Recognising the early signs of pregnancy

by Debra Aspinall Pregnancy Tips & Advice

Missing a period is an obvious early sign of pregnancy, but there are many other symptoms and signs which could indicate you have conceived. So what are the early signs of pregnancy to look out for?

If you are wondering if you are pregnant, and haven’t yet taken a home test, what, apart from a missed period, are some tell-tale signs you have conceived?

Are you tired all the time?

An increase in hormones rushing around your body will most likely cause you to be extremely tired. Some women notice they are almost falling asleep in the afternoons, for others it’s a general all-day tiredness.

Are you short of breath?

As the tiny fetus develops it takes in oxygen possibly leaving you feeling a little breathless from time to time.

Are you having faint or dizzy spells?

Changes in your blood pressure can cause swooning. It’s an age-old early symptom of being pregnant.

Are your breasts tender?

Sore, sometimes enlarged breasts with tender nipples can be an early sign of pregnancy.

Are you getting cramps or feeling bloated?

While these are both signs of the onset of a period, they are also possible early signs of a pregnancy.

Do you have unexplained headaches?

These can be caused by changing hormone levels so if you have a headache which can’t be explained by lifestyle (over indulging, late night, stress etc) you may be pregnant.

Do you have backache?

For women who do not normally suffer any back aches and pains, the onset of backache can be accredited to the ligaments in your back loosening in preparation for pregnancy.

Are you spotting?

This is the name given to light amounts of blood from the vagina, when it is not a period. Many women obviously mistake this as the start of a period but it can be an early pregnancy symptom.

Are you being moody?

Mood swings are caused by pregnancy hormones. You may be very touchy and get angry over the slightest thing, or feel tearful for no apparent reason.

Are you being sick?

Feeling nauseous or actually being sick is a classic sign of pregnancy although it usually doesn’t kick in until about four weeks into the pregnancy. It can occur at any time of the day and can last the whole pregnancy. In most cases it subsides after the first trimester.

Are you peeing a lot?

Increased urination is caused by the increase in blood and other body fluids being processed by your hard-working kidneys. Frequent peeing usually settles in mid pregnancy but reoccurs later when the baby presses on your bladder.

Do you have food cravings?

A sudden craving for a food that’s not in your usual diet, or an unusual food, is a common early pregnancy sign. Many women crave vitamin-rich food like tomatoes or oranges.

Are certain smells turning your stomach?

This classic early pregnancy symptom thought to be caused by increased hormone levels. The aversion to certain smells can last throughout the pregnancy.

Has your temperature risen?

One of the first signs of pregnancy is a higher-than-normal temperature which you will pick up on if you have been charting your basal temperature.