Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsImplantation BleedingMissed PeriodNausea and VomitingFatigueBreast TendernessFrequent UrinationMood SwingsAppetite ChangesMetallic TasteHeadachesCrampingConstipationNasal Congestion
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Implantation Bleeding
Missed Period
Nausea and Vomiting
Fatigue
Breast Tenderness
Frequent Urination
Mood Swings
Appetite Changes
Metallic Taste
Headaches
Cramping
Constipation
Nasal Congestion
While a missed period is one of the more obvious early signs of pregnancy, there are several other symptoms to be on the lookout for if you’re trying to conceive. Symptoms vary from person to person—including those who experience no early signs of pregnancy.
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Implantation bleeding is often the earliest sign of pregnancy; however, it most often goes unnoticed. About one in four women experience light bleeding in early pregnancy. This spotting or light bleeding happens when a fertilized egg implants into the lining of the uterine wall about one to two weeks after conception.
This timing would be around day 20 or later of a 28-day cycle and is easily mistaken as an early period. However, implantation bleeding is much lighter and usually has a shorter duration than your period. Implantation bleeding is normal and requires no medical care.
Spotting vs. BleedingMild crampingand spotting are common and can be a normal early sign of pregnancy, but vaginal bleeding can be a sign of something more serious, such as the risk of:MiscarriageEctopic pregnancyCall emergency care if you experience painful cramping orheavy bleedingand believe you are pregnant.
Spotting vs. Bleeding
Mild crampingand spotting are common and can be a normal early sign of pregnancy, but vaginal bleeding can be a sign of something more serious, such as the risk of:MiscarriageEctopic pregnancyCall emergency care if you experience painful cramping orheavy bleedingand believe you are pregnant.
Mild crampingand spotting are common and can be a normal early sign of pregnancy, but vaginal bleeding can be a sign of something more serious, such as the risk of:
Call emergency care if you experience painful cramping orheavy bleedingand believe you are pregnant.
The Cervix in Early Pregnancy
The most common first sign of pregnancy is a missed period.Once you become pregnant, the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stops the uterine lining from being shed, which is what yourmenstrual flowis made of.
Pregnancy is not the only reason you may miss your period. Several other factors can cause a missed period, including:
Nausea and vomiting—or morning sickness—are difficult early signs of pregnancy that can happen at all times of day, not only in the morning.
About 50% to 90% of women will experience nausea, with or without vomiting, during the first half of pregnancy.
Most often, nausea begins around weeks five to eight of pregnancy and peaks at week nine,typically subsiding at week 14.
What causes nausea and vomiting is unknown. However, theories include hormonal changes, genetic influences, and/or psychological factors.If you experience nausea and vomiting, talk to your healthcare provider about potential treatments such as antiemetic drugs.
Warning: DehydrationSevere vomiting can lead to dehydration and lack of nutrition. Speak to your practitioner if you experience severe vomiting or signs of dehydration, such as:Dark-colored urineDizzinessInability to keep down liquids
Warning: Dehydration
Severe vomiting can lead to dehydration and lack of nutrition. Speak to your practitioner if you experience severe vomiting or signs of dehydration, such as:Dark-colored urineDizzinessInability to keep down liquids
Severe vomiting can lead to dehydration and lack of nutrition. Speak to your practitioner if you experience severe vomiting or signs of dehydration, such as:
Breasts change a lot during pregnancy, and these changes begin early with tenderness and growth. You may feel soreness, fullness, and heaviness in your breasts as early as one to two weeks after conception.
As prolactin, progesterone, andestrogenhormone levels rise, the number of mammary glands increases, which causes breast tissue to feel and look full and heavy. Some women experience soreness in their breasts and nipples during this change. Any discomfort usually subsides once your body adapts to the increase in hormones.
Needing to urinate more often than usual is a common early sign of pregnancy.
The hormone hCG increases the blood flow to the pelvic area, which can cause more frequent urination.
Also due to increased blood flow, the kidneys need to filter more waste, which is eliminated through urination
Frequent Urination ConcernsSometimes frequent urination can indicate that an infection is present. If you are concerned or if you experience symptoms such as fever, pain, a burning sensation during urination, or feeling like you can’t empty your bladder, see your healthcare provider.
Frequent Urination Concerns
Sometimes frequent urination can indicate that an infection is present. If you are concerned or if you experience symptoms such as fever, pain, a burning sensation during urination, or feeling like you can’t empty your bladder, see your healthcare provider.
Changing hormones can mean changes in mood that you might notice a few weeks after conception.
Increases in hormones like progesterone and estrogen can affect the neurotransmitters that help regulate mood. Sometimes these mood swings can come from concern or stress over becoming a parent if you already know you are pregnant or think you might be. Mood swings can also be a side effect of other pregnancy signs like fatigue or feeling nauseous.
Mood swings are most common between the sixth and tenth week of pregnancy and near the end of pregnancy.While feeling a bit anxious or sad is normal, lasting feelings of sadness, apathy, crying, wanting to self-harm, or anxiety should be shared with your healthcare provider.
Appetite changes are a well-known early pregnancy sign that can include:
Nausea and vomiting can cause a decrease in appetite, while other hormonal changes can lead to more feelings of hunger.
The reasons for taste changes are still being studied, but researchers believe it is related to alterations in:
Hormonal changes and increased blood flow can causeheadaches during pregnancy.
Some people also experience headaches when they are fatigued, which is another common sign of early pregnancy.
Other Causes of HeadacheRarely, headaches can be a sign of another condition such as an infection or hypertension. If you are experiencing severe or consistent headaches, seek medical care.
Other Causes of Headache
Rarely, headaches can be a sign of another condition such as an infection or hypertension. If you are experiencing severe or consistent headaches, seek medical care.
Natural Remedies for Headaches During Pregnancy
Cramping that feels like your period might be starting can occur early in pregnancy. This light cramping is normal, but if the cramping is verypainfulor only on one side of your abdomen, it could be a sign of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy, and you should call your practitioner right away.
When to See Your Healthcare Provider for CrampingWhile some light cramping is normal, seek emergency help if you experience:Severe or persistent crampingCramping on one side of your abdomenSee bleeding with crampingThese could be signs of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
When to See Your Healthcare Provider for Cramping
While some light cramping is normal, seek emergency help if you experience:Severe or persistent crampingCramping on one side of your abdomenSee bleeding with crampingThese could be signs of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
While some light cramping is normal, seek emergency help if you experience:
These could be signs of a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
Hormonal changes that occur early on in your pregnancy may cause you to become constipated.
Other factors that can contribute to constipation include the use of supplements, such as iron, and a decrease in exercise.
Nasal congestion when attributed to pregnancy is more common during the second and third trimester; however, some women report increased nasal congestion in early pregnancy.
Increases in hormones and blood flow can cause the tissues inside the nose to swell or dry out. These factors can lead to a stuffy, congested nose.
A Word From Verywell
Pregnancy can cause many symptoms, some of which are unwanted and difficult to deal with. While these signs do not necessarily mean you are pregnant, if you expect you might be, taking a pregnancy test or visiting your healthcare provider can let you know for sure. As well, your healthcare provider can help you find treatments or modifications for many of the uncomfortable early pregnancy signs.
Chadwick’s Sign in Pregnancy
14 SourcesVerywell 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.Bleeding during pregnancy.National Institutes of Health.What are some common signs of early pregnancy?Cleveland Clinic.Abnormal menstruation.Smith JA, Fox KA.Patient education: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate.Bai G, Korfage IJ, Groen EH-d, Jaddoe VWV, Mautner E, Raat H (2016).Associations between nausea, vomiting, fatigue and health-related quality of life of women in early pregnancy: the generation R study.PLoS ONE11(11): e0166133. doi:10.1371The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Morning sickness: nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.Smith JA, Fox KA, Clark SM.Patient education: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate.Cleveland Clinic.What Are Some Common Signs of Pregnancy?Tyrlik M, Konecny S, Kukla L.Predictors of pregnancy-related emotions. J Clin Med Res. 2013;5(2):112-120. doi:10.4021/jocmr1246eEzen Choo, Robin Dando,The Impact of pregnancy on taste function, chemical senses. Volume 42, Issue 4, 1 May 2017, Pages 279–286, doi:10.1093Negro A, Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al.Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review.J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):106. Published 2017 Oct 19. doi:10.1186/s10194-017-0816-0NHS.Common health problems in pregnancy.Reijonen JK, Tihtonen KMH, Luukkaala TH, Uotila JT.Association of dietary fiber, liquid intake and lifestyle characteristics with gastrointestinal symptoms and pregnancy outcome.European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X. 2022;16:100168. doi:10.1016/j.eurox.2022.100168Caparroz FA, Gregorio LL, Bongiovanni G, Izu SC, Kosugi EM.Rhinitis and pregnancy: literature review.Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;82:105–11. doi:10.1016/j.bjorl.2015.04.011
14 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.Bleeding during pregnancy.National Institutes of Health.What are some common signs of early pregnancy?Cleveland Clinic.Abnormal menstruation.Smith JA, Fox KA.Patient education: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate.Bai G, Korfage IJ, Groen EH-d, Jaddoe VWV, Mautner E, Raat H (2016).Associations between nausea, vomiting, fatigue and health-related quality of life of women in early pregnancy: the generation R study.PLoS ONE11(11): e0166133. doi:10.1371The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Morning sickness: nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.Smith JA, Fox KA, Clark SM.Patient education: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate.Cleveland Clinic.What Are Some Common Signs of Pregnancy?Tyrlik M, Konecny S, Kukla L.Predictors of pregnancy-related emotions. J Clin Med Res. 2013;5(2):112-120. doi:10.4021/jocmr1246eEzen Choo, Robin Dando,The Impact of pregnancy on taste function, chemical senses. Volume 42, Issue 4, 1 May 2017, Pages 279–286, doi:10.1093Negro A, Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al.Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review.J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):106. Published 2017 Oct 19. doi:10.1186/s10194-017-0816-0NHS.Common health problems in pregnancy.Reijonen JK, Tihtonen KMH, Luukkaala TH, Uotila JT.Association of dietary fiber, liquid intake and lifestyle characteristics with gastrointestinal symptoms and pregnancy outcome.European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X. 2022;16:100168. doi:10.1016/j.eurox.2022.100168Caparroz FA, Gregorio LL, Bongiovanni G, Izu SC, Kosugi EM.Rhinitis and pregnancy: literature review.Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;82:105–11. doi:10.1016/j.bjorl.2015.04.011
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.Bleeding during pregnancy.National Institutes of Health.What are some common signs of early pregnancy?Cleveland Clinic.Abnormal menstruation.Smith JA, Fox KA.Patient education: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate.Bai G, Korfage IJ, Groen EH-d, Jaddoe VWV, Mautner E, Raat H (2016).Associations between nausea, vomiting, fatigue and health-related quality of life of women in early pregnancy: the generation R study.PLoS ONE11(11): e0166133. doi:10.1371The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Morning sickness: nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.Smith JA, Fox KA, Clark SM.Patient education: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate.Cleveland Clinic.What Are Some Common Signs of Pregnancy?Tyrlik M, Konecny S, Kukla L.Predictors of pregnancy-related emotions. J Clin Med Res. 2013;5(2):112-120. doi:10.4021/jocmr1246eEzen Choo, Robin Dando,The Impact of pregnancy on taste function, chemical senses. Volume 42, Issue 4, 1 May 2017, Pages 279–286, doi:10.1093Negro A, Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al.Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review.J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):106. Published 2017 Oct 19. doi:10.1186/s10194-017-0816-0NHS.Common health problems in pregnancy.Reijonen JK, Tihtonen KMH, Luukkaala TH, Uotila JT.Association of dietary fiber, liquid intake and lifestyle characteristics with gastrointestinal symptoms and pregnancy outcome.European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X. 2022;16:100168. doi:10.1016/j.eurox.2022.100168Caparroz FA, Gregorio LL, Bongiovanni G, Izu SC, Kosugi EM.Rhinitis and pregnancy: literature review.Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;82:105–11. doi:10.1016/j.bjorl.2015.04.011
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Bleeding during pregnancy.
National Institutes of Health.What are some common signs of early pregnancy?
Cleveland Clinic.Abnormal menstruation.
Smith JA, Fox KA.Patient education: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate.
Bai G, Korfage IJ, Groen EH-d, Jaddoe VWV, Mautner E, Raat H (2016).Associations between nausea, vomiting, fatigue and health-related quality of life of women in early pregnancy: the generation R study.PLoS ONE11(11): e0166133. doi:10.1371
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Morning sickness: nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
Smith JA, Fox KA, Clark SM.Patient education: Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (Beyond the Basics). UpToDate.
Cleveland Clinic.What Are Some Common Signs of Pregnancy?
Tyrlik M, Konecny S, Kukla L.Predictors of pregnancy-related emotions. J Clin Med Res. 2013;5(2):112-120. doi:10.4021/jocmr1246e
Ezen Choo, Robin Dando,The Impact of pregnancy on taste function, chemical senses. Volume 42, Issue 4, 1 May 2017, Pages 279–286, doi:10.1093
Negro A, Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al.Headache and pregnancy: a systematic review.J Headache Pain. 2017;18(1):106. Published 2017 Oct 19. doi:10.1186/s10194-017-0816-0
NHS.Common health problems in pregnancy.
Reijonen JK, Tihtonen KMH, Luukkaala TH, Uotila JT.Association of dietary fiber, liquid intake and lifestyle characteristics with gastrointestinal symptoms and pregnancy outcome.European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X. 2022;16:100168. doi:10.1016/j.eurox.2022.100168
Caparroz FA, Gregorio LL, Bongiovanni G, Izu SC, Kosugi EM.Rhinitis and pregnancy: literature review.Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;82:105–11. doi:10.1016/j.bjorl.2015.04.011
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