Discovering that you are expecting a baby can be exciting, particularly if you have been actively trying to conceive. Waiting patiently for a pregnancy test to confirm that you are carrying a baby may be difficult. Your body may be giving you signs that you are indeed pregnant, and knowing what signs to look for may help you to have the answer even before you perform a pregnancy test.
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness may occur at any time of the day and may result in vomiting or only nausea. According to Joanne Stone and Keith Eddleman, authors of "The Pregnancy Bible: Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Early Parenthood," many women experience morning sickness as early as two weeks after conceiving a baby -- earlier than a pregnancy test would show a positive result. Nausea occurs in response to the hormone changes of early pregnancy, so a sudden onset of nausea or vomiting may signal that you are in the early days of your pregnancy.
Sensitive Breasts
Many women experience sore and sensitive breasts and nipples just a few days after conception, report Heidi Murkoff, Sharon Mazel and Charles J. Lockwood, authors of "What to Expect When You're Expecting." Following conception, your breasts and nipples may be tingly and painful, or they may feel full if you have just become pregnant within the past two weeks.
Tiredness
As your body puts forth a great deal of energy to sustain your pregnancy and begin accommodating a rapidly growing baby, you will likely feel much more tired than usual. You may have a hard time waking up in the morning, or you may feel lethargic as the day continues. A lack of energy throughout the day is a common complaint that may signal the early days of pregnancy.
Enhanced Sense of Smell
Women may begin to smell things they have not noticed before, or they may experience a sudden turn of the stomach in response to smells they previously enjoyed. If you notice that your nose is more sensitive, you may be experiencing the first few days of a pregnancy, note Murkoff, Mazel and Lockwood.
More Bathroom Breaks
A frequent need to use the restroom is a common early pregnancy sign, report Stone and Eddleman. As soon as you conceive, your uterus will begin expanding, which will begin pressing on your bladder within a week or so. Your changing hormone levels are another reason why you may feel the need to urinate more often than before.
References
- "The Pregnancy Bible: Your Complete Guide to Pregnancy and Early Parenthood"; Joanne Stone and Keith Eddleman; 2003
- "What to Expect When You're Expecting"; Heidi Murkoff, Sharon Mazel and Charles J. Lockwood; 2008
