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Early Pregnancy Symptoms: How to Tell if You Are Pregnant Before the First Missed Period

© Lori Ramsey

Normally, you will not know you are pregnant until your menstrual cycle is late. The most accurate time to take a home pregnancy test is approximately 2 weeks after ovulation or conception occurs. You could be pregnant for up to 2 weeks before you can confirm it - but you can look out for some early signs and symptoms that may indicate a pregnancy.

Some women will experience symptoms right from the very beginning, while others will not experience any. Every pregnancy is different.

Possible Early Signs of Preagnancy

1. Implantation spotting. This can occur anywhere from 3 to 12 days post ovulation. This sometimes happens when the fertilized egg burrows into the uterine lining.

2. Fatigue. Hormones run rampant during pregnancy and the side effect is extreme fatigue, especially for a first-time Mom.

3. Frequent urination. This is very likely during the first trimester and the last trimester. Early on it is due to the swelling of the uterus over the bladder.

4. Morning sickness. The effects of the pregnancy hormones can cause morning sickness even before you know you are pregnant.

5. Breast changes. Blue veins running across the breast, breast tenderness, and darkening of the areolas can result from those hormones.

6. Cramps. Sometimes cramps can be felt as a result of the expanding uterus at around the time the menstrual period is due.

7. Food cravings. Sometimes they will appear right away.

8. High basal body temperature. If you chart your temperature, it will stay high because of the progesterone in your body.

You could have one, two, all or none of these symptoms in early pregnancy. Of course, the number one early pregnancy symptom is the missed menstrual period.

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