Are you pregnant? Here are some early signs..

Your gut instinct may be telling you that you are pregnant, and another life is taking shape inside you. However, some of the external signs and symptoms may not have yet given you any sense of certainty. Your next period date seems far away, and you might get anxious and excited to find out if your gut instinct is indeed true as soon as possible.

Well, there are some early signs of pregnancy that could be called ‘tell-tale’ symptoms, even though everyone might not experience these or experience them differently. Here is a short but non-exhaustive list of signals of pregnancy that you might want to look out for.

Missed period

A missed period is perhaps the most common sign of a pregnancy. If your cycles are regular and your period is delayed by four to five days, you can try a pregnancy test. Of course, if you have a history of irregular periods, you can’t rely on a missed period as a predictor of pregnancy.

Breast tenderness

Breast tenderness is another of the earliest signs of pregnancy, though sometimes it might start only around the time when you would generally get your period or miss it. The tenderness (breasts may feel sore) often lasts until the end of the first trimester¹ of pregnancy. The discomfort associated with it usually decreases as the pregnancy progresses.

The following symptoms happen around four to six weeks of pregnancy and often are similar to the symptoms experienced by women around the time when their menstrual cycle begins:

Spotting

Light spotting (small drops of blood or brownish discharge) can happen around the time when you get your period, typically in the fourth week of pregnancy. It happens when an embryo implants itself in the lining of the uterus, typically less than two weeks after conception. Such bleeding is noticeable in the form of tiny blood droplets or brownish vaginal discharge.

Mild cramps

You might experience some cramping between weeks four and six. These are similar to menstrual cramps, albeit milder.

Morning sickness or nausea

Contrary to its name, morning sickness or nausea does not necessarily happen only in the mornings, it can happen any time of the day. It sometimes starts even after two weeks of pregnancy. Not every pregnant woman experiences it though. Some women do not have morning sickness at all, some have it only for a certain time during their pregnancy while a few find it difficult to ‘keep food in’ for a major part of their pregnancy. Vomiting may or may not happen along with nausea

Fatigue

Unsurprisingly, pregnancy is often accompanied with increased fatigue due to hormonal changes and the changes in blood pressure and blood sugar levels. If you experience fatigue, listen to your body, get adequate rest and eat healthy including a protein and iron-rich diet².

Frequent urination

Your body’s blood supply increases during pregnancy³. This results in more visits to the washroom as the kidneys continue to filter your blood and remove the extra waste in the form of urine.

Symptoms that you may experience at the early stages of pregnancy (during the first trimester) and even later include:

Heartburn

This can occur at any time during pregnancy.

Mood swings

Blame it on the hormones but you might suddenly feel too emotional, anxious and even feel like crying at times. This may occur during the first trimester and again towards the end of the third trimester.

Food cravings and aversions

You might tend to crave for certain foods while you would not be able to stand some foods as your sense of taste changes⁴.

Constipation

Hormonal changes might make some women feel constipated.

While these are the early signs of pregnancy, they also could be an indication of some other health issue if you aren’t pregnant. However, if you miss your period and experience some of the above symptoms, take a home pregnancy test and meet your doctor for pregnancy confirmation if the test is positive.

Despite the inconveniences caused by many of the above-mentioned symptoms, do try and enjoy this wonderful phase of your life and listen to your body.

Updated Early Pregnancy
Symptoms (Latest Medical Insights)

Research from recent clinical studies shows that early pregnancy signs can appear as early as Week 1–4, even before a missed period. Here’s what you should look for:

Week 1–2: Hormonal Changes
Begin

1. Light
Cramping & Implantation Spotting
Some women notice very mild cramps or pink/brown spotting when the embryo attaches to the uterine wall.

2. Sudden
Fatigue
A rise in progesterone can make you feel unusually tired—even if you’re sleeping well.

Week 3: Subtle Body Changes

3. Breast
Tenderness & Nipple Sensitivity
Your breasts may feel fuller, sore, or tingly due to increased estrogen.

4. Heightened Sense of Smell
Odors may feel stronger than usual, triggering nausea or food aversions.

5. Bloating & Digestive Discomfort
Slower digestion is one of the earliest hormonal effects.

Week 4: Clearer Early

Pregnancy Signals

6. Nausea (Not Just Morning Sickness)
New studies show nausea may start before you miss your period.

7. Frequent Urination
Increased blood flow to the kidneys is a common early symptom.

8. Mood
Swings & Emotional Changes
Fluctuating hormones can cause irritability or sudden mood shifts.

Why These Symptoms Matter

These early signs help identify pregnancy sooner and allow you to begin prenatal care at the right time. Always confirm with a home pregnancy test or speak to a doctor for accurate diagnosis.

References & Resources

¹ Breast changes during pregnancy

² Early pregnancy symptoms

³ Am I pregnant?

³ Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens first

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