Intense desires for specific foods. Most commonly sweets, chocolate, fruit, and salty snacks.
Onset: week 5
Peak: week 14
Relief tips
- It's fine to indulge cravings in moderation.
- If craving non-food items (ice, dirt, chalk), tell your doctor - this is called pica and may indicate iron deficiency.
- Try to balance cravings with nutritious options when possible.
Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing. Pregnancy hormones increase blood flow to the gums and make them more sensitive.
Onset: week 8
Peak: week 30
Relief tips
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and be gentle when brushing.
- Continue flossing daily - stopping will make gum problems worse.
- See your dentist for a cleaning during pregnancy. Dental care is safe and recommended.
Overwhelming tiredness, even after a full night's sleep. Your body is working hard to build the placenta and support your baby's growth.
Onset: week 4
Peak: week 9
Relief tips
- Rest when you can - short naps of 20-30 minutes can help.
- Go to bed earlier and maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
- Light exercise like walking can actually boost your energy levels.
Needing to pee more often, including at night. In early pregnancy, caused by increased blood flow; later, by the baby pressing on your bladder.
Onset: week 4
Peak: week 38
Relief tips
- Don't reduce fluid intake - staying hydrated is important. But limit fluids close to bedtime.
- Lean forward when urinating to help empty your bladder more completely.
- Avoid caffeine, which acts as a diuretic and increases urgency.
Sore, heavy, or tingly breasts. One of the earliest pregnancy symptoms, caused by rising estrogen and progesterone preparing for breastfeeding.
Onset: week 4
Peak: week 8
Resolves: ~week 14
Relief tips
- Wear a supportive, well-fitting bra without underwire.
- A sports bra or sleep bra can help with nighttime comfort.
- Tenderness typically eases as your body adjusts to hormonal changes.
Breakouts on the face, chest, or back caused by hormonal changes increasing oil production.
Onset: week 6
Peak: week 14
Resolves: ~week 28
Relief tips
- Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser.
- Avoid retinoids (Retin-A), salicylic acid in high doses, and benzoyl peroxide above 5%.
- Look for non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) moisturizers and makeup.
A dark vertical line running down the center of your belly. Caused by increased melanin production from pregnancy hormones.
Onset: week 14
Peak: week 30
Relief tips
- This is purely cosmetic and completely harmless.
- Sun exposure can darken it - use sunscreen on exposed skin.
- It typically fades within a few months after delivery.
A burning sensation in the chest or throat caused by stomach acid backing up. Progesterone relaxes the valve between stomach and esophagus.
Onset: week 8
Peak: week 37
Relief tips
- Eat smaller meals and avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime.
- Elevate the head of your bed or use a wedge pillow when sleeping.
- Avoid trigger foods: spicy, fatty, citrus, chocolate, and caffeine.
Aching in the lower back caused by your shifting center of gravity, loosening ligaments, and extra weight.
Onset: week 14
Peak: week 30
Relief tips
- Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees and under your belly.
- Wear supportive, low-heeled shoes and consider a maternity support belt.
- Prenatal yoga, swimming, and walking can strengthen supporting muscles.
Rapid emotional shifts - feeling happy one moment and tearful the next. Driven by surging pregnancy hormones, especially hCG, estrogen, and progesterone.
Onset: week 6
Peak: week 10
Relief tips
- Acknowledge your feelings without judgment - mood swings are a normal part of pregnancy.
- Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and talking to supportive people can help.
- If sadness or anxiety persists for more than 2 weeks, talk to your provider about prenatal depression (affects 10%+ of pregnant women).
Difficulty passing stools or infrequent bowel movements. Rising progesterone slows your digestive system.
Onset: week 6
Peak: week 12
Relief tips
- Increase dietary fiber to 25-30g per day (fruits, vegetables, whole grains).
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Regular gentle exercise like walking can help keep things moving.
Feeling queasy or vomiting, often worse in the morning but can occur any time of day. Despite the name, it can strike at any hour.
Onset: week 4
Peak: week 9
Resolves: ~week 16
Relief tips
- Try ginger tea, ginger ale, or ginger candies - shown to be as effective as vitamin B6 for nausea (ACOG).
- Eat small, frequent meals rather than 3 large ones. Keep plain crackers by your bedside.
- Vitamin B6 (10-25mg every 8 hours) is ACOG's first-line recommendation.
Trouble falling or staying asleep. Caused by hormones, discomfort, anxiety, frequent urination, and difficulty finding a comfortable position.
Onset: week 10
Peak: week 38
Relief tips
- Sleep on your left side with a pregnancy pillow for support.
- Establish a relaxing bedtime routine and limit screens before bed.
- A warm bath or warm milk before bed can help you wind down.
Unusually intense, strange, or emotionally charged dreams. Hormonal changes and more frequent waking (which helps you remember dreams) are likely causes.
Onset: week 10
Peak: week 30
Relief tips
- Vivid dreams are completely normal and common during pregnancy.
- Journaling before bed can help process anxieties that may fuel intense dreams.
- If dreams are causing significant anxiety, talk to your healthcare provider.
Dark patches on the face, especially the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip. Caused by increased melanin production.
Onset: week 14
Peak: week 30
Relief tips
- Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen daily - sun exposure significantly darkens melasma.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat outdoors.
- It usually fades after pregnancy, but may take several months.
Sudden strong dislike of certain foods or smells you previously enjoyed. Most commonly meats, eggs, and strong-smelling foods.
Onset: week 5
Peak: week 9
Resolves: ~week 14
Relief tips
- Don't force yourself to eat foods that make you feel sick.
- Find alternative sources of nutrition for avoided foods (e.g., beans/lentils if you can't tolerate meat).
- Aversions usually ease in the second trimester as hormones stabilize.
Tension headaches or migraines, often triggered by hormonal changes, dehydration, fatigue, or stress.
Onset: week 6
Peak: week 15
Resolves: ~week 20
Relief tips
- Stay well hydrated and eat regular meals to keep blood sugar stable.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally considered safe during pregnancy. Avoid ibuprofen and aspirin.
- Rest in a dark, quiet room and apply a cool compress to your forehead.
Sudden, painful muscle spasms in the calves, often striking at night. More common as pregnancy progresses.
Onset: week 14
Peak: week 34
Relief tips
- Magnesium supplementation has the strongest evidence for prevention (magnesium citrate or lactate).
- Stretch your calf muscles before bed: flex your foot upward, toes toward shin.
- Stay hydrated and avoid pointing your toes when stretching.
Feeling faint or dizzy, especially when standing up quickly. Your cardiovascular system is adjusting to increased blood volume.
Onset: week 6
Peak: week 14
Resolves: ~week 28
Relief tips
- Stand up slowly from sitting or lying down positions.
- Eat regular meals and snacks to keep blood sugar stable.
- Stay well hydrated and avoid overheating.
Swollen, twisted veins visible under the skin, usually in the legs. Increased blood volume and uterine pressure on veins contribute.
Onset: week 12
Peak: week 36
Relief tips
- Wear compression stockings from early pregnancy if you have a family history.
- Avoid crossing your legs and elevate your feet when resting.
- Regular walking helps improve circulation.
Sharp, stabbing pain in the lower belly or groin area, especially when changing positions, coughing, or sneezing.
Onset: week 12
Peak: week 20
Resolves: ~week 28
Relief tips
- Change positions slowly, especially when getting up from sitting or lying down.
- Bend your knees toward your belly when you feel a sneeze or cough coming.
- A warm (not hot) bath or heating pad on low can help relieve the pain.
Pain in the pubic area, hips, or lower back where the pelvis meets the spine. Caused by the hormone relaxin loosening pelvic joints.
Onset: week 14
Peak: week 34
Relief tips
- Keep your knees together when turning in bed or getting out of a car.
- A pelvic support belt can help stabilize the joint.
- Avoid standing on one leg, heavy lifting, or pushing heavy objects.
Feeling winded during normal activities. Progesterone changes how you breathe, and later the growing uterus pushes up against your diaphragm.
Onset: week 14
Peak: week 32
Relief tips
- Stand and sit with good posture to give your lungs more room.
- Slow down and take breaks during physical activities.
- Sleep propped up with extra pillows if breathlessness is worse at night.
A stuffy or runny nose not caused by a cold or allergies. Increased blood volume causes the nasal membranes to swell.
Onset: week 14
Peak: week 30
Relief tips
- Use a saline nasal spray or rinse - safe and effective during pregnancy.
- Run a humidifier in your bedroom, especially in dry weather.
- Elevate your head with an extra pillow when sleeping.
Accidentally leaking small amounts of urine when sneezing, coughing, laughing, or exercising. The growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder.
Onset: week 14
Peak: week 36
Relief tips
- Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor - aim for 3 sets of 10 daily.
- Use a panty liner for peace of mind on the go.
- Cross your legs when you feel a sneeze or cough coming.
Swollen blood vessels in the rectal area causing discomfort, itching, or bleeding. Caused by increased blood volume and pressure from the growing uterus.
Onset: week 20
Peak: week 36
Relief tips
- Prevent constipation with fiber and fluids to reduce straining.
- Use a warm sitz bath for 10-15 minutes several times a day.
- Avoid sitting or standing for long periods.
Numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and wrists. Fluid retention during pregnancy puts pressure on the median nerve.
Onset: week 18
Peak: week 34
Relief tips
- Wear a wrist splint at night to keep your wrist in a neutral position.
- Take breaks from repetitive hand motions like typing.
- Ice or elevate your wrists when symptoms flare. Usually resolves after delivery.
Irregular practice contractions that tighten the uterus. They're usually painless but can feel uncomfortable. Not a sign of labor.
Onset: week 20
Peak: week 36
Relief tips
- Change your activity or position - often they stop when you move around or rest.
- Drink water, as dehydration can trigger them.
- If contractions become regular, painful, and closer together, contact your provider - they may be real.
Pain radiating from the lower back down through the buttock and leg, usually on one side. The growing uterus can press on the sciatic nerve.
Onset: week 18
Peak: week 34
Relief tips
- Avoid standing for long periods and sit with good lower back support.
- Swimming and prenatal yoga can relieve pressure on the nerve.
- Sleep on the opposite side from the pain with a pillow between your knees.
Puffiness in feet, ankles, and sometimes hands. Your body retains extra fluid, and the growing uterus puts pressure on veins.
Onset: week 22
Peak: week 37
Relief tips
- Elevate your feet whenever you sit and avoid standing for long periods.
- Wear compression stockings, especially if you're on your feet a lot.
- Stay hydrated and reduce sodium - it sounds counterintuitive but helps.
An irresistible urge to move your legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations, typically worse in the evening and at night.
Onset: week 20
Peak: week 36
Relief tips
- Iron and folate supplementation may help - ask your provider about testing levels.
- Stretching, warm baths, or massage before bed can provide relief.
- Avoid caffeine, which can worsen symptoms.
Pink, red, or purple streaks on the belly, breasts, hips, or thighs as skin stretches rapidly. Genetics play a big role.
Onset: week 20
Peak: week 36
Relief tips
- Keep skin moisturized - while no cream prevents stretch marks, it helps with itching.
- Gain weight gradually within recommended ranges.
- They fade to silvery-white over time after pregnancy.
This tool is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about any pregnancy symptoms or concerns.