Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

 
For most women, missing the menstrual period is usually the very first time that they suspect they may be pregnant. However, there are many women who are convinced they know even before they miss their period that they are pregnant. They feel swollen, tender breasts within one or two weeks after fertilization, and even before the first missed period.

Nausea, exhaustion, sleepiness or even sleeplessness can also be early signs of pregnancy, though many women do not experience these until the second or third month of pregnancy. There are many other symptoms of pregnancy that vary a lot from one woman to the other. Some women experience a lot of these symptoms very early in pregnancy; others have barely any symptoms. And there is nothing wrong if you don't feel any changes even throughout your pregnancy. While early symptoms could be a hint that you are pregnant, they are not always definite. In fact, some women may experience some of the pregnancy symptoms without actually being pregnant. And there are a few that have all the symptoms of pregnancy without being pregnant. This condition is called 'pseudocyesis,' or imaginary pregnancy.

If you haven't missed your period yet and want to know for sure whether you are pregnant, the most reliable way to find out would be to do a blood test in your doctor's office for the pregnancy hormone hCG. Results usually come back within less than 24 hours. The hCG can become positive as early as eight to 10 days after fertilization.

Even the home pregnancy tests, which test your urine, can become positive as early as 10-12 days after fertilization, a couple of days before you miss your period. But occasionally with the urine tests there are false negatives (a negative test when in fact you are pregnant) or false positives (a positive test when you are not pregnant). A positive urine pregnancy test is not always proof because sometimes you may have a so-called 'chemical pregnancy,' in which there is a positive test but no development of a fetus. And a negative urine test is no absolute proof that you are not pregnant, because, for example, you may have become pregnant late in your cycle and most tests do not become positive until 12 days or so after fertilization.

One to two weeks after the missed period (three to four weeks after fertilization) a transvaginal sonogram can finally confirm the pregnancy and the presence of the fetus inside the uterus. At that time you can often see a gestational sac. And four to five weeks after fertilization (six to seven weeks after your last period) you should be able to see a fetus and a heartbeat.

Here are the common signs of pregnancy, along with other possible causes for them.

Sign or SymptomTime of AppearanceOther Possible Reasons

Missed Period (AF)At any timeAnovulation, Stress, Weight loss/gain, exercise, hormonal problems: adrenal/thyroid, after hormonal birth control or breast-feeding, PCOS, ovaria or uterine problems

Positive blood pregnancy testAs early as eight to 10 days after fertilizationHydatidiform Mole and Choriocarcinoma

Positive urine pregnancy testAs early as 10-14 days after fertilization'False Positive Pregnancy Test';
Hydatidiform Mole and Choriocarcinoma

BBT curve elevatedMore than 16 days after rise

Nausea and vomiting;
GasTwo to 10 weeks after conceptionA variety of stomach disorders

Frequent urinationSix to eight weeks after conception;
entire pregnancyDiabetes, urinary tract infection, diuretics

Tender or swollen breastsOne to two weeks after conception;
entire pregnancyBirth control pills, impending menstruation, breast disease

Exhaustion or feeling sleepyOne to six weeks after conception;
entire pregnancyStress, fatigue, depression and other physical and mental strains;
common cold or flu;
anemia

Lower abdominal cramps/ BackachesDuring entire pregnancyLabor;
a variety of back problems and physical or mental strains

HeadachesAt any timePreeclampsia, Neurologic or other head problems, withdrawal symptoms, migraine

Food cravingsAt any timeMalnutrition, stress, depression

Darkening of areola (breast nipple)First signs one to 14 weeks after conception and then throughout pregnancyProduction of hormones from other sources

Fetal movements16 - 22 week after conceptionGas, lower gastrointestinal bowl contractions

Fetal heart beatFour weeks after fertilization (six weeks after LMP) by sonogram. 10-20 weeks and then throughout entire pregnancy by using microphones, e. g. doppler or stethoscopeNone

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