🤰 Pregnancy
Pregnancy Symptoms A–Z
A calm, plain-language guide to common pregnancy symptoms — from morning sickness and back pain to swelling and Braxton Hicks. Learn what's normal, what helps, and the warning signs that need a doctor.
52 symptoms · evidence-based · reviewed against WHO, NHS & ACOG guidance.
Nausea & Digestion
Morning sickness, food changes, heartburn and the gut symptoms of pregnancy.
Bloating & GasA tight, gassy, full feeling in the tummy — common at every stage and usually eased by smaller meals, gentle movement and time.ConstipationInfrequent or hard-to-pass stools — common throughout pregnancy and usually eased by fibre, fluids and gentle movement.DiarrhoeaLoose, frequent stools that can happen at any stage of pregnancy — usually short-lived, but worth watching for dehydration.Excess Saliva (Ptyalism)A harmless increase in saliva production, common alongside nausea in early pregnancy.Food AversionsA sudden dislike of certain foods or smells, common in early pregnancy and usually easing over time.Food CravingsStrong urges for particular foods, common throughout pregnancy and usually fine in moderation.Heartburn & Acid RefluxA burning feeling behind the breastbone from acid reflux — very common from the second trimester on, and usually eased by small meals and staying upright.IndigestionFullness, discomfort or bloating after eating — common from the second trimester and usually eased by smaller, slower meals.Metallic Taste (Dysgeusia)A harmless metallic taste caused by pregnancy hormones, usually easing after the first trimester.Morning SicknessNausea and vomiting in early pregnancy — common, usually harmless, and eases by mid-pregnancy for most people.NauseaThe queasy, unsettled feeling common in early pregnancy — usually harmless and eases by the second trimester.VomitingBeing sick in early pregnancy is common and usually manageable — the main risk is dehydration if it becomes severe.
Aches & Pains
Back, pelvic, ligament and nerve pains as your body adapts and your bump grows.
Abdominal CrampsA common tightening or ache in the lower tummy — usually harmless stretching, but some patterns need urgent checking.Back PainCommon as your bump grows and posture shifts — usually eased with posture, gentle movement and support, but some patterns need checking.Carpal Tunnel SyndromeTingling or numbness in the hand from pressure on the wrist nerve — common in later pregnancy and usually eases after birth.HeadachesA common pregnancy symptom, usually harmless, but some patterns — especially with vision changes or swelling — need urgent checking for pre-eclampsia.Hip PainCommon, especially at night, as ligaments loosen and pressure builds — usually eased with sleep positioning and gentle stretching.Leg CrampsSudden, painful calf or foot cramps, common at night in later pregnancy — usually harmless but occasionally a sign of a clot.Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP/SPD)Pain and instability around your pubic bone and hips — uncomfortable but not harmful to your baby, and physiotherapy usually helps a lot.Pelvic PainCommon as ligaments stretch and your bump grows — usually manageable, but severe, one-sided or feverish pain needs checking.Rib PainCommon in the third trimester as your bump pushes up under your ribs — usually eased by posture, but some patterns need urgent checking.Round Ligament PainSharp, brief pulls in your lower tummy or groin as supporting ligaments stretch — very common and normal in the second trimester.SciaticaShooting pain from the lower back down one leg, common in later pregnancy — usually eased with stretching and posture care.
Circulation & Breathing
Dizziness, breathlessness, swelling, varicose veins and the heart-and-blood changes.
Bleeding GumsCommon, hormone-driven gum sensitivity in pregnancy that responds well to good dental care — but unusually severe or widespread bleeding needs checking.Dizziness & Light-headednessLight-headedness from your changing blood pressure and circulation — usually brief and harmless, but fainting or persistent dizziness needs checking.Fatigue & TirednessDeep tiredness driven by pregnancy hormones and the physical demands of pregnancy — common in the first and third trimesters.Haemorrhoids (Piles)Swollen veins around the back passage that are common in pregnancy — usually manageable at home, but new or heavy bleeding always needs checking.Heart PalpitationsA racing or fluttering heartbeat is common as your heart pumps more blood in pregnancy — usually harmless, but needs checking if it comes with chest pain, fainting or severe breathlessness.Nasal Congestion (Pregnancy Rhinitis)A stuffy nose caused by pregnancy hormones rather than a cold — common and manageable, but fever or facial pain alongside it needs checking.NosebleedsMore frequent nose bleeding in pregnancy — usually harmless, but a bleed that won't stop or comes with headache and vision changes needs urgent care.Shortness of BreathFeeling breathless is common from mid-pregnancy as your body and bump change how you breathe — but sudden, severe breathlessness always needs urgent care.Swelling (Oedema)Gradual swelling in the legs, ankles and feet is common in the third trimester — but sudden or severe swelling of the face and hands needs urgent checking for pre-eclampsia.Swollen Feet & AnklesPuffy feet and ankles are extremely common in the third trimester and usually ease with rest — but sudden, severe or one-sided swelling needs checking.Varicose VeinsEnlarged leg veins that are common and usually harmless in pregnancy — but one hot, swollen, painful leg needs urgent checking.
Bleeding & Discharge
Spotting, bleeding and discharge — what's expected and what needs urgent checking.
SpottingLight, period-lighter-than bleeding in early pregnancy — often harmless, but always worth reporting to your midwife.Vaginal BleedingBleeding heavier than spotting, at any stage of pregnancy — always report it immediately; some causes need emergency care.Vaginal DischargeMore clear or milky discharge is normal in pregnancy; changes in colour, smell or a watery gush need checking.
Bladder & Uterus
Frequent urination, leaks, and Braxton Hicks 'practice' contractions.
Braxton Hicks ContractionsIrregular, usually painless 'practice' tightenings of the womb — normal from the 2nd trimester, but regular or early ones need checking.Frequent UrinationWeeing more often is common in early and late pregnancy — harmless, but pain or burning may mean a UTI needing treatment.Urinary Incontinence (Leaks)Small urine leaks with coughing, sneezing or laughing are common from mid-pregnancy — pelvic floor exercises help.
Sleep, Mood & Mind
Insomnia, vivid dreams, mood swings, anxiety and 'pregnancy brain'.
Anxiety in PregnancyOngoing worry or anxious feelings in pregnancy — common, and when persistent or overwhelming, very treatable with the right support.Insomnia & Sleep ProblemsDifficulty falling or staying asleep — very common in early and late pregnancy, and usually manageable with a few changes to your routine.Mood SwingsEmotional ups and downs driven by pregnancy hormones — common, usually manageable, and always worth talking about if they feel too much.Pregnancy Brain (Forgetfulness)Feeling forgetful or foggy in pregnancy — very common, usually mild, and not a lasting change to your abilities.Restless Legs SyndromeAn uncomfortable urge to move your legs, common in late pregnancy and often linked to low iron — worth checking and easing with the right support.Vivid DreamsMore frequent, intense or strange dreams — a common and harmless part of pregnancy, especially later on.
Skin, Hair & Breast
Itching, stretch marks, acne, pigmentation, hair changes and tender breasts.
Breast Tenderness & ChangesTender, changing breasts are a very early and very normal pregnancy sign — but any new lump or skin change still needs checking.Hair ChangesHair often looks thicker in pregnancy due to hormones — some postpartum shedding a few months later is normal too.Itchy SkinUsually just stretching skin and hormones — but persistent itching on palms/soles, worse at night, needs a same-week check for obstetric cholestasis.Pregnancy AcneHormone-driven breakouts, common in early pregnancy — treatable safely, but some acne ingredients must be avoided.Skin Darkening (Melasma & Linea Nigra)Harmless hormonal pigmentation — melasma on the face, linea nigra down the tummy — that usually fades after birth.Stretch MarksCommon, harmless streaks from stretching skin — mostly a cosmetic issue that fades over time.
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