While no two pregnancies are the same, even for the same woman, there are certain signs and symptoms that suggest a woman may be pregnant. For some women, these may begin within days of conception. Others, in rare cases, may not realize they are pregnant for many months after fertilization. Generally speaking, though, a sexually active woman, regardless of birth control use, should test for pregnancy if she notices any of the common signs or symptoms of pregnancy.
Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea, or the absence of a period, is the most common early sign of pregnancy. The majority of women are born with millions of eggs. Each month, between puberty and menopause, a woman's body prepares for pregnancy by releasing a mature egg from her ovary. The egg travels down a fallopian tube, ready for fertilization. At the same time, the uterine lining thickens in preparation for implantation. The egg, which can live for 12 to 24 hours after being released by the ovary, disintegrates if it is not fertilized. When fertilization does not occur, the uterine lining is shed during menstruation. In a sexually active woman, if amenorrhea occurs, the possibility of pregnancy should be explored.
Nausea
Many women report morning sickness as one of the first signs of pregnancy and, unfortunately, "morning" sickness can last all day. It is thought that rising hormone levels cause the nausea. Once the fertilized egg implants in the wall of the uterus, the placenta begins producing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The amounts of hCG increase until about 14th week of pregnancy and then gradually taper off. According to the American Pregnancy organization, in 85 percent of women during early pregnancy, the level of hCG doubles every 48 to 72 hours. This, along with increasing amounts of estrogen and progesterone, can contribute to morning sickness.
Mood Swings
Along with nausea, hormonal changes can affect mood swings. Most frequent during the first trimester, and then again during the third trimester, mood swings affect many pregnant women. Women who experienced mood swings as part of premenstrual syndrome are more likely to experience them during early pregnancy.
Fatigue
Unexpected, or unexplained, fatigue can also indicate pregnancy. As early as a week after conception, a feeling of general tiredness, or sluggishness, may begin as a result of increased levels of hormones, especially progesterone. Nausea and vomiting may contribute to the overall feeling of malaise.
