The early days of becoming pregnant can be an exciting time but it can also be a worrying one as your body goes through a multitude of changes that you may not have experienced before.
Some of the early signs that you’re having a baby may be similar to the symptoms of PMS, so the best way to tell is always by doing a home pregnancy test and then having this result confirmed by a medical professional.
However, there are some signs that are more common indicators that you might be expecting but below is by no means an exhaustive list of what you may experience if you are in the early days of pregnancy. It’s also possible you may experience none of them, but the one symptom that is common among all women is missing their period.
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What are the early signs of pregnancy?
Raised basal body temperature
If you’ve started measuring your basal body temperature in the morning to more accurately track your cycle, then you may get an indication that you’re pregnant if this measurement has gone up by 1C. It will likely stay elevated by this amount for the duration of your pregnancy so could be an early sign that changes are afoot.
Sensitivities to certain smells
While also a common symptom of PMS, a heightened sensitivity to certain smells (and often a strong aversion to them) could be another early sign that a baby is on the way. However, this is no means a foolproof indicator and you will need to do a home pregnancy test and see your doctor if you suspect you are expecting.
Changes in your breasts
Two signs that you may be expecting that arise early are tender breasts (which can be a sign of PMS) and darker, more bumpy areolas – as your body is gearing up to produce milk and lactate more efficiently. These little bumps around the nipples are known as Montgomery’s tubercles and you may have noticed them already, but they become more pronounced when a baby is on the way.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common sign of early pregnancy as a lot of your energy is going into building the placenta and can zap you of your get-up-and-go even from the early stages. This is entirely normal though, and can start from pretty soon after you conceive as your body gets to work.
Spotting
Another common early sign of pregnancy is light spotting or implantation bleeding, which normally takes place around 6 to 12 days after conception and may be accompanied by cramps. Spotting tends to be much lighter than your period and the colour of the bleeding is usually medium pink or light brown, rather than the redness you would associate with being on your period.
Frequent urination
Quite common two to three weeks after you conceive, you may notice an increased need to go to the toilet due to the hormone hCG, which increases the blood flow to your kidneys and makes it easier for your body to get rid of waste. Your growing uterus may also be putting some pressure on your bladder, leaving less space for urine and making you need to go to the loo more often.
When do you start showing if you’re pregnant?
Everybody is different and not all pregnancies follow the same path, but most people will begin to see a baby bump from 12-16 weeks. It may be earlier if it’s not your first pregnancy, and women who are shorter or have less strong core muscles may also be more likely to show that they are pregnant at an early stage.
Some people don’t begin to be visibly pregnant well into the second trimester, but if you are worried at all about this it’s best to speak to your doctor.
