Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFirst WeeksDetermining PregnancyOther Causes of Missed Period
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
First Weeks
Determining Pregnancy
Other Causes of Missed Period
The first sign ofpregnancyis usually amissed period, but there may also be other possible changes. The only way to know if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.
Common early pregnancy signs include spotting, tender breasts, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, headaches, bloating, and frequent urination.
This article will provide an overview of early pregnancy signs and when to take a pregnancy test.
Westend61 / Getty Images
Early Pregnancy Symptoms Before Missed Period: First Few Weeks
The first sign ofpregnancyis usually a missed period. If you’re hoping to know if you’re pregnant before you miss yourperiod, there are some specific signs and symptoms to watch for. The only way to truly know if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.
The Cervix in Early Pregnancy
Spotting
Light bleeding or spotting may be an early sign of pregnancy. It’s estimated that about 15% to 25% of pregnant people experience bleeding in the first trimester.
Bleeding may occur when the fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus, known asimplantation bleeding. This usually happens about six to 12 days after conception. It’s common to spot or bleed after apelvic exam,Pap smear(a test to screen for cervical cancer), or sex because the cervix has more blood vessels during pregnancy.
Safe or benign bleeding is usually light in both color and amount. It’s important to contact a healthcare provider if you experience any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Heavy bleeding could be a sign of a serious complication like an infection,ectopic pregnancy, or early pregnancy loss.
Tender Breasts
When you are pregnant, you may notice swollen, tender breasts as early as one to two weeks after conception. This happens because of changes in your hormone levels. When you become pregnant, yourestrogenlevels rise dramatically, and this can lead to swelling.
Fatigue
Nausea and Vomiting
Many pregnant people experiencemorning sickness(nausea and vomiting) during pregnancy. This can begin as early as two to eight weeks after conception. This is likely due to the production of the pregnancy hormonehuman chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). You may also experience food cravings or aversions during this time.
Headaches
The sudden rise in hormones during early pregnancy may also cause headaches. They can occur at any time of day. If you experience severe headache pain or wake up at night because of pain, talk with a healthcare provider.
Bloating
Frequent Urination
Can You Tell You’re Pregnant Based on Early Pregnancy Symptoms?
It is not possible to know that you are pregnant from symptoms alone. The only way to know if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. Other factors may cause many common symptoms of early pregnancy.
It’s important to remember that many early pregnancy signs are similar topremenstrual syndrome (PMS)symptoms. PMS occurs the week before your period, and possible symptoms include:
Pregnancy TestsPregnancy testsprovide a proven way to determine if you are pregnant at home. Most home tests are 99% accurate when used correctly.When taking a pregnancy test, it is best to wait until the first day of your missed period. These tests measure the amount of the hormone hCG.This hormone level increases each day of early pregnancy. It starts producing when the fertilized egg implants into the uterus wall about 10 days after conception. The level of hCG doubles every 48 hours in the first couple weeks of pregnancy.
Pregnancy Tests
Pregnancy testsprovide a proven way to determine if you are pregnant at home. Most home tests are 99% accurate when used correctly.When taking a pregnancy test, it is best to wait until the first day of your missed period. These tests measure the amount of the hormone hCG.This hormone level increases each day of early pregnancy. It starts producing when the fertilized egg implants into the uterus wall about 10 days after conception. The level of hCG doubles every 48 hours in the first couple weeks of pregnancy.
Pregnancy testsprovide a proven way to determine if you are pregnant at home. Most home tests are 99% accurate when used correctly.When taking a pregnancy test, it is best to wait until the first day of your missed period. These tests measure the amount of the hormone hCG.
This hormone level increases each day of early pregnancy. It starts producing when the fertilized egg implants into the uterus wall about 10 days after conception. The level of hCG doubles every 48 hours in the first couple weeks of pregnancy.
What Does a Faint Line on a Pregnancy Test Mean?
Non-Pregnancy Causes of Missed Period
Experiencing a missed period does not always mean that you are pregnant. There are several reasons why your period changes or stops temporarily. It’s estimated that 1 in 25 people who menstruate experience missed periods that are not related to pregnancy orbreastfeeding.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are common causes of missed periods. Other possible non-pregnancy causes of a missed period include:
See a healthcare provider if it has been three months since your last period.
Waiting to find out if you are pregnant is anxiety-provoking, especially if you were not expecting it. Know that it is normal to experience various emotions right now. See a healthcare provider for blood and urine tests to determine if you are pregnant.
Summary
It’s natural to want to know if you are pregnant before your missed period. Many people experience bodily changes early in their pregnancies. These changes may include spotting, tender breasts, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, headaches, bloating, and frequent urination.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Changes during pregnancy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.What are some common signs of pregnancy?.
Office on Women’s Health.Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Office on Women’s Health.Pregnancy tests.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Amenorrhea: Absence of periods.
Klein DA, Paradise SL, Reeder RM.Amenorrhea: A systematic approach to diagnosis and management.Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(1):39-48.
Office on Women’s Health.Menstrual cycle.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
