Early Pregnancy Symptoms Before a Missed Period

Medically reviewed by Cordelia Nwankwo, MD

The first sign of pregnancy is usually a missed period, but there may also be other possible changes. The only way to know if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.

Common early pregnancy signs include spotting, tender breasts, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, headaches, bloating, and frequent urination.

This article will provide an overview of early pregnancy signs and when to take a pregnancy test. 

Early Pregnancy Symptoms Before Missed Period: First Few Weeks

The first sign of pregnancy is usually a missed period. If you’re hoping to know if you’re pregnant before you miss your period, there are some specific signs and symptoms to watch for. The only way to truly know if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. 

Spotting

Light bleeding or spotting may be an early sign of pregnancy. It’s estimated that about 15% to 25% of pregnant people experience bleeding in the first trimester.

Bleeding may occur when the fertilized egg implants into the wall of the uterus, known as implantation bleeding. This usually happens about six to 12 days after conception. It’s common to spot or bleed after a pelvic exam, Pap smear (a test to screen for cervical cancer), or sex because the cervix has more blood vessels during pregnancy. 

Safe or benign bleeding is usually light in both color and amount. It’s important to contact a healthcare provider if you experience any vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. Heavy bleeding could be a sign of a serious complication like an infection, ectopic pregnancy, or early pregnancy loss. 

Tender Breasts

When you are pregnant, you may notice swollen, tender breasts as early as one to two weeks after conception. This happens because of changes in your hormone levels. When you become pregnant, your estrogen levels rise dramatically, and this can lead to swelling.

Fatigue

When you first become pregnant, you may look like your usual self, but your body works overtime to help your baby develop. This increased energy need and increasing hormone levels can lead to considerable fatigue in the first few weeks after conception.

Nausea and Vomiting

Many pregnant people experience morning sickness (nausea and vomiting) during pregnancy. This can begin as early as two to eight weeks after conception. This is likely due to the production of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). You may also experience food cravings or aversions during this time.

Headaches

The sudden rise in hormones during early pregnancy may also cause headaches. They can occur at any time of day. If you experience severe headache pain or wake up at night because of pain, talk with a healthcare provider.

Bloating

Bloating and constipation may be signs of early pregnancy. This is likely due to the increase in the hormone progesterone, which prevents your uterus from contracting to keep your baby safe. It also slows down your digestive tract, leading to problems with constipation and bloating. This can occur in the first month of pregnancy when progesterone rises.

Frequent Urination

It's common for people to experience frequent urination during late pregnancy because the baby's weight is pressing on their bladders. However, early pregnancy is a common time as well. This is because of the rapid increase in estrogen during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Be sure to keep water with you at all times to prevent dehydration. 

Can You Tell You’re Pregnant Based on Early Pregnancy Symptoms?

It is not possible to know that you are pregnant from symptoms alone. The only way to know if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. Other factors may cause many common symptoms of early pregnancy.

It’s important to remember that many early pregnancy signs are similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. PMS occurs the week before your period, and possible symptoms include:

• Bloating or gassiness

• Breast tenderness or swelling

• Cramping

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Headache

• Backache

• Fatigue

• Changes in sleep patterns

• Feeling more emotional (irritable, sad, anxious)

Pregnancy Tests

Pregnancy tests provide a proven way to determine if you are pregnant at home. Most home tests are 99% accurate when used correctly. When taking a pregnancy test, it is best to wait until the first day of your missed period. These tests measure the amount of the hormone hCG.

This hormone level increases each day of early pregnancy. It starts producing when the fertilized egg implants into the uterus wall about 10 days after conception. The level of hCG doubles every 48 hours in the first couple weeks of pregnancy.

Related: How Evaporation Lines vs. Faint Positive Results Look

Non-Pregnancy Causes of Missed Period

Experiencing a missed period does not always mean that you are pregnant. There are several reasons why your period changes or stops temporarily. It’s estimated that 1 in 25 people who menstruate experience missed periods that are not related to pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding are common causes of missed periods. Other possible non-pregnancy causes of a missed period include:

• Low body weight: Less than 10% of a normal (healthy) bodyweight

• Hypothalamus or pituitary gland disorders: Areas of the brain that affect hormone production

• Thyroid problems: Affect hormone production

• Eating disorder: Extreme weight loss affects hormone levels

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Causes problems with the reproductive organs

• Stress: Long-term stress can change ovulation

• Smoking: Smoking is a risk factor for anovulation (not ovulating)

See a healthcare provider if it has been three months since your last period. 

Waiting to find out if you are pregnant is anxiety-provoking, especially if you were not expecting it. Know that it is normal to experience various emotions right now. See a healthcare provider for blood and urine tests to determine if you are pregnant. 

Summary

It’s natural to want to know if you are pregnant before your missed period. Many people experience bodily changes early in their pregnancies. These changes may include spotting, tender breasts, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, headaches, bloating, and frequent urination.

However, many of these symptoms could be caused by PMS as well. The only way to know if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. The best time to take a test is the first day of your missed period. If you believe you may be pregnant, make an appointment to see a healthcare provider.