Very First Signs of Pregnancy

Even before a missed period, the very first signs of pregnancy may appear. Bur keep in mind that the early pregnancy symptoms are not exclusive to pregnancy. It's always best to consult with a doctor to confirm your condition if you feel that you may be pregnant--even if you received a negative on your home pregnancy test. Most of the earliest signs of pregnancy show up around two weeks after conception.

Before there's a bump, you'll have signs

There are several physical and mental/emotional symptoms that are the earliest signs of pregnancy:

• Tender, swollen breasts and/or sore nipples: You could experience this just two weeks after conception.
• Missed period: This is quite often the first sign pregnant women get, but in some cases, other symptoms show up first. Though a missed period doesn't always mean you're pregnant, it is one of the most conclusive signs.
• Fatigue: This is due to high levels of progesterone.
• Feeling faint or dizzy: Early in the pregnancy, this is caused by low blood sugar.
• Nausea (may be accompanied by vomiting): Morning sickness can show up as early as two weeks after conception.
• Frequent urination: Even before a missed period--and definitely before the baby is big enough to put pressure on the bladder--hCG levels can cause this symptom.
• Spotting (implantation bleeding): This is when the fertilized egg finally attaches to the lining of the uterus, roughly ten to fourteen days after conception.
• Constipation: Higher progesterone levels, the same thing that causes pregnancy-related fatigue, also contributes to constipation.
• Heartburn: Slowed digestion, thanks to hormones, can cause heartburn early in pregnancy.
• Elevated basal body temperature: If you're charting your temperature by checking it orally every morning, you may notice that your temperature goes up a bit upon ovulation, then stays that way for up to two weeks after your period should start (it usually drops back down when you get your period).
• Cramping: During early pregnancy, there are many triggers for uterine contractions, which will feel like cramps.
• Darkening of the areolas (the area around the nipples): This can happen as early as one week after conception. You may also find that the surface appears bumpier as well.
• Sometimes you just know before the pregnancy test will be able to confirm or deny: Call it women's intuition or just not feeling like yourself. Sometimes women just "know" they're pregnant.
• Food cravings and/or aversions: Due to hormones, you may find that you crave or are turned off by certain foods you normally feel differently about.
• Mood swings: Early in your pregnancy, you may find yourself crying more or getting angry more easily.

You could purchase a pregnancy test from a drugstore, though if you're very early into your pregnancy, you may receive a false negative. Another alternative is to get a blood test in a doctor's office. A blood test can give you a positive as early as six days after conception.

In addition to cutting out alcohol, cigarettes, and lowering your caffeine intake, you should consider taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid and eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables. Eating small meals throughout the day will help cut down on symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and nausea.

For nausea, also make sure you keep soda crackers on hand, since nibbling those every now and then will help keep this very first sign of pregnancy at bay. When it comes to heartburn, antacids are a good bet, but check with your doctor first to make sure they approve. To combat constipation, try upping your fiber intake.

The most obvious sign of pregnancy is a missed period. However, if you're looking for the very first signs of pregnancy because you've been trying to conceive, you may notice symptoms between seven and fourteen days after conception.

If you think you may be pregnant and you're experiencing some of the symptoms, you can always make an appointment with your doctor for testing. It's best to wait at least ten to twelve days after you think you conceived before taking a pregnancy test at all--especially an at-home test. A blood test can give you accurate results as early as six to eight days after ovulation, but these are not always accurate this early on in a potential pregnancy. Be patient for the most accurate results, eat well, and abstain from activities and substances that could be harmful to your baby if you think you are pregnant..

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