Pregnancy symptoms

Let’s begin this article by saying there is only one way to tell for certain that you are pregnant – and that is with a pregnancy test, taken either yourself at home, or by your doctor. All other symptoms listed on this page can be signs of pregnancy, but they are not conclusive proof. So for this reason, if you really do suspect you may be pregnant, it is advisable that you arrange a pregnancy test to find out for certain.

Nevertheless, it is often the symptoms below which raise the initial daunting/exciting question of “am I pregnant?” So in this spirit, let’s go through some of the first early pregnancy signs which you may experience.

Sickness

The onset of nausea/sickness is a common early sign of pregnancy. Many know this as “morning sickness”; however it’s quite likely to affect you at any time of the day. It generally isn’t something to worry about – in fact studies have shown that mothers who suffer from morning sickness enjoy healthier pregnancies. Should you experience regular nausea and vomiting, it is advisable to visit your GP.

Constipation

From very early in your pregnancy, you may suffer from slow bowel movements, or constipation. This is down to the hormonal changes underway in your body, combined with pressure being exerted by your uterus, and is quite common. As a pregnancy sign, it is not particularly strong, as it may be attributed to a wide range of other causes.

Cravings

Are you yearning for a new food that isn’t normally on your shopping list, or have you lost interest in old favourite foods? These are two well-known pregnancy symptoms, and they are purely anecdotal – nobody really knows why they happen! However, their occurrence is so well documented that cravings are now thought of as a bone-fide sign of pregnancy. “These cravings are not usually anything to worry about as long as they are not excessive, and you manage to eat a varied and nutritious diet overall,” said Dr Joanne Lunn, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation.

Changes to breasts

Should the colour of the skin surrounding your nipples become darker in colour, then you may have fallen pregnant. Other changes to your breasts to look for include tenderness and swelling, akin to that experienced before your period.

Fatigue

Changing hormone levels during early pregnancy can leave you feeling out for the count – which accounts for fatigue appearing on our list of top pregnancy signs. However, tiredness may have all manner of explanations, and for this reason it should really be used to verify other stronger symptoms.

Frequent urination

Feeling the need to pop to the bathroom more frequently than usual is a key symptom of early pregnancy, but one that also makes an appearance later on during the third trimester. Initially the need to pee is amplified by hormonal changes in your body, but the presence of your growing baby will exert pressure and bring on more frequent pit stops as your pregnancy reaches its grand finalé.

Missing a period

A missed period is the closest thing to a pregnancy test, especially if you’re usually pretty regular – in which case, it’s worth bypassing the above symptoms and opting for a home testing kit to confirm. For some, pregnancy may also be characterized by a much lighter than normal period with very little blood, suggesting that conception may have taken place. Either way, as pregnancy symptoms go, a missed period is as strong a signal as you’ll find.