Pregnancy creates many changes in a woman’s body. Many women expect to feel different as soon as they conceive. Although several changes are occurring within your body after conception, you may not immediately be aware of these changes. Beginning shortly after conception, your changing hormones and your growing baby can cause a variety of symptoms, some that can make you speculate whether you are pregnant, while others might be harder to perceive. Although a single symptom may not get your attention, several together can make you start wondering about impending motherhood.
Implantation Spotting
Some women notice a slight cramping or small amount of vaginal bleeding when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This implantation bleeding can occur slightly before your expected menstrual period. If you notice mild cramping or spotting about 10 to 14 days after ovulation, you may be experiencing this symptom.
Missing a Period
A good indicator of early pregnancy–missing your period–may also be due to other factors, such as a recent illness or stress. This may not be an accurate indicator if you experience irregular periods, but it you usually know exactly when to expect your period, this may indicate you are pregnant.
Raised Temperature
You can track one of the earliest indications of pregnancy by monitoring your body temperature. If you have been trying to conceive and have been keeping track of your basal body temperature, you may notice an increase in your temperature shortly after ovulating. A temperature that remains at this raised level for more than two weeks may indicate early pregnancy.
Breast Changes
You may notice that your breasts seem fuller and heavier a few weeks after ovulation. The Mayo Clinic advises that these changes may affect you as early as two weeks after the time of conception. You might notice a slight tingling in your breasts that wasn’t there before.
Frequent Trips to the Bathroom
If you find yourself visiting the ladies’ room more often than before, you may be experiencing an early symptom of pregnancy. This uncomfortable feeling may occur as early as one or two weeks after missing your period and can increase as your pregnancy progresses.
Morning Sickness
Although not all women experience this symptom, California State University advises that feelings of nausea and vomiting affect about half of all pregnant women. This symptom, which normally occurs in the first trimester, may have you avoiding foods that you normally enjoy.
Photo Credit
- newborn baby image by Diane Stamatelatos from Fotolia.com
