Early Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms
 Delay in Menstruation
If you are pregnant this will last the full term of your pregnancy as you will not be ovulating during the next 9 months.
However, a delay in menstruation may also be caused by other reasons, such as: excessive weight gain or loss, a hormonal imbalance or even a change in birth control method. If your monthly cycle is late and you suspect that you may be pregnant the best thing to do is to have a pregnancy test, this will give you a more confirmed result as to whether or not you are indeed pregnant.
Nausea and Vomiting (Morning Sickness)
Nausea and vomiting, also known as morning sickness, may come as early as a week into your pregnancy and usually lasts for the first 2-8 weeks. Morning sickness is possibly the most common and most feared of all the pregnancy symptoms. Read our Dealing with Morning Sickness article for more information.
There are other possible causes for feeling nauseous which include: stress, food poisoning or stomach disorders.
Fatigue
If you are pregnant then you can expect to feel this for the first 2-8 weeks. Your body is going through some major hormonal changes.
hCG levels alone will go from 0 - 250,000 mIU/ml in just twelve weeks. Your temperature will also be higher due to the amount of progesterone circulating through your body which will also make you feel a little sluggish. Read our article on fatigue during pregnancy.
Sensitivity to Taste and Smell
You may find that you are sensitive to taste and smell, especially through the first 8 weeks of your pregnancy. Certain foods or smells may make you feel a little off color. This is often associated with morning sickness.
Darkening of Areola
You may notice that the area around your nipple, called the Areola will start to darken. Possible reasons for this is that it may act as a visual sign for a breastfeeding baby. Should you not be pregnant, your areola could also be getting darker due to a hormonal imbalance.
Sensitive and Tender Breasts
Your breasts may become extremely tender, swollen and start to enlarge fairly early in your pregnancy. As your pregnancy develops the veins within the breast will become more visible. These symptoms are all due to the increasing amount of hCG hormone that begins at implantation.
Dizziness
Your growing uterus compresses major arteries in your legs, which cause your blood pressure to drop making you feel light headed.
Skipping meals or going too long without eating may also cause you to feel dizzy or faint. Not eating frequently causes low blood sugar, which is also the primary source of nutrition for your developing baby. Skipping meals during pregnancy is not advised. Read our Pregnancy Nutrition section for more information.
Frequent Urination
Your growing baby will cause your uterus to swell. This then applies pressure on your bladder making you feel the urge for more frequent urination. Many women start to feel this symptom within a week or two after conception has occurred.
Constipation
Your changing hormones will slow down bowel functions to give
maximum absorption time of vitamins and nutrients, which may
lead to constipation. Unfortunately, this symptom usually only
gets worse as pregnancy progresses. Eating a healthy diet
full of the correct nutrients and fiber may help to alleviate
some of the discomfort of
constipation
during pregnancy.
Try our 'Are You Pregnant?' quiz.
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