Before you even take that unsure pregnancy test, you probably may get a heads-up in the form of some early pregnancy symptoms. But because many of these early signs of pregnancy are similar to symptoms you have right before you get your period, it can be hard for you to differentiate. 

When do pregnancy symptoms start?

Very early pregnancy symptoms include sensitivity to smell and tender and enlarged breasts may show up immediately before you miss your period, as soon as a few days after conception, while other early signs of pregnancy like spotting around the body will appear around one week after sperm meets egg. Still others like urinary frequency may take a few weeks or so following conception.

That said, early pregnancy symptoms crop in different people at different times in different people. You may not notice or be able to confirm other early pregnancy symptoms in the initial few weeks. Some experience very few of these Common signs until several weeks into their pregnancies. And though many women never feel any early pregnancy symptoms, others really have to suffer from them all.

If you’ve missed your period and are experiencing fatigue, morning sickness, spotting, and tender breasts then you can just grab yourself a home pregnancy test — and then drop by the doctors for a blood test or ultrasound to get it confirmed. 

While the only way to know for sure that you’ve got a baby on board is by taking a home pregnancy test further than getting those results confirmed by your doctor. these early symptoms some of which can occur before a missed period may provide some clues that you’re expecting.

The sooner you know you’re pregnant, the better you can begin taking measures to care for yourself and your baby. If you’re trying to get pregnant, or if you think you might be pregnant, look for these most common signs of early pregnancy listed below – and find out what you are expected to do if you experience them.

Common indicators of Early Pregnancy

A missed period

For most women, a missed period is often the first indication they’ve entered the early stages of pregnancy. If a week or more has passed of your date without the start of your period, especially if your cycle is regular, you may be pregnant.

Frequent urination

Once you conceive, the amount of blood in your body will increase significantly. As your kidneys work to process the increased amount of liquid, you’ll experience a more frequent need to go to the washroom and urinate.

Swollen or tender breasts

Early pregnancy hormones such as hCG, oxytocin, and progesterone may cause increased sensitivity and soreness in breasts. This discomfort is not permanent and normally disappears a few weeks after pregnancy once your body has adjusted to being pregnant.

Fatigue

Progesterone levels rise once you become pregnant, which often leads to slow down your body and causes sleepiness and increased fatigue.

Nausea, with or without vomiting

A sudden rise in hormone levels can cause nausea in the early stages of pregnancy. Though pregnancy nausea is often called “morning sickness,” it can actually occur at any time of day.

Light spotting and cramping

Light spotting, also known as implantation bleeding can occur during the very initial days when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. This can happen mainly about 10 to 14 days after conception which is around the same time that you are supposed to have your period. Light spotting may also be accompanied by cramping in the body which can feel similar to menstrual cramps.

Bloating

Heightened hormones in the body can cause you to feel bloated all day, similar to how you may feel at the beginning of your period days.

Mood swings

Once your hormone levels begin to rise, you may find yourself more emotionally unstable and subject to random mood swings.

Constipation

The influx of progesterone in the body experienced during pregnancy can slow down your digestive system, causing constipation.

 Excess saliva

Also called ptyalism gravidarum, some moms-to-be experience more saliva build-up early in pregnancy. This symptom usually starts sometime in the first trimester and is thought to be your body’s way of protecting your mouth, teeth, and throat from the corrosive effects of stomach acid that may harm your baby.