Symptoms and Signs of Pregnancy

From the moment a fertilized egg implants, changes occur within the mother's body. Some changes are difficult for the mother to perceive until later in her pregnancy. Other changes, however, are noticeable within the first few weeks after conception. Other medical conditions can cause any one of these symptoms; however, if a woman experiences more than one of these symptoms at the same time, chances are good that she is pregnant.

Missed Period

If a woman's menstrual cycles are regular--and she keeps track of them--for her, the most obvious sign of pregnancy is a missed period. For many women, this is one of the first signs of pregnancy, according to the Baby Center website. For some women, they might experience light spotting, which is not a true period, but implantation bleeding. Caused by the fertilized egg implanting in the lining of the uterus, this can occur 10 to 14 days after conception.

Breast Changes

Pregnancy hormones cause changes in the mother's breasts. They might swell or feel full and heavy; they might be sensitive to touch. The nipple might tingle and the areola--the area surrounding the nipple--might darken in color, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Basal Body Temperature

The basal body temperature is the body's resting temperature--taken orally--upon waking in the morning. This temperature drops slightly and then peaks before ovulation. The temperature drops before the next menstrual cycle begins. If conception has occurred, the basal body temperature will remain elevated. For women who have been charting their basal body temperature to determine ovulation, an elevated temperature for 18 consecutive days after ovulation can be an early sign of pregnancy.

Nausea

Morning sickness has long been considered a definitive sign of pregnancy. For some women, the nausea hits early in pregnancy, while other women never experience it at all. Some women experience a relief from morning sickness after the first trimester, while other women suffer from it throughout their pregnancy.

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