The 12 most common early signs
- Missed period – the most reliable early sign if your cycles are regular.
- Breast tenderness or fullness – often one of the first changes, from around 1–2 weeks after conception.
- Tiredness – rising progesterone can make you feel unusually exhausted.
- Nausea, with or without vomiting – typically starts around 5–6 weeks.
- Needing to urinate more often.
- Light spotting (implantation bleeding) – lighter and shorter than a period, around the time it would be due.
- Mild cramping without a period arriving.
- Heightened sense of smell and new food aversions (tea, onions, oil are common culprits).
- Metallic taste in the mouth.
- Bloating and constipation.
- Mood swings.
- Raised basal body temperature that stays up for more than 18 days after ovulation.
Pregnancy or PMS?
Breast tenderness, bloating, cramps and moodiness occur both before a period and in early pregnancy, so symptoms alone can’t tell you. Nausea and a missed period point more strongly to pregnancy. The only way to be sure is a test.
When to take a test
Test from the day your period is due for a reliable result. If you don’t know when it’s due, test 21 days after unprotected sex. Our pregnancy test calculator gives your exact dates.
When to see a doctor
Book a visit as soon as a test is positive. Seek urgent help for severe one-sided pain, heavy bleeding, fainting or shoulder-tip pain – possible signs of an ectopic pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions
How soon do pregnancy symptoms start?
Some women notice breast tenderness or fatigue about a week after conception, but many feel nothing until after a missed period.
Can you be pregnant and still have a period?
True periods stop in pregnancy, but light bleeding can occur, especially early on. Any bleeding in pregnancy should be checked by a doctor.
Medical disclaimer: The results and information on this page are estimates for general education only. They are not a diagnosis and do not replace advice from your gynaecologist, obstetrician or midwife. If you have pain, bleeding, reduced baby movements or feel unwell, contact your doctor or call 108 immediately. Read the full disclaimer.
Sources & further reading
- NHS (UK). Pregnancy tests; Ovulation; Your pregnancy and baby guide. nhs.uk
- Wilcox AJ, Baird DD, Weinberg CR. Time of implantation of the conceptus and loss of pregnancy. N Engl J Med 1999;340:1796–9.