What are the early symptoms of pregnancy?

Implantation bleeding or spotting, nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness, lack of energy, frequent urination, and headaches or migraines are just a few of the early symptoms you could experience in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Are headaches a symptom of pregnancy?

Implantation bleeding or spotting, nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness, lack of energy, frequent urination, and headaches or migraines are just a few of the early symptoms you could experience in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Is nausea a symptom of pregnancy?

Implantation bleeding or spotting, nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness, lack of energy, frequent urination, and headaches or migraines are just a few of the early symptoms you could experience in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Most Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms | Pregnancy Resource Center

Many clients we see feel they may be pregnant even before a missed period, and they are curious about early pregnancy symptoms that could confirm this feeling.

So what are some signs and symptoms that you might experience in the early stages of pregnancy – before the pregnancy test is positive?

Here are just a few of the most common first signs of pregnancy that you might notice.

Woman holding positive pregnancy test in her hands.

Early Pregnancy Symptoms?

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Note: The information on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and medical advice.

Implantation bleeding

Spotting known as implantation bleeding can occur in as many as one-third of women who are pregnant. This happens when the egg implants into the wall of the uterus.

This is typically light spotting that lasts for a short time (or even goes unnoticed), unlike menstrual bleeding. It can sometimes be accompanied by cramping.

Breast Tenderness

Breast tenderness can be one of the most common early pregnancy signs.

Some women will have sore breasts as early as just a few days after conception, and it can last through the first trimester.

Many women will report that this is how they first knew they were pregnant.

Watercolor graphic with text : Breast tenderness is commonly reported as one of the first symptoms of pregnancy that women notice.

Tiredness / Lack of Energy

Feeling unusually tired? Fatigue can be caused by many things, of course, but it’s also a hallmark symptom accompanying early pregnancy.

Frequent Urination

By far, this is one of the most inconvenient parts of early pregnancy!

Feeling like you need to urinate far more often than normal, even in the middle of the night, can be very common while pregnant.

Nausea

Feeling queasy? Nausea can be another early pregnancy symptom.

It could just show up in the morning hours, or last all day for some women.

Woman holding hand over her mouth, experiencing nausea.

Certain foods or smells might trigger the nausea, or it may come in waves for no reason at all.

You can blame it on hormones: HCG, to be exact!

Headache/ Migraines

Another symptom that can be attributed to changing hormones is headaches.

Fortunately for most women, this symptom improves in the later weeks and months of pregnancy.

Graphic with woman standing with hand on hip and text: Common Early Pregnancy Symptoms: Missed Period, Implantation bleeding, Breast tenderness, Nausea, Fatigue, Frequent Urination

If You Think you Might be Pregnant

Too soon to take a pregnancy test (before your missed period) but you have some of these symptoms?

If you think you even might be pregnant, it doesn’t hurt to take precautions now. For instance, you could start making healthy changes like eating a more balanced diet.

In addition, you should stop using cigarettes or any illegal substances that could potentially harm your unborn baby.

Are You Pregnant?

Find out for sure with a free test at the Pregnancy Resource Center of Mountain Grove.

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How to Confirm a Pregnancy

Keep in mind – the best way to confirm a pregnancy is with a pregnancy test and especially with an early ultrasound.

Contact us to schedule an appointment for a pregnancy test and ultrasound so you can have the answers you need, and be prepared for a healthy pregnancy from the start.

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Originally published 12/4/19; last updated 9/10/24