How to Identify Very Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

By H.S. Matlock

Expecting a baby is a very exciting time in a woman's life. If you have been trying to get pregnant, you are probably very in tune to your body. You may even be able to identify the very early symptoms of pregnancy. Here are some steps to take so that you know what to look for

Step 1
Take notice of your period. When they calculate your due date, they will ask you for the first day of your last menstrual cycle. Knowing the date will also help you determine when you ovulated and therefore conceived. You can also use an ovulation calculator to help you know based on how many days your cycle typically is. See resources below for a link.

Step 2
Once you have a good idea of a possible conception date, try to relax so that you wont confuse some of the very early symptoms of pregnancy for stress.

Step 3
One of the first things you might notice is some breast tenderness. This can occur a few days after you conceive. You might notice that your breasts are a little fuller and sore to the touch.

Step 4
The next sign that many women report is feeling tired and run down. You might fall asleep in the middle of the day, or start day dreaming about when you can go to bed. Don't be over concerned if you are feeling this way. Your body is working hard to build your baby. It is perfectly normal, and many women do get their energy back by the second trimester.

Step 5
You may find yourself going to the bathroom more often. While the baby is not pressing on your bladder yet, you are starting to have an increase in your blood volume. More blood means more fluid in your system which means more trips to the bathroom.

Step 6
Nausea along with food cravings and aversions can be one of the very early signs of pregnancy that you can experience. Only about 50% of women experience "morning sickness," so don't worry if you are one of the lucky women who don't.

Step 7
You may experience some implantation bleeding. This happens because your baby is implanting itself in the lining of your uterus. It is usually very light compared to a normal period and may look like a brown or pink discharge. It might happen close to the time that you are expecting to get your period, but usually a few days sooner.

Step 8
The only proof positive early sign of pregnancy is a positive pregnancy test. There are many home pregnancy tests that are able to detect a very small amount of the pregnancy hormone HCG in urine. Many of these tests can be taken before your period is expected to arrive. A negative home test does not mean that you are not pregnant though. Your hormone levels might not be high enough to be detected. If you really feel as though you are experiencing early pregnancy symptoms, you can go to your doctor for a blood test. Your body starts producing HCG at conception and it is more easily recognized in a blood test than a urine test.