The symptoms of early pregnancy will vary from woman to woman. Some will not feel any of the symptoms listed below, while others can experience all of them. Many women will experience symptoms within days of conception. Others can take weeks before any symptoms surface. Experiencing one or several of the symptoms listed below does not necessarily mean a woman is pregnant. The early pregnancy symptoms listed below will generally surface after implantation (the fertilized egg burrowing into the endometrial lining, which occurs approximately 8 to 10 days after ovulation). There are three stages of pregnancy, called trimesters. Initial conception to the fourteenth week of pregnancy makes up the first trimester. The symptoms listed below usually drop in severity after the first trimester.

Breasts: Pregnancy causes the breasts (and nipples) to feel very tender. It is possible for them to become swollen and even increase in size. In many cases, the veins of the breast will become much more visible. Nipples have also been known to darken in color. These symptoms are caused by an increased amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (or HCG). HCG is a hormone produced during pregnancy.

Nausea/Vomiting: Nausea/vomiting can occur during the second week of pregnancy. A number of women experience this symptom in the morning (the well known "morning sickness"). But, it is possible to experience this symptom throughout the day, not just in the morning. It is not known what directly causes nausea/vomiting. One theory puts the blame on the hormone progesterone, which is the most dominant hormone found during pregnancy. Progesterone is known to effect smooth muscle tissue, which also includes the stomach. Another theory puts the blame on elevated levels of steroid hormones and HCG.

Dizziness: An inactive pregnant woman runs the risk of feeling dizzy or even fainting. The developing uterus has been known to compress the major arteries in a woman's legs. This results in a drop in blood pressure that can cause a woman to become very light headed (or in extreme cases, collapse).

Lethargy: Because the body goes through some serious hormonal changes during pregnancy, it is quite possible to feel run down. The body temperature increases during pregnancy due to higher amounts of progesterone, which can also have an impact on a woman's energy levels.

Body Temperature: Body temperature is increased during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Higher levels of progesterone can cause an increase in body temperature. The changing metabolic rates, cardiac rates, and blood flow found during pregnancy have also been attributed to an increase in body temperature.

Frequent Urination: The uterus will swell and enlarge to make room for the growing fetus during pregnancy. The expanding uterus puts pressure on the bladder, which brings about feelings for the need to urinate frequently. This symptom is most commonly experienced within 1 or 2 weeks after the conception has occurred.

Increase of Saliva: Women have been known to experience an increase of saliva. It is not known what causes this, but this symptom usually disappears at the end of the first trimester.

Eating Patterns: An increase in appetite can be caused by pregnancy. The metabolic rates of the body are changing. This, coupled together with the need for the woman's body to support another, causes an increase in eating. The body will also begin to crave healthy, nutrient-rich foods. These eating patterns can last well into the pregnancy.

Taste/Smell: Being turned away by certain junk/fattening foods is another sign of pregnancy. The body wants to gather as many nutrients as possible in anticipation of the developing baby. This can lead to an avoidance of a woman's favorite unhealthy snacks. On a side note, some women have reported an increase of smell during their pregnancy. Others have reported a strange, metallic present in their mouths. To date, there is no explanation for these phenomena.

Heartburn: As the uterus swells and grows, it pushes upwards. This can cause some discomfort. Increasing levels of HCG can slow down digestion. When the stomach does not empty as fast, the body compensates by making more acid. This increase in stomach acid can cause heartburn.

Constipation: The hormones involved in pregnancy will slow down normal bowel functions to increase vitamin and nutrient absorption. This is one of the longer lasting symptoms of pregnancy and typically gets worse as the pregnancy progresses.

Mood Swings: An abundance of hormones has been known to cause violent mood swings. A combination of hormones and with having to deal with other symptoms of pregnancy makes the woman very sensitive and very subject to mood swings. Mood swings are also associated with a woman's menstrual period.

Vaginal Discharge: Light bleeding (also called spotting) can occur during pregnancy. The spotting is most commonly seen during the same time when the woman would be experiencing her menstrual period. Many women mistake spotting for a light menstrual period. Spotting can be caused from implantation.

Delay of Menstruation: The most common and well known symptom of a pregnancy is a missed menstrual period. When a woman is experiencing her menstrual period, she is actually shedding the lining of the uterus. There is no need for this when the woman is pregnant because the uterus is busy supporting the developing fetus.

Skin: The changing levels of hormones during pregnancy can cause a variety of skin conditions. The most common are outbreaks of pimples. Other women have reported a drying of the skin, which can also include chapped lips.

At Home Pregnancy Tests
At home pregnancy tests measure the level of HCG in your urine. The appearance of HCG soon after conception and its' sudden rise in concentration make it an excellent marker for the early detection of pregnancy. Not all pregnancy tests are of the same strength. Some have been developed to be much more sensitive to the amount of HCG present in urine.

Concentrations of HCG are reported in milliInternational Units (mIU). The most sensitive pregnancy tests can, at the very least, detect around 20 mIU/ml HCG. The average (and less expensive) pregnancy tests looks for levels anywhere from 40 to 100 mIU/ml HCG. With the most sensitive variety, a woman can detect a pregnancy 6 to 8 days after conception (even before she misses her menstrual period). If instructions are followed to the letter, home pregnancy tests are quite accurate (97% and up). Human error accounts for almost all of the error associated with home pregnancy tests.

Doctors can perform a blood test to determine the presence of HCG in the blood. The blood tests are very sensitive. It can tell a woman if she is pregnant within 6 to 8 days after conception. A blood test is not as prone to human error because the test is being administered by trained professionals. If a positive test result is obtained from a home pregnancy test, then it is generally recommended to make an appointment with a doctor for confirmation and counseling.

Written and submitted by Paul

go to the doctor !

there is the "morning after pill" which may be hard to get a prescription for in some states. Also - check out the planned parenthood website, they offer instructions on how to take birth control pills like a morning after pill.  Look on their site for "emergency contraception".  You take like 4 pills of certain brands and then take 4 more 24 hours later.  Good luck!

hi there iv missed my pirod 5 days now i toke a test 4 days afeter i miss my bleed, but it was not pregnat, iv been mody and loads of spots on my face,and been craving healthy foods to,i never miss a pirod at all iv been of the pill for 3 months now have sex most days try to full pregnat,when i fell pregnat with my two other children i toke a test at 3 weeks it showd up but very fant but this time nothing at all, i went to the doctors and thay said try another test in a week,iv been haveing a discarge of a thinck creamy couler,snd my hands are dry,and iv come up with some spots on my bum check and my legs i thought thay was bug bits as i live in the cuntry side,could any help me?

the thing is that when i was pregnant with my two girls i had sore tits but this time i dont, im so unsure if i am or not? i did a cheep test but most people say thay dont matter thay still work and if i was to be pregnant it would show up right, as it did with my girls the test showed up when i was 3 weeks pregnant even before i missed my bleed, the doctor said that i could of fullen pregnt a week ago but my hcg level could be low so wont show up, i dont fell pregnt at all but i was woundering if i could be carrying a boy and its differnt if u get what im saying,i never trust my body thats y im on hear asking for help,

   i sugest u go to the doctors and ask hun ok? we here can only give u the best advice that we can....i m a 34 year old mother of a 12 year old and all i can say is that all our bodies are very different and act different.....it's best that u go to your gyn/ob and ask him the same things that u have posted here! i can say is that i carried very low and my baby turned out to be a girl! other thatn that hun i am not a quallified ob/gyn to really answer your question the way u want! sorry sweetie but u really need to see your docotr!

Wait wait wait a second.

How much did you eat at McDonalds?

Cause stopping that is a DRAMATIC change to your Fat Intake.
Which has a significant effect on any females menstral cycle.

If you and your kids have exzema...well i hope you're treating it...

Wait...what do you mean your bleeding is heavier than when you were on the pill?
I thought you said you ARE on the pill...
And that you DIDNT get your period late.

And your period IS your body getting ready to concieve, just once a month.

Right.
Well since you're TRYING to have a Baby.
What's the problem?
Just keep trying until your stomach starts to grow.
I mean the rest isnt too important is it?

McDonalds once a month is not Unhealthy.
McDonalds as lunch and dinner....is....

But yeah, if you are pregnant, just wait. If you aren't pregnant you might as well keep having sex. Since you're trying to get pregnant you might as well have sex all the time either way. So that if you ARE pregnant, you're just having some more fun. If you ARENT pregnant, you keep trying!

Just for interest's sake
How old are you?

hi i ma having some big problem here and i need some help?

I think you need to return to your doctor right away.
and have him do a blood test.

Because you gotta know whats goin' on.

Was wondering if you could still have your first period after becoming pregnant? I had unprotected sex on 11/10 and started on 11/15. Everyone keeps saying that there is no way in hell because I had my period but I have been feeling very strange. Just wanted to know if there is a possibility of getting pregnant and still having your next period.

Are you on any birth control?

Hrmm.

You know how periods can be quite fucky from time to time.
If you are worried about it, maybe go get yourself checked out.

Well, I was worrying about this and I decided I had to ask someone. I am currently on the pill, but last month I delayed taking the first pill for 7 days because I forgot. Would I have ovulated by then? I had unprotected sex about 6 days afterward. Am I at risk for pregnancy?
Thanks.

If i read you right, you waited 14 days between packs instead of 7 days.  Basically, that means that you were unprotected from day 8-14 of not taking pills, AND THE FIRST WEEK OF TAKING THE NEW PACK (since it takes 7 days to be effective if you're starting from scratch, which you basically were since you waited an extra week.)

So you're cutting it VERY close.  You might have been protected on day 6, and you might not have--but they tell you to wait at least 7 days for a reason.  If this was within the last couple of days, definitely get the morning after pill.

Most of the time when a woman gets pregnant on the pill, it's because she waits too long between packs, which is why some doctors suggest that you start a new pack after 5 or 6 days instead of 7 (or, skip the last two placebos if you have a 28-day pack.) 

So yes, you are at an increased risk of pregnancy, assuming that the pill was your only method of birth control.  If you're not pregnant this time around, make sure you never do this again!  Start your pack early instead of late.

I hear what you are saying about being scared of taking the test...and you are probably alright if you are as diligent as you say you are with your pills and him not cumming inside you sans condom. However, if I were you...I would rather suck it up and take the test if you are that worried, as opposed to losing sleep for 3 weeks, I would rather have 10 minutes of stress-out and then know...if you get one of those early read tests you could do that...but given your diligence with your pills you likely have nothing to worry about and should be patient.

I'd say get some pregnancy tests onlines, but also buy one wherever you are while you're waiting.  Take one each month to ease your mind.  Though I'd also suggest getting off Seasonale.  Avoiding your period isn't worth the stress it can cause from worrying about pregnancy.  Though after a while, testing can become routine, so you don't stress out about it.  I actually almost threw away a positive test (not on the pill, btw) because I was so used to throwing away the negative tests, I forgot to look at it until the last minute.  More than likely you're not pregnant, but if you stress out once about it while being safe, there's a chance you'd stress out again, so you may as well buy some cheap tests to take regularly if you're planning on staying on Seasonale.

My boyfriend and I have just started haveing sex and the first time was without a condom (but there was a withdrawl)... This month has been my second month being on the pill and i've been having symptoms of being pregnant (boobs being sore) it could be a number of things ... the fact that i work out... the pill or pregnancy... it wll be a week and a couple days till my period and the symptoms have stopped but... i would like to know if there is a possible chance that i coculd be pregnante?

Or a dollar if you go to Dollar Tree.  And they're just as accurate.  You're just not paying for the brand name.  Plus it's cartridge and not midstream.  But really, only way to know is to wait to get bigger, or to get a pregnancy test done.  Stop trying to rely on symptoms.  Besides, realize that before your period, your body is preparing for a pregnancy.  Sore boobs goes with that even before your body knows that you're pregnant.

it should be lighter than a period, and much shorter with no clots or anything like that, and most people say it's a different color (either pink or brown)  and more like a couple of random little spots. the blood is caused by the egg implanting and keep in mind that the egg is still small and won't cause that much blood as it attaches to the uterine lining.

its sunday... so i guess monday morning first thing... test!!
thanx u guys!