How to Recognise the Signs of Pregnancy

Perhaps you may have been watching for pregnancy signs for about six months. And now something may actually be happening, but you are not quite sure. On the other hand, you might not have been planning to have a baby at all at this time in your life, but something feels different. You think you might be expecting, but as you have never had a baby before you feel somewhat insecure. Before doing a pregnancy test, you would like to have some kind of sign to know what you are talking about.

So how do you know that you have conceived? What are the first pregnancy signs? Find the answers below:

Recognise pregnancy symptoms by watching this video:

The Most Obvious Sign of Pregnancy

For most people, the most obvious indication is missing a period. Although not many women have a completely regular menstrual cycle, most people have a general idea of when they will have their next period. When it seems as if your period will never come, then it is time to take a pregnancy test.

However, there are also some other symptoms that are a common indicator. When reading the list below, please bear in mind that not every expectant mother will experience every single symptom. Yet if you have some of these and you are not using any contraception, then it is quite likely that you are experiencing early signs of pregnancy.

The Most Common Pregnancy Symptoms

  • Very often, during the first pregnancy trimester, you will experience feelings of nausea. These are called “morning sickness” because they usually occur when you are hungry, and are often assuaged by a light snack. Yet they can strike at any time. You won’t necessarily throw up, but you will feel sick. You might also find that certain food smells bring on nausea. Don’t worry, though. Nausea is often a sign of a healthy pregnancy, because it indicates that the hormones are kicking in. It often goes away by the middle trimester.
  • Spotting – This may occur as the result of a partially suppressed period because your body has not yet gotten used to the idea that you are expecting. On the other hand, as spotting can also be the sign of a possible miscarriage, you should report any sighting of blood to your doctor.
  • Tender breasts – For some women, this is one of the earliest signs.
  • More frequent urination – Between 6-8 weeks after conception, you might find yourself starting to need the bathroom a lot more than you used to.
  • Constipation – This can also be an early pregnancy symptom and is caused by hormonal changes. Make sure that you drink enough and ask your doctor for specific exercises. Iron tablets can make this worse, so it would be a good idea to eat an iron-rich diet to avoid the need to take them!
  • Exhaustion – Do you suddenly feel a lot more tired, even though you are not doing any more than you usually do? While this cannot be taken as a pregnancy symptom on its own, it is often among the first signs of pregnancy.

Pregnancy Week by Week

The signs mentioned above are the most common early pregnancy symptoms. If you have never been pregnant before, they can be quite bewildering. For this reason, it may be a good idea to keep a pregnancy calendar handy for your own reference and reassurance.

Sign up here for our week by week pregnancy guide for helpful information through the stages of your pregnancy, what to expect and how to prepare for your new baby.

You can also try our Am I Pregnant quiz to help you recognise pregnancy symptoms.