing and changing symptoms are more concerning than having no symptoms. Always, see a doctor if you are concerned about anything.
