Some of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy occur weeks after conception, because of the increasing amount of hormones in a pregnant woman's body. The sixth to eighth weeks of pregnancy fall approximately four to six weeks after conception, before a woman begins to look pregnant. However, by this time a woman knows by her pregnancy symptoms that her body is changing rapidly.
Nausea
The Mayo Clinic reports that nausea occurs in early pregnancy for as many as 70 percent of women. Estrogen and progesterone, two hallmark pregnancy hormones, are thought to be responsible. These hormones affect the digestive system as well as the nausea centers in the brain and can cause symptoms ranging in severity from mild nausea to frequent vomiting. The term "morning sickness" is often a misnomer: Nausea and vomiting associated with pregnancy can occur at any time of the day.
Tender Breasts
Breast tenderness is also caused by increased hormone levels. According to the American Pregnancy Association, this can begin as early as two weeks after conception. However, the Mayo Clinic reports that around the six-to-eight-week mark, the breasts are not only fuller and heavier, but they may look different as well. Increased circulation and milk production often makes the nipples appear darker or even larger.
Frequent Urination
While the uterus is not large enough at six to eight weeks to make a woman look pregnant, it is already starting to push against the other organs in the abdomen. This includes the bladder. The American Pregnancy Association reports that right around this time, pregnant women may feel the urge to urinate more often than normal. The Mayo Clinic reports that this crowding of the bladder may also cause women to leak small amounts of urine, especially when they cough or sneeze.
Fatigue
Fatigue can set in earlier than the sixth week of pregnancy, but it is often markedly noticeable around the six-to-eight-week mark. The Mayo Clinic reports that this fatigue is caused by the changes in a pregnant woman's circulation. Around this stage in pregnancy, fatigue may also be accompanied by headaches or dizziness, as the heart beats faster to keep up with the body's demands.
Spotting
It may be alarming to notice blood around the sixth to eighth week of pregnancy; however, the Mayo Clinic reports that this is perfectly normal and may occur in up to 40 percent of pregnant women. At this stage in pregnancy, the placenta attaches more firmly to the uterine wall and can sometimes cause spotting. This spotting should be light and should not last for long. However, any bleeding during pregnancy should always be reported to a physician.
References
- Harms, Roger W, ed. "The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy." Harper Collins, 2004.
- American Pregnancy Association: Pregnancy Symptoms - Early Signs of Pregnancy
