Early Pregnancy Symptoms & Signs: How To Spot Them

Pregnancy is an exciting and sometimes confusing time for many women. While each pregnancy is unique, certain early symptoms and signs can help you recognize that you might be expecting. These signs can begin as soon as a few days after conception, or they may take a little longer to manifest. Understanding what to look for can help you identify pregnancy early and take steps to ensure your and your baby’s health. Let’s take a look at some of the common and lesser-known symptoms that might indicate you’re pregnant.

How Soon Do Early Pregnancy Symptoms Start?

For many women, the first signs of pregnancy may begin to show up within the first week after conception. However, the timing can vary from person to person. Some might notice symptoms just a few days after conception, while others may not feel any signs until weeks later. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the most noticeable early pregnancy symptoms usually occur, on average, within two weeks after conception.

Early signs of pregnancy can often be confused with symptoms of PMS or other medical conditions. Some women might experience subtle changes in their body, while others feel overwhelmed by the intensity of their symptoms right away. Common early symptoms include fatigue, nausea, tender breasts, and frequent urination.

Where Do You Touch to Feel if You Are Pregnant?

When trying to determine if you're pregnant, it’s not about a specific place you can touch to confirm your pregnancy. Instead, it's about paying attention to your body’s subtle signs. For example, many women notice their breasts become tender and swollen early in pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic. The increased hormone levels can cause changes in your breast tissue, making them sensitive to touch. Additionally, some women might feel mild cramping or bloating, which are also common early signs of pregnancy.

While you can't just touch one spot to know if you're pregnant, the changes in your body can guide you. If you're experiencing multiple symptoms—such as tender breasts, increased urination, or fatigue—it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms & Signs Before Missed Period

Some women begin to experience early pregnancy symptoms before they've even missed a period. These signs can range from mild to noticeable and include the following:

• Tender, swollen breasts: Hormonal changes early in pregnancy can cause your breasts to become sore and sensitive, much like they do before your period. This sensation may feel more intense during pregnancy.
• Fatigue: One of the first signs of pregnancy for many women is fatigue. Due to the rise in progesterone levels, you might feel unusually tired, even in the early days of pregnancy.
• Increased urination: If you're suddenly making frequent trips to the bathroom, it could be a sign that you're pregnant. Pregnancy increases your blood volume, which in turn forces your kidneys to work overtime, producing more urine.
• Morning sickness: Nausea, often referred to as morning sickness, can begin as early as the first two weeks of pregnancy, though it’s more common after a few weeks. It can occur at any time of day or night.

Very Early Signs of Pregnancy: One Week After Conception

It might surprise you, but some women report feeling signs of pregnancy as early as one week after conception. Although it's still very early, you might notice:

• Spotting or light bleeding: Implantation bleeding occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining, usually around 6 to 12 days after conception. It can cause light spotting, which might be mistaken for a light period.
• Cramping: Mild cramping can also occur around the same time as implantation bleeding. These cramps are typically mild and don’t last long.
• Increased sensitivity to smells and food aversions: Some women notice a heightened sense of smell, which can trigger food aversions. These changes in taste and smell are often caused by hormonal shifts.

While some of these symptoms are subtle, they can provide early clues about a pregnancy. If you experience any of them in the first week, it might be worth taking a pregnancy test to confirm.

Hidden Pregnancy Signs You Might Miss

Not all pregnancy symptoms are immediately obvious. Some hidden signs may go unnoticed, but they can still be key indicators that you’re pregnant. Here are a few hidden pregnancy signs:

• Bloating: Hormonal changes early in pregnancy can lead to bloating, which may make you feel like your stomach is swollen. This symptom often mimics what you feel at the start of your period.
• Food cravings or aversions: While some women experience food cravings during pregnancy, others find they suddenly can't stand the sight or smell of foods they used to love. This is caused by hormonal fluctuations.
• Metallic taste in the mouth: A common but less talked about symptom is a metallic taste in the mouth, which many women describe as tasting like coins or iron.
• Headaches and dizziness: Increased blood volume and hormonal changes can lead to headaches and lightheadedness in the early weeks of pregnancy.

These hidden signs can sometimes be overlooked because they’re easy to attribute to other causes, such as stress or a change in diet. However, if several of these symptoms appear together, it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test.

Early Signs of Pregnancy Before Missed Period: Can You Tell?

As mentioned earlier, it's possible to feel pregnant even before you miss your period. However, not every woman will experience these signs. The most common early pregnancy symptoms before a missed period include:

• Tender breasts: Breasts that feel swollen, tender, or sore are among the earliest and most common pregnancy symptoms.
• Fatigue: The feeling of being overly tired or exhausted is another sign that can appear before a missed period.
• Frequent urination: As your body adjusts to pregnancy, your kidneys start working harder, leading to more trips to the bathroom.

If you’re noticing any of these symptoms before your missed period, it might be worth testing for pregnancy. The sooner you know, the sooner you can start prenatal care.

What Are 5 Warning Signs of a Possible Problem During Pregnancy?

While most pregnancies progress without complications, some signs may indicate a problem. It’s important to be aware of these warning signs so you can seek help promptly. The following are five warning signs to watch for:

1. Severe abdominal pain or cramping: Intense pain, especially if localized on one side, could indicate an ectopic pregnancy, which requires immediate medical attention.
2. Heavy bleeding: While light spotting can be normal, heavy bleeding might signal a miscarriage or other complications.
3. Severe dizziness or fainting: If you feel faint or lightheaded to the point of passing out, it’s essential to contact your healthcare provider.
4. Severe nausea or vomiting: If nausea is so severe that you can’t keep food or fluids down, it could be hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition that requires medical attention.
5. Painful urination or blood in urine: This could indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI), which, if left untreated, could lead to complications.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms and What to Do Next

Recognizing early pregnancy symptoms is the first step toward ensuring a healthy pregnancy. Symptoms like fatigue, tender breasts, frequent urination, and nausea are often signs that your body is preparing to support a new life. However, not all women experience the same symptoms, and some signs might be subtle or mistaken for other conditions. If you suspect you might be pregnant, the best course of action is to take a pregnancy test.

Once you’ve confirmed your pregnancy, it’s time to start thinking about your prenatal care. Make sure to schedule a visit with your healthcare provider and begin taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid. Early prenatal care is essential for both you and your baby’s health.

As you embark on this exciting journey, don’t forget to visit ANB Baby online and in-store for everything you need from pregnancy to toddler years. Whether you’re preparing for your first ultrasound or buying essentials for your growing baby, we’ve got you covered every step of the way.