In the early stages of pregnancy, symptoms can be quite subtle. As such, it can be a bit difficult to determine whether or not you are pregnant without taking a test. However, there are a few notable signs that are common for most women. Keep in mind that not all women experience the same symptoms. Those who do experience similar symptoms do not have them to the same degree. Most of the common symptoms are physical, although there are some emotional signs of pregnancy as well.


Missed Period or Implantation Bleeding

One of the earliest and most notable signs of pregnancy is a missed period. A late menstrual period is that point at which most women begin to first suspect that they might be pregnant. Some might still experience light bleeding or spotting. Sometimes unsuspected spotting will occur six days or so after conception. A small amount of bleeding is caused when the fertilized egg first attaches itself to the uterine wall. A woman who ordinarily experiences irregular periods anyway might not notice such signs, and will therefore have to look for other pregnancy symptoms.


Weight Gain and Abdominal Bloating

Typically, weight gain isn’t very noticeable during the first trimester. In the early stages, a pregnant woman gains an average of one pound a month. Still, there are more noticeable signs, such as abdominal bloating and cramping. If you’re experiencing cramps similar to those which occur during your period, even though you’re not bleeding, this could be a sign that you’re pregnant. Slight swelling may occur, so keep a close eye on your stomach.


Breast Swelling and Tenderness

It’s common for breasts to swell or become tender during pregnancy. These signs happen early on, usually within two weeks after conception. These symptoms occur due to changes in the body. The breasts grow and develop as the estrogen and progesterone levels increase. Since the body is preparing to feed the baby, the increase in hormones causes blood to rush to the breasts, which makes them tender. The fluids and nutrients being carried through the veins will make the veins more noticeable, so if you’re pregnant, you will more than likely notice them appearing underneath the skin’s surface on your breasts.


Emotional Changes

Some pregnancy symptoms are emotional. Pregnant women experience hormonal changes, which cause them to have mood swings. This, unfortunately, cannot be controlled. Some women go through more emotional ups and downs than others. In extreme cases, a woman can feel panicky and anxious over seemingly insignificant situations. The emotional changes can be more noticeable in later stages of pregnancy, especially for first time mothers. It’s not uncommon to feel concerned about your labor or anxiety about your baby. You may even have nightmares over subconscious fears over the baby.

In summary, these are some of the most common physical and emotional pregnancy symptoms. All of the aforementioned signs generally begin to occur during the early stages. Whether or not they become more intense during the second or third trimesters varies from woman to woman.