Pregnancy symptoms vary, just as every woman is different. While some women have no pregnancy symptoms for quite awhile, others may have them right away. Those women may not have to wait for the doctor to give them the news. Listening to what their bodies are telling them may be all the answer they need.
Breast Soreness
The Mayo Clinic says that breast tenderness is one of the first symptoms of pregnancy, occurring within the first two weeks of conception. An increase in the hormones estrogen and progesterone is the cause. These hormones prepare the body for breastfeeding while the body prepares the breasts for milk production; this results in the breast soreness many women experience.
Implantation Bleeding
Implantation bleeding--also known as spotting--is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, occurring six to 12 days after conception, according to the American Pregnancy Association. This occurs once the egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. Happening a bit earlier than the woman's regular period, it is typically lighter in color, shorter in length and spottier, hence the name. In some cases, abdominal cramping similar to menstrual cramping accompanies the bleeding.
Fatigue
For some women, fatigue is one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. It can leave a woman feeling exhausted, and some may find themselves going to bed earlier than usual or waking later than normal. Easy activities like grocery shopping can easily take the wind out of an expectant mothers' sails, making her want to lie down and nap when she arrives home. Again, this symptom is due to increasing hormones.
Nausea and Vomiting
Better known as morning sickness, this symptom affects every woman differently. While some women are only nauseous, others experience both nausea and vomiting. The name can be deceiving, though, as morning sickness can happen anytime. In worst-cases scenarios, a pregnant woman can have morning sickness all day long. This symptom can occur as soon as two weeks after conception.
Missed Period
The most obvious sign of pregnancy is a missed period. Some women may not pay attention to their other symptoms until they miss a period, and then it all comes together.
Sometimes, however, a pregnant woman will not miss a period entirely. It will just be lighter than normal. The other symptoms may not develop until a women has completely missed her period, according to the website Women's Health.
