Are you feeling a little different lately and starting to wonder if it might mean something more? Maybe your body’s giving you signals like a wave of tiredness, a sudden change in your appetite, or a period that just hasn’t shown up.
Whether you’re hoping for a positive test or simply trying to understand the changes you’re experiencing, paying attention to early pregnancy signs can bring both anticipation and a lot of questions. Trust your instincts and stay curious, because those little clues could be the start of something life-changing and you deserve all the clarity and reassurance as you move forward on your journey.
What are the symptoms of pregnancy?
Missed periods
Pregnancy can commence when sperm fertilizes the egg, typically 6 to 12 days after intercourse occurring within the past few weeks. The missed period might be noticed about 2 weeks later. A missed period can also happen because of stress, sickness, too much exercise, or changes in weight. If a person thinks she might be pregnant, she can use a home pregnancy test, or she can visit a clinic for a blood test, which can find hCG sooner.
A missed period is a main sign that a pregnancy might have started. The word “period” means the monthly bleeding that comes from the uterus. When a woman’s egg meets a man’s sperm after Intercourse , this is called fertilization. If fertilization happens, the body makes a hormone called hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), and this hormone keeps the uterus lining thick. Because of hCG, the uterus does not shed its lining, so there is no period.
Spotting few days before my period was due
Spotting a few days before a period is called “implantation bleeding.” Spotting means a small amount of blood leaves the vagina. This is not the same as a regular period. Sometimes, after Intercourse , a man’s sperm meets a woman’s egg. When this happens, the fertilized egg travels to the uterus and attaches to the wall. This is called “implantation.” During implantation, the wall of the uterus can let out a little bit of blood. This usually happens 6 to 12 days after Intercourse , or about one week before a missed period .
If someone is pregnant, spotting from implantation is usually light and lasts one or two days. Some people think spotting means a period is coming, but spotting can also happen from stress, birth control pills, or infection. If spotting happens after Intercourse and pregnancy is possible, a person can use a home pregnancy test about one week after the missed period to check for the hormone hCG in urine, or ask a doctor for a blood test, which can find pregnancy even earlier.
PMS-like cramps, but much stronger
Some people feel cramps in the lower belly that feel like PMS, but much stronger. PMS means premenstrual syndrome, and it is a group of symptoms, like cramps, that come before a period. Cramps in early pregnancy happen when a fertilized egg sticks to the wall of the uterus. This process is called implantation. These cramps can feel stronger than normal period cramps and may last one to three days.
Sometimes, these cramps are joined by light spotting. If someone had Intercourse recently and feels strong cramps before their period, there is a chance pregnancy is starting, and the body is getting ready to raise a baby.
Fatigue
Feeling very tired is sometimes one of the first signs of pregnancy. This means someone feels sleepy or needs to rest more than usual. If someone had Intercourse recently, and starts to feel tired about one to two weeks later, this could be an early sign of pregnancy. If a person is pregnant, she might feel very sleepy, even during the day, because the body is making new hormones and more blood to help the baby grow . If someone feels this way, and then misses a period, it is a good idea to use a home urine pregnancy test or visit a doctor for a blood test.
Very sore breasts in early pregnancy
Very sore breasts can happen before a period, but sometimes they hurt much more than usual PMS pain if someone is pregnant. If a woman had intercourse recently and her breasts start to feel extra sore, more swollen, tingly, or heavy about one to two weeks later, this can be an early sign of pregnancy . If she is pregnant, the soreness usually feels stronger and does not go away like it might with PMS.
Increased heart rate
If a woman is pregnant, her heart can start to beat faster than normal about two to three weeks after having Intercourse. This is because the body is working hard to make more blood for the growing baby, and the heart has to pump faster to keep up . She might notice her heart feels like it is fluttering or pounding, even when she is sitting still.
Usually, her heart rate might go up by 10 to 20 extra beats per minute during early pregnancy. If someone feels their heart beating faster and recently had intercourse , The optimal approach is to wait for a missed period and take a home urine pregnancy test, or get a blood test from the doctor, which can sometimes show pregnancy even before a missed period .
Changes in mood
Feeling different moods, like being sad, happy, or angry quickly, can happen before a period, but some people notice these feelings are stronger if they are pregnant. If someone had Intercourse recently and starts feeling their mood change a lot, crying more, getting upset fast, or feeling worried about one to two weeks later, this could be an early pregnancy sign. If she is pregnant, the mood changes may feel stronger or happen suddenly, even if she usually feels fine.
This is because after sperm and egg join, the body makes more pregnancy hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, which can affect feelings and emotions.
Frequent urination and incontinence
Needing to pee more than usual, or leaking pee by accident, can be an early sign of pregnancy. If a person had Intercourse recently and starts peeing a lot more about one to two weeks later, and then misses a period, it might mean pregnancy. This happens because the body makes more blood and hormones, and the uterus pushes on the bladder.
Taking a urine pregnancy test after a missed period or a blood test at the doctor can help know for sure. If there is no missed period, peeing a lot might just be from something else.
Morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting
Feeling sick to the stomach or throwing up, especially in the morning, can be an early sign of pregnancy. If someone has had intercourse recently, starts feeling sick to her stomach about one to two weeks later, and misses a period, it might mean pregnancy. This happens because the body makes more of a hormone called hCG, which can make the tummy upset. A urine pregnancy test after a missed period or a blood test can show if she is pregnant. If she feels sick but does not miss her period, it could be from something else.
High blood pressure and dizziness
Dizziness happens because pregnancy hormones make the blood vessels open up more, which can drop blood pressure and make someone feel wobbly or like the room is spinning.
If you feel dizzy, especially after missing a period, it can be from early pregnancy, but it can also be from not eating, being sick, or getting up too fast. If dizziness happens and you miss her period, a urine pregnancy test or a doctor’s blood test can help find out if she’s pregnant. If dizziness happens but there is no missed period, it might be something else.
Smell sensitivity and food aversions
Some people notice strong smells bother them more than before, or they suddenly don’t like foods they used to enjoy. This is called smell sensitivity and food aversion. These changes can happen with sickness or stress, but they are also common early signs of pregnancy, often starting one to two weeks after Intercourse if a person is pregnant.
This happens because the body makes more hormones, like estrogen, after the sperm meets the egg, and these hormones can make smells seem stronger and food taste different . If a person finds that smells make her feel sick or she doesn’t want to eat her favorite food, and she misses her period, a urine pregnancy test or blood test can show if she is pregnant. If there is no missed period, strong smells or food dislikes could come from something else, like sickness or a cold.
Raised body temperature
Some people notice their body feels a little warmer in the mornings after they get pregnant. This is called raised basal body temperature. Body temperature can go up for other reasons too, like getting sick or running around a lot. But if someone tracks her body temperature every day, she might see it stays higher than usual about one to two weeks after having Intercourse, which can be an early sign of pregnancy.
This happens because the body makes more progesterone to help the baby grow, and this hormone raises the body temperature . If a person’s temperature stays up and she misses her period, taking a home pregnancy test or getting a blood test from the doctor can help know if she is pregnant. If the temperature goes up but there is no missed period, it might just be from a cold or being active.
Weight gain
Most people do not gain much weight in the very first weeks of pregnancy. Small weight changes can happen for many reasons, like eating more, eating less, or water staying in the body. If someone had Intercourse recently and gained a little weight, it is not a sure sign of pregnancy. If she is pregnant, most women gain only a little weight in the first month, maybe because of extra water, bigger breasts, or a little more food . Real weight gain from pregnancy usually comes later, after a few months.
If someone thinks she is pregnant because of weight gain, it’s better to watch for a missed period and take a urine pregnancy test or a blood test. Weight gain by itself, without other signs or a missed period, is usually not from pregnancy.
What are the early signs of pregnancy?
Pregnancy symptoms are the physical and emotional changes that can signal the early stages of pregnancy, often appearing as early as one to two weeks after conception. The most common early signs include a missed period, breast tenderness, fatigue, and nausea (commonly referred to as morning sickness).
However, it’s important to note that many of these symptoms such as frequent urination, mood swings, and food cravings can also result from hormonal fluctuations or other health conditions. Because these symptoms are not unique to pregnancy, taking a home pregnancy test after a missed period is the most reliable first step for confirmation.
For those actively trying to conceive or monitor their health, being aware of subtle changes can help in noticing pregnancy sooner, but professional medical testing is always recommended for a definitive diagnosis.
First 72 hours of pregnancy symptoms
10 days pregnant symptoms (about 3–4 days before missed period)
- No symptoms for most women
- Fatigue (rare)
- Breast tenderness (rare)
- Mild pelvic cramping (rare)
- Light spotting (very rare, implantation bleeding)
What are pregnancy symptoms at 1 week?
At 1 week pregnant, most women will not feel any pregnancy symptoms because the body is either still having a period or just finishing bleeding, depending on the cycle. Some women may notice normal period-related symptoms, like mild cramping, bloating, or breast tenderness, but these are not caused by pregnancy.
Actual pregnancy symptoms do not start this early because ovulation and conception have not happened yet.
What are pregnancy symptoms at 2 weeks?
At 2 weeks pregnant, most women still do not feel any pregnancy symptoms, because this is the week when ovulation usually happens and the egg may just be meeting the sperm. Some women might notice mild twinges or aches in the lower belly if they are sensitive to ovulation, and a small number might have a slight increase in vaginal discharge or notice that their body temperature goes up slightly if they are tracking it daily.
However, real pregnancy symptoms like nausea, missed period, or fatigue do not happen at 2 weeks pregnant, because implantation and hormone changes from pregnancy haven’t started yet.
What are pregnancy symptoms at 3 weeks?
At 3 weeks pregnant, most women still do not feel any symptoms, because implantation is just starting and hormone levels are still very low. A few women may notice mild signs like slight fatigue, a little breast tenderness, or very light spotting from implantation, but most will not feel any changes at all.
What are pregnancy symptoms at 4 weeks?
At 4 weeks pregnant, many women notice their period is late, which is usually the first sign of pregnancy. Other early symptoms may begin, such as sore or swollen breasts, mild cramping, feeling more tired than usual, mood swings, bloating, and sometimes nausea just starting.
Some women also notice increased urination or stronger likes and dislikes for certain foods, but some women may still only notice a missed period at this stage.
What are pregnancy symptoms at 5 weeks?
At 5 weeks pregnant, symptoms often become more noticeable. Common signs include stronger fatigue, breast soreness or swelling, nausea or vomiting (sometimes called morning sickness), frequent urination, mood swings, bloating, and mild cramping. A heightened sense of smell and food aversions or cravings can also start to appear for some women.
What are pregnancy symptoms at 6 weeks?
At 6 weeks pregnant, many women feel more intense symptoms as pregnancy hormones rise. Nausea or vomiting is more common and may be stronger, breasts may feel very sore or tingly, tiredness is often more noticeable, and urination may become even more frequent. Bloating, constipation, food aversions, and mood swings can continue or get stronger. Some women start to see darker nipples or more visible veins on their breasts.
What are pregnancy symptoms at 7 weeks?
At 7 weeks pregnant, symptoms can include ongoing or worsening nausea or vomiting, very sore or growing breasts, constant tiredness, frequent trips to the bathroom, constipation, bloating, mood swings, and mild cramping. Heightened sense of smell, increased vaginal discharge, and visible veins in the breasts are also common. Some women may notice that certain foods or smells suddenly bother them more than before.
What are pregnancy symptoms at 8 weeks?
At 8 weeks pregnant, most women experience a mix of nausea or vomiting, fatigue, sore, swollen, or tingling breasts, frequent urination, mood swings, bloating, mild cramps, food aversions, constipation, increased vaginal discharge, a slight weight gain, and darkening of the nipples or areola. These symptoms are caused by hormone changes and the continued development of the pregnancy.
What are common symptoms in pregnancy?
- Missed period
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sore or swollen breasts
- Frequent urination
- Mood swings
- Bloating
- Food aversions or cravings
- Mild cramping
- Constipation
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Heightened sense of smell
Other signs and symptoms of pregnancy
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Heartburn
- Back pain
- Darkening of nipples/areola
- Visible veins in breasts
- Weight gain
- Metallic taste in mouth
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in hands, feet, or face
- Stretch marks
- Leg cramps
- Varicose veins
- Changes in skin (acne, pigmentation)
Trimester of pregnancy symptoms
A trimester of pregnancy is a way to divide the nine months of pregnancy into three parts, each lasting about three months. The first trimester covers weeks 1 to 12, the second trimester is weeks 13 to 26, and the third trimester is from week 27 until birth.
Each trimester brings different changes and symptoms as your body and baby grow and develop. This breakdown helps both women and healthcare providers track progress, understand what to expect, and provide the right care at each stage.
1st trimester symptoms (weeks 1–12)
- Missed period
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sore or swollen breasts
- Frequent urination
- Mood swings
- Bloating
- Food aversions or cravings
- Mild cramping
- Constipation
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Heightened sense of smell
- Headaches
- Dizziness
2nd trimester symptoms (weeks 13–26)
- Decreased nausea
- Increased energy
- Growing belly
- Breast enlargement
- Skin changes (dark line on belly, darkening of nipples)
- Stretch marks
- Back pain
- Leg cramps
- Nasal congestion
- Bleeding gums
- Mild swelling in feet or hands
- Varicose veins
- Round ligament pain
3rd trimester symptoms (weeks 27–birth)
- Back pain
- Frequent urination
- Heartburn
- Swelling in feet, ankles, hands, face
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble sleeping
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- Hemorrhoids
- Fatigue
- Leaking colostrum (early milk)
- More vaginal discharge
- Pelvic pressure
- Difficulty moving
- Leg cramps
Negative pregnancy test but feel pregnant
- Tested too early: You took the test before your body made enough pregnancy hormone to show up.
- Low pregnancy hormone (hCG) levels: Your body is making the hormone, but not enough yet for the test to detect.
- Missed period due to stress or illness: Your period is late because of stress or being sick, not because of pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding affecting hormones: Breastfeeding can change your hormones and make your period late or irregular.
- Ectopic pregnancy: The pregnancy is outside the uterus, so your body may not make as much hormone.
- Use of certain pharmaceutical drugs: Some medicines can change your hormone levels or affect your period.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A medical condition that can make your periods irregular or late, and give pregnancy-like symptoms.
- Test is expired or faulty: The pregnancy test is old or broken, so it doesn’t work right.
- Pregnant with multiples: Rarely, being pregnant with twins or more can make hormone levels act differently, so the test may not show positive yet.
- Nonviable or rare type of pregnancy: Sometimes the pregnancy isn’t developing normally, so hormone levels are too low to detect.
- Ovulating late or irregular cycles: Your body released an egg later than usual, so it’s too soon for the test to pick up pregnancy.
- Diluted urine from drinking too much fluid before testing: Drinking a lot of water can make your urine too weak for the test to find the hormone.
Physical signs of pregnancy
- Missed period
- Sore or swollen breasts
- Darkening of the nipples or areola
- Nausea or vomiting (morning sickness)
- Fatigue (feeling very tired)
- Frequent urination
- Bloating
- Mild cramping
- Food aversions or cravings
- Constipation
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Heightened sense of smell
- Weight gain (usually later)
- Visible veins on breasts or chest
- Skin changes (like acne or dark line on the belly)
- Slight swelling in hands, feet, or face
How long does it take for pregnancy symptoms to show?
Pregnancy symptoms usually start about 1–2 weeks after conception. The first sign for most women is a missed period, which happens about 4 weeks after the last period. Other symptoms like sore breasts, fatigue, or nausea can begin as early as a few days after a missed period, but some women may not notice anything for several weeks.
How can we diagnose a pregnancy in Brooklyn, NYC?
Pregnancy is diagnosed with a urine pregnancy test (either at home or in a clinic) or a blood test from a healthcare provider. Urine tests can show a positive result as soon as the first day of a missed period, while blood tests can sometimes detect pregnancy even earlier. Later on, an ultrasound can help confirm the pregnancy and check on the baby’s development.
If you’re looking for caring and experienced support, the Wyckoff OB/GYN department is a great place to start. You can easily schedule an appointment with Wyckoff to get answers, guidance, and peace of mind as you take your next steps.
PMS symptoms vs. pregnancy symptoms
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and early pregnancy symptoms can feel very similar, including breast tenderness, mood swings, bloating, mild cramping, and fatigue. The main difference is a missed period, which usually points to pregnancy.
Pregnancy symptoms may also include nausea, frequent urination, and a heightened sense of smell, which are less common with PMS. If you’re unsure, taking a pregnancy test after a missed period is recommended to tell the difference.
How to know if I am pregnant?
The most reliable way to confirm pregnancy is by taking a pregnancy test, either at home or with a doctor. However, early signs can be a helpful indicator. Common early symptoms include:
- Missed period
- Tender or swollen breasts
- Nausea (with or without vomiting)
- Increased urination
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Bloating
- Mild cramping
- Food aversions or cravings
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Constipation
- Heightened sense of smell
- Darkening of nipples or areola
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Back pain
- Mild abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Skin changes (such as acne)
- Visible veins on breasts
- Gas
- Loss of appetite
- Slight weight changes
If you suspect you are pregnant, take a test and consult with a healthcare professional for confirmation and guidance.
When to take a pregnancy test?
Take a pregnancy test on the first day of your missed period for the most accurate result. Some sensitive tests can detect pregnancy a few days before your missed period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have pregnancy symptoms before a positive test?
Yes, some women notice symptoms like sore breasts, fatigue, or mild cramping before a test shows positive, but these symptoms are not a guarantee of pregnancy.
What are the first signs of pregnancy?
The first signs often include a missed period, sore or swollen breasts, nausea, increased urination, and fatigue.
How to tell if you’re pregnant without a test?
Notice symptoms like missed periods, sore breasts, nausea, and fatigue. However, a test is the only way to know for sure.
How soon can you tell if you are pregnant?
Some women notice symptoms as early as one to two weeks after conception, but most find out after a missed period and a positive pregnancy test.
What color is urine in very early pregnancy?
Urine color does not reliably change due to early pregnancy. Normal urine can be pale yellow to dark yellow depending on hydration.