Early pregnancy signs can be emotional, mental, or physical symptoms. It is likely that a few early pregancy symptoms will appear before the first attempt at a pregnancy test. Most pregnancy tests claim that they can provide an answer as soon as one day after a missed period, but it is possible to get a negative result and still be pregnant. More accurate results for at-home pregnancy tests usually take about a week after a missed period. At-home pregnancy tests measure the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine. Blood tests can provide even greater accuracy, based on the levels of hCG, and most doctors will order a blood test, even after a positive at-home pregnancy test result.
There are many common signs of early pregnancy. Women who are experiencing at least a few symptoms, along with a missed period, might consider taking a pregnacy test or making an appointment with a doctor.
Common Early Pregnancy Signs and Symptoms
Exhaustion or Fatigue
Early pregnancy can make a woman feel extrememly tired. An increased need for sleep, or the sudden need for a nap in the middle of the afternoon might be a sign of pregnancy. The feeling of exhaustion is common for many women at this early stage of pregnancy, and it usually disappears until the last stretch of pregnancy, after the First Trimester.
Bloating
Bloating may be a symptom of pregnancy when it does not go away after a few days, which is more common with women who have some bloating before a period. Clothing may feel tighter, even in this early stage of pregnancy. Women who do not notmally deal with any monthly bloating, may notice this early pregnancy symptom first.
Increased Trips to the Ladies Room
Increased trips to the bathroom usually begins when women are a few weeks "late" with their period, or around 6-10 weeks into a pregnancy. This can be a sign for women who realize that their bathroom trips are more frequent, without an increase in fluid intake. Frequent urination is a sign of early pregnancy.
The Many Moods of Early Pregnancy
The moods swings of early pregnancy are usually intensified versions of what some women feel when their hormones begin to swing. Pregnant women often experience mood fluctuations early in pregnancy and often describe it as strong PMS mood swings. General pregnancy stress may also contribute to mood swings in early pregnancy.
Sensitivity to Particular Smells or Odors
Women sometimes have a heightened sensitivity to certain smells or odors in early pregnancy. Some women can't bear the smell of greasy foods cooking without gagging. Others feel queasy with many different odors. Early pregancy seems to be a time when some women react strongly to a variety of smells or odors.
Tender Breasts
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy that women often report, is a soreness or tenderness to their breasts. Some women notice early breast size increases at this time. This can be a common symptom for women who experience breast tenderness as part of their monthly cycle, but during early pregnancy, the tenderness seems more common for a greater number of women.
Headaches
Headaches can be an early sign of pregnancy, due to a number of factors. Hormones usually contribute to headaches during early pregnancy, but stress, exhaustion, and all the physical changes beginning in a woman's body, can add to that formula for a headache.
Nausea or Vomiting
The belief that every woman will know that she is pregnant when she feels like throwing up every morning, not one hundred percent accurate. Not all women experience nausea or vomiting in early pregnancy, and "morning sickness" is not limited to the early morning hours. Nausea can occur at any time of day during early pregnancy. Repeat bouts of nausea or vomiting may be a very physical signal of early pregnancy.
Cravings
Early pregnancy cravings come in all forms. The traditional pickles and ice cream extreme craving may not be true for all women during early pregnancy. Women report sudden cravings for a number of different foods during early pregnancy. An early sign of pregnancy might be noticed when certain cravings continue to surface.
The Most Obvious Sign of Early Pregnancy
A missed period is the most common sign of early pregnancy. Women who have regular monthly cycles are likely to be pregnant if periods stop. A number of other health issues can also stop monthly periods, though, so a pregnancy test is the best measure of testing for pregnancy. Negative results for at-home pregnancy tests do not necessarily mean that no pregancy has ocurred. Taking a test too early may not produce enough hCG to be detected by a pregnancy test. Taking another pregnancy test at least a week after a missed period might provide better results. A more precise hospital blood test can help to further confirm pregnancy, and help to determine the number of weeks pregnant.
