A delayed period or missed period does not always mean a woman is pregnant. Most women begin to notice some early signs of pregnancy about three weeks after conceiving. These early signs of pregnancy vary from woman to woman. A woman may experience all the signs, just a few of them, or none at all.
The following are some early signs of pregnancy:
- Tender, Swollen Breasts or Nipples: Your breasts may provide one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. You may notice this symptom as early as 1 to 2 weeks after conception. Hormonal changes can make the breasts fuller or heavier, sore, or even tingly.
- Slight Bleeding Or Cramping: Sometimes pregnant women experience slight bleeding or spotting that is lighter in color than normal menstrual blood. This usually occurs about 6 to 12 days after conception. This is the time when fertilized egg implants. It is common in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
- Fatigue: You may feel fatigued early in pregnancy because your body is producing more of a hormone called progesterone. This hormone helps maintain the pregnancy and helps the growth of milk-producing glands in the breasts. You may feel tired during pregnancy because your body pumps more blood to carry nutrients to the fetus. You may notice fatigue as early as 1 week after conception.
- Headaches: The sudden rise in the levels of hormones may trigger headaches early in pregnancy.
- Dizziness Or Lightheadedness: You may feel dizzy or lightheaded because your blood vessels dilate and blood pressure drops. Early in pregnancy, low blood sugar may also trigger faintness.
- Nausea With Or Without Vomiting: Nausea and/or vomiting can start anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks after conception and can continue throughout pregnancy. This is commonly called as morning sickness, but it can occur at any time during the day.
- Food Cravings Or Aversions: Sudden craving or aversion of certain foods are common throughout pregnancy. Food cravings or aversions can last the entire pregnancy or vary throughout this period.
- Mood Swings: Mood swings are common during pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause these mood swings. These can occur a few weeks after conception.
- Frequent Urination: The urge to urinate frequently is common throughout pregnancy. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, which increases blood flow to the pelvic region. This makes you to urinate more often.
- Constipation: Constipation is another common early symptom of pregnancy. Increased progesterone leads to food passing more slowly through the intestines. This can lead to constipation.
