Top 10 signs of pregnancy

You may have an inkling that you're pregnant soon after you've conceived, when the fertilised egg attaches itself to the wall of your uterus (womb). This usually happens within about 10 days of conception.

Or you may be unaware of any changes for weeks, only wondering if you're pregnant when you miss a period.

Though you may experience some, all, or none of these, here are the top 10 signs of pregnancy.

10. Food cravings and altered sense of smell

Food cravings or aversion can be a sign of pregnancy. Don't rely on them as a sure symptom (it may be all in your head, or even a sign that your body is low on a particular nutrient), but if cravings are accompanied by some of the other symptoms on this list, start counting the days from your last period.

You may go off some foods, but develop a craving for others. This can happen very early for some women, even before they've missed a period.

Some women report a metallic taste in their mouth, others that they can't stand the taste of coffee or a food they usually like, such as eggs.

Your sense of smell may change as well, and you may find that you're more sensitive to aromas from food or cooking.

Certain smells such cooking dal or potatoes (aloo) may trigger your gag reflex or may be enough to curb your appetite.

9. Mood swings

During pregnancy your hormone levels are surging, as the amount of oestrogen and progesterone in your blood increases. These increased hormone levels can affect your mood.

You might feel heightened emotions, both good and bad, or you might just feel more depressed or anxious than usual. Read more about mood swings.

If you've been feeling really upset or thinking of harming yourself, speak to your doctor right away.

8. Abdominal bloating

Your clothes may feel tighter than usual at the waistline - not because your uterus is already expanding, but because hormonal changes can make you bloated.

The doses of progesterone that your body produces early in pregnancy, relaxes the smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract.

This relaxation slows your digestive processes, which can cause more bloating, burping, gas and uncomfortable sensations in your stomach, especially after a big meal.

Read more about gas and bloating in pregnancy.

7. Frequent urination

From about six weeks of pregnancy, you may notice that you're passing urine more often.

This is down to a combination of pregnancy hormones, a larger volume of blood in your system, and your kidneys working extra hard.

If you feel pain or a burning sensation when you pass urine, though, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI).

6. Tiredness and fatigue

Exhausted? You may find yourself sitting or lying down more often as your body prepares to support your baby, right from the early stages of pregnancy.

Pregnancy hormones in your body are to blame, as these can make you feel tired, upset and emotional.

Though fatigue is not a sure-fire symptom on its own, it's a common pregnancy symptom. You may find that tiredness wipes you out the most in your first trimester and third trimester.

5. Tender, swollen breasts

Once you are about six weeks pregnant, your breasts may become increasingly tender to the touch. It's similar to how they feel before you have a period, but more so.

You may notice that your breasts are larger and swollen, with blue veins visible just below the skin. Tenderness tends to be most common in the first trimester, easing as pregnancy progresses.

As pregnancy hormones increase the blood supply to your breasts, you may also feel a tingling sensation around your nipples. This can be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, and is sometimes noticeable within a week or so of conception.

Once your body gets used to the hormone surge, this sensation will subside.

Skin changes are common during pregnancy. One of the first changes you may notice is the circle of skin round your nipples (areolas) getting darker. This can happen from about eight weeks.

You may also find that the bumps around your nipples become more pronounced, and your nipples more erect.

4. Nausea

If you're lucky, you'll escape this completely. However, morning sickness is a common symptom of early pregnancy.

It often starts when you're about six weeks pregnant, though it can start as early as four weeks.

You may feel sick and queasy, or even vomit. Despite the name, morning sickness can affect you at any time of the day, or night.

Read more about morning sickness: causes, concerns and treatment.

3. Missed period

If you're usually pretty regular, and your period doesn't start on time, you'll probably take a pregnancy test before you notice any other signs. A missed period is one of the surest signs of pregnancy.

But if your periods are usually irregular, or you lose track of when your next one is due, you may not realise that your period is late. In this case, tender breasts, feeling queasy and making extra trips to the bathroom may be early clues that you're pregnant.

It's common to have some spotting at the time when you'd usually have your period. You may notice a slight pink or brown-coloured stain in your underwear, or when you pass urine, or feel slight cramping.

Experts aren't sure why spotting in very early pregnancy happens, but it's thought to either be caused by the egg implanting in your uterus, or more likely, the hormones that control your periods kicking in.

2. High basal body temperature

If you've been tracking your cycle by taking your temperature every day, you may notice this tell-tale change.

Maintaining an elevated basal body temperature for 18 days in a row means you're probably pregnant. Your temperature will stay elevated throughout your pregnancy.

1. The proof: a positive home pregnancy test!

Most home pregnancy tests will give you a reliable result if you wait until at least the first day of a missed period.

How test results may vary. Some show pink or blue lines on the test strip. Others reveal a plus or minus sign, or change the colour of your urine sample. Digital tests display the words "pregnant" or "not pregnant" in a window, and some may give an estimate of how many weeks ago you conceived.

If you take a home pregnancy test and get a negative result, there's a chance that you've simply tested too soon.

Wait a few days and if you still haven't gotten your period, test again. You can also get a pregnancy blood test done, often known as HCG test for the hormone the test searches for. The blood test sometimes picks up on pregnancies before a urine test does and is often considered more accurate. If you are pregnant, your baby is already developing, so take care of your health while you wait. A positive result is a trustworthy sign that you're pregnant.

So make an appointment with your doctor, read 50 reasons to be glad you're pregnant, and celebrate the exciting journey ahead!

Read more on:

• Early pregnancy: all you need to know.
• 11 steps to a healthy pregnancy.
• How to choose your gynaecologist.