While typical home pregnancy tests cannot detect pregnancy until approximately a week after you have missed a period, you may experience symptoms much earlier. Though many early symptoms are not unique only to pregnancy, they may still serve as an indicator until you are able to obtain an accurate reading from a home pregnancy test or from a test at your doctor's office.
Implantation Bleeding
Light bleeding or spotting may occur when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus, according to MayoClinic.com. This usually occurs within the first 10 days of pregnancy and is often among the first signs of pregnancy. Implantation bleeding differs from normal menstruation, as it occurs earlier than a normal period and is often lighter in color and flow. Further, implantation bleeding does not last as long as a typical period.
Breast Changes
Changes in hormone levels early in pregnancy may result in changes to your breasts. Within the first couple of weeks of pregnancy, your breasts may feel tender or heavy and full. Additional changes to your breasts may occur, including darkening of the areolas, reports the American Pregnancy Association. The areolas are the skin around the nipples.
Fatigue
Within the first week of pregnancy, you may begin to feel abnormally fatigued or tired. Although the exact cause of your fatigue is unknown, the website BabyCenter explains that it may be caused by the quickly increasing hormones in your body. Pregnancy fatigue is generally worse during the first and third trimesters.
Nausea
You may begin to feel nauseous between the second and eighth weeks of pregnancy, according to Babyzone. Although this nausea is often called "morning sickness," it may occur at any time of day. Your nausea may be due in part to an increased level of estrogen, which slows digestion, explains MayoClinic.com. Further, you may have a heightened sense of smell that triggers bouts of nausea.
