What Are the Early Pregnancy Signs Before the Missed Period?
Many women find such "unexpected pregnancy" stories difficult to believe because the changes to our bodies are generally rather obvious! It's always beneficial to be aware of the early indicators of pregnancy, but what are the early and first symptoms to be aware of? How does our body inform us that this extraordinary transformation is taking place? To assist you, we've compiled a list of early indicators of pregnancy before a missing period to help you spot any changes in your body or mood.

Here's a complete list of pregnancy symptoms, starting with the less noticeable ones before a missing period and progressing to the more visible ones.

When Do Pregnancy Symptoms Begin?
It's crucial to remember that each woman is unique. While many women are so familiar with their bodies that they can tell they are pregnant within days, for others, the first sign of pregnancy is when they go into labor.

While some of the early pregnancy signs and symptoms listed below do not always indicate pregnancy, they are the most typically reported early signs. During the first month of pregnancy, some women will have very few symptoms while others will have all of them.

11 Signs and Symptoms of Very Early Pregnancy

1. Missed period
A missed menstrual cycle is generally the first indicator of pregnancy for a woman who has always been regular. Women, on the other hand, skip periods for a variety of reasons, including mental distress, illness, extreme weight loss, excessive exercise, fear about becoming pregnant, the approach of menopause, and occasionally coming off the pill.

So, just because you haven't had your period doesn't indicate you're pregnant.

2. Breast tenderness
If you're pregnant, your breasts may feel different right away - or not until the second trimester in some cases. Some women report that their nipples have become more sensitive, or that their breasts have become heavier, fuller, and pain or tingle. There is frequently an increase in superficial veins over the breasts, as well as the appearance of small nodules in the areola.

3. Headaches
Some ladies get headaches regularly. These are common early pregnancy symptoms that are considered to be caused by hormone fluctuations. They can be treated with the prescribed amount of paracetamol after the first trimester.

4. Vaginal discharge in early pregnancy
Early in pregnancy, an increase in white or clear vaginal discharge is normal. However, you should notify your midwife or doctor if the discharge changes color, smells, causes irritation, pain, or becomes bloody.

5. Frequent Urination
During the first three months of pregnancy, it is fairly usual to wee more frequently. Many women discover that they have to get up in the middle of the night — sometimes many times.

The pressure from the expanding uterus on the bladder causes this frequent desire to pass water. It normally fades away in the middle months before reappearing when the baby grows larger and begins pulling on your bladder - particularly when her head has engaged in the pelvis.

6. Early pregnancy constipation
The hormone progesterone relaxes the intestine's muscle, slowing its motility and producing constipation in variable degrees. This can last for the duration of the pregnancy. Although constipation is not a symptom of pregnancy in and of itself, it can be an additional clue for women who are normally highly regular.

7. Exhaustion / Fatigue
This is a distinct early symptom of pregnancy and can be extremely evident throughout the first three months. Women who are normally bursting with energy may find themselves needing to nap during the day.

Many women experience fatigue in the early months of pregnancy as their bodies adjust to quickly shifting hormone levels; however, fatigue fades in the middle months and then returns in the last trimester.

Exhaustion is caused by the strain that your increased weight places on your body; numerous trips to the bathroom during the night also indicate that your sleep is disrupted, and you are not receiving enough rest.

8. Nausea / Morning sickness
For some women, nausea or sickness is a frequent early pregnancy symptom that can occur at any time of day, not only in the morning. Some unlucky women experience nausea and vomiting throughout their pregnancy, which can range from being sick to just a feeling of nausea.

Food aversion is also prevalent during this time, in addition to sickness and nausea.

Although the actual aetiology is unknown, it is assumed to be linked to high levels of progesterone.

9. A change in tastes and cravings
For many women, changes in taste may be one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. Even before the first period is missed, some people experience an odd taste in their mouth. It differs from woman to woman, but it's usually characterised as metallic.

Many women stop eating particular foods and develop a strong dislike to the smell of cigarette smoke and the smell or taste of alcohol shortly after missing their first period, prompting the inquiry, "Am I pregnant?"

Many women also say they can't stand the smell of cooking fat or are revolted by a cuisine they used to adore. On the other hand, some women may develop a strong need for a specific meal very early on, which can also be a sign of pregnancy.

10. Changes in the skin
Skin changes are a typical early indicator of pregnancy. Skin can get drier, but it can also become prone to breakouts. These can last for several months in some cases. Many women remark that their skin has never looked or felt better while they are pregnant and that their hair and nails are also stronger. See our article on the advantages of being pregnant.

11. Bloating, cramps and backache
Many women confuse these early pregnancy symptoms with PMS (premenstrual syndrome), however, they can be caused by hormonal changes and uterine growth.

12. Early pregnancy mood swings
Mood swings are fairly frequent in early pregnancy, and they're usually caused by your shifting hormones. One of the first indicators that you're pregnant is a shift in your mood, which is especially prevalent in the first few weeks.

You can learn more about hormonal changes during pregnancy.