Pregnancy Symptoms

Pregnancy Symptoms 101
Pregnancy Symptoms by Trimester

(Editor's note: Think you might be pregnant? Take our free online pregnancy test, buy an early-detection pregnancy test, or come participate in our online community!)

Different women experience pregnancy in different ways. Pregnancy symptoms may vary in intensity and duration - and some women may not experience some common pregnancy symptoms at all.

Following implantation of the egg, however, the body undergoes many changes, and the levels of several hormones increase drastically. Pregnancy symptoms typically do not appear until 1-2 weeks after you miss your period - and fetal movement is not typically detected until 16 weeks post-conception. Earliest symptoms include:

  • Implantation bleeding 8-10 days after ovulation.
  • An elevated BBT temperatures for 18 days.
  • A missed menstrual period.
  • Even before your missed period, you can test for pregnancy with early detection pregnancy tests that allow you to determine a positive result as early as 7-10 days past ovulation.

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The First Trimester: Week 1 - Week 12

  • Lower abdominal cramps.
  • Food cravings.
  • Nausea or "Morning sickness" - 3-10 weeks after conception.
  • Tender, swollen breasts - 3-4 weeks after conception.
  • Your nipples and the area around the nipples get darker and wider.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Fatigue and tiredness - 3-10 weeks after conception.
  • You may have heartburn and constipation - along with headaches.
  • Mood swings.

Other Early Symptoms of Pregnancy in Detail

Cravings for Particular Foods
Desiring particular or unusual types of food is a well known pregnancy symptom. About 85 percent of women report at least one food craving during pregnancy.

Implantation Cramping and Spotting
Following ovulation by 8 days, women may experience cramping and slight spotting - caused by the recent implantation of the egg in the uterine lining.

Frequent Urination
Following implantation, frequent urination is a common symptom.

Fatigue, Headaches, and Heartburn - and Morning Sickness
For many women, early symptoms of pregnancy can be a bit perturbing. Fatigue is common, as are headaches and heartburn. And then there is morning sickness - the second most well know pregnancy symptoms after "food cravings". Increases in progesterone can also cause feelings of tiredness.

Basal Body Temperature
If you are charting your Basal Body Temperature, and your BBT remains high - and continues to remain high for 15 days or more without a period - this is a clear symptom of pregnancy.

hCG Testing
Home Pregnancy Tests are available online and at your drugstore. A positive result will confirm your suspicions! Some FDA approved tests (available online) allow you to determine pregnancy as early as 7-10 days past ovulation.

The Second Trimester: Week 13 - Week 26

Here is what you can expect to experience during your second trimester.

  • Weight gain - and, after 16 weeks, fetal movement!
  • Dryness of the skin on the stomach. Feelings of tightness.
  • Breasts become larger.
  • Continued heartburn and constipation.
  • Edema - or the swelling of your ankles, hands, feet, and face.
  • A dark line may appear between your belly and pubic regions.

    See Also > Ovulation-Calculator's Top Ten Signs of Pregnancy

Related Topics

Pregnancy Tests
Pregnancy Test FAQ

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Comments

Please does anyone know if having a cyst in your ovary can prevent u from getting pregnant? Please im really worried!

In response to: i had an abortion 2 months ago, each month i get period but its brownish (like old blood) i dont even know if its a real period, because its light and only last for 4 to 5 days....is it possible that i can still get pergnant... does any1 have a similiar story.... i wonder if my period will ever get back to normal..................
I had an abortion nearly 17 years ago... no sooner was I able to have sex again (after the 6 weeks), I became pregnant again.. instantly... So yes... you can and will get pregnant... I feel your pain.

i had my period on aug 9-14.but i had sex with my bf on the 12th -22nd "unprotected"..just this week of sept..i feel dizzy ,had headache , pale and been craving for food,got the pregnancy test and got a negative result...do u think is it too early to trace if am i preg or not?help..... i am so worried

I have all the symptoms of being pregnant. (I'm over 30 and have had 3 pregnancies, so I do know what it feels like) but I've had period type bleeding for the last two months with an extra one thrown in. all lasting 5-7 days and the first 1 in july was alot heavier but the 2nd in july was normal and my august period was normal. so yeah 3 periods in 2 months. i have a fluttering in the lower part of my stomach. I feel a tightening and some discomfort in my stomach. I cant seem to eat as much, but I'm gaining weight, i feel sick, i have headaches and i get dizzy.my legs hurt my back hurts and I pee ALOT.. my face is broke out and i have a discharge.. the thing is I had my tubes tied 11 years ago. I'm worried and I'm scared.. There are so many was this could go wrong..

Hi Ladies,

It is finally so nice to read comments from women in the same boat as me!

My last period started on 17 July and lasted the normal time.
As of today (according to my average cycle) I am 8 days late.

I am having all the sypmtoms of what I think pregnancy is:- Massive Boobs, tired, moody, thickening around my mid section (eg muffin top central), intergestion, cramps (like my period) and a few days ago I had some very very light brown discharge - only when I wiped (Sorry TMI)

I have taken about 5 HPT and all came out negative! Every day it feels like my period is coming and doesnt. My hubby and I have decided to wait until Friday and if no period, go to the Dr ...

I have been ttc for 2 years. I lost a baby at 4.5 months pregnant but I cant really remember my symptoms of the pregnancy in general. It is all very frustrating!

Good luck to us all and please keep each other updated!

the first day of my last period was Aug. 10, 2010. I had unprotected sex Aug. 16, 2010 and he came in me.. I have trouble getting pregnant..do i have a chance of being pregnant if we had sex the day after my period stopped? Please help me.

I haven't seen my period since July 12th, 2010. I am 2 weeks and 5 days past due for one. I have been having the symptoms of pregnancy and I think I am; so does my husband! I have taken at home pregnancy test and I went to my doctor's office. The test taken there came out negative, but my doctor scheduled me for a blood pregnancy test. I just hate the anticipation-not knowing!!! We are trying for another baby, we have a 2 year old son, so a little girl would complete our family. Wish us luck!

I have also been very moody/emotional and have been having trouble getting full. I have been naseas and craving milk and cheese. I'm also very broke out and tired. I'm just confused because I had NOT been stressed or excersizing to a pointthat could stop my period.

Okay, so last month(July 23rd, 2010) I had my period. My periods usually last 7-8 days and are NOT ever light until the very last day of my period. But the period on July 23rd, 2010 was only 4 and a half days long and was very light, my only 'heavy' day was the second day into it, I was only about three or four days late for it and when it came it was a brown color at first, but I figured because I have cystic ovaries. I am currently trying to get pregnant, but I'm wondering if I could still be pregnant. I got my period this month as well but it is also very light, I am only on the second day of it but I'm very confused, anyone help!

ok i cant remember the exact week i had my period last month so im a little worried seeing as this month is practicly over. im a lil freaked out but i dont feel like im pregnant, well except the peeing alot and kinda moody, and im breaking out bad on my back and forhead. and a lil bit of baack pain.
but it also didnt know i was pregnant with my first son til i was about 8 weeks and vomiting. =/
im even more scared cuz we cant afford another baby right now, but im not a murderer...
my husband and i decided that we would wait til this sunday to see if i get my period, and if not then we are gonna get a ept. im dreading it. i really want another baby with him but we just arent financially stable. ive seen how abortions break up marriages. =/
any help?

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Note that you are most likely to get pregnant if you time your lovemaking to occur on the days right before - and on - your ovulation date. Keep in mind that the projected ovulation date above is simply a “best guess” estimate based on your cycle date information. The most accurate way to pinpoint your most fertile time is through the use of urine-based ovulation tests or with a fertility monitor. We have partnered with Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com, the Internet’s leading supplier of preconception products since 2001, to offer low-cost, FDA-approved pregnancy and ovulation tests – with free same-day shipping.

 

Now that you’ve calculated your ovulation date using our ovulation calculator, we have a number of other helpful tools you can use to help increase your chances of conceiving.

 

  • Create your own personalized ovulation calendar! You can even provide an email address so that you receive email alerts of your most fertile days, when you can begin testing for pregnancy, and more.
     

  • Create your own personalized fertility chart! This is a highly accurate way to pinpoint your ovulation date that relies primarily on basal temperature charting. (Visit Early-Pregnancy-Tests.com for an accurate, inexpensive basal thermometer.)
     

  • Connect with others at our online community! If you have questions about trying-to-conceive – or if you just want to vent a bit – we have a wonderful, vibrant community of people who’d just love to hear from you.

Find your most fertile time.