Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

Cannot wait for the pregnancy test results? Even before you miss that first menstrual period, you may suspect that you are expecting if you experience one or more of these signs and symptoms of pregnancy. These early clues may begin in the first few weeks after conception.

Nausea/Food aversions or cravings

One of the telltale signs of early pregnancy is "Morning sickness", which can occur at any time of the day, caused by the rapidly rising levels of estrogen produced by the placenta and the fetus. Most women feel some sickness around four to eight weeks of pregnancy, but the queasiness can begin as early as two weeks after conception.

Even the smell of some foods may cause a wave of nausea in early pregnancy. One study suggests that pregnant women experience a unique aversion to coffee, meat, dairy products and spicy foods in the early weeks of pregnancy.

Food cravings are common, too. Like most other symptoms of pregnancy, these food preferences can be chalked up to hormonal changes. Pregnant women typically find that their food tastes change somewhat, especially in the first trimester, when hormones have the strongest impact.