Modern technology allows women to take a pregnancy test and receive accurate results on the first late day of their menstrual cycle. Many women, however, may already have some hint that they are possibly pregnant. Recognizing the earliest signs of pregnancy is possible if you are accustomed to listening to your body and recognize subtle changes.
Fatigue
Perhaps one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, fatigue can develop within one week of conception, according to the American Pregnancy Association. It can be difficult to recognize fatigue as a sign of pregnancy because many women have such busy lives and hectic schedules that fatigue feels normal. During early pregnancy, the body increases production of the hormone progesterone to support the pregnancy. Higher progesterone can lead to fatigue. Other reasons for fatigue in early pregnancy include additional stress on the heart and other organs as they work to support the pregnancy and the added work of increasing the volume of blood in the body, according to the March of Dimes.
Changes to the Breasts
Hormone changes can cause the breasts to become more sensitive and swollen within two weeks of conception. Changes in the breasts develop so early that many women notice a difference before they miss their period.
Changes in Appetite
Morning sickness and food aversions are both common early sign of pregnancy. In fact, many women first believe that they may be expecting when they cannot stomach coffee, fried foods or other foods that they normally like. Morning sickness is often mistaken for the flu early in pregnancy, and, despite the name, can last all day.
Headaches
One early sign of pregnancy that many women are unfamiliar with are headaches. According to the Mayo Clinic, the changes in hormone levels that occur early in pregnancy may lead to frequent, low grade headaches.
Constipation
Hormonal changes are responsible for this early symptom of pregnancy. According to the Mayo Clinic, high levels of progesterone are responsible for a slow down in digestion, which can lead to constipation.
Changes in the Menstrual Cycle
The lack of a menstrual cycle is widely recognized as a sign of pregnancy. It is important to realize that many women experience bleeding early in pregnancy, so don't assume that just because you experience some bleeding that you are not pregnant. Bleeding early in the pregnancy is often the result of implantation of the embryo. This type of bleeding differs from a typical menstrual cycle in that it only lasts a day or so and is very light. Implantation bleeding, if it occurs, typically happens about two weeks after fertilization of the egg, according to the Mayo Clinic.
