Get a Belly: Conception and Pregnancy Information

Signs of Pregnancy

We are all familiar with some very common signs of pregnancy - morning sickness, sore boobs, peeing a lot ... and there are many more that seem to be exactly the same as what women experience during PMS. Still other symptoms are completely "out there" and may just happen via coincidence or may actually be caused by hormones during pregnancy.

two week wait : the period of time between ovulation and the time to take a pregnancy test, which typically lasts two weeks.

Women who are in the famous two week wait are apt to scrutinize every single physical and emotional feeling they are experiencing. They peer at their breasts to see if any new, darker veins have snaked their way across their skin, all the while poking and prodding at themselves to see if they are sore. They wonder if the cramps they are experiencing are "pre-AF cramps or implantation cramps." They take notes on how often they have to get up in the middle of the night to pee. They burst into tears at a hotel commercial and wonder in the back of their minds, "Hmmm ... a pregnancy sign?"

Although there are a plethora of signs and symptoms of conception, implantation and a growing embryo, the only way to tell for sure is a pregnancy test.

That being said, I've compiled a list of some of the common (and actually, some of the not-so-common) pregnancy signs and symptoms.

Missed period	Typically the hallmark pregnancy sign - but these days some women find out before this has even happened!
Nausea	"Morning" sickness can strike at any time, although typically it waits until 6+ weeks (although waves of nausea are definitely possible earlier).
Veiny-ness	Like my scientific term? During pregnancy, a woman's body amps up her blood supply by as much as 25%. This can be visible via darker, more prominent veins - in the breasts or elsewhere. Be sure to inventory your veins BEFORE entering the 2ww so you know if they are really changing!
Sore breasts	For women who typically notice breast changes right before AF, this may be more prominent of a symptom.
Enlargement of breasts	Hmmm ... are they getting bigger? This may be a gradual change for some women, but others are "lucky" enough to experience this very rapidly and early.
Darkening of areola	Another change that may happen later in the first trimester or you may notice early on, and the colors can vary from woman to woman - from stop-sign red to deep brown. Fun!
Fatigue	Complete and utter exhaustion, anyone? This symptom will revisit you, if you are pregnant, in the first few months after your baby's birth. Now that's one I could do without!
Increased headaches	Hormones (again!) are to blame for this one.
Dizziness	Sudden changes in your position may alert you to this symptom in early pregnancy, which happens because your blood volume hasn't yet increased to fill your recently dilated vessles. Don't worry, it will all catch up eventually.
Food cravings	Cravings may not happen until later in the first trimester (particularly after morning sickness has abated) but you never know when you're going to start grabbing for chocolate covered hamburgers.
Food aversions	And on the same note, foods you formerly loved can become inedible or just simply not sound good. Kind of funny how that works.
Altered sense of smell	Sometimes smells can become stronger during pregnancy. For example, during my first I thought there was a dead mouse in my apartment but it was really a hide tanning company miles away downtown. Still gross, but less of a problem.
Altered sense of taste	Many women report a metallic or acidic taste in their mouth. This is not usually acknowledged by the medical profession as a "sign" but many women attest to it!
Ptyalism	Ptyalism simply means slobbering a lot. If you are salivating more than Pavlov's dog, then you might check this one off.
Constipation	Progesterone (the same hormone responsible for helping maintain your pregnancy) is the culprit behind this fun one.
Frequent urination	Generally occurs later in the first trimester when your uterus actually grows, but the pregnancy hormone (hCG) can also irritate the bladder and cause more trips to the bathroom.
Mood swings	This one totally mimics PMS for so many women - totally unfair trick by Mother Nature if you ask me!
Cramping	Cramping is another tricky one. It can signify impending menstruation (even in women who "have never had that happen before") but in pregnancy, cramping in the 2ww can be caused by your fertilized egg burrowing into the lining of your uterus (i.e., implantation).
Spotting	And, on that same note, when implantation occurrs a small percentage of women will experience a small amount of spotting that generally happens around the time you expect your period. The spotting is typically brownish in appearance, but this also can range, as no two women spot the same.
Elevated BBT	If you chart your basal body temperature, you will soon notice that after ovulation your temperature rises. If you successfully conceive, your temp will remain elevated. Elevation that lasts 18-22 days can definitely indicate pregnancy.
Positive pregnancy test	Of course, besides hearing a fetal heart rate or viewing your baby on a sonogram, this is the only true indication of a pregnancy.

To conclude, if you have any (or many, or even all) of these signs and symptoms, it does not mean you are pregnant. And if you don't have any, it doesn't mean you're not! Well, except for the last one, but if you're getting negatives but still haven't had a visit from Aunt Flo it's still within the realm of possiblity.

But don't hate me for my useless chart. There simply is no way to definitely diagnose a pregnancy without getting a + on a pregnancy test (or being told you are so by your doctor). It's not my fault! I swear! But go on, obess, poke and prod yourself, analyze your slobber habits, ask your husband if you look "different" ... and when you're period is due, take a test!!

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Important disclaimer: This internet site provides information in an entertaining and educational manner and for those purposes only. If you have any questions or concerns about your pregnancy, your baby, or your health, you must contact your physician or another healthcare professional. In no way is anything on this site meant to substitute for care by medical professionals.