Early symptoms of pregnancy vary from one woman to another and even from one pregnancy to another in the same woman. The most apparent sign of pregnancy however is a missed period, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Some women experience the symptoms of pregnancy within a few days of conceiving, while in others they occur after a few weeks and in rare cases, the signs and symptoms may be completely absent. APA cautions that it is important to understand these symptoms as they might also be related to some other health conditions.
Vomiting and Nausea
According to APA, feeling nauseated, with or without vomiting, is a well-known pregnancy symptom and most women experience it during pregnancy. Morning sickness, as it is generically referred, will show up anywhere between the second to eighth week of your pregnancy. You can feel sick in the morning, in the afternoon or sometimes in the evening. It is also possible that you will feel nauseated throughout your pregnancy. You can have carbohydrate or protein-rich food right before your bed time to reduce the effects of morning sickness.
Implantation Bleeding
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy can be implantation bleeding. Ten to 14 days after conceiving, the fertilized egg attaches itself to the inner lining of the uterus. During this stage you might bleed slightly, which will happen at the same time as your menstrual cycle. It can easily be mistaken as a regular period, however implantation bleeding is characterized by the fact that it appears earlier than a regular period, is for a very short duration and the blood is lighter in color. You can also experience cramps similar to menstrual cramps while you are experiencing implantation or vaginal bleeding.
Tender Breasts
Breasts during the early stages of pregnancy become swollen, tender and start to enlarge. Also, the visibility of the veins in your breasts increase. Nipples become extremely sensitive, the color darkens and they become more erect or protruding. These symptoms may appear soon after the conception, within two weeks or anytime later. Since you are pregnant, hormonal changes take place in your body making your breasts heavier and fuller.
Fatigue and Tiredness
Feeling fatigued very frequently is one of the high-ranking early symptoms of pregnancy. During early stages of pregnancy, levels of progesterone hormone spike. High levels of progesterone may make you feel drowsy throughout the day. Also, during pregnancy, you body has lower blood sugar levels, has to produce more blood and the blood pressure drops, making you feel fatigued and tired all the time.
Food Cravings or Aversions
Your body experiences significant hormonal changes when it becomes pregnant. During the first three months, when these hormonal changes are most dramatic, you might develop cravings or aversions for certain foods. Again, these cravings or aversions can differ from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy.
Some of the other early signs and symptoms of pregnancy include headache, mood swings, constipation, dizziness and raised basal body temperature.
