Pregnancy symptoms vary from one woman to the next, and even from one pregnancy to the next in an individual woman. Some women experience very few, if any, symptoms in the beginning of the pregnancy. The common symptoms of pregnancy also accompany many other medical conditions, according to the website MayoClinic. A home pregnancy test or a blood test by your physician can confirm a pregnancy if you experience the symptoms.
Missed Period
A missed period is the most common early pregnancy symptom that causes women to take a pregnancy test, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Some women still experience a period after conception, but it might be lighter or shorter than usual. Implantation bleeding also can occur between six and 12 days after conception. The light bleeding and cramping occur when the embryo implants into the uterine wall.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common symptom of pregnancy, according to MayoClinic. The tiredness stems from increased hormones, particularly progesterone, early in the pregnancy. Other changes in the body, such as increased blood production and decreased blood sugar, contribute to feelings of fatigue.
Breast Changes
The American Pregnancy Association lists changes to the breasts as a possible indicator of pregnancy. Swollen and tender breasts can begin one or two weeks after conception, making it a very early sign. The area around your nipples, called the areola, also can get darker during pregnancy.
Nausea or Food Aversions
Nausea, often referred to as "morning sickness," is a symptom most people associate with pregnancy. You can experience nausea beginning two weeks after conception, according to MayoClinic. Some women don't experience morning sickness, while others experience severe nausea and vomiting. You also might notice that certain foods are suddenly unappealing. Even the smell of some foods might make you feel nauseous. On the other hand, some foods might become more appealing, causing the cravings that most people associate with pregnancy.
Headaches
According to the American Pregnancy Association, an increase in headaches can be a symptom of pregnancy. The increased hormones are a possible cause of the headaches. MayoClinic also points to increased blood circulation as a headache cause during pregnancy.
Constipation
Some women experience constipation at the beginning of a pregnancy. MayoClinic identifies the increased hormones as a cause of the constipation. The hormones slow down food as it passes through the intestines.
Mood Swings
Another possible effect of the increased pregnancy hormones is a change in mood. Mood swings caused by the pregnancy hormones might make you suddenly emotional or cause you to cry when you normally wouldn't.
Increased Basal Body Temperature
Your basal body temperature is your oral temperature reading when you wake up. Charting the basal body temperature helps some women conceive, because your temperature increases after ovulation and stays elevated until your period starts. An increased basal body temperature for longer than two weeks can indicate pregnancy.
