Physical changes may alert you to pregnancy before you test positive on a pregnancy test. Most pregnancy tests yield accurate results only after a missed period, which means they can't be relied upon in the very early stages of pregnancy. If you suspect you are pregnant, check with your doctor right away.
Breast Changes
Breast changes are often one of the first signs of pregnancy for many women. Hormones cause increased blood flow to the breasts, resulting in increased fullness, tenderness, itchy or stinging nipples, and tingling. During pregnancy, areolas darken, enlarge and develop small bumps. As you progress in your pregnancy, your breasts fill with a pre-nursing substance called colostrum. This can lead to leaking breasts.
Physical Symptoms
Following conception, your body goes through a variety of changes to prepare for gestation and birth. This can result in physical signs and symptoms that vary among women. Some that are common in the early stages of pregnancy are fatigue, food cravings, back aches and cramps, headaches, nausea or vomiting, and frequent urination. Some women may also experience an increased sense of smell and food aversions.
Menstrual Changes
Skipping a period is a significant -- and usually obvious -- sign of pregnancy. Menstrual changes are early signs of pregnancy for many women. Some women still menstruate during early pregnancy, but their periods may be lighter than normal. Before you miss a period, you may experience implantation bleeding, which is another early sign of pregnancy. Implantation bleeding occurs between six and 10 days after conception and may include cramping and spotting. There are other serious causes of bleeding during pregnancy, and any such concerns should be brought to the attention of your physician.
