The early signs of pregnancy
Sore boobs, a late period and an odd taste in your mouth. Here’s what’s what.
At a glance
- You can do a test from the first day of your missed period
- It is common to have some bleeding throughout the first few months of pregnancy
- Tender boobs and feeling nauseous are common signs of pregnancy
You may notice the very earliest signs of pregnancy within as little as one week of conception. Most early pregnancy symptoms occur within the first four weeks and first signs of pregnancy may include:
Some people know before they’ve even done the test. Others feel nothing at all for weeks. Both are normal. Early signs usually show up when you’re around 4 to 6 weeks pregnant, which is roughly when your period would be late.
At a glance
- A missed period is the most reliable early sign, if your cycle is regular
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You can do a pregnancy test from the first day of your missed period
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Not everyone gets symptoms, and having none doesn’t mean anything’s wrong
The common ones
- A missed period. The big one, if your cycle is regular. If your periods are all over the place anyway, it’s easier to miss.
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Feeling sick. It’s called morning sickness, but it doesn’t own a watch. It can happen any time of day or night and usually starts around 4 to 6 weeks.
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Sore or tender breasts. They might feel fuller, heavier or tingly, a bit like before a period but more so.
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Being really tired. Not late-night tired. Tired after an ordinary day. Your body’s working hard, so rest when you can.
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Weeing more. Including at night. Pregnancy hormones and extra blood flow mean your kidneys are busier.
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Strange tastes and smells. A metallic taste, going off your morning coffee, suddenly needing something you never eat. Cravings and aversions are both common.
The less talked-about ones
- Light spotting or cramping around when your period’s due, sometimes called implantation bleeding
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Feeling bloated, or like your jeans have shrunk overnight
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Period-like twinges in your tummy
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Constipation, and sometimes the opposite
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More vaginal discharge, without soreness or itching
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Headaches
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Darker nipples and the skin around them
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More saliva, or a dry mouth
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Gums that bleed when you brush
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Mood swings, sometimes all in one afternoon
Is it pregnancy or something else?
A few early signs overlap with other things, so they’re worth a closer look.
Burning or stinging when you wee could be a urine infection rather than just needing the loo more. UTIs are more common in pregnancy, so see your GP.
Itching, soreness or thick, creamy discharge could be thrush. Speak to a pharmacist or GP before using any treatment if you might be pregnant.
Doing a test
Home tests work by picking up the pregnancy hormone hCG in your wee. They’re most reliable from the first day of your missed period. Some sensitive tests work a few days earlier, but you’re more likely to get a false negative.
Negative but still no period? Wait a few days and test again.
What about twins?
There’s no early sign that tells you it’s twins. Some people with twins have stronger sickness because their hormone levels are higher, but plenty don’t. Your dating scan, at 10 to 14 weeks, is how you’ll find out.
Got a positive? Here’s what to do next
Tell a midwife or GP. You can contact your GP surgery or refer yourself to your local maternity service. Your booking appointment should ideally happen before 10 weeks.
Take your supplements. That’s 400 micrograms of folic acid a day until 12 weeks, plus 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day throughout pregnancy.
Stop drinking and smoking. The safest amount of alcohol in pregnancy is none. If you smoke, your midwife can help you stop.
Tell people when you’re ready. Lots of people wait until after their 12-week scan. Some can’t wait that long. There’s no wrong answer.
Expect to feel a lot of things. Thrilled, terrified, both before lunch. It’s big news and your hormones are having a busy week.
Bleeding, tummy pain or pain on one side? Call your GP, midwife or 111. If you can’t keep food or fluids down, get in touch too.