Pregnancy symptoms

Pregnancy symptoms vary from woman to woman and from pregnancy to pregnancy; however, one of the most noticeable symptoms of pregnancy is a missed period. It is important to understand the early signs of pregnancy, as each symptom can have causes other than pregnancy. You may feel pregnancy symptoms up to a week after conception. Some women report not having any symptoms for several weeks.

What are the most common early signs of pregnancy?

29% of women surveyed called the absence of menstruation the first sign of pregnancy.
25% said nausea was the first sign of pregnancy
17% said breast change was the first sign of pregnancy
Although implantation bleeding is often considered the first sign of pregnancy, our study shows that only 3% of women consider implantation bleeding to be the first sign of pregnancy.

Symptoms of Pregnancy Explained

Spotting or light bleeding: If you are pregnant, this symptom is usually associated with implantation bleeding and is considered one of the first signs of pregnancy. The embryo usually implants in the uterus between 6 and 12 days after conception. Some women will experience bleeding as well as cramping. Other women don't even notice implantation bleeding or cramping, so don't worry if you're trying to conceive and don't experience these symptoms; you may still be pregnant. When this implantation occurs, slight bleeding or spotting is completely normal. This symptom is sometimes accompanied by mild cramps.
Missed period: Delayed or missed period is the most common pregnancy symptom that causes a woman to take a pregnancy test. When you become pregnant, your next period should be skipped. Can you be pregnant and still have your period? Some women may experience bleeding during pregnancy, but this bleeding will usually be shorter or lighter than a normal period.
Nausea or morning sickness. Nausea or morning sickness is the second most commonly reported first sign of pregnancy. Most pregnant women experience nausea, which usually appears 2 to 8 weeks after conception. Nausea may be felt with or without vomiting. Morning sickness can occur at any time of the day. It usually occurs in the first trimester and then goes away for most women, but some experience nausea throughout pregnancy.
Swollen or painful breasts. The third most commonly reported pregnancy symptom is breast swelling or tenderness. Breast changes can begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception.
Fatigue or exhaustion: From the first week after conception, many women report feeling tired as a sign of pregnancy.

Common pregnancy symptoms also include:

Back pain: Low back pain is common. This can happen early in pregnancy, but is usually felt later as the pregnancy progresses, between the 27th and 34th week of pregnancy.
Headaches: Experts believe that a sudden increase in hormone levels and/or blood flow in the body can cause a headache. During pregnancy, blood volume increases by about 50%.
Frequent urination: Don't be surprised if between 6 and 8 weeks you feel like you need to urinate more often. You will need it throughout your pregnancy as the growing baby and expanding uterus put more and more pressure on your bladder.
Food cravings or aversions: The foods that women expect or try to avoid vary and are quite sporadic. It's good to give yourself the freedom to pursue these cravings and avoid what you don't want, as long as you're getting the nutrition you need for a healthy pregnancy. These cravings or aversions can occur early in pregnancy or at any time throughout pregnancy.
Darkening of the areolas: Darkening of the areolas and the area around the nipples is normal.
Mood swings: Pregnant women often have mood swings. This is mainly caused by hormonal changes that affect the neurotransmitters in the brain. Some may experience high ups and downs, while others alternate between states of happiness and depression or anxiety. Mood swings are normal; but, if you suffer from depression or long periods of sadness, see your doctor. Some women prefer to speak directly with a counselor or mental health professional.