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Symptoms of Pregnancy

We’ve listed some of the most common symptoms of pregnancy below. You may begin to suspect you are pregnant very soon after the baby is conceived, or you may not have any pregnancy symptoms until much later. Finding out if you are pregnant is easy. Home pregnancy tests can confirm your pregnancy on the day your period is due, and some can give a positive result even earlier. Alternatively, your pregnancy can be confirmed by your midwife or doctor.

Missed Period

If your cycle is regular, a missed period can be an obvious sign that you are pregnant. However, if you’re not planning to get pregnant, you may not be watching out for your periods. Or, if you have irregular periods, you may not notice it.

Tender breasts

Breast tenderness is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. When you’re pregnant, your breasts can feel sore, tingly, swollen and sensitive. The large amounts of oestrogen and progesterone that your body produces in pregnancy cause these breast changes.

Any Time of the Day Sickness

Nausea is probably the most common symptom associated with pregnancy. It is a misnomer to call it morning sickness, because you may feel nauseous at anytime of the day, not just in the morning. However, you may feel worse in the morning, when your stomach is empty.

Constant Tiredness

If you are feeling overwhelming fatigue for no apparent reason, it could be a sign that you’re pregnant. When you are pregnant, you experience a dramatic rise in hormone levels that help maintain the pregnancy and help your baby grow. The hormonal changes as well as the physical changes in your body are the most likely cause of constant tiredness. Your fatigue will most likely go away at around 12 to 14 weeks.

Needing to empty your bladder often

As your uterus grows to accommodate the growing embryo, it fights for space with your bladder. It means that your bladder has less capacity to store fluid; therefore, it tells you to empty it often.

Cramps

Vague, menstrual-like cramps are a common early pregnancy symptom. Cramps are probably caused by the uterus growing and are not a cause for concern. A hot pack may help provide some welcome relief.

Bloating

The hormone progesterone is responsible for you feeling bloated in early pregnancy. Progesterone causes you to retain water and can make your abdomen feel uncomfortable, bloated and enlarged.

Comments

13 comment(s) on this page. Add your own comment below.

Talia Clist

Sep 20, 2011 10:39pm [ 1 ]

I need all the help I can get from this website , I have quite recently found out I am pregnat and do not know to do , I'm am going to of course going to see a doctor to confirm the pregnancy but in the mean time , I need all the help I can get.

Jane Palmer

Sep 25, 2011 7:41am [ 2 ]

Hi Talia - congratulations on your pregnancy. Educating yourself is a great way to ensure a happy and healthy pregnancy. I hope you find this website helpful. We are adding new articles all the time. Please fell free to post any questions and gain support from our online forum.

tarra evans

Oct 4, 2011 11:09pm [ 3 ]

im not due for my peroid yet not till next week. but i hvae bloating,cramps,tierdness,and have the hole wanna throw up but cant, did a test come bak neg so not sure wats goin on atm. if i am this will be my third baby.i cant get into doc as no appointments so i jus have to wait it out.

Jane Palmer

Oct 6, 2011 7:21am [ 4 ]

Hi Tarra - most pregnancy tests cannot detect pregnancy until you are at least due for your period (and usually need a few more days to be accurate). Good luck

Rache

Nov 8, 2011 9:25pm [ 5 ]

Just wondering if anyone else has had a fluttering feeling in their lower abdomen as an early pregnancy symptom. I've had some minor cramps and shocking insomnia also. I've never felt this fluttering feeling before. Although i'm not even due for my period yet.

Amanda

Jan 14, 2012 7:37pm [ 6 ]

I've been having cramps, been feeling very tired lately, and sore in the breasts, i am due for my period but it hasnt come. Then today i had a little bleed but that was it.. I dont know what to think or do. Can u please help me

Cassandra

Feb 2, 2012 1:51am [ 7 ]

i've recently been feeling a bit "under the weather" and had symptoms of tender nipples, and the sensation of having a full bladder all the time, but i also have the implanon in, its due to be changed in 5 months, could there be a chance that i'm pregnant???

chantelle

Feb 13, 2012 9:32am [ 8 ]

I had been off the pill for nearly two months. I downloaded a "period" diary application, to help keep track of when to expect it. The last time I got it, was 3 days before I was meant to, now I am down to the wire this period. Waiting.. My boobs are killing me to sleep on.. They hurt mainly on the outside.. And I have been getting tired around 2:30pm every day for the last week or so.. I felt a little sick a couple of days ago, but that was not long after I ate, so I don't know if that actually has any relevance!I have just put all my money into a savings account that I can't touch, thinking that I wouldn't need it until my next pay day, which is in 2 days, so I can't even buy a pregnancy test.. what do I do?

wendy

Feb 18, 2012 9:21am [ 9 ]

this is our first month of not notting (not trying to not get pregnant)and I am four days late (which never happens). i haven't had many symptoms except constantly thinking each little cramp is my period and worrying each time i have ham, or a glass of wine. I have had a mild headache and feel a little dizzy from time to time. I'm waiting for one more day for a test, but how do you control the mind games?

Taylor18

Jun 6, 2012 8:02am [ 10 ]

I'm Anna and I'm 18 had sex about 10 days ago with the boyfriend. My period is not due till next Thursday a week from now but iv been having blackish brown blood coming out also bad cramping. Any possible way I could be pregnant?

Taryn

Aug 1, 2012 9:29pm [ 11 ]

ive noticed recently that in the space of about a week my breasts have gone up a cup size and atm keep getting a little bigger my bf noticed it too and they have been kinda tender. Also im on the pill, been tired, had cramps, nauseous and trying to throw up now ive have read that alot of these symptoms are related to before your menstrual cycle but ive never had them. Now ive taken a pregnancy test it was neg but testing again in a few days? im confused am i pregnant?

Alison

Oct 23, 2012 2:09am [ 12 ]

Hi Rache

Yes I do and I'm 8 weeks!

Charmaine

Nov 1, 2012 1:36am [ 13 ]

Hi I was on the pill got off 2years ago never had my period again and just recently before my geany appiontment I had my period for 4days did pegnancy test came positive went for a scan on the same day there was nothing did blood test came back negative I am due for another appiontment the 7/11/2012 what does this all mean