10/18/2014 Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens right away - Mayo Clinic

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Healthy Lifestyle
Getting pregnant
Could you be pregnant? The proof is in the pregnancy test. But even before you miss a
period, you might suspect or hope that you're pregnant. For some women, early
signs and symptoms of pregnancy begin in the first few weeks after conception. Know
the first signs of pregnancy.
In addition to a missed period, the earliest signs and symptoms of pregnancy might
include:
Tender, swollen breasts. Early in pregnancy hormonal changes might make your
breasts tender, sensitive or sore. Or your breasts might feel fuller and heavier.
Nausea with or without vomiting. Morning sickness, which can strike at any time of
the day or night, sometimes begins as early as three weeks after conception. While
the cause of nausea during pregnancy isn't clear, pregnancy hormones likely play a
role. Pregnant women might also find that smells that never bothered them before
now cause nausea.
Increased urination. You might find yourself urinating more often than usual.
Fatigue. Fatigue also ranks high among early symptoms of pregnancy. During early
pregnancy, levels of the hormone progesterone soar which can make you feel
sleepy.
Food aversions or cravings. When you're pregnant, you might find yourself turning
up your nose at certain foods. Food cravings are common, too. Like most other
symptoms of pregnancy, these food preferences can be chalked up to hormonal
changes.
Sometimes symptoms of pregnancy are less familiar or obvious. If you're pregnant, you
might experience:
The earliest symptoms of pregnancy can appear in the first few weeks after
conception. Here's what you might experience, from nausea and tender breasts to
dizziness and mood swings.
By Mayo Clinic Staff
10/18/2014 Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens right away - Mayo Clinic
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Slight bleeding. Sometimes a small amount of spotting or vaginal bleeding is one of
the first signs of pregnancy. Known as implantation bleeding, it happens when the
fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus about 10 to 14 days after
conception. Implantation bleeding generally lasts for a short time and occurs around
the time of a menstrual period. However, implantation bleeding is usually much lighter
than menstrual bleeding.
Cramping. Some women experience mild uterine cramping early in pregnancy.
Mood swings. The flood of hormones in your body in early pregnancy can make you
unusually emotional and weepy. Mood swings also are common.
Dizziness. Pregnancy causes your blood vessels to dilate and your blood pressure to
drop. As a result, you might find yourself feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
Constipation. Hormonal changes cause your digestive system to slow down, which
can lead to constipation.
In addition, your basal body temperature your temperature when you first wake up in
the morning might provide an early clue about pregnancy. Basal body temperature
increases slightly soon after ovulation and remains at that level until your next period. If
you've been charting your basal body temperature to determine when you ovulate, its
continued elevation for more than two weeks could mean that you're pregnant.
Unfortunately, these signs and symptoms aren't unique to pregnancy. Some can indicate
that you're getting sick or that your period is about to start. Likewise, you can be pregnant
without experiencing any of these signs and symptoms.
Still, if you miss a period or notice any of the tip-offs on these lists, you might want to take
a home pregnancy test especially if you're not keeping track of your menstrual cycle or
if it varies widely from one month to the next. If your home pregnancy test is positive,
make an appointment with your health care provider. The sooner your pregnancy is
confirmed, the sooner you can begin prenatal care.
References
1. Bastian LA, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of early pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/home.
Accessed March 19, 2013.
2. Lockwood CJ, et al. Initial prenatal assessment and patient education. http://www.uptodate.com/home.
Accessed March 19, 2013.
3. Norwitz ER, et al. Overview of the etiology and evaluation of vaginal bleeding in pregnant women.
http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 19, 2013.
4. Hatcher RA, et al. Contraceptive Technology. 20th ed. New York, N.Y.: Ardent Media; 2011:417.
5. Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ126. Morning sickness. American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq126.pdf?
dmc=1&ts=20130318T1105352029. Accessed March 18, 2013.
6. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Your Pregnancy and Childbirth Month to Month. 5th
ed. Washington, D.C.: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2010:17.
10/18/2014 Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens right away - Mayo Clinic
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Jul. 12, 2013
Original article: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/getting-pregnant/in-depth/symptoms-of-pregnancy/art-
20043853
7. Moore KL, et al. Before We Are Born: Essentials of Embryology and Birth Defects. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.:
Saunders Elsevier; 2013:326.
8. You and your baby: Prenatal Care, Labor and Delivery, and Postpartum Care. Washington, D.C.: American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2011:1.
9. Hill CC, et al. Physiologic changes in pregnancy. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2008;88:391.
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