First Signs of Pregnancy

You’re tired. Your breasts are sore. And your go-to lunchtime burrito bowl? The thought of it alone is enough to turn your stomach.

Could it be? Could you be . . . pregnant?

You’ll likely want to confirm your pregnancy with a pregnancy test or ultrasound. How do you know if it’s time to swing by the drugstore or call the doctor? Changes in your menstrual cycle—late, missed, or extremely light or watery period blood—are the most common early signs of pregnancy.

But you don’t have to wait. There are several symptoms of early pregnancy that can pop up even before you miss your period, cluing you into exciting changes that might be underway. To understand what you can expect in those first moments of expecting, take a look at this short guide. We’ll explore the first signs of pregnancy and what they mean.

What are the main early signs of pregnancy?

Every pregnancy is different—but for many, symptoms start showing up earlier. So what are the first signs of pregnancy? From fatigue to frequent urination, these early symptoms are your body’s way of signaling that something big is beginning to grow.

Fatigue

You scored a solid 9 hours of sleep last night, and yet somehow, it wasn’t enough. Your eyelids feel heavy, and that sunny spot on the sofa beckons.

Just five minutes. Okay, maybe ten.

The last time you felt this tired, tired in your bones, you were coming down with mono in your freshman dorm room. But it’s been a long time since late-night ragers and repeated all-nighters. So this? Probably not that.

Fatigue can be a common sign of pregnancy in the first trimester, and it can even strike just one week after conception.

It’s extremely common and relates to many of the changes going on behind the scenes in your body, including:

• Shifting hormone levels – When you become pregnant, your body goes through a slew of hormonal changes. One of the main changes is boosting the production of the hormone progesterone to help your body prepare for your baby. Progesterone supports the growth of your milk glands and produces a neurotransmitter in your brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (aka GABA), which eases anxiety, stimulates calmness, and induces sleep.
• Increased blood supply – To support your little one’s growth throughout your pregnancy, your body will ramp up its blood supply, increasing it by 30 to 50 percent. This extra blood carries oxygen and nutrients to your baby, and its production and pumping can drain your energy levels.
• Growing a placenta – During your first trimester, your body is tasked with building a placenta so your baby can thrive in your womb. It’s hard work to build this entirely new organ, and it requires tons of energy, as the placenta eventually grows to a surprising 1.5 pounds. The translation here? You’re likely going to feel tuckered out.

Pregnancy fatigue is common and normal, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t annoying—especially when there’s so much you want to get done before your little one arrives!

Feeling extra tired might be difficult to avoid during the first stretch of pregnancy, but you can try to find some relief by:

• Shooting for an earlier-than-usual bedtime
• Leaning on your partner, friends, or family for support
• Replacing FOMO with FOMS, the fear of missing sleep
• Eating healthy, energy-sustaining meals with proteins and complex carbohydrates
• Boosting endorphins with light to moderate exercises or pregnancy workout programs

Changes in Your Breasts

If you have tender, achy or sore breasts and barely fit into your bra, you might be experiencing one of—or rather two of—the very first signs of pregnancy.

Breast changes happen early on due to the changing hormone levels in estrogen and progesterone that flood your body during pregnancy. In fact, these changes can sometimes occur even before you can count on accurate results from pregnancy tests, which work by detecting a build-up of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a chemical that’s released when the embryo implants in the uterine lining (usually no sooner than 10 days after conception).

Estrogen and progesterone are the first to surge, before hCG. This mighty tag-team readies your breasts for lactation by stimulating the growth of breast ducts and milk-producing glands and giving you some major(ly painful) cleavage.

While these hormones get to work, you might feel certain growing pains, including:

• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Feelings of heaviness
• Tingling

Most of your breast tenderness and pain will dissipate after your body adjusts to the new (hormonal) normal, but until then, you can seek relief with a supportive, comfortable bra, hot showers, and cold compresses.

Spotting and Cramping

The first few weeks of pregnancy can be confusing, especially if you’re experiencing symptoms that mimic what you typically deal with on your period, including spotting and cramping. About 10 to 14 days after conception, you might experience uterine cramps and light vaginal bleeding as the embryo, or fertilized egg, implants into the lining of your uterus.

Implantation might feel a little bit like period pain, and it generally occurs around the time you usually menstruate—both of which can pile on the uncertainty about if you’re pregnant.

If you’re wondering how to recognize implantation bleeding, You might be able to differentiate implantation cramps and bleeding from a menstrual period by looking for:

• Vaginal DischargeColor – Implantation bleeding may be light pink or brown.
• Volume – Implantation bleeding is much lighter than menstruation, from a single drop of blood to a light discharge. It probably won’t resemble your usual flow, contain clots, or require a tampon.
• Pain level – Implantation cramps are generally lighter and less intense than menstruation and should pass within a few hours or days. Implantation can be felt in the abdomen, pelvis, and lower back.
• Duration – How long does implantation cramping last compared to your period? In most cases, implantation pain and bleeding generally last 1 to 3 days, while periods typically span 4 to 7 days.

Increased or Frequent Urination

It’s a common misconception that the increased urination you experience in pregnancy only occurs in the second or third trimester when your baby grows big and strong enough to stomp on your bladder.

This definitely might be in the cards (especially if bold, audacious dance moves have been inherited), but there might also be frequent trips to the bathroom when you’re newly pregnant. It has less to do with your excitable child-to-be and more to do with the increased blood flow that happens when you’re pregnant.

When your body creates blood, it sends it to your kidneys for a little detailing. Your kidneys get to work adjusting the salt, water, and minerals levels in your blood and filtering out waste, which becomes urine and collects in the bladder.

Increased blood volume during pregnancy means more filtering for your kidneys. More filtering for your kidneys means more urine in your bladder (regardless of how much liquid you’re drinking). And more urine in your bladder means more visits to the ladies’ room.

Morning Sickness and Stomach Upset

You’ve probably heard of morning sickness. You might even know that it can strike at any time—morning, noon, or night. What causes this pregnancy-related stomach upset? Is there any way to find relief from this early pregnancy symptom?

While the exact source of morning sickness isn’t known, it likely has something to do with the hormonal changes occurring in your body. These hardworking and slightly pesky hormones are also linked to:

• Food aversions
• Food cravings
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Bloating

If you’re one of the many pregnant people who experience morning sickness during the first trimester, rest assured that it gets better (as morning sickness is generally at its worst in the first trimester). Morning sickness tends to strike within the first 9 weeks of pregnancy and go away by week 14.

That said, some women suffer morning sickness more intensely than others. This more intense version is called Hyperemesis Gravidarum. And some women experience nausea, food aversions, and vomiting through their second and third trimesters.

If you’re struggling with a troubled tummy, you might find relief by:

• Staying hydrated
• Eating small meals throughout the day
• Keeping snacks, like crackers, handy
• Following the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast)
• Drinking ginger tea or chewing ginger candy

Missed Period

Another one of the first signs you’re pregnant? A missed menstrual period.

When your period goes from late to never, you might experience anxiety, hope, excitement—or all three.

But not all missed periods mean that you’re pregnant. Delays in your menstrual cycle can happen for various reasons, including:

• Weight gain
• Weight loss
• Stress
• Hormonal issues

If you’ve recently stopped taking birth control pills, that might be the culprit for your missed period, as it can take a few months for your cycle to get back on track. Whatever the reason, it’s better to be safe than sorry, make sure to see a doctor or take a home pregnancy test so you know for sure.

Mood Swings

Thanks to a sudden surge in hormones—especially estrogen and progesterone—mood swings can show up as one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. These hormonal fluctuations can heighten emotional sensitivity and make you feel irritable, anxious, or weepy for no apparent reason. It’s completely normal to feel like you’re riding an emotional rollercoaster during the first trimester. Keep in mind: your body is working overtime, and your brain chemistry is shifting. To find balance, try gentle exercise, rest, and seeking support from loved ones.

Headaches, Dizziness, and Shortness of Breath

Many people experience lightheadedness or even shortness of breath in early pregnancy. That’s because your body is expanding its blood volume to support the developing fetus, which can temporarily lower your blood pressure. Hormonal changes, fatigue, and low blood sugar levels may also contribute to headaches or dizziness. As your body adjusts, these sensations usually subside. To reduce symptoms, stay hydrated, eat regularly, and avoid standing up too quickly. If headaches become severe or dizziness persists, be sure to consult your healthcare provider for personalized care.

Vaginal Discharge Changes

In early pregnancy, it’s common to notice an increase in vaginal discharge. This discharge—called leukorrhea—is typically thin, white or milky, and mild-smelling. It occurs due to rising estrogen levels and increased blood flow to your pelvic area. Leukorrhea helps maintain a healthy vaginal environment and protect against infection. While this discharge is normal, watch for signs of concern, like a foul odor, green and yellow coloring, or itching, which could indicate an infection. Otherwise, increased discharge is just another natural response to the hormonal changes of early pregnancy.

Acne

If your skin suddenly starts acting like it’s back in high school, hormones are likely to blame. Pregnancy-related hormonal shifts can stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more oil, which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. This type of pregnancy acne is most common in the first trimester and often resolves as hormone levels stabilize. To manage pregnancy acne, keep your skincare routine gentle, avoid harsh chemicals like retinoids, and wash your face regularly with a mild cleanser.

The SneakPeek® Test: Tests You Can Count On

The first weeks of pregnancy can be thrilling, mysterious, and, yes, a little bit uncomfortable. But with every new day, your little one is becoming—and you’re becoming, too. Your body is transforming and working around the clock to help your baby thrive. If you’re interested in learning more about your pregnancy check out our blogs on pregnancy symptoms week by week and signs your pregnancy is going well in the first trimester.

At SneakPeek, we know this journey is unlike any other, and it can come with some uncertainties. That’s why we want to provide some clarity.

The SneakPeek Early Gender Test is the #1 OBGYN-recommended at-home gender test. It’s easy-to-use and clinically proven to be over 99% accurate at detecting gender as early as 6 weeks into your pregnancy. That’s weeks before genitalia becomes recognizable in a gender reveal ultrasound! So you can start celebrating with your loved ones, poring over baby name blogs, and picking out clothes even sooner. Just leave painting the nursery to the ones without morning sickness.

Ready to take a peek into your future? Join the over 1 million happy parents who already have by choosing the SneakPeek® test.

Editorial Policy

At SneakPeek, our commitment is to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information to empower our readers. Our content is thoroughly researched, reviewed by medical experts, and fact-checked to ensure its credibility. We prioritize the well-being and education of our readers, and our editorial policy adheres to the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in all our articles.

This post has been reviewed for accuracy by:

Haley Milot

Haley Milot, a highly skilled laboratory professional, currently serves as the Associate Director of Lab Operations at Gateway Genomics, the parent company of SneakPeek. Her extensive experience in laboratory management, spanning over seven years with Gateway Genomics, showcases her expertise in quality assurance, quality control, and the development of laboratory procedures. Haley's background includes pivotal roles in DNA extraction and purification, real-time qPCR, and specimen accessioning, underscoring her comprehensive understanding of laboratory operations and diagnostics. Her adeptness in managing complex laboratory functions and her deep knowledge of medical diagnostics make her a vital contributor to SneakPeek's innovative approach to prenatal testing.

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