Very early pregnancy symptoms can happen even before a missed period or a positive pregnancy test.
Could you be pregnant?
Of course, the most definite pregnancy symptom is the positive pregnancy test 
, right?
Right!. Although, to be honest even that may not be 100% reliable.
However, even before you can take a test, and before your period due date you may suspect that you are in fact pregnant. You may experience a few of the very early pregnancy symptoms, and you may have a feeling that something is happening inside your body…
How early can you start feeling things? After conceiving, the fertilized egg travels to the uterus and embeds in the uterine lining. If you can pinpoint ovulation, then you know that implantation can take place anywhere from about 5 days to 12 days past ovulation. After that, your body starts secreting various hormones, getting your body ready for the job of growing a fetus.
You will not have any symptoms of pregnancy before implantation because your body doesn’t know if the egg is fertilized or not until it implants into the uterine lining. When this happens that the body is signaled -I’m pregnant – and that’s when it’s possible for signs and symptoms of early pregnancy to take place. Keep in mind that some women will have no symptom of pregnancy other than a missed period and still be pregnant.
That’s when you can start feeling some or all of the common pregnancy signs as your body reacts to those new hormone levels. Although every woman is different, and your symptoms will likely not be the same as mine were, but there are certain early signs that can in fact confirm that you are pregnant.
Keep in mind that each of these symptoms by itself may have a different reason and by itself is not a surefire sign pregnancy.
First of all, most of these symptoms, are very similar to the PMS symptoms that many women experience every month before their period starts. This is due to the fact that every month – pregnant or not – your body is getting ready for the pregnancy – just in case!
Also, if you are not feeling anything, don’t despair.
Many women do not feel any symptoms at all in the early days. In fact, that’s what happened to me when I was trying desperately to get pregnant. I remember during that period, there were many times that I was almost 100% positive that I was pregnant, and yet I was not.
When it finally happened, I didn’t notice any special symptoms, in fact, I was POSITIVE that I was NOT pregnant, until I was about 7 weeks – at which point I took a pregnancy test and was very surprised (and insanely HAPPY) with the results!
15+ (Almost) Surefire Early Pregnancy Signs
So what are the early pregnancy signs?
What are early pregnancy symptoms?
You can have very early signs can happen even before a missed period or a positive pregnancy test. Especially the 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks pregnant signs. Early pregnancy symptoms and signs are usually related to the pregnancy hormone hCG or “Human Chorionic Gonadotropin” which is responsible for pregnancy signs. Even though hCG is usually not detectable in large number until after a missed menstrual period, there are many women who report having typical pregnancy symptoms even before they miss their period. There are early detection pregnancy tests available than can confirm pregnancy as early as 6 – 8 days after conception has occurred (well before a missed period).
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #1:. Missed menstrual period
In some cases, this is the only pregnancy symptom that women notice. A missed period is one of the obvious signs of pregnancy. But keep in mind, there may be other reasons for missing a period, including stress, illness, hormone imbalance, reactions to foods or medications, gaining or losing large amount of weight, and stopping hormone contraceptives. If you normally have a very regular menstrual cycle, missing a period can be a reliable sign of conception.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #2. Tender, swollen breasts
Breast tenderness happens because your body starts producing more estrogen and progesterone. These changes can make your breasts feel heavy and sore. You may notice changes in breast size or shape, soreness, darker aureoles, and tender nipples – these are all common signs of early pregnancy. However, for me it was never a surefire sign, as I’m one of the lucky (not!) women who experience tenderness in their breasts just before or after ovulation, so this symptom alone does not necessarily mean you are pregnant. This sensitivity may go away later in the pregnancy.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #3: Implantation Bleeding
This did not happen to me, but I know that approximately 1/3 of pregnant women experience this and they mistakenly think that this is their period coming. When the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, it might result in some light bleeding. It is not like a normal period, however, is very light and usually brownish or pink. If it does happen, it will normally be about a week before you would expect your period.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #4: Strong Sense of Smell and Taste
Heightened sensitivity to smells and tastes is common during early pregnancy. You will become more aware of different smells in your environment like you never were before. When I was pregnant, in the office where I worked I discovered new smells that I never noticed before. Especially smells and tastes of various foods can trigger strong reactions, including nausea and vomitting.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #5: Fatigue / Tiredness
Being tired all the time is a very common symptom of early pregnancy. I remember I felt exhausted and always ready for a nap. This is caused by soaring levels of progesterone, which – in high doses, can even put you to sleep. At the same time, you will have lower blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure and increased blood production – that can all contribute to your tiredness. It’s your body’s reaction to it’s new state of transition. Fortunately, for most women energy levels usually increase during the second trimester, so most women will feel better and have more stamina during the rest of your pregnancy, or at least until the last trimester. The best treatment is to simply get lots of rest and avoid stressful activities that may wear you out.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #6: Elevated basal body temperature
Your basal body temperature is temperature taken orally when you wake up in the morning. Your body temperature rises slightly soon after ovulation and remains at that level until the day of your period. Some women track their basal body temperature to determine when their most fertile time of month occurs. If their basal body temperature does not drop for more than two weeks this may mean that they’re pregnant.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #7 Food Cravings and Aversions
You may crave certain foods, or feel strong aversions towards food you normally like. Why does that happen? As in the case of other symptoms, hormonal changes are responsible for these new food preferences, especially in the first trimester, when hormone levels change most dramatically. I personally really had no cravings in my first pregnancy – just felt super hungry all the time!
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #8 Morning Sickness/Vomiting
Nausea and/or vomiting, aka morning sickness, is one of the classic symptoms of pregnancy. Only about 50% of women experience nausea. It is a myth that it only happens in the morning – actually it can happen at any time of day, some women have “all day sickness.” For some women, the queasiness begins as early as two weeks after conception and usually ends with the beginning of the second trimester.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #9 Cramping
After implantation your uterus starts to contract, and you will can feel cramping and pulling in your lower abdomen caused by these contractions.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #10 Frequent Urination
You will be going to use the bathroom a lot! Frequent urination can be one of the very early signs of being pregnant, and will continue throughout the entire pregnancy. Your uterus is getting larger as the womb prepares for the baby, putting additional pressure on the bladder.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #11 Larger waistline and bloating
You may find your pants feel snug as your waistline expands. It’s common to feel uncomfortable with anything tight around the waist.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #12 Constipation.
An increase in progesterone slows down food passing through the intestines, which can lead to constipation.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #13 Headaches
Some women experience headaches early in the pregnancy, that are most likely caused by increased blood circulation.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #14 Feeling dizzy and lightheaded
These feelings can be caused by dropping blood pressure and/or low blood sugar.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #15 Frequent Mood Swings
Many women experience frequent mood swings. If you find yourself laughing, weeping, and screaming all at the same time, it does not you are getting crazy. You may just be pregnant, and the changing hormone levels are causing this emotional upheaval.
Pregnancy Sign / Symptom #16: Darkening of the Areolas
Your body starts getting ready for breastfeeding very early in pregnancy. One of the ways it prepares is through the darkening of the aerolas – the area around the nipple. I have heard that this is so the baby will see the nipples better, or perhaps it is just because of an increase in blood flow to the breasts. It is a very common symptom. It has lasted throughout both of my pregnancies.
If you experienced a symptom that I have not mentioned here – let me know below, in the comments section.
You are pregnant – Congratulations!
OK, so you are pregnant. Now what?
First of all take that pregnancy test and make an appointment with your doctor.
In the meantime take good care of yourself. The first weeks of your baby’s life are extremely important. If you haven’t already, give up any unhealthy habits, such smoking and alcohol. Eat healthy, take some folic acid, and get enough rest. And most of all enjoy that time of the pregnancy, because –even though often unpleasant – it does not last long.
If you are pregnant and wish to listen to your baby’s heartbeat – learn about buying or renting a baby heartbeat monitor to listen to your unborn baby’s sounds.
If you are not pregnant
If you are not pregnant, but are trying to conceive, read my hub How to get pregnant fast: Some tips for getting pregnant quickly.
Generally, it is recommended that if you are over 35 and you are trying to conceive for 6 months or more, then you should consult a specialist to rule out any potential problems. Some studies have shown that about one-third of women between age 35 and 39 and two-thirds of women over 40 have fertility problems.
If you are under 35, you can give yourself more time – up to one year.
If you don’t notice any signs of ovulation, or your periods are irregular, you should definitely let your doctor know. This information may help your doctor make a diagnosis of infertility.
If you find yourself in that situation, I highly recommend that you read the book “Inconceivable” by Julia Indichova. Also, visit her website Fertile Heart and join the community. You can read some amazing stories and get support through your journey. Good luck to you!
Is your husband experiencing pregnancy symptoms too?
Why do some men experience pregnancy symptoms such as vomiting and nausea when their wives are pregnant?: Scientific American
When pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, weight gain, mood swings and bloating occur in men, the condition is called couvade, or sympathetic pregnancy. Depending on the human culture, couvade can also encompass ritualized behavior by the father during the labor and delivery of his child. Couvade has a long anecdotal history and is named from the French verb couver, which translates as ?to hatch? or “to brood.” The phenomenon has received attention from biologists only quite recently, however.
Read more tips on how to get pregnant fast, how to have a girl, and what not to eat when pregnant.
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