Although pregnancy tests are one of the most effective ways to know when you're pregnant, an at-home test can't detect your pregnancy until a week after your first missed period. Luckily, your body has a number of ways of telling you that you're expecting. Many of the early signs of pregnancy begin as quickly as one week after conception.
Bleeding
A missed period often is a woman's first indication that she's pregnant. As soon as you conceive, you should stop menstruating regularly, although some bleeding actually can be a sign of pregnancy. Six to 12 days after you conceive, you might see a bit of light spotting as the embryo implants itself on the uterine wall. Some women still will bleed during their normal period, but it will be lighter and shorter than a traditional period. You also might experience cramping when you're newly pregnant.
Breasts
The rising hormones caused by your new pregnancy will cause your breasts to change almost immediately. Within one to three weeks of conceiving, your breasts will start to become tingly, tender, or swollen. For many women, this change will be similar but more severe than what you normally experience before beginning a period. Another early sign of pregnancy is darker areolas. If the skin around your nipples becomes noticeably darker, you might be expecting.
Nausea
The dreaded morning sickness begins early, with many women beginning to feel nauseated within two weeks of conceiving. Some women will experience this nausea in the morning only, while others will have it all day or not at all. You might vomit from the nausea. This feeling is caused by the rising levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body. A newly pregnant woman also often has a heightened sense of smell. Catching a whiff of an odor you find repulsive also might contribute to your nausea.
Other Signs
If you've recently conceived a baby, you'll likely feel much more tired than usual. You might be sleeping more than usual and have low energy when you're awake. This feeling can begin as early as one week after conception. Headaches and backaches also are early signs of pregnancy, as is urinating frequently. And if you find yourself suddenly craving strange foods such as cheese sauce on peaches or hot sauce on ice cream, there's a good chance that you have a baby on the way.
