Women who are trying to conceive often wish to detect a pregnancy as soon as possible. Many women experience symptoms at the beginning of their pregnancy, which may provide clues to the changes going on within their bodies. Symptoms vary among women; some are easily mistaken for a stomach bug or what is thought to be an impending period.
Implantation Spotting
The egg burrows or implants itself into the lining of the uterus six to 14 days after conception occurs. In some women, implantation can cause light spotting as the egg disrupts the lining of the uterus. Implantation bleeding or spotting will typically be very light and often brown or pink in color. It can often be mistaken as the beginning of a period.
Tender Breasts
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can contribute to tender, sore and sometimes swollen breasts. The hormone progesterone increases significantly after implantation, causing these early changes in the breasts.
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is the most well-known sign of pregnancy. It may start as early as one to two weeks after conception, although for many women it begins between weeks five to eight. An article by the Mayo Clinic indicates that the phrase “morning sickness” is somewhat misleading; many pregnant women find the nausea lasts all day. Maintaining constant blood sugar levels through frequent snacking can help manage this unpleasant symptom.
Absent Menstrual Period
When a pregnancy occurs, a woman’s body does not shed the lining of the uterus, because the lining protects and maintains the implanted embryo. When the lining doesn’t shed, a woman does not experience a period. The American Pregnancy Association notes that some women may spot during early pregnancy and mistake it for menses.
Increased Basal Body Temperature
Basal body temperature (BBT) refers to your temperature first thing in the morning, before you’ve gotten out of bed. When ovulation occurs, a woman’s BBT rises due to increased progesterone. When a pregnancy is achieved, the BBT remains elevated, due to the continued production of progesterone, which would otherwise decrease when the menstrual cycle came to an end. An elevated BBT for more than 14 days could indicate that pregnancy has occurred. This does vary among women, as some cycles are longer than others.
Fatigue
According to the American Pregnancy Association, fatigue is sometimes the very earliest symptom of all. Some women start to experience the characteristic fatigue of pregnancy as soon as one week after conception.
About this Author
Amber Canaan has a medical background as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and pediatric oncology. She started writing in 2005 for Curvilinear, an online fashion magazine. Canaan transitioned back to her roots when she became a writer for The Examiner, as an expert on pregnancy. She has a degree in science from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences.
