12 Early Signs of Pregnancy

When you have decided that you’re ready for a baby, sometimes waiting to see the two little lines on a pregnancy test can feel like forever. Will it be this month? When you’re trying to conceive, you may overanalyze any new feeling that you’re experiencing. Are you bloated? Sore breasts? Is your lunch just not sitting right on your stomach?

We break down the most common early signs of pregnancy and what you can do to feel more comfortable while your little bundle of joy is growing.

When do pregnancy symptoms start?

Every woman has their own journey to motherhood, so symptoms and timing can vary. Some women may begin noticing the first early signs of pregnancy a week or two after conception, while others will start to feel symptoms closer to four or five weeks after conception. Some women may not feel symptoms until their period is noticeably late, or even farther into pregnancy. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, most women (59 percent) experienced an onset of pregnancy symptoms by their fifth or sixth week, while 71 percent reported symptoms by the end of week six and 89 percent by week eight.

If you don’t feel any symptoms at all, don’t worry! Some women won’t feel any symptoms and go on to have healthy pregnancies – consider yourself one of the lucky ones!

1. Missed Period

If you’re ready for a baby, you have probably been tracking your period and watching closely every time you use the restroom to see if it has shown up this month. A missed period is often one of the 1st symptoms of pregnancy and can be a sign that a little one is on the way. Take a home pregnancy test to see if you’re pregnant. If it’s positive, call your OB/GYN to schedule your first prenatal visit around 8 weeks gestation.

2. Sore Breasts

Are your breasts feeling tender and swollen? Sore breasts are another symptom that you may have conceived this cycle, but unfortunately, some women experience soreness as part of their normal menstrual cycle, so it can be hard to tell the difference. Usually, if you have conceived, the soreness gets worse over time, and you may begin noticing changes in how your breasts look.

3. Darkening Areolas

We told you that your breasts may begin to look different – have you noticed darkening of the areolas? The areolas are the area around your nipples. They can start to appear darker and larger as early as one or two weeks after conception, making this one of the more noticeable early signs of pregnancy. You may also begin to see more visible veins and little bumps popping up along the edge of the areolas. They’re called Montgomery tubercles and will help lubricate your nipples to get them ready for your baby to nurse when they’re here. This is only the beginning of breast changes in pregnancy!

4. Fatigue

Are you feeling exhausted just by doing your normal, everyday activities? Unfortunately, fatigue may be here to stay for the duration of your pregnancy and beyond. Your body is producing more blood to carry nutrients to your growing baby. You should begin to feel a little more energy during the second trimester.

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5. Heightened Sense of Smell

Is the smell of scrambled eggs that you usually make for breakfast suddenly making you feel nauseated? A heightened sense of smell is often associated with morning sickness and usually subsides after the 1st trimester.

6. Bloating

Another not-so-pleasant early pregnancy symptom is gas. An increase in progesterone and estrogen is the culprit behind this symptom and may cause abdominal pain, bloating, belching and passing gas. This symptom may be around for the entire 9 months of pregnancy.

7. Mood Swings

You might start to experience mood swings similar to those you feel in the days leading up to your normal period. These uncontrollable shifts in your emotions occur due to changes in your hormones, especially in the first trimester when the levels of estrogen and progesterone change dramatically.

8. Cramping

Similar to sore breasts, cramping is an early sign of pregnancy. Cramping should not be severe. If you’re in intense pain, it’s only on one side, or if bleeding is accompanying it and it’s not your menstrual symptom, contact your doctor right away.

9. Spotting

Did you notice some spotting about 1-2 weeks after ovulation and sexual intercourse? It may be implantation bleeding. Spotting happens six to 12 days after conception, when a fertilized egg digs deep into the lining of your uterus, causing a bit of mild irritation. You may confuse it with the beginning of your period, but it can actually mean that you’re expecting! Implantation bleeding is light and should not fill up a pad or tampon. It is usually light pink or brown tinge.

10. High Basal Body Temperature

Many women don’t realize that their temperature may be able to give them a sign that they are pregnant. If you’ve been charting your basal body temp and you get a higher-than-normal reading, then you may want to buy a pregnancy test. When you’re charting, your basal (or waking) temperature peaks when you ovulate, then gradually decreases during the latter part of your cycle until your period begins. But if you get pregnant during the cycle, your basal temperature won’t plummet; instead, it’ll stay high.

11. Frequent Urination

Are you feeling the urge to go to the bathroom more than usual? Having to urinate more frequently is definitely a common pregnancy symptom and will remain throughout your pregnancy.

12. Morning Sickness

Feeling queasy? Morning sickness is not just in the morning but can occur at any time of the day. Try some of these remedies to help ease your nausea. Usually, morning sickness will begin to subside after the 1st trimester, but some women may experience it throughout their pregnancy.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and do receive a positive pregnancy test, make sure to set up your 1st prenatal visit with your OB/GYN around 8 weeks gestation.

Also, be sure to download our pregnancy handbook that answers frequently asked questions and provides detailed information for each trimester. We’ll be with you every step of the way on your journey to motherhood!