When you stop taking your birth control pills, the only question that comes to mind is: Could I be pregnant? Some of these first few signs of pregnancy can show up before your first missed period.

Though a pregnancy test or an ultrasound is the only way to confirm there is a bun in the oven, if that is too early, you may get a thumbs up from a few early pregnancy symptoms. However, these symptoms are similar to those occurring before your periods start; hence it can get tricky to identify the difference.

How early do the pregnancy symptoms begin?

Again, taking the pregnancy test is the only way to clear your doubts and suspicions, but everyone is different in showing early pregnancy symptoms. While some women face the symptoms as early as one week after conception, many others do not face any symptoms until their missed period.

It is typically recommended to take a pregnancy test right after you have missed your period. The test measures your body's hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin), increasing as soon as you conceive. It usually takes 21 to 30 days after your last period for the hCG to appear in the pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy.

Which is the most common early pregnancy symptom?

The most common earliest pregnancy symptom is evidently, a missed period. Your monthly menstrual cycle is a way that your body prepares for pregnancy every month, which involves thickening the uterus lining, where the fertilized egg implants to start with the conception. If there is no pregnancy, the extra uterus lining will shed (that is how you get your period). Otherwise, it stays put with no periods if there is a pregnancy. Therefore, the most common and earliest pregnancy symptom is a missed monthly period.

Other early pregnancy symptoms.

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Though it is not always necessary that a missed period leads to pregnancy, there are other early signs to look for to confirm. Although every women's body is different, here are ten of the most common early pregnancy symptoms:

Increased basal body temperature

If you have a higher than average basal body temperature, chances are, you might be pregnant. The BBT usually goes up right after ovulation and stays elevated throughout pregnancy. However, this is not a fool-proof symptom as you might be hot for other reasons, but if the BBT remains elevated for long, the big news is coming!

Sensitivity to smell

Most pregnant women reveal that a strong sense of smell was one of their first signs of pregnancy. They report that they became highly reactive and sensitive to smell during pregnancy. The elevated sense of smell often leads to symptoms like food cravings, nausea, aversions, etc. 

Changes in breasts

Pregnancy causes significant changes in a woman's body, including hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone. Additionally, hormonal changes cause breast tenderness, swelling, tingling, nipple soreness, and darkening and enlarging areolas. You might notice these symptoms a few days after you missed your period.

Fatigue

Fatigue is also a common early pregnancy symptom. Most women can feel it as soon as they conceive, which feels like climbing a mountain with a bag getting heavier each day. This fatigue is caused by the body that works 24/7 to build the placenta- the primary life support for the fetus.

Frequent urination

It may be a clear sign of early pregnancy if you notice that you are going to the washroom to urinate more than usual around the time of your missed period. However, urination frequency typically depends on how much water intake you have during the day. During pregnancy, the blood in the body increases, giving more liquid to the kidneys to filter out, thus causing frequent trips to the bathroom.

Nausea or vomiting

This is the most common and well-known early symptom associated with pregnancy. Usually, nausea or vomiting occurs after you wake up, termed morning sickness, but it can happen anytime during the day. You can face this symptom as early as just two weeks after conception. However, many women report not feeling any food aversion or nausea throughout their pregnancy, so it depends from woman to woman.

Mood swings

Again, the hormonal changes due to pregnancy can be blamed if you are experiencing severe mood changes during your missed period. Mood swings can occur as early as just twenty days after conception, which feels like PMS-style mood changes. During the pregnancy, this moodiness can be experienced along with fatigue, nausea, and vomiting, making you think extra-sensitive, irritable, and weepy.

Metallic taste in the mouth

Due to the increased levels of estrogen, many pregnant women report a strange metallic taste in their mouths during early conception, sometimes throughout pregnancy.

Constipation or bloating

Though bloating or constipation can occur to anyone at any time, it is common during early conception, usually during the first trimester. Once again, the increased or changed hormonal levels are to be blamed, which slow down the digestion process, causing the air and gas to build up in the gut, causing constipation and bloating.

Dizziness

The increased blood flow during conception may lead to decreased blood pressure, causing headaches and dizzy spells in pregnant women. Typically dizziness is a symptom of the second trimester, but many women report it as early as three weeks after pregnancy.

Is it possible to face these symptoms and not be pregnant?

As we mentioned before, many early pregnancy symptoms may occur due to other medical conditions. Specifically before your menstrual cycle. Hence, the best way to learn if you are expecting is to relax and wait till it is time to take the pregnancy test.

When can you visit your doctor if pregnancy is confirmed?

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If your pregnancy test comes out positive, schedule an appointment with your gynecologist as early as the next day.

In your first prenatal appointment with the doctor, you will be checked for physical exams and other necessary vitals to ensure everything is fine and healthy. Your doctor will advise you on what to eat and avoid during your pregnancy according to your health.

Congratulations if you are expecting a baby! You are about to start a journey of a lifetime mama! <3