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Pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus, and symptoms may start in some people as early as a week after this occurs, usually about 2 to 3 weeks after sexual intercourse. Other people may have no signs other than a missed period until a few months into the pregnancy.
The only way to know for sure if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.
In many people, a missed period is the earliest sign of pregnancy.
Common early signs of pregnancy include:
- Implantation bleeding
- Light vaginal bleeding or spotting that occurs when a 6 to 12-day-old fertilized egg attaches to the inner lining of the uterus
- Bleeding is light pinkish or brownish and is usually slightly different in color than the normal menstrual period
- Usually happens close to the time of the next expected menstrual period
- Only lasts 1 to 3 days
- Not all people will have this symptom
- Nausea/vomiting/morning sickness
- Usually occurs about 2 to 8 weeks after conception
- Morning sickness occurs most frequently during the first trimester and then goes away, but some people may experience it throughout their pregnancy
- Tender or swollen breasts
- Tiredness/fatigue
- Headaches
- Frequent urination
- Food cravings or food aversions
- Mood swings caused by hormonal changes
- Darkening of the area around the nipples (areolas)
- Backaches
- Can occur in early pregnancy but are more common later, during weeks 27 to 34
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Reviewed on 1/21/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Images
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/ask-experts/how-soon-do-you-get-symptoms-of-pregnancy
https://americanpregnancy.org/unplanned-pregnancy/am-i-pregnant/pregnancy-symptoms
https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/what-is-implantation-bleeding/
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/ask-experts/how-soon-do-you-get-symptoms-of-pregnancy
https://americanpregnancy.org/unplanned-pregnancy/am-i-pregnant/pregnancy-symptoms
https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/what-is-implantation-bleeding/