Conception occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg, and pregnancy results when the fertilized egg successfully implants itself in the uterine wall. Pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy. The earliest symptoms of pregnancy can occur within the first few weeks of conception for some women. Many women may experience all of the pregnancy symptoms, while a few others don’t experience any at all.
Missed Period
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a missed period is the most clear-cut sign of pregnancy in sexually active women. The endometrial lining within the uterus sheds during a monthly menstrual cycle. The endometrium doesn’t shed when a pregnancy occurs and remains within the uterus to nourish the fetus.
Frequent Urination
The Cleveland Clinic says that some women may experience frequent urination, even before missing their menstrual period. The need to urinate more often occurs after the embryo has implanted itself in the uterine wall and starts producing the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, which triggers frequent urination.
Implantation Bleeding
MayoClinic.com says that a small amount of spotting or vaginal bleeding known as implantation bleeding occurs as one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. Implantation bleeding happens about 10 to 14 days after fertilization or when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Some women experience abdominal cramping along with the light spotting. The spotting typically occurs about the time a regular period would occur, and it can last for a few days to a few weeks, notes the Cleveland Clinic.
Tender Breasts
The breasts may provide one of the first symptoms of early pregnancy, states MayoClinic.com. Hormonal changes that occur with pregnancy may make the breasts feel tender, tingly, sore, fuller and heavier as early as two weeks after conception.
Fatigue
Feeling fatigued or more tired can start as early as the first week after conception. The Cleveland Clinic indicates that the fatigue and exhaustion that women experience in early pregnancy results from the high levels of the hormone progesterone.
Nausea or Vomiting
Nausea, with or without vomiting, can start as early as two weeks after conception and it can happen at any time of the day or night, according to MayoClinic.com. Nausea results from rapidly rising levels of the hormone estrogen, and high levels of this hormone causes the stomach to empty more slowly. Pregnant women have a heightened sense of smell to various odors, and stronger odors may cause nausea in early pregnancy as well.
Mood Swings
Mood swings present as a common symptom of early pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, notes MayoClinic.com. The extra amount of hormones in early pregnancy can make a woman feel unusually emotional and weepy.
