Have you ever woken up one morning and just felt different? Not sick, not tired, just different. For many women, early pregnancy doesn’t always announce itself with the dramatic morning sickness we see in movies. Sometimes, it sneaks in quietly, one strange symptom at a time, until you finally sit down and ask yourself, “Could I be pregnant?”
Here are the early signs women should never ignore, told in a warm, relatable way, because pregnancy is already confusing enough.
You know that feeling when your period delays and your mind goes from zero to “calculator mode” real quick? A missed period is often the first sign, especially if you’re regular. But even if your cycle likes to behave like Nairobi traffic, unpredictable, take note of any unusual delay. Your body is trying to talk to you.
Then there’s that early morning tiredness that feels like you’ve climbed Ngong Hills in your sleep. Fatigue in early pregnancy is real, and it hits different. You’ll be sitting at work, staring at your screen, wondering why typing one email feels like manual labour.
Another sneaky sign is tender or swollen breasts. Many mums describe it as “ile uchungu ya bra”, that sudden discomfort when your bra straps start feeling like they’re plotting against you. It’s your hormones working overtime.
Food suddenly becomes confusing too. One minute you’re craving chapati and madondo, the next minute the smell of someone else’s food in the matatu has you planning a whole protest. Whether you’re suddenly loving foods you previously hated or gagging at scents you normally ignore, pay attention.
Some women experience mood swings that could win an Oscar. One minute you’re emotional like you just finished watching a Nigerian movie, the next minute you’re laughing uncontrollably. It’s not madness, it’s hormones.
And let’s talk about nausea. Morning sickness is not always in the morning. It’s whenever it wants, and sometimes it isn’t even vomiting, just that weird, unsettling feeling in your stomach, like you’re carsick even when you’re sitting still.
There’s also frequent urination. You’ll visit the toilet more times than Safaricom sends promotional SMSs. If you’re suddenly waking up at night to pee, or you can’t finish one episode of your show without pausing for a bathroom break, your body might be hinting at something.
Some women notice light spotting or cramps early on, easily mistaken for an approaching period. But if it looks, feels, or behaves differently from your usual cycle, don’t brush it off.
The truth is, pregnancy signs aren’t the same for everyone. Some women feel everything at once, some feel nothing for weeks, and some feel things that don’t even make sense. But your body always speaks, softly, consistently, and honestly.
If you notice a combination of these signs, the best thing is to take a pregnancy test and follow up with a healthcare professional. Women are tough, but even the strongest among us deserve clarity, care, and support.
Pregnancy, planned or unplanned, is a journey. The earlier you know, the better you can take care of yourself and the little life possibly growing inside you. Your body is your first messenger. Don’t ignore its whispers.