A woman's body changes throughout pregnancy. These changes cause certain signs of pregnancy to become noticeable. Some of these changes start to appear as early as the first week following conception, which is even before a woman will notice that her menstrual period is late.
Fatigue
According to the American Pregnancy Association, it is possible to begin to notice pregnancy-related fatigue as early as one week following conception. When trying to determine if your fatigue is related to pregnancy, you must rule out other factors that may be contributing to your fatigue, such as stress or illness.
Implantation Bleeding
Starting six days following conception, you may experience very light bleeding or spotting that is a result of the implantation of the embryo into the uterine wall. This is known as implantation bleeding. The blood is a brownish or pinkish color. Generally, this symptom abates by 12 days after conception. Mild cramping may accompany the implantation bleeding; however, if the cramping is severe and accompanied by bright red bleeding, a trip to the emergency room is warranted, as these are signs of a miscarriage.
Swollen and Tender Breasts
As early as the first week following conception, you may notice that your breasts feel heavier, swollen and more tender than normal. This is due to the change in hormones associated with pregnancy. You may also notice that your areolas are getting darker. Generally, this symptom will remain throughout the pregnancy.
Increased Temperature
Starting at the time of ovulation, a woman's body temperature rises slightly. If she becomes pregnant, her temperature will remain elevated throughout pregnancy. A woman who keeps track of her basal body temperature will notice this sign of pregnancy.
Aches
Headaches and backaches that are caused by the changes associated with pregnancy may begin to show up during the first week following conception. Both of these symptoms are usually mild. If they become pronounced, a trip to the doctor is necessary.
