Can Pregnancy Symptoms Come and Go? Here’s What You Should Know

During pregnancy, a woman may experience a host of symptoms, and they may vary in each woman. However, it has been observed that with time, most of the symptoms may disappear over the course of the pregnancy term to re-appear later. In some cases, some symptoms may not re-appear at all while some may persist till delivery. Naturally, this inconsistency leads many expectant mothers to wonder, “do pregnancy symptoms come and go?” The answer is yes, and it is absolutely normal. However, it is but obvious for any pregnant woman, more so for first-time mothers, to get anxious and worried. To be on the safer side, it is always best to talk to your doctor about it. But, before that, you may read this article to know when the symptoms are normal and when they are concerning.

When Are Changes in Pregnancy Symptoms Normal?

It is said that all pregnancies are not the same, which means that every pregnant woman will not have the same symptoms. Some may experience extreme nausea in the first trimester, some, till the time of delivery, and few may not suffer from nausea throughout their pregnancy. But, usually, a pregnant woman will experience the following symptoms in each trimester:

• The first trimester, according to most women, is the most challenging time during pregnancy. It is the period when women (especially first-time mothers) are trying to cope with the changes happening in their bodies. It is the time when they start dealing with pregnancy symptoms like nausea, tender breasts, dizziness, headaches, and cramps (1).
• The second trimester is supposed to be the “honeymoon” period in pregnancy since most of the symptoms seem to disappear, and most pregnant women are at ease with their pregnancy. However, for some women, it may not be that pleasant a period as they might experience most pregnancy-related symptoms like backaches, bloating, heartburn, depression, anxiety, constipation, etc., which may have started way back in the first trimester. They would also have cravings for certain food items, which at other times might have been non-existent. For a few women, it may be a period when they start disliking a certain food or even the smell of it (2).
• In the third trimester, women may experience oedema due to water retention, or frequent urination as the uterus increases in size and presses upon the bladder (3).

All the symptoms in each of the trimester may vary in time, recurrence, and severity. On some days, all symptoms may seem to have disappeared, and the very next day, they may be back with more intensity. For most women, some of the early pregnancy symptoms may fade away or become less intense in the last few weeks; some may become even more prominent.

Why Do the Pregnancy Symptoms Come and Go?

Pregnancy symptoms come and go largely due to the natural hormonal fluctuations that occur as your body adjusts to support a growing baby. Hormones like hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), progesterone, and estrogen play a major role in triggering symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, and mood swings (4). However, these hormone levels don’t remain constant, they rise and fall at different stages of pregnancy, which can cause symptoms to appear, disappear, or change in intensity.

Is it Normal if Pregnancy Symptoms Come and Go?

Yes, it is completely normal for pregnancy symptoms to come and go. Many women experience fluctuating symptoms, especially in the first trimester, when hormone levels are rapidly changing. One day you might feel extremely nauseous or tired, and the next day feel almost back to normal. This doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. In fact, it’s often a sign that your body is adjusting to the pregnancy.

When Are the Changes in Pregnancy Symptoms Concerning?

People often wonder whether pregnancy symptoms come and go before a missed period. Well, it is common for symptoms to appear and disappear from the beginning of pregnancy. And, it is also normal not to experience the same symptoms every single day during the pregnancy term.

To be a little more precise, it is common for pregnancy symptoms to come and go in the first 8 weeks. Symptoms may vary trimester-wise, week-wise, or even day-wise. However, it has been observed that if symptoms disappear all of a sudden, or they fade away, it could signal a risk to your pregnancy. The most alarming symptom some women might notice is no fetal movement (5).

So, which pregnancy symptoms should you be looking out for to know if they are normal or concerning? Well, most symptoms may disappear and re-appear anytime as the pregnancy progresses. But, the movement of the foetus (which starts somewhere around the 5th month of gestation) should continue until the time of delivery. Apart from this, vaginal bleeding, along with abdominal pain, could also mean an emergency. This could be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, which requires immediate medical intervention (6). However, it is not always that a sudden end to symptoms during pregnancy is of concern. Talking to your gynaecologist and undergoing tests to rule out problems would be a wise move.

FAQs

1. When does a woman has no pregnancy symptoms at all?

It is possible for a woman to be pregnant and experience no pregnancy symptoms at all, but that is not quite common. The progress of pregnancy is never the same in two women. In the case of a cryptic pregnancy, the symptoms are so subtle that women don’t recognise them. And some even don’t realise they are pregnant until 20 weeks or labour. Having no or fewer symptoms does not reflect on the health of the pregnancy.

2. What does it means when sore breast come and go in pregnancy?

The phrase sore breasts come and go means that as pregnancy progresses, many symptoms come and go. With the transition from the first trimester to the second trimester, many symptoms like nausea and bloating subside but then return later in the pregnancy. It may look like the ongoing symptoms disappear, but in fact, they just are replaced by new other symptoms as the pregnancy progresses.

3. Does having no pregnancy symptoms mean i’ll have a miscarriage?

No, having no pregnancy symptoms does mean or guarantee a miscarriage. Every pregnancy progresses differently; with or without symptoms do not indicate any miscarriage. However, if the usual symptoms suddenly go away, especially during the first trimester, it may be a sign of miscarriage. For any doubts, consult your doctor before coming to any conclusion.

4. Why did my pregnancy symptoms come and go away at 5 weeks?

It is quite common for many women at 5 weeks pregnant to have symptoms that come and go. In fact, only half of the women have pregnancy symptoms during this period. Swollen breasts, frequent need to urinate, and morning sickness may come and go, and it is normal.

5. Do early pregnancy cramps come and go?

Yes, and this is usually completely normal. These mild, intermittent cramps are often caused by the uterus stretching and hormonal changes as the body prepares to support the growing baby.

Remember that every pregnancy is different, and so the symptoms will also vary. Sometimes, a pregnancy without any symptoms is as normal as one with severe and intense pregnancy symptoms. The best person to walk you through your pregnancy is your gynaecologist. Therefore, it is important that you consult him/her before drawing any conclusions.

References/Resources:

1. Cleveland Clinic – First Trimester

2. Cleveland Clinic – Pregnancy: Second Trimester

3. Cleveland Clinic – Third Trimester

4. University of Utah Health – NAVIGATING PREGNANCY SYMPTOMS IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER

5. Tommy’s – Baby movements in pregnancy

6. Cleveland Clinic – Ectopic Pregnancy

Also Read:

Weird Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy
How to Know Whether You are Fertile or Not
Early Pregnancy Signs Before Missed Period

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