There is no better guarantee to tell if you're pregnant than by taking a pregnancy test and confirming it with your doctor but if you think you might be pregnant, have a look at our guide to early pregnancy signs.
Early pregnancy signs
Pregnancy sign: Bleeding or 'spotting'
About a week after conception, the embryo pushes itself into the wall of the uterus (or womb). This causes some light bleeding or spots of blood to appear in your knickers. You may even get stomach cramps while the embryo is moving.What else could it be? Your period (although some women still get light periods throughout their pregnancy), changes with the Pill; such as forgetting to take it or taking it during your seven-day break, an infection, or bleeding from sex.
- Get more info about bleeding during pregnancy
Pregnancy sign: Tender breasts
As early as 1-2 weeks after conception you might notice a difference in your breasts. Your nipples might be sensitive to the touch, they may be sore or they may change shape and become swollen - meaning your bra might not fit as well as normal.What else could it be? It could be your pill or you might be due on your period - many early signs of pregnancy are similar to when you're having a period or are due on.
Pregnancy sign: Missed period
Around 4-5 weeks after conception, this is the most common pregnancy symptom, and is usually the first one you might pick up on. After the embryo has attached itself to the wall of the uterus, the wall builds itself up so the embryo is well cushioned - rather than break down and cause a period.What else could it be? Stress, changing your contraception or excessive weight gain or loss.
Pregnancy sign: Nausea/Morning Sickness
Some women complain of feeling nauseous throughout their whole pregnancyand others manage to escape it. This well-known symptom will normally
show up between 2-8 weeks into your pregnancy.
One theory is that it is caused by an increase of the hormone
progesterone. Progesterone apparently softens the muscles in the uterus
ready for labour but it also softens the stomach muscles causing nausea
and sickness.
What else could it be? Food poisoning, stress, or other stomach upsets can also cause you to feel queasy.
Get more info about sickness during pregnancy as well as some top tips from goodtoknow readers and experts
Pregnancy sign: Fatigue/Tiredness
Many pregnant women complain that they find themselves falling asleep on
buses, at work and even during sex! Feeling more tired is a pregnancy
symptom that can also start as early as the first week and is because
your body is working overtime to get ready for the baby.
What else could it be? Stress, depression, common cold or flu, or other illnesses can also leave you feeling tired or sleepy
Pregnancy symptom: Backaches
Having a backache is a common symptom throughout your pregnancy due tothe extra weight you're carrying. But it and can also be an early sign
of pregnancy too.
The ache will be similar to the stomach cramps and aches you get when
you're on your period. And it's just because your body is getting ready
for the baby.
What else could it be? If you are due on your period you may get a
backache or if your suffering from physical or mental stress and tension. It could also be another back problem.
Pregnancy symptom: Leg cramps
It's quite common for women to suffer from leg cramps during pregnancy
and you might notice it a lot more in the early stages. This has been
linked to having less calcium in your blood because it's being taken by
the baby!
What else could it be? Straining a muscle or being cold, especially at night, can cause the muscles in your legs to tense and spasm.
Top tip: Find out how experts and other mums-to-be deal with cramp during pregnancy.
Pregnancy symptom: Headaches
The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headachesearly in pregnancy. If you're tired too you might be more sensitive to
light and noise.
What else could it be? There are loads of reasons why people get headaches, from tension and dehydration eye strain.
Pregnancy symptom: Weeing more
About six to eight weeks into your pregnancy you may find yourselfmaking a few, or even a lot of extra trips to the bathroom. It's all
because of changes in hormones, specifically an increase in
progesterone, and your body kicking out any toxins.
What else could it be? Infections make you wee a lot more as well
as if you've started drinking more water or you're on a diet. It is
also a one sign of diabetes.
Pregnancy symptom: Food cravings
Having random food cravingsis another one of the most common symptoms. It's caused by your body
craving what it needs. Some women say they crave mud when they're
pregnant, and this may be due to a lack of iron in their blood. Others
want combinations like fish and ice-cream! this could be because of a
lack of protein and sugar.
This doesn't mean your cravings will be weird and wonderful though,
craving just cheese could mean you need more calcium, especially if it's
linked with your cramps. This can start early on and last throughout
your pregnancy. You should give into these cravings if you can, but
within reason!
What else could it be? Poor diet, lack of a certain nutrient, stress, depression, or if you're due on. Craving sugar is also a sign of diabetes.
Top tip: Have a look at our recipe pages which give you loads of ideas on how to cook with different ingredients.
Pregnancy symptom: Feeling hot
You might not even notice the difference yourself, but if you're trying
for a baby you may have been charting your basal body temperature. This
is the temperature of your body at rest. Throughout your cycle, your
body temperature fluctuates and if it has been high for 18 days or more,
it's likely that you're pregnant. Normal temperature is 96-98°F and
when you are ovulating or pregnant, it may be around 97-99°F.
What else could it be? Your temperature is likely to rise if
you're feeling unwell with a cold or the flu. It will also rise slightly
at different stages of your cycle.
Top tip: Your basal body temperature is best taken first thing in
the morning. If you take it at the same time every day, it will make it
easy to track.
Pregnancy symptom: 'Feeling' pregnant
Many women will notice that they feel uterine cramping in earlypregnancy. You could even feel period like cramps or even pain on one
side. The most common reason for this kind of cramp is that your uterus
is growing. This is normal pain and should be expected in a healthy
pregnancy. You may also feel 'full' or 'heavy' around your uterus, and
actually it's not uncommon to hear that in early pregnancy some women
describe feeling like they were about to start their period any minute.
What else could it be? If you are due on your period you may get pre-menstrual cramps.
Pregnancy symptom: Larger breasts
You might already know that one of the first pregnancy symptoms manywomen experience is changes to their breast tissue. Towards the end of
the first trimester or the beginning of the second trimester you may
notice that your breasts begin to grow. This is because the tissues
inside the breast are preparing for nursing.
What else could it be? Breast tenderness and swelling can be another sign that you're expecting your period.
Pregnancy symptom: Changes in nipples
Your nipples may become larger and darker as your pregnancyprogresses. You may also notice small, goose bump or pimple like white
areas on your areola, but don't panic, these are totally normal. They're
called Montgomery's tubercules.
What else could it be? Changes in nipples should be examined as part of your regular breast check against breast cancer.
Pregnancy symptom: Low libido
It's common to suffer from a low libido during the early stages of pregnancy.
Your breasts may be sensitive, causing you a bit of pain, plus feeling
nauseous and tired could reduce your sexual appetite. Your partner might
also be scared of hurting the baby, or of the baby 'knowing' what is
going on during sex, which of course is not true!
What else could it be? There are lots of other reasons why you could have gone off sex, from exhaustion to stress. We've outlined 10 reasons why you might have a low libido
Pregnancy symptom: Tingling nipples
Some women get a tingling feeling in their nipples as one of the veryfirst signs that they're pregnant. The surge in hormones in your body
causes an increased blood supply to your breasts, which causes the
tingling sensation.
What else could it be? It could just be related to your menstrual cycle, or there's a small chance a tingling feeling can be caused by an infection.
Pregnancy symptom: Shortness of breath
In early stages of pregnancy, an increase of progesterone in your bodycauses you to breathe more often, which can feel like shortness of
breath. You'll also increase the amount of air you take in with each
breath. The feeling might be a bit unusual, but it's usually harmless.
What else could it be? A shortness of breath could also be caused by asthma.
- Sign up to our pregnancy newsletter for personalised updates
More on pregnancy
- Trying for a baby? Find out all you need to know about ovulation
- Still not sure? Take our quiz to find out if you're pregnant
- Get the A-Z of pregnancy
- What to do if your teenager daughter is pregnant
- Have a look our pregnancy week-by-week pictures
- Pregnant? Find out ways to prepare for the baby and have a look at what foods you can eat
Your comments
Donna1982
Help... I'm 6 days late, i took a test 3 days ago it was negative. After sex last night I started leaking brown discharge and have been all day I have period pains. But for the last week I have had a lot of white discharge. In the last 2 weeks ive lost half a stone, ive lost my interest in food. have headakes and bad back. as for my boobs there are fake so are not as sensitive as they used to be so im not to sure....
EC07
I switched from Brevinor to Microgynon and then got put onto Fluxetine... I haven't bled yet and I'm on my 7 day break from my pill. Is this usual when you change pill or has my anti-depressant had an affect?
zara
hi erm. i had my first dose of the injection but about a week after it ran out i had unprotected sex and that was about 2 weeks ago but for the past few days iv been getting really bad backache, lower bellyache, and hip ache. iv also found spots of blood in my kickers but my breast aren't sore in any way! im not sure if this means anything but i could really use the help. thankyou!!
jodPo
I need help please!! i had a miscarriage about 2years ago and it killed me. i havent missed my period yet i should start in a week today, but im getting all these strange symptoms, i didnt know i was pregnant last time and didnt have any symptoms just a missed period, so im not sure, i really want a baby so much.. My boobs tingle when i have my bra on and when im realxed, they have got more blue veins on them (sorry to be so graphic) they are not sore or hurting, i have lower back pain when i get up in the morning, i dont think its from my bed but, i keep feeling sick every morning for about a week now, i havent got diarrhoea but im going to the loo for a poo more usually in the morning and bed time, im going for a wee more as well, and i get cramps in my lower belly right at the bottom as well, i feel odd just not my self, i dont know what to do, shall i just wait to see if i come on?? i wanna stop feeling like i am pregnant and it might be all in my head.. Help Please
Krissiee
i had sex about 2 days ago. and i have been getting stomach cramps, period like cramps, and a strange feeling in my stomache, could this mean im pregnant ?
harmz
Wonder if there is any special herbal diet that could make pregnancy more easier?
karlish
I was wondering if anybody couldhelp me!....my periods used to be irregular but the last 6 month sthey have become regular untill I had unprotected sex about 6 weeks ago i then came on my period for a week a week after that and then on the 4th of january for 2 weeks!! i constantly feel like ive got a temp as im always overheated especially at night and wake up in the morning sweating! i also feel bloated(this could be my ibs) and have been urinating more. Could i be pregnant??? x
cmatuesday
Good luck Laura. Have you tried the pregnancy test kit yet or it's still too early?
laura
i stopped taking the pill in august 2009, i had a period almost as soon as i came off the pill but then didn't have a period until august 2010. since august i have had a period every month, not always regular but usually only a week later than the last at the most. however, i have not had a period now since mid november but for the last 2 weeks i have been experiencing period pains but no period. i have had sore breasts for about a week and had lower back pain for a few days. it is very unusual for me to experience sore breasts before a period anyway, the only time i can remember having sore breasts like this is just before i had a period in august 2010 after a year gap. i have sometimes felt slightly nauseass on a morning but not sick as such.just wondered if any of these symptoms may mean i could be pregnant or if im just due on! i would love to be pregnant but not sure if i'm just wanting it too much and misreading the signs
sandra
hi, i got the implant removed and then 6 days later i had unprotected sex twice same day then 7 days later i got my period it was really light to start off like brown discharge but gradually grew heavier and heavier im currently on my third day of having my period and this whole time i have been having cramps and sore breast and feeling nausious constantly and tired more but i cant sleep in as much as i use to im full on bloated almost a week before gettin my period which was 15 days early! could i be pregnant? and the heavy bleeding only be because of gettin the implant removed?
kyrstie
i had the implant taken out 15 th october and i had a very very heavy period 2 weeks later but since then i havent come back on ive done 2 pregnancy test and there negative i was meant to be due on 15th november and still havent come on i fell sick have heart burn and the bottom of my back hurts and my boobs hurt as well and that was how i felt with my daughter what should i done!!!
leila
hi i had the implanon taken out of my are 2 months ago, and been sleepin with my boyfriend ever since and i keep forgetin to take the pill. ive been gettin the early signs of pregnancey and my last period which has just finished was heaviest ive every had and really painful, i taken a test it was negative but im so sure in my self im pregnant do u no whats going on because im so confused :s
Laura
i have had the implant for 18months now and the last 2weeks iv been spotting and having cramps in my tummy also been emotional does this mean i could be pregnant? i have never had a period whilst iv had the implant so this is very unusal?
krystal
hey, i was just woundering if i was pregnant cuz, ive got the injection and i had my october period but not my november or december and i think its abit wierd could i be prgnant even tho i have the injection cuz my mum fell pregnant on the injection?
jess
hi there, im not due for my period intill nent wk.im having soreness at the bottom of my stomach with cramping pains, ive neva experianced this before. been to my gp he3 told me it could be a water infection or i could be preg. as when i wee it doesnt burn. any 1 help? its playing on my mind
ANNEKA
Hi guys,i had my inplonon removed on the 29 nov...i had really bad stomach pain b4 i went had it removed...funny thing is as soon it came out i came on very strong for 3 days witch is usual for me but when i had it on i could be on 4 weeks...me and my fiance had sex the night before of it being removed....know i am experiencing lower back ache and legs are hurting i am also bin feeling sick in the morning and im not sure that is because i am eating to late @ night ohh i and i am feeling alot more tired could i be experiencing early stage of pregnancy or what plzzz help thanks :)
Katie
Heya. Im just wundering if i could be pregnant because im two weeks late, no signs of coming on my period at all what so ever. ive had back ach and head achs and my nipples are sore :/ what should i do??
Katie :))
Just woundering, im two weeks late on me period and im not getting any signs of my period. I keep getting back achs and head achs. my nipples are also sore and tender to touch :/ Im scared im only 15 and thinking i might be pregnant :/ what should i do??
CARLY
To Daniella who posted yesterda, you must be terrified, I fell pregnant when I was 15, after having sex for the first time, I ended up having a misscarriage, but I remember being petrified to tell my parents. Firstly, GO AND GET A TEST, theres no point in worrying until you know for sure. You can buy them in cheap stores such as poundstretcher now, so please get one! Then if you are, do what I did and write your mum a letter, give it to her and leave the house for an hour, that way she has time to calm down! Everything works out in the end, my cousin had 3 babies by the time she was 19, and shes a brilliant mum. Good luck honey x
emily
Hi, my last period was early oct and i am usually always on time. i have had some brownish spotting only wen i go to the bathroom today it was light pink spotting i have been feeling nauseous, also have had some lower back pains and sore breats could i be pregnant
Emily
hi, i am nearly 3wks late and i have had brown spotting only wen i go to the bathroom and it is now light pink spotting. i have had some headaches and lower back pain and i feel generally unwell i was woundering if i could be preg
daniella
hi, i know this must sound really bad but im 15 and im really worried i might be pregnant. my mum asked me the other day if i was pregnant and my brother-in-law did too. my dad asked me today if something was wrong as i have been acting really strange the last week or so.. the last time i had sex was 7th october and havent had a period since. i keep getting butterflies and my breats are quite small but they are starting to feel heavy and tender and im starting to get stretch marks. my bel also keeps going hard. im really worried that if i am pregnant i will get called names and my dad will kill me, only problem is i wouldnt get rid of it. please help me!
lisa
hello i have been tryin have a baby i had sex last 17th nov when the ovations cames my period late four days but has test say negative n got the period but it not bleed it come brown with pust on it n i have been sick feel like throw up for three days is it possible preg? plus my nipple playin up sore up n go!
mindy
hi i had baby 4months ago and have gotten my period since then last 1 was halloween..i ws gettn out of the bath and noticed the shape of a baby..u can clearly see it this past week i have felt flutters but thought nothing of it...can i be pregnant..or is there somethin wrong
MCcraya
Hi i am 22 with 2 kids whn i was pregnant with them i bleed the whole time pretty much every time i threw up. Why is that?? N I think i may be preg again i have not had a period since September 19.it onli lasted for 2 days but normally last for three or four but nope not that one now my breast r tender my nipple is spreading my tummy is hard i get morning sickness on Nov 19th i threw up n guess what happen i strted to bleed i think i may be pregnant but the question is why do i bleed after throwing up when im pregnant its happened for the last 2 yrs i was preg i have a 2 yr old n 1 yr old in January. Plz let me know somethin
Ms. Confused
Hi! I took diane pills for almost 10 months because I had an irregular period before. The last pill that I took was on April 7, 2013. I got my period on April 12, 2013 and my boyfriend and I had an unprotected sex on April 20,21 and 28. Few days after intercourse, I experienced an on and off abdominal cramping, headache and I have this few white discharge as well until now. My next period will suppose to be between May 10 or 11. Could I be pregnant or its a just sign of PMS?
Jaz1512
Hi I had the same issue as u with 2 guys I carried on with the pregnacey and have never regretted it I was honest with both guys but did turn out bad which both didn't want to know but I carried on with life I had a little girl I have a happy life and she's changed my life best ting I ever did I have a great partner now all u can do is be honest with them u never know wot will happen
sony
i had unprotected sex about 10days ago. and i have been getting stomach cramps, period like cramps,weekness and a strange feeling in my stomache, could this mean im pregnant ?
shea
i have irregular period and i am trying to get pregnant and wen i see my period now its a little drop and am sleep and always feeling sick after meal and sometime before and this about a week are two now
miss jones
, ive been getting pain in my sides and bottom of my belly like period pains but i havent been on since feb and i get alot of back ache and i feel bloted constantly feel sick sometimes but not actually being sick ive had pregnancy test but it was a really cheap on and come back negative so i dont know whats wrong with me people saying im pregnant what do ou think?
MissyMe
Stace, have you done a pregnancy test and what was the outcome?? If you are pregnant go to guy 1 and ask for DNA test!! then guy 2 wont have to know!!
Stace
Hi guys Let me tell you stupid thing I have ever done in my life. I have not had sex for the past two years, i was very busy with my work and it didn't bother me find a man. Right, I met 2 guys last October and I wanted to choose Mr right between them. Guy Nr 1 invited me for dinner on the 16th Nov it was nice, we ended up in bed but we used condom and it burst, then after a day he told me that me that our sorry our relationship will not work, so I felt used but I didn't want it to destroy my mind, I decided to move on with my life. On the 18th Nov Guy nr 2 wanted to meet me, but because I was hurt two days ago I decided to go and meet him. We had sex, condom used and burst as well. What hell is that??? I ask myself. Since then I just felt bad and didn't really want guy nr2 any more but I didn't tell him anything, we still in touch texting each other. Now I feel like I am pregnant, missed my period which was due on the 4th Dec and I had that cramps in my stomach a week ago,,,, I am worried now that WHO will be the father of my baby if I am pregnant. Is hard and I don't want to tell guy nr2 who is till in contact with me... what happen if he is not the father??? It will hurt him most and he doesn't deserve that, is all my faults. If am pregnant definitely i will keep the baby but the baby would like to know the father... oh poor me why did I do that??? Anyone with positive ideas please... thank you
wiola
Hi Rachel,when I came off pils it took me all 6 months to get to normal and regular periods.There was times I did not get my period for 5 days and sometimes I was need to wait for 3months...My doctor tell me when you stoping taking pils,I could not have period up to 6 monts...Anyway knowing this I still wish you good luck with baby.:)
slf
i have had the implant for the past year now. in the past week i have been feeling bloated, having stomach cramps, nausea, i have been having some weird sleeping patterns, tender breasts, because of the implant my period is irregular so cant really tell whether or not i have missed it. do you think it is possible that i could be pregnant.. wen i got the implant i was told it was more then 99% effective, that 1 in 100 women get pregnant while on it. could i be one of the unfortunate people.. please help me!!!!
victoria goodtoknow diet
Hi rubyrose - have a look at our fetility section. We have lots of useful content on there. http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/Fertility Best of luck.
rubyrose
hi i have been with my partner for 4 half years i have a child from a preveus relationship we have been trying to get pregnent but nothing is happaning we do it every day or every two days but nothing is happaning if anyone could help us that will be great thank u
EmilyKatee
I had sex on Monday of this week, unprotected because of one reason which is that I am allergic to condoms which is the piss take (sorry for my language) Anyway I just started my period today (Saturday) I am a week and 1 day early and I have never been that early only problem is it is not a normal one to me anyway... it isn't a colour of blood it's just brown and has been since 2 this afternoon. Can someone please tell me what they think. I know I'm probably not because it seems way too early.
LM123
Hi recently separated from my partner but have been meeting up and sleeping together i am on the pill but been having major stomach cramps and niggling pains down below and also my boobs have been sore. I have also been getting very emotional and crying a lot, i dont know whether this is down to the fact of my relationship breakdown or pregnancy can you help?
meg2711
hi, ive been with my boyfriend 3 years and we decided to start trying for a baby also we lost a baby last year in august so we decided to start again. weve been doing the missionary postition everytime we have sex and i always lift my legs up for 10 minutes after to make sure the sperm goes in. ive been feeling hot all the time and keep going weak and going dizzy every time i get up. im due on my period thursday but do you have any idea of the things ive just told ya that i might be pregnant? please reply
Kittykat1
I've been dizzy and nauseous for the past two weeks. I had gotten drunk and this guy and I had sex, now I am worried that I am pregnant. I am not sure if he had a condom on or not. I am in a different state then he is and I don't even have him on facebbook. So I don't have anyway to get in touch with him. My boy friend knows what happen, but I don't know what he would do if I where pregnant, plus my parents would flip out. I need to know. I've had cramps and I almost vomited about a half hour ago. I don't know what to do and I am very scared. Could I be pregnant??
Stephh06
Hi, the last time i had sex was on monday but condom split... this week, since wednsday iv had a sore throat (that prob dont count) and been feeling very tired but i cant seem to get too sleep, other things iv noticed is, im either too hot or too cold, iv felt physically sick but i aint been sick... lastly my stomach felt horrible and all i noticed was alot of discharge... does this mean im pregnant?
LeahBabessxx
Hey, im really worried + i would like someone to tell me whats going on i dont wanna go the docters just yet, but i havent been on my period for nearly 2months now, me+my ex had unprotected sex end of may, and the last few weeks my breasts have been sore, been needing to wee alot more than usual.. and i just cant be bothered to do anything. Im just scared 'cause if im pregnant then i dunno what im gonna do 'cause im only 17 and my ex has got a new partner but he said he will support but its abit more awkward than that /: please write back
Di4m0nd
Hi I had unprotected sex 2 weeks ago whilst on the end of period still it was very light. Before that i had come off the pill for a month. Now i have been experiencing horrible stomach cramps, headache, nausea, and i can't stop eating as i never feel full. I have also come off Anti Depressants cold turkey so i am totally confused in what is causing these symptoms. I have taken 2 pregnancy tests but it is to early and they were both negative. I am so worried, i do not want his baby it was a drunk mistake. With waiting times on the NHS and everything, this is driving me crazy. I haven't experienced any spot bleeding, or been physically sick.
Bubbles2011
i last slept wiv my ex abowt 4 weeks ago and b4 then i was gettin regular periods i was due on a week ago but havent came on yet, some of my family members think i may be pregnant. the syptoms i have been having are: sore nipples.missed period,mood swings,weeing more.and ive been gettin more headaches then normal. i am going to do a HPT nxt month if i havent came on. but do you think there is a chance i maybe and should i tell my ex??
1yummy mummy1
hi sarah hope your well. If your test has shown positive,then you are pregnant, because that means the hcg pregnancy hormone is present in your urine! i suggest you make a gp appointment and good luck! xxx
Sarah16
hii am 16 and had unprotected sex a couple of times , i have been noticing changes 2 my body such as my breasts feel heavier and my beeely gets cramp and my favourate food tastes diffrent . i have been havin my periods but my periods usually last 4 days and my periods now are 4 days earlier and only last around a day. i have took 2 home pregnency tests 1 was negative and 1 was positive could i be pregnant plzz reply xxxx
babes
everything you have described here sounds exactly like me, how long have you had ur implant? ive had mines for 3 years and its coming out this wednesday, i had sex last night and im worried i might get pregnant as it was unprotected and the hormone in my implant has run out.. i also get pain in my lower back and have gained a significant amount of weight and feel depressed etc. go to your doctors and explain whats happeneing, and you will more than likley have the implant removed. hope this helps :) x
simone
i dont think you could be pregnant after 2 days it takes about 2 to 3 week to tell if you pregnant or not
simone
all you can do is go to your doctors and see if you are or not
chanx
any idea's on how you would know if your pregnant on the implant. because it makes you miss periods, so im not sure? but i havnt been feeling like myself, ive put on some weight, but that could just be cause of the implant? my breasts are really sore, and i keep getting pains in my lower back and my belly. i keep going for a wee more often than normall. i also keep feeling sick, but havnt been sick. last couple of days ive been feeling really dizzy and like im ganna faint? i keep noticeing mood swings, one moment il be really happy the next il be crying. also keep having a temperature just higher than normall. someone help me please!?