The first sign of pregnancy is usually a missed period, but there may also be other possible changes. The only way to know if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.

Common early pregnancy signs include spotting, tender breasts, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, headaches, bloating, and frequent urination.1 

This article will provide an overview of early pregnancy signs and when to take a pregnancy test.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms Before Missed Period: First Few Weeks

Usually, the first indication of pregnancy is missing periods. If you're hoping to find out if you're pregnant before you stop getting your period, there are several telltale indications and symptoms. Pregnancy tests are the only way to genuinely determine whether you are pregnant.

Spots or light bleeding could be early indicators of pregnancy. An estimated 15% to 25% of expectant mothers reportedly bleed throughout the first trimester of their pregnancy.

Implantation bleeding is the term for bleeding that may happen when the fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall. Usually, six to twelve days after conception, this occurs. The cervix has more blood vessels during pregnancy, so it's usual to see or bleed after a pelvic check, Pap smear (a test to screen for cervical cancer), or intercourse.

The bleeding is usually modest in color and quantity when it is safe or benign. It's crucial that you get in touch with a doctor if you start bleeding vaginally while pregnant. Excessive bleeding may indicate an infection, an ectopic pregnancy, or an early pregnancy loss, among other significant complications.

Tender Breasts

One to two weeks after conception is when you may first notice puffy, sensitive breasts while you are pregnant. Your hormone levels are changing, which is why this is happening. Your estrogen levels spike sharply during pregnancy, which may cause swelling.

Fatigue

Even though you might appear normal when you first get pregnant, your body is working extra hard to support the development of your unborn child. In the initial weeks following conception, a significant amount of weariness may result from an increased energy requirement and elevated hormone levels.

Nausea and Vomiting

Morning sickness, which is characterized by nausea and vomiting, is a common pregnancy symptom. As soon as two to eight weeks after conception, this can start. Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, the pregnancy hormone, is most likely to blame for this. During this period, you can also have dietary aversions or cravings.

Headaches 

Headaches may also result from the early stages of pregnancy's abrupt hormonal surge. They may happen whenever you want. Speak with a healthcare professional if you wake up in the middle of the night from excruciating headache pain.

Bloating

Constipation and bloating could indicate an early pregnancy. Progesterone, which keeps your uterus from contracting to protect your unborn child, is probably the cause of this. Additionally, it slows down the digestive system, which can cause bloating and constipation. When progesterone rises throughout the first month of pregnancy, this can happen.

Frequent Urination 

Due to the baby's weight resting on their bladders, late-pregnancy women frequently endure frequent urination. But early pregnancy is also a common period. This is a result of the early stages of pregnancy's rapid rise in estrogen. Always carry water with you to avoid being dehydrated.

Can You Tell You’re Pregnant Based on Early Pregnancy Symptoms?

You cannot determine whether you are pregnant just by looking at your symptoms. Pregnancy tests are the only way to determine whether you are pregnant. Numerous typical early pregnancy symptoms could have other causes.

It's crucial to keep in mind that a lot of early pregnancy symptoms resemble those of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The week before to your menstrual cycle is when PMS begins. Some symptoms include:

• Bloating or gassiness
• Breast tenderness or swelling
• Cramping
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Headache
• Backache 
• Fatigue 
• Changes in sleep patterns 
• Feeling more emotional (irritable, sad, anxious) 
• Pregnancy Tests

A reliable method for finding out if you are pregnant at home is to use a pregnancy test. When administered appropriately, the majority of house assessments have an accuracy rate of 99%.Six It is recommended to wait until the first day of your missed period to take a pregnancy test. These assays quantify the hormone hCG levels.

During the early stages of pregnancy, this hormone level rises daily. About ten days after conception, when the fertilized egg implants into the uterine wall, it begins to produce. A woman's hCG level doubles every 48 hours throughout the first several weeks of her pregnancy.

What Does a Faint Line on a Pregnancy Test Mean?

It is not always the case that missing your period indicates you are pregnant. Your menstrual cycle may alter or briefly cease for a number of reasons. One in every twenty-five menstruating individuals are thought to skip periods for reasons unrelated to pregnancy or nursing.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are common causes of missed periods. Other possible non-pregnancy causes of a missed period include:

Low body weight: Less than 10% of a normal (healthy) bodyweight 

Hypothalamus or pituitary gland disorders: Areas of the brain that affect hormone production

• Thyroid problems: Affect hormone production 
• Eating disorder: Extreme weight loss affects hormone levels 
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Causes problems with the reproductive organs
• Stress: Long-term stress can change ovulation
• Smoking: Smoking is a risk factor for anovulation (not ovulating) 
• See a healthcare provider if it has been three months since your last period.

Waiting to find out if you are pregnant is anxiety-provoking, especially if you were not expecting it. Know that it is normal to experience various emotions right now. See a healthcare provider for blood and urine tests to determine if you are pregnant. 

Summary

It's normal to be curious about if you are pregnant before missing your period. Early in their pregnancies, many women have physical changes. Spotting, sore breasts, exhaustion, headaches, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and frequent urination are some of these changes that may occur.

But PMS may also be to blame for a lot of these symptoms. Pregnancy tests are the only way to determine whether you are pregnant. The first day of your missed period is the ideal time to take a test. Call a healthcare practitioner to schedule an appointment if you think you could be pregnant.