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Early Pregnancy Symptoms

How can you tell if you're pregnant? Many women experience pregnancy symptoms almost immediately after conception, others won't notice any for a few weeks and a few feel no discomfort at all. Some of the most common pregnancy symptoms associated with the first stages of pregnancy are very similar to those you may often experience right before menstruating. So similar, in fact, that you may not even notice these symptoms until after you've missed a period.

If you have any or a number of the following pregnancy symptoms and you think there is a chance you might be pregnant, take a home pregnancy test and find out for sure!

    Breast tenderness

    One of the most noticeable signs of early pregnancy is tender, swollen, sore or sensitive breasts. Due to the rapidly increasing amount of the hCG hormone in your system, your areolas (the area of skin around your nipples) may start to enlarge or darken in color. This extra sensitivity in your breasts usually starts around 4 to 6 weeks after conception and lasts through the first trimester.


    It may be just the beginning of your pregnancy, but your body is already going through intense hormonal changes. Your hCG level alone goes from zero to 250,000 mIU/ml in just twelve weeks! If you're finding it harder and harder to stay awake at work, or you still feel tired after a good night's sleep, your body may be pregnant. Try to get at least 9 to 10 hours of sleep every night, take frequent 15 to 30-minute naps during the day and hang in there! You should have most of your energy back by the start of the second trimester.

    Nausea and vomiting

    While most women won't experience it until a month or so after conception, nausea and vomiting may come as early as one week into your pregnancy. "Morning sickness" can strike at any time of day, so don't let the name fool you! Some women feel nauseous upon getting out of bed in the morning and feel better as the day goes on, others feel sick all day long and a lucky few don't experience it at all. Although quite common, there is no known cause or cure for morning sickness. Frequent snacking and small meals throughout the day should bring you some relief. Morning sickness generally improves by the 13th or 14th week of pregnancy, but some women continue to feel queasy from time to time well into the second trimester.

    Increased urination

    If you're pregnant, you'll probably notice you are taking more frequent trips to the ladies room. This recurring need to pee is one of the most common symptoms of early pregnancy. One reason for this is because your uterus is swelling to make room for your baby, putting more pressure on your bladder. Also during pregnancy, the amount of blood circulating through your body increases, causing extra fluids to be processed by your kidneys and bladder, which means more bathroom breaks. Unfortunately, this symptom often lasts all nine months.

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Featured Sites:

Cord Blood Registry
March of Dimes
Susan G. Komen

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