The signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary from woman to woman and can develop as early as a few weeks after conception. Many of the signs of pregnancy can be caused by factors unrelated to pregnancy. If you are sexually active and believe you may be pregnant, speak with your doctor for further evaluation. Your doctor can perform a blood test to confirm a pregnancy.
Breast Tenderness
One of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy can develop within your breasts. Hormone levels within your body change when you are pregnant and can affect your breast tissue. Your breasts may be sore or tender to the touch and can appear enlarged or swollen due to pregnancy. Some women also notice that pregnancy causes the areola, the skin surrounding the nipple, to darken.
Fatigue
If you are pregnant, you can begin to feel abnormally fatigued. Pregnancy alters the levels of hormones within your body, which can lead to tiredness or fatigue. Low blood pressure and decreased blood sugar levels due to pregnancy also can cause you to feel fatigued, the health professionals at Mayo Clinic explain.
Frequent Urination
Pregnancy may lead to increases in body fluid, which can cause frequent urination in some women. If you are pregnant, your uterus will begin to swell and can press agasint bladder, causing you to feel the urge to urinate more frequently.
Missed Period
If you are pregnant, you will not experience a menstrual period--a condition called amenorrhea. Certain women can experience light cramping or bleeding a few days after conception. This is called implantation bleeding, according to the American Pregnancy Association, and it occurs when the embryo is implanted in the uterine wall.
Morning Sickness
High levels of the hormone estrogen caused by pregnancy can lead some women to develop morning sickness. Symptoms of morning sickness include nausea and vomiting, which--despite the name of this symptom--can occur throughout the day or night.
Mood Changes
Alterations in hormone levels due to pregnancy can lead to changes in your mood. If you are pregnant, you can become abnormally irritable, elated or sad.
Backache
If you are pregnant, you may develop a dull, persistent aching pain in your lower back. The likely cause of this pain is increased pressure on the back muscles due to uterine swelling.
Food Cravings
Approximately 80 percent of pregnant women experience some type of food cravings, based upon estimates provided by the Better Health Channel, an informational health website constructed by Australian government officials. Such cravings are typically due to hormonal changes caused by pregnancy.
