19 Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

Determining whether you're pregnant can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. While a missed period is the most well-known indicator, early signs of pregnancy can appear even before that. These symptoms may vary from person to person—some may notice several, while others experience very few.

Common Early Symptoms

• Missed period. Often the first and most obvious sign, but stress, illness, or hormonal imbalances can also cause delayed cycles.

• Nausea and vomiting. Commonly known as morning sickness, though it can strike at any time of the day.

• Tender, swollen breasts. Hormonal changes may cause sensitivity, swelling, or darkening of the areolas.

• Frequent urination. Increased blood flow to the kidneys results in more trips to the bathroom.

• Fatigue. A rapid rise in progesterone levels can lead to extreme tiredness early in pregnancy.

Other Possible Signs Some expectant parents also experience mood swings, bloating, cramping, food cravings or aversions, headaches, dizziness, or a metallic taste in the mouth. Additionally, light spotting, known as implantation bleeding, may occur as the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus.

When to Take a Test Since many of these symptoms overlap with premenstrual signs or other medical conditions, a home pregnancy test is the best way to confirm pregnancy. If you're experiencing early signs of pregnancy and suspect you might be expecting, taking a test a few days after a missed period will provide the most accurate results.

Now, let's explore these early symptoms in more detail to help you better understand what to expect and when to seek medical advice.

First Signs of Pregnancy

Did you miss your period, and are starting to ask yourself “Am I pregnant”? Or, maybe there's a gut feeling that you can’t shake. It's normal and understandable to wonder what are the early signs of pregnancy as you mentally cross off the different feelings you’ve been experiencing in the past few days. You may start experiencing specific signs and symptoms of pregnancy early on even before you know for sure that you’re pregnant. Of course, either a home pregnancy test or a test through your healthcare provider will be the best way to determine if you’re pregnant. In the meantime, take this “Am I Pregnant?” quiz and read up on some of the early pregnancy signs and symptoms you may start feeling about one to two weeks after a missed period and within the first month of being pregnant:

1. Missing a period. One of the very early signs of pregnancy is a missed period, though if you have an irregular menstrual cycle, this sign can be misleading.

2. Spotting. Very light spotting known as implantation bleeding, can be an early sign of pregnancy. It happens when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining of the uterus.

3. Cramping. Some moms-to-be experience mild uterine cramps during the first trimester. To soothe your lower abdomen, place a hot water bottle, wrapped in a towel, on your belly or take a warm bath.

4. Hot flashes. Elevated pregnancy hormone levels early in your pregnancy and a metabolism that has sped up can both lead to a feeling of hot flashes resulting from an increase in your core body temperature. Your body compensates for this hot feeling by sweating more to help cool you down.

5. Racing heart. Hormonal changes can also cause heart palpitations, but if they last more than a few seconds, or if they happen frequently, contact your healthcare provider for a checkup to make sure everything is OK.

6. Mood swings. Finding out you’re pregnant is a big milestone, and it’s natural to feel everything from joy and excitement to anxiety and confusion. It may help to speak to your loved ones about your feelings.

7. Bloating and constipation. As the digestive system slows, you may also feel bloated (similar to what it can feel like at the start of your period) and constipated. Eat high-fiber foods, drink lots of water, and—if you can—add some exercise to your day.

8. Heartburn. During pregnancy the muscles that keep digestive acids out of the esophagus tend to relax, which can lead to acid reflux, commonly known as heartburn. Eat small, frequent meals, and avoid fried foods, citrus fruits, chocolate, and spicy or fried foods to help prevent heartburn.

9. Acne. The overproduction of sebum (oil) in the skin can cause pimple outbreaks during pregnancy. Gently cleanse your skin each day, use non-greasy cosmetics, and consult your healthcare provider about anti-acne medications that are safe.

10. Dizziness. Low blood sugar levels, stress, and fatigue can make you feel dizzy or faint. To prevent dizziness in pregnancy, try to eat small, regular meals, and try to keep stress under control.

11. Weight gain. Some women gain between 1 to 4 pounds in the first few months of pregnancy, but your doctor will be able to advise you on healthy pregnancy weight gain that is right for you.

12. Congestion. Early in pregnancy, the mucous membranes in your nose swell, dry out, and bleed easily. To help relieve congestion, consider using a humidifier, or try saline drops or a saline rinse, and remember to stay hydrated.

13. Headaches. These can be an early sign of pregnancy as estrogen levels rise. You may also experience tension headaches, which may be caused by stress or fatigue. Check with your healthcare provider about possible medications; for most pregnant women, acetaminophen is considered safe to treat the odd headache.

14. Frequent urination. If you find that you’re peeing a lot more than usual, it could be a sign of pregnancy as your kidneys are processing more fluid, which end up in your bladder. Don’t drink less water, though, as keeping hydrated is very important.

15. Tender, swollen breasts. Early on, your breasts may feel more tender and become larger, but as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes, the discomfort may decrease.

16. Nausea. With or without vomiting, nausea is a classic pregnancy symptom more commonly called morning sickness. So, how soon does morning sickness start? It often appears around a month after you become pregnant. For some women, morning sickness occurs at other times of the day, not just in the morning, while other women won’t experience it at all. Eat something before getting out of bed, like crackers, and then have small, regular meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar levels stable.

17. Food cravings and aversions/smell sensitivity. Early signs of pregnancy also include changes in taste, smell, and cravings. Keep up a balanced diet and talk to your doctor if you crave non-food items (like chalk or dirt).

18. Fatigue. It’s natural to feel tired while pregnant, particularly early on when the hormone progesterone is in overdrive, making you feel tired. Your body is working hard to support your baby, so give yourself plenty of time to rest and relax.

19. Skin changes. You may notice skin pigmentation changes, such as the darkening of the skin around your nipples, dark patches on your face, or the appearance of a dark line from your navel to your pubic bone.

Do All Women Experience Early Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy?

Each mom-to-be and each pregnancy is unique, so you may only notice some of these early signs of pregnancy. For example, the first signs and symptoms of pregnancy could occur before a missed period; alternatively, missing a period may be your first clue that you’re pregnant. What’s more, the symptoms you notice in a second pregnancy may be different from what you experienced the first time around.

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How Many Weeks Pregnant Am I?

When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Start?

You may be wondering when pregnancy symptoms start. Once again, it’s different for every woman. Some may experience early signs of pregnancy in the first few weeks after conception. Others may be pregnant and not experience any symptoms at all for a while.

How Do You Know You’re Pregnant?

You may be asking yourself “How do I know if I’m pregnant?” If you think you may be pregnant, a home pregnancy test will confirm it. There’s no way to know that you are pregnant without taking a test. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of pregnancy and take a home pregnancy test but the test comes out negative, there’s still a chance you may be pregnant. Wait until your period is a week late (or more), and then take the test again. If the test comes out positive, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to confirm the pregnancy. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, check out our go-to pregnancy guide, which includes lots of pertinent information and tools you'll need to navigate your pregnancy, including infographics, checklists, trackers, and more! If you like, use our due date calculator to find out how far along you are in your pregnancy:

Other Signs and Symptoms You May Experience During Pregnancy

Throughout your pregnancy, your body will do some unique and wonderful things. Some of these physical changes (like morning sickness) may subside, while others (like nasal congestion and heartburn) may continue over the course of your pregnancy.

These are some of the changes you may experience during the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy:

• Discharge. A sticky, clear, or white vaginal discharge is a normal symptom during pregnancy not necessarily an early sign but contact your healthcare provider if it becomes strong smelling or is accompanied by a sore, itchy vagina.

• Cramps or pain in the lower abdomen. In later pregnancy, you may experience a cramping sensation, which may be a result of round ligament pain or Braxton Hicks “practice” contractions.

• Back pain. Backaches can be caused by hormonal changes, weight gain, and changes in your posture due to your growing belly. Practicing good posture, sleeping on your side, and getting some physical activity in each day may help relieve the pain.

• Frequent urination. Although the more frequent urination that you may have experienced early in pregnancy probably subsides in the second trimester, by the third trimester, it may return. This is because your growing baby moves deeper into the pelvis, putting pressure on your bladder, so you may feel the urge to pee more often.

• Itchy Skin. Wherever your skin stretches during pregnancy (for example, the abdomen and thighs), it could start to feel itchy. Avoid scratching, use a good moisturizer, and shower or bathe in lukewarm water, as hot water can dry out skin.

• Stretch marks. As your skin stretches during pregnancy, you may notice stretch marks forming on areas like your belly, thighs, buttocks, and breasts. Gaining a healthy amount of weight slowly over the pregnancy may help minimize these streaks.

• Shortness of breath. Your growing baby pushing against your lungs may cause that out-of-breath feeling. Good posture may give your lungs more room to expand.

• Various aches and pains. You may encounter different symptoms at different points throughout pregnancy, such as dental pain or sensitivity, varicose veins or hemorrhoids, and swollen ankles or leg cramps. Read more about some of these aches and pains along with tips here.

Watch the following video to find out how your partner can be more involved during your pregnancy:

When to Consult Your Healthcare Provider

Most of the time, the aforementioned physical discomforts and changes are completely normal, but there are some signs you should not ignore, including severe headaches, changes in eyesight, or sudden swelling (edema). If you notice anything that just doesn’t seem right, consult your healthcare provider.

The Bottom Line

Early signs of pregnancy can be as subtle as a food craving or an aversion, or more noticeable like spotting or tender breasts. As your pregnancy progresses some of these signs and symptoms will likely return, such as heartburn, cramping, and frequent urination. If you’re unsure whether you’re pregnant but have been experiencing some of the early signs of pregnancy, take a home pregnancy test or visit your healthcare provider. The signs and symptoms of pregnancy can be tiresome, especially if you’re experiencing several simultaneously, but sooner than you know it, you'll be giving birth and taking your baby home. This is just the beginning of an amazing journey! See our Pregnancy Calendar for a more detailed description of everything that happens during each week, month, and trimester.