Early Pregnancy Symptoms & Signs

Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

It might seem strange to you, but doctors start the count of your pregnancy weeks from the first day of your last menstrual period (LMP). Your LMP date is considered the beginning of week one, even though you were not pregnant then. After that, your doctors determine the expected date based on the first day of your last menstrual period.

That is why the first few weeks of your 40-week pregnancy journey might pass without developing any noticeable symptoms. Are you curious about early pregnancy symptoms? Here are early signs and symptoms you should discover if you are planning to conceive.

Early symptoms of pregnancy include a missed period, breast tenderness, fatigue, nausea (morning sickness), frequent urination, mood swings, food cravings or aversions, and light spotting known as implantation bleeding. Other signs can be constipation, bloating, headaches, and increased sensitivity to smells.  

Let’s deep dive into the symptoms and understand more about them!

Most Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms to Discover

If you are in the two-week wait (TWW) and searching for early signs of pregnancy, it is crucial to know that the experience of early pregnancy symptoms varies significantly from woman to woman. The journey to motherhood is unique for everyone, and comparing your symptoms to others can lead to unnecessary anxiety. Some women may notice several very early signs of pregnancy, while others have no symptoms at all before their expected period, and both scenarios are completely normal.

Understanding your body during this time means recognizing the subtle clues it may be sending. While a missed period is the most well-known indicator, many women report experiencing early pregnancy symptoms just 1-2 weeks after conception. These signs are primarily caused by the rapid increase of hormones like progesterone and hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), which is the hormone detected by pregnancy tests. 

Here are the most common symptoms described in the following:

1. Implantation Bleeding: One of the earliest signs can be light spotting or implantation bleeding, which occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining, typically 6-12 days after conception. This is often mistaken for a light period. 
2. A Missed Period: The most noticeable and common sign of early pregnancy is a missed period. After a female conceives, her body releases hormones that prevent ovulation and stop the uterine lining from shedding. This is why the menstrual cycle stops, and they will not have another period before giving birth.
   However, a missed period is not always considered one of the apparent early pregnancy symptoms. Other significant factors such as stress, intense exercise, improper dieting, hormonal level fluctuations, and other health conditions can also cause irregular or skipped periods.
3. Cramping: After the fertilisation process, the fertilised egg implants itself into the uterus. This process can cause light spotting and, in some cases, mild cramping, which is considered the primary sign in the list of all early pregnancy symptoms.
   Since the cramps feel like menstrual cramps, some females might confuse them with period cramps. However, the bleeding and cramping are usually minimal.
4. Frequent Urination: Getting pressure for urination frequently and incontinence is another common symptom during early pregnancy. The female's body pumps more blood during this time, so the kidneys process more fluid than usual. It is why it leads to more fluid in your bladder.
   In addition, hormonal imbalances play a vital role in keeping your bladder healthy. So, running to the bathroom more frequently or accidentally leaking are all common.
5. Milky Discharge: Besides implantation bleeding, most females notice a white-coloured, milky discharge from their vagina. It happens due to the thickening of the vaginal walls, a procedure that starts right after fertilisation. The increased production of cells lining the vagina is what leads to white discharge early pregnancy symptoms.
   Typically, it happens throughout pregnancy and requires no treatment. However, if somebody gets an unpleasant odour or experiences a burning sensation, they must visit the doctor. It can lead to bacterial infection or sexually transmitted disease (STD).
6. Breast Changes: Breast changes are among the earliest and most common early pregnancy symptoms. After the sperm does the fertilisation, hormone levels fluctuate rapidly. As a result, females experience swollen, tender, or tingly breasts within a week or two. They may also appear fuller, heavier, or sensitive. In addition, the areola may become even darker.
   However, changes in breasts can result from other factors as well. If pregnancy is the cause, it may take a few weeks to adjust to the fluctuating hormone levels. After that, the discomfort in your breasts should gradually ease up.
7. Backache: According to a survey, back pain affects more than one in three women. It occurs due to the loosening of ligaments and changes in posture over time.
   You can help reduce back pain (another one on the list of early pregnancy symptoms) by wearing flat-heeled shoes, using comfortable chairs, avoiding lifting objects, and doing gentle workouts. Free-hand exercises, physiotherapy, and acupuncture may also help reduce back pain.
8. Pelvic Floor Pain: Pelvic floor pain or lower pelvic pain, when considering early pregnancy symptoms, is a common occurrence for many women. While a stretching uterus is one possible cause, hormonal imbalances can also influence how pelvic floor muscle’s function.
   The pain can manifest in different ways. Some females feel sensations occurring near the uterus, or some feel them near their bladder, vagina, lower back, or abdomen.
9. Abdominal Pain: During pregnancy, hormonal shifts make the body's ligaments more flexible to help the body adjust as the baby grows. This improved flexibility also allows your bones to widen during childbirth. In addition, females need to bear the extra weight of the baby, which adds more pressure.
   These combined factors can cause discomfort and stomach pain in early pregnancy symptoms.
10. Bloating and Constipation: Early pregnancy symptoms of bloating and constipation should be on that list. Significant hormonal changes cause bloating. It slows down digestion and may lead to constipation. That is why most women feel blocked or uncomfortable these days. During constipation, the feeling of bloating in your abdomen can worsen.
11. Heightened Sense of Smell and Food Aversions: Among the earliest and most surprising signs of pregnancy is a sudden, dramatic shift in your senses, particularly your sense of smell. This phenomenon, often paired with powerful food aversions, can be one of the first clues that you're expecting, sometimes even before a missed period.
    Many newly pregnant women become unusually sensitive to smells, and previously enjoyed foods may suddenly become unappealing.
    This heightened sensitivity is directly linked to the food aversions and even pregnancy nausea (morning sickness) that many experience. A smell that was once neutral or pleasant can become overwhelmingly offensive and trigger a gag reflex or waves of nausea.

Some Uncommon Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Some additional early pregnancy signs are not as common as the previous ones. They are:

Metallic Taste in Mouth

Many women reports experiencing a metallic taste in their mouths during the early days of their pregnancy. They report that it feels as if you are tasting a handful of coins. This sensation can occur while eating some specific foods. It can even appear unexpectedly at any time of the day.

Headaches and Dizziness

Headaches, along with feelings of light-headedness and dizziness, are common in early pregnancy. A woman experiences these symptoms because of hormonal changes and the increased blood volume in your body.

Mood Swings

As your hormone levels rise and fall, you may experience mood swings, which are a normal part of pregnancy and considered among healthy early pregnancy symptoms. However, if you ever feel anxious or depressed and face persistent negative thoughts, it is crucial to seek support from your doctor.

Increased Acne or Skin Changes

Hormonal level variations and increased blood volume can affect someone's skin during early pregnancy. Some ladies develop healthier, glowing skin than ever. On the other hand, others may experience more breakouts.

When to Take a Pregnancy Test and Next Steps

While these symptoms can be suggestive, they are not definitive proof of pregnancy, as they can also be confused with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) signs. The most reliable way to confirm a pregnancy is with a home pregnancy test. For the most accurate result, it's best to wait until the first day of your missed period or thereafter, as this allows hCG levels to be high enough to detect.

If you receive a positive test result, your next step should be to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider or an OB-GYN to begin your prenatal care journey. Remember, listening to your body and seeking professional medical advice is always the best course of action.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms After Ovulation

Early pregnancy symptoms by days past ovulation (DPO) are pretty similar to symptoms of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome). These are bloating or gas (fullness or tightness in the abdomen), breast tenderness, changes in nipples, cravings for specific foods, and more.

After ovulation, whether an egg is fertilized or not, the corpus luteum (the structure left behind after the egg is released) produces progesterone. This hormone is responsible for preparing the body for a potential pregnancy, and it causes many of the physical sensations we feel.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of early pregnancy symptoms by days past ovulation (DPO), keeping in mind that the timing and presence of these symptoms can vary greatly from person to person.

The Hormonal Overlap: Why PMS and Early Pregnancy Feel the Same

• Progesterone Rising: After ovulation, progesterone levels increase to thicken the uterine lining. This hormone causes bloating, breast tenderness, mood swings, and fatigue—common to both PMS and early pregnancy.
• The "Pregnancy-Only" Divide: The key difference arises if a fertilized egg implants. The emerging placenta starts producing hCG (human Chorionic Gonadotropin), the "pregnancy hormone" detected by tests. Some symptoms become more pronounced or persistent due to the combination of progesterone and rising hCG.

When Do Early Pregnancy Symptoms Start?

If you look at when early pregnancy symptoms start on the internet, the answer will likely be that it varies. Some women feel pregnant within a few days of conception, while others may not notice any symptoms for weeks and may need to take a pregnancy test. These symptoms can vary significantly between women and even between different pregnancies.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms vs PMS

Though symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and early pregnancy are often similar, there are several key differences, which are listed below.

Symptoms of Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy can be confusing because its early signs often resemble those of a healthy pregnancy. You may have a missed period, tender breasts, or nausea. However, certain symptoms should never be ignored as they indicate the pregnancy is developing outside the uterus.

Early symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include:

• Missed Period - One of the first signs, just like in normal pregnancy.
• Mild Vaginal Bleeding - Often light spotting that may be mistaken for an irregular period.
• Pelvic or Abdominal Pain -Usually on one side (the side of the ectopic implantation). It may start as mild cramping and become more severe.
• Breast Tenderness - A common symptom due to pregnancy hormones.
• Nausea and Vomiting - Often occurs along with abdominal pain.
• One-Sided Pain: Persistent, often severe pain on one side of your lower abdomen or pelvis.
• Unusual Bleeding: Light to heavy vaginal bleeding that is different from your normal period—it may be darker, lighter, or more watery.

How to Deal with Early Pregnancy Symptoms?

Here are the natural ways to cope with the most common discomforts of early pregnancy:

• Eat small and frequent meals to avoid vomiting. For people experiencing continuous nausea, eat every one to two hours.
• Eat carbohydrate-rich foods as much as possible, including cereal, fruit, bread and rice. They are easier to digest and help you gain energy.
• Drink a lot of fluids, such as water and fruit juice, to prevent constipation. This also helps remove gas (regarded as one of the early pregnancy symptoms).
• Keep your digestion smooth by eating a fibre-rich diet to reduce the risk of haemorrhoids.
• Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep and rest as much as possible, as short naps will help combat fatigue.
• To cope with the issue of breast tenderness, you are supposed to wear a good support bra. It may help you feel more comfortable.
• One solution for leg cramps may be to increase your calcium intake. Ask your doctor about a calcium supplement and consume it accordingly.
• If you have heartburn, avoid highly seasoned, rich, and spicy foods. Instead of lying down flat after eating, walk for a few minutes.
• Frequent urination, among pronounced early pregnancy symptoms, gets stopped with time. Do not reduce fluid intake to normalise the frequency of urination.

Conclusion

Early pregnancy brings significant changes to your body, including common symptoms like nausea, breast tenderness, fatigue, and the hallmark symptom-a missed period. As you move further into the second trimester, many of these early pregnancy symptoms may begin to fade.

However, if you think you are pregnant, consider a home pregnancy test. You need a pregnancy test kit that is available at pharmacies and stores without a prescription.

Once you get a positive result, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. They will confirm the result through an exam and additional tests, making it the first step toward starting your pregnancy journey.

Key Takeaways and When to Test

• No Single Symptom is Proof: The only "symptom" unique to pregnancy is a positive pregnancy test. Everything else could be explained by PMS.
• The Only Way to Know is to Test: The most reliable course of action is to wait until the day of your expected period (around 14 DPO) to take a home pregnancy test. For the most accurate result, use your first-morning urine, as it has the highest concentration of hCG.
• Temper Your Expectations: It's easy to symptom-spot, but try to remember that progesterone is the likely culprit for most early signs. Many women experience strong PMS symptoms that mimic pregnancy perfectly, only for their period to arrive.
• If You're Trying to Conceive: Tracking your cycle with tools like Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charting can give you more data, but it still cannot confirm pregnancy before a test.

In summary, while the timeline above can be a helpful guide, the overlap with PMS makes it impossible to diagnose pregnancy based on symptoms alone. Patience until test day is the most challenging but most reliable path.