First trimester pregnancy signs

The first trimester of pregnancy is, for many women, the period during which they experience the largest number of unpleasant symptoms. Fatigue and morning sickness are common during this time, but they are by no means the only indications of pregnancy. As your body is working hard to create a stable environment for your rapidly developing embryo, you are likely to encounter any, or all of the following pregnancy signs.

Implantation bleeding or spotting the first indication of pregnancy Around a third of newly pregnant women experience an implantation bleeding. This bleeding is the first definite sign of pregnancy for those who get one. This bleeding, or rather light spotting, can be seen after a fertilized egg nestles into the uterine lining - thereby releasing blood and perhaps some tissue. Implantation bleeding happens between a week and twelve days after ovulation and lasts up to two days.

Missed or late menstrual period Not getting your period, or being "late" is the most clear pregnancy sign of them all! For those women with regular menstrual cycles, a missed period is like receiving a message: Take a pregnancy test NOW! Pregnancy is the most common cause of a missed period, but there are a few other possible reasons to miss a period too.

An unusually short period AKA early pregnancy spotting Sometimes, bleeding is not a period - even if it shows up when you were expecting the onset of your monthly flow. Belated implantation bleedings or early pregnancy spotting can be hard to distinguish from regular menstruation, until it stops much sooner than a period normally would.

Instinctively knowing that you are pregnant Are you suddenly overcome by a feeling you can't ignore? Do you just "feel" pregnant, or "know" that you conceived this month? You are not alone. Instinctively knowing that you are pregnant is a totally valid early pregnancy symptom. It's time to take a pregnancy test!

A positive pregnancy test A positive pregnancy test is probably the most indisputable sign that you are pregnant. Some sensitive pregnancy tests allow women to test even before their period is due. But you can expect a definite accurate result on the day of your missed period. The levels of the pregnancy hormone hCG, which pregnancy tests use to determine pregnancy, are highest in the morning. Still, the pregnancy tests on the market today are so reliable that you can test at any time of the day. Are you dealing with a pregnancy symptom that didn't appear in the list? Look for it in First Trimester Pregnancy Signs part 2.