Very early signs of pregnancy

What are the very early signs of pregnancy before missed period?

The body undergoes huge changes during pregnancy, but some of the early signs of pregnancy can be subtle.  What are the early and first symptoms to look out for? How does our body tell us that this miraculous change is underway? To help you we've listed below the early signs of pregnancy before a missed period, to help you identify any changes to your body or how you're feeling.

From the earliest pregnancy symptoms before a missed period, which are less noticeable to the really obvious signs, here is a full list...

12 very early pregnancy signs and symptoms...

1. Missed period 

For most women , a missed menstrual period is often the first sign of pregnancy. This is even more noticeable if your periods are regular. However, women can also miss periods for other reasons such as emotional upset, illness, severe weight loss, over-exercising, anxiety about getting pregnant, onset of menopause and sometimes coming off the pill.

So a missed period alone is by no means an answer to the question:  Am I pregnant?

2. Vaginal discharge in early pregnancy

An increase in white or clear vaginal discharge is normal in early pregnancy. But if the discharge becomes coloured, smelly, or causes itching, soreness or becomes bloody, you should tell your midwife or GP.

3. Breast tenderness

Your breasts may feel different immediately if you are pregnant - or in some instances not until the second trimester. Some women notice that their nipples are more sensitive or that the breasts feel heavier, fuller and ache a little or tingle. There is usually also an increase in superficial veins over the breasts and tiny nodules may appear in the areola. Some women find that their bust size increases dramatically in early pregnancy, and they need to get remeasured for bras.

4. Frequent Urination

It is very common to wee more often during the first three months of pregnancy. Many women find they have to get up during the night – sometimes more than once.

This frequent need to pass water is due to pressure from the enlarging uterus on the bladder. It usually wears off slightly in the middle months and returns again when the baby is bigger and starts pressing on your bladder – especially when her head has engaged in the pelvis.

5. Feeling tired / Fatigue

This can be very noticeable during the first three months and a clear early symptom of pregnancy. Women who usually have boundless energy can find themselves simply having to catnap during the day.

Tiredness in the early months of pregnancy can be caused by your body having to adapt to rapidly changing hormone levels, many women find that fatigue eases off in the middle months and then returns in the last trimester.

Feelings of exhaustion are caused by the strain your increased weight puts on your body, frequent trips to the toilet during the night also mean that your sleep is disturbed so you are not getting as much rest as you need.

6. Constipation in early pregnancy 

The action of the hormone progesterone relaxes the muscle of the intestine reducing its movement and causing varying degrees of constipation. This can last throughout the whole pregnancy. Although constipation by itself is not a sign of pregnancy, for women who are usually very regular it can be an addition clue.

7. Morning sickness / Nausea

Sickness or nausea is a common early pregnancy signs for some women and it can occur any time of the day not just the morning. Some very unlucky women feel sick all through their pregnancy and this can vary from being sick to just a feeling of nausea.

In addition to sickness and nausea, food aversion is also common during this time.

The exact cause is not known but is thought to be associated with the high levels of the hormone progesterone.

8. Headaches

Some women suffer from occasional headaches. These are quite normal early and first pregnancy symptoms and are thought to be caused by fluctuating hormones. Make sure you are hydrated as this can help with the headaches. If necessary, then you can take paracetamol.

9. A change in tastes and cravings

Alterations in tastes may be among the earliest pregnancy signs for many women. Some have a strange taste in their mouth even before the first period is missed. It varies from woman to woman but is most commonly described as metallic.

Shortly after missing the first period many women also start to go off certain foods and develop a strong aversion to the smell of cigarette smoke and the smell or taste of alcohol which can trigger the question: Am I pregnant?

Many women also report an intense dislike of the smell of cooking fat or are repulsed by a food they previously enjoyed. Conversely some women may develop a strong craving for a certain food very early on and this too can be a clue to pregnancy.

10. Bloating, cramps and backache

Many women mistake these common early signs of pregnancy for PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) but they can be caused by hormonal changes and the growth of the uterus.

11. Skin changes

Changes in the skin is common early sign of pregnancy. Skin can become drier, but also can be prone to an outbreak of spots. These sometimes persist for several months. Happily many women report that their skin has never been so good as when they are pregnant, and that hair and nails are stronger too. See our feature on the perks of pregnancy.

12. Mood swings in early pregnancy 

Mood swings in early pregnancy are very common and more often this is down to your changing hormones. Emotional changes in your mood is one of the very first signs that you are pregnant and especially common for the first few weeks.