What Are 10 Early Signs of Pregnancy?

Common early signs of pregnancy include implantation bleeding, morning sickness, tender or swollen breasts, tiredness/fatigue, headaches, frequent urination, food cravings or food aversions, mood swings, darkening of the area around the nipples (areolas), and backaches.

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:

1. 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
2. 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 
3. Tender or swollen breasts
4. Tiredness/fatigue
5. Headaches
6. Frequent urination
7. Food cravings or food aversions
8. Mood swings caused by hormonal changes 
9. Darkening of the area around the nipples (areolas)
10. Backaches
    • Can occur in early pregnancy but are more common later, during weeks 27 to 34