Pregnancy is one of the most exciting times in a woman's life. It takes approximately two weeks from conception until enough hormone is present to have a positive home pregnancy test. Sometimes the waiting period can be a bit stressful. Before a positive pregnancy test, there are some signs that a woman may begin feeling early in her pregnancy. These include implantation bleeding, breast tenderness, fatigue and nausea.
Implantation Bleeding
Six to 12 days after conception a woman may experience implantation bleeding and some mild cramping as the new embryo begins to attach itself to the wall of the uterus. This bleeding is mild, and not like your regular menstrual period. It may present as spotting that is usually not bright red in color. Not all women experience implantation bleeding.
Breast Tenderness
Once pregnancy occurs, a woman's hormones begin to rise almost immediately. An early sign of pregnancy for many women is breast tenderness with areola changes. This type of breast tenderness is usually more severe than the mild tenderness you expect before your period. At this point, you may also notice the areola begins to grow larger in size and may appear darker in color. These changes occur as the mammary glands in the breasts begin to prepare themselves to feed your newborn baby.
Fatigue
Fatigue is common in the beginning of pregnancy. It is thought that the increase in progesterone as well as the body's other changes in early pregnancy are responsible for fatigue. It usually subsides by the beginning of the second trimester. Making sure that you sleep eight to 10 hours a night, and taking naps may help you to feel more alert during this time.
Nausea
Morning sickness is a common symptom of pregnancy. Although it is termed morning sickness, it does not always occur in the morning. Some women will feel nauseous all day, and some only in the evening. Some women vomit too. If nausea and vomiting becomes severe, you should contact your health care provider. There are medications that may be used during pregnancy for severe morning sickness.
