You may be able to spot the first signs of pregnancy, even before a positive pregnancy test. In the earliest days and weeks of pregnancy, your body goes through some major changes. Early pregnancy signs and symptoms include:
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A missed period
Tingling or itchy nipples
Spotting or light bleeding
Nausea or being sick
Sore or tender breasts
Tiredness and fatigue
Frequent urination
Darker nipples
Increased vaginal discharge
Cramping or stomach pain
Metallic taste
Changed sense of smell
Mood swings
Food cravings or going off food
Positive pregnancy test
Read on to find out more about the most common early pregnancy symptoms that women experience.
1. A 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 symptoms. A missed period is one of the surest signs of pregnancy (NHS 2022a).
But if your periods are 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 loo may be early clues that you're pregnant (Bastian & Brown 2023, NHS 2022a).
It's worth noting that there are other possible reasons for a missed period. Stress, excessive exercise, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and being underweight or overweight can all be reasons for late or stopped periods (NHS 2019b). If you miss your period for one month to two months and a pregnancy test is still negative, make an appointment to see your GP (NHS 2022b).
2. Tingling or itchy nipples
As pregnancy hormones increase the blood supply to your breasts in preparation for breastfeeding, you may feel a tingling or itching sensation in your breasts and around your nipples (Bharj and Daniels 2017, Healthline 2019, NHS 2022a).
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This can be one of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy, sometimes noticeable by the third week (Bharj and Daniels 2017).
3. Spotting or light bleeding
It's not uncommon to have some spotting around the time of your missed period (Bastian & Brown 2023, NHS 2022a). This will usually be lighter than your period (Bastian & Brown 2023, NHS 2022a), and should not require more than one or two pads over 24 hours (Bastian & Brown 2023).
Many experts think that this light bleeding is caused by the fertilised egg embedding into the lining of the womb, known as implantation bleeding (NHS 2022a). However, some think the developing placenta causes the bleeding, so we need more research to discover why it’s so common in early pregnancy (Hasan et al. 2010).
It’s possible to experience vaginal bleeding up to about eight weeks into your pregnancy (Bastian & Brown 2023). It shouldn’t be heavy or painful though, and should only last a day or so at most, though for some, it can last a bit longer (Bastian & Brown 2023).
If you have any bleeding that worries you, is heavy, or is accompanied by pain, seek medical advice from your GP to be on the safe side. (Bastian & Brown 2023)
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Some women wonder if bleeding after sex is a sign of pregnancy. However, it's not considered to be a common symptom. It could be harmless, but in some cases, it can be a sign of infection or another health condition, so it's best to get it checked out by your GP (NHS 2021a).
If you're lucky, you'll escape nausea completely. However, morning sickness is a common symptom of early pregnancy (Bastian & Brown 2023, NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021). It often starts when you're about four to six weeks pregnant (Bastian & Brown 2023, NHS 2022a, Bharj and Daniels 2017, Willacy 2021).
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 (NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021).
If you can't keep food or drink down, speak to your GP. Up to 3 in 100 pregnant women experience awful nausea and vomiting, called hyperemesis gravidarum, which often needs treatment in hospital (NHS 2022a).
In the first few weeks of pregnancy, your breasts may become increasingly sensitive (Bastian & Brown 2023, Willacy 2021). For many women, this is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy; you might find that your breasts start feeling sore in the first few weeks after ovulation (Healthline 2019).
This could affect one or both breasts, and the pain may come and go. You may find your usual bra uncomfortable (if so, you might want to try a sports bra instead) (Healthline 2019).
Tender breasts are also a common sign that your period is on its way (Healthline 2019, NHS 2022a). But there are a few other things to consider if you think you might be pregnant.
In the early weeks of pregnancy, you may notice that your breasts are larger and swollen, with veins visible just below the skin (Healthline 2019, NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021). Tenderness tends to be most common in the first trimester, easing as pregnancy progresses (Healthline 2019).
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It's normal for your breasts to change a little in early pregnancy as they prepare for breastfeeding. However, if you notice any lumps or unusual changes to your breasts, always speak it to your GP.
Exhausted? You may find yourself diving for your duvet as your body cranks up to support your baby right from the early stages of pregnancy (Bastian & Brown 2023, NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021). It's all down to those pregnancy hormones again (NHS 2022a).
It may be some comfort to know that pregnancy tiredness is most common during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy (Bastian & Brown 2023, NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021). So hang in there and rest whenever you can. Your energy levels should start to increase in the second trimester (Bastian & Brown 2023, NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021).
From about eight weeks of pregnancy, you may notice that you're weeing more often (NHS 2022a, Bharj and Daniels 2017, Willacy 2021).
This is down to a combination of pregnancy hormones, a larger volume of blood in your system, and your kidneys working extra hard (Willacy 2021).
If you feel pain or a burning sensation when you wee, though, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI) (Bastian & Brown 202, Willacy 20213). See your GP if you think you have a UTI.
Skin changes are common during pregnancy. One of the first changes you may notice is your nipples, or the circle of skin around them (areolas), getting darker (Bastian & Brown 2023, NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021). This can happen from about halfway through your first trimester (Bharj and Daniels 2017).
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You may also find that the bumps around your nipples become more pronounced and your nipples more erect. The bumps are called ‘Montgomery glands’ or ‘Montgomery tubercules’ and they produce oily secretions to prepare your breasts for breastfeeding (Healthline 2019).
From about eight weeks, your vulva and vagina may also change to a deeper colour (Bastian & Brown 2023, Bharj and Daniels 2017), though you may not notice this.
9. Increased vaginal discharge
Another possible sign of pregnancy is increased vaginal discharge (NHS 2021b, NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021), although this can sometimes happen before a missed period too (Willacy 2021).
Healthy vaginal discharge helps to protect you from infection (NHS 2021b). It should be clear or milky white in colour and should not smell bad (NHS 2021b, Willacy 2021). It might be thin and watery or thick and sticky.
However, if you notice any discharge that's yellow or green, lumpy (like cottage cheese), or smells bad, see your GP as this could be a sign of infection (NHS 2021b).
Mild cramping in your womb, pelvic pain or general discomfort in your tummy (without bleeding) can sometimes be a symptom of early pregnancy (Bastian & Brown 2023). However, it could also be a sign that your period's on its way.
If there is a chance you could be pregnant, and you experience unusual bleeding alongside the cramping, or the pain is particularly severe or doesn't go away, call 111 immediately or go to A&E.
11. Metallic taste
You may notice a strange, metallic taste in your mouth in early pregnancy (NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021). Some women in the BabyCentre community have described it as tasting like blood (possibly because blood has a similar metallic taste).
The taste can be unpleasant, but eating or drinking strong-flavoured foods such as mint or citrus can help to get rid of it, at least temporarily. Chances are it will improve as you progress through your pregnancy (Ernst 2018).
12. Changed sense of smell
In early pregnancy, many women find that they're more sensitive to smells than usual (NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021). You may notice the smell of food or cooking more than before you conceived (NHS 2022a).
If you're suffering from pregnancy-related nausea, you may find that particular smells make your sickness worse (Willacy 2021).
Feeling more irritable or weepy than usual? Although this is a common symptom of PMS, it can be an early sign of pregnancy too (Bastian & Brown 2023, NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021).
It's perfectly normal for pregnancy hormones to make you feel more emotional in the early weeks. But if you're feeling down all the time, not enjoying the things you used to, or having any problems coping, speak to your GP (NICE 2022).
Food cravings can be a symptom of pregnancy (NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021). You may find yourself suddenly wanting to eat foods you don't normally eat or craving specific foods at certain times (NHS 2022a).
On the other hand, it's also common to suddenly go off some of your favourite foods in the early weeks of pregnancy (NHS 2022a, Willacy 2021). You may find that you can't face your morning tea or coffee or a food you usually like, particularly fatty foods (NHS 2022a).
Some women wonder if feeling more hungry than usual is a sign of pregnancy. It's true that appetite does tend to increase in later pregnancy (Healthline 2020). However, it's usually the other way around in the first few weeks. Women often tend to feel less hungry in early pregnancy due to nausea (Healthline 2020).
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15. Positive pregnancy test
The most reliable way to tell if you're pregnant is to take a home pregnancy test (Bastian & Brown 2023, NHS 2022a). You'll get the most accurate result if you wait until at least the first day of your missed period, though some pregnancy tests can be used a few days before that (Bastian & Brown 2023, NHS 2022b).
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If you don't know when your period is due, it’s best to wait until at least 21 days after having unprotected sex (NHS 2022b).
A negative result on a pregnancy test is less reliable. All home pregnancy tests detect the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), but this hormone needs time to build up in your body after you've conceived (NHS 2022b, Bastian & Brown 2023).
A pregnancy test might also show as negative if you haven't followed the instructions correctly or if you're taking certain medications (NHS 2022b).
If you've had a negative result but still think you might be pregnant, wait at least a few days (ideally a week), and try again (NHS 2022b, Bastian & Brown 2023). If the test is still negative and your period hasn't arrived, speak to your GP (NHS 2022b) – particularly if you're experiencing any unusual symptoms.
Other possible signs of early pregnancy
The following symptoms aren't a reliable indication of pregnancy since they can be caused by other conditions. However, some women do experience them in the first few months of pregnancy, so they're worth keeping an eye out for:
If you're suddenly experiencing any of these symptoms and you're not sure why, or you have concerns about any of your symptoms, get in touch with your GP or call NHS 111 to be on the safe side.
Some of the signs and symptoms above can happen very early – as soon as a week or two after conception. However, many women don't notice the first signs of pregnancy until around four weeks to six weeks (NHS 2022a). The only way to know for sure is to take a pregnancy test (NHS 2022a).
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Sources
BabyCentre's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organisations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.
Bharj KK, Daniels L. 2017. Confirming pregnancy and care of the pregnant woman. In: Macdonald S, Johnson G (eds). Mayes’ midwifery. 15th edn. Chapter 32. Edinburgh: Elsevier.
Polly Logan-Banks is an experienced editor with a keen interest in producing evidence-based content. Polly is passionate about ensuring that every child gets the best start in life.
