23 Early Pregnancy Symptoms: Signs You Should Know

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When you are pregnant, early symptoms might start popping up even before you take a pregnancy test. Some of these can appear as early as one to two weeks after conception. As implantation occurs about a week or two after conception, you may experience pregnancy symptoms even before you miss your period. During this time, pregnancy hormones kick in and your body starts producing more blood, giving you early signs and hints that you might be expecting.

Common early pregnancy symptoms include fatigue, tender or swollen breasts, nausea (often referred to as morning sickness), frequent urination, and food aversions or cravings. You might also experience mood swings, bloating, and a heightened sense of smell. These symptoms can be quite similar to premenstrual symptoms, making it tricky to determine whether you’re pregnant or just about to start your period.

Here are a few common symptoms that can give you a heads-up about your pregnancy.

Missed Period and Hormone related pregnancy symptoms

Early pregnancy brings about numerous hormonal changes that lead to various symptoms. One of the most prominent and usually the first indications of early signs of pregnancy is a missed period, prompting many women to think about the possibility of being pregnant. Gaining insight into these hormonal shifts and their effects can provide you with greater confidence and understanding as you navigate this important life event.

Missed period – Early pregnancy brings about numerous hormonal changes that lead to various symptoms. One of the most prominent and usually the first indications is a missed period, prompting many women to think about the possibility of being pregnant. A missed period occurs when a woman does not have her menstrual cycle at the expected time. Typically, the menstrual cycle lasts around 28 days but can vary from 21 to 35 days. A period is considered missed if it is five or more days late. One of the earliest signs of pregnancy is often a missed period due to increased levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone, which prevent the shedding of the uterine lining. While pregnancy is the most common cause, other medical and lifestyle factors can also cause a delay. If pregnancy is suspected, take a home pregnancy test or consult your gynecologist for confirmation.
Vaginal discharge – An increase in vaginal discharge can be early sign of pregnancy. A pregnancy discharge before missed period. This discharge is usually thin and clear or milky white. It occurs due to hormonal changes that stimulate increased cervical mucus production, which helps protect and maintain the health of the cervix during pregnancy.
Mood swings – Mood swings are the wild and wacky part of early pregnancy. One minute you are laughing at a silly meme, and the next you are crying because you can’t find your favourite socks. Thanks to those crazy hormones, your emotions don’t seem to be in control. Significant fluctuations in hormone levels can impact the balance of neurotransmitters, the brain chemicals responsible for regulating mood. It’s all part of the journey. Just go with the flow.
Anxiety: Anxiety in early pregnancy often manifests as excessive worry about the health of the baby, fear of miscarriage, or concerns about parenting. Hormonal changes and the life-altering nature of pregnancy contribute to heightened emotions.
Depression: Depression may appear as persistent sadness, loss of interest in usual activities, changes in appetite, and sleep disturbances. Hormonal shifts, mixed emotions about the pregnancy, and concerns about the future can all contribute.

Breast and Urinary changes Signs of Early Pregnancy

Breast and urinary changes are among the early signs of pregnancy in the first week. These changes, particularly those affecting the breasts, can provide some of the earliest clues that you might be expecting. Breasts become tender, sensitive, or even painful to touch due to hormonal changes. Frequent urination is a common sign of early pregnancy, which is even before you miss your period

Breast tenderness – Breast tenderness in pregnancy can begin almost immediately, with soreness starting as soon as a few days after conception in week 1. Your breasts may feel sore, heavy, or tingly, and the nipples might become sensitive or even painful to touch.
Frequent urination – Frequent trips to the bathroom. Yes, that’s common. You might start noticing this even before you miss your period. Once the fertilized egg implants in your uterus, it initiates the production of the pregnancy hormone, prompting you to run to the bathroom more often.
Darkening areolas – Another tell-tale sign of early pregnancy is changes in the areolas, the area around your nipples. They may appear darker and larger as a response to hormonal changes in your body, preparing for breastfeeding. This change can occur early on, sometimes within the first few weeks after conception.

Spotting, Cramps, Back Pain, and other Physical discomforts in Early pregnancy

Spotting, Cramping, Vaginal bleeding, and cramping pain are common in early pregnancy. When a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall, it can cause early signs of pregnancy, such as spotting and mild cramping. This process, called implantation, often feels like period-like cramps. You may also experience an aching or pulling sensation in your lower abdomen. Other symptoms like Fatigue, Headaches, Dizziness, swelling of feet, Bloating, Back pain, Food aversions and cravings, Breast tenderness & Frequent Urination.

Spotting: Spotting, or implantation bleeding, is a light vaginal bleed that can happen when you are pregnant. It very common and tends to happen in early pregnancy during the first trimester. The amount of blood loss is less than a light period bleed. It lasts from a couple of hours to a couple of days.
Cramping: Cramping during pregnancy is a common sensation, often resembling period-like cramps. Consequently, some people mistake these cramps and any accompanying bleeding for the start of their period. These symptoms are typically caused by hormonal changes and the expanding womb. Lower abdominal pain in early pregnancy, around 2 weeks, can also occur due to these changes, as the body adjusts to support the growing embryo.
Back pain – Backaches are a common early sign of pregnancy, often accompanied by cramps similar to menstrual pain. These symptoms result from hormonal changes and the body’s adjustments to support the developing embryo.
Swelling of feet: Swelling of feet in early pregnancy, known as edema, is common due to increased blood volume and fluid retention. Hormonal changes can also contribute to this swelling.
Fatigue: Increased levels of progesterone and the body’s adjustments to pregnancy often lead to extreme tiredness.
Headaches: Headaches are common due to hormonal changes, and increased blood volume. They can also be triggered by fatigue, dehydration, or changes in sleep patterns.
Dizziness: Potential causes of dizziness during pregnancy include changing hormones, increased blood flow, lower blood pressure, anaemia, and dehydration.
Nasal congestion – Rising hormone levels and increased blood production can lead to swelling of the mucous membranes in your nose, resulting in dryness and easy bleeding. This can cause symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose during pregnancy.

Nausea & Vomiting and Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Pregnancy hormones like progesterone slow digestion, causing issues like nausea, vomiting, bloating, and constipation. Effective management includes small, frequent meals, avoiding strong smells, staying hydrated, and using ginger. Seek medical attention for severe symptoms like hyperemesis gravidarum, dehydration, significant weight loss, severe abdominal pain, fever, chills, or heavy vaginal bleeding.

Nausea and Vomiting – Nausea and vomiting are the two most well-known gastrointestinal symptoms of pregnancy. It is commonly referred to as ‘morning sickness’ but it can occur at time of day or night. This type of nausea and vomiting typically begins around the sixth week of pregnancy and can last until the end of the first trimester, although some women may experience it for a longer duration. About 70% of all pregnant women experience morning sickness. The increase in hormones such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and estrogen in pregnancy plays a significant role. Elevated hCG levels, produced by the developing placenta, are closely linked to these symptoms. Additionally, the rise in estrogen can heighten sensitivity to smells, further contributing to nausea. Physical changes, such as a more sensitive digestive system and fluctuating blood sugar levels, can also cause nausea and vomiting. Read more on how can I relieve my morning sickness
Heartburn – Experiencing heartburn can be one of the early signs of pregnancy, sometimes even before you realize you are expecting. This uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest or throat is caused by hormonal changes. Try eating smaller meals, and avoiding spicy or acidic foods.
Bloating – Bloating is a common sign of early pregnancy and often feels similar to pre-menstrual bloating. Hormonal changes, especially increased progesterone, cause the digestive system to slow down, leading to gas buildup and that uncomfortable bloated feeling.
Constipation – Constipation is caused by hormonal changes that slow down the digestive system. Increased progesterone levels relax the muscles in the intestines, leading to slower movement of food. Drink plenty of water and stay active.

Distaste & Avoidance of Food, Cravings, heightened sense of smell Symptoms

Smell sensitivity – Smell sensitivity is a commonly self-reported sign of early pregnancy, characterized by a heightened sense of smell. Many pregnant individuals notice increased sensitivity to odors, which can sometimes lead to aversions or nausea triggered by certain scents.
Food smell – If you find yourself suddenly put off by certain smells or have a distaste & Avoid Food or foods you usually love, it might be a hint that you’re expecting. So, if you’re wondering why your stomach’s doing flip-flops, it could be your body’s way of alerting you of being pregnant.
Food craving – Food cravings can occur as early as one week pregnant. This is thanks to those hormonal changes that begin to act right after conception. You might find yourself happily binging on pickles, chocolates, mangoes, or even something you wouldn’t eat earlier. These cravings can be surprising, but they’re a normal part of early pregnancy.