What are the early signs of pregnancy?

Bottom lineEarly pregnancy signs include a missed period, tender breasts, nausea (often weeks 4 to 6), fatigue, frequent urination, light implantation spotting, food aversions or cravings, and mild cramping, though many overlap with PMS and vary by person; a missed period plus a positive test taken on or after the missed period is the only reliable confirmation.

Early pregnancy signs vary a lot, and many overlap with PMS. A missed period plus a positive test is the only reliable confirmation, but several symptoms can appear first.

Common early signs

• Missed period - often the first noticeable sign
• Tender, swollen breasts
• Nausea ("morning sickness"), with or without vomiting, often from weeks 4 to 6
• Tiredness and fatigue
• Needing to pee more often
• Light spotting (implantation) around when a period would be due
• Food aversions or cravings, heightened sense of smell
• Mild cramping and increased discharge

Why it's confusing

Many of these mimic PMS, and timing overlaps with an expected period. Symptoms also differ from person to person and pregnancy to pregnancy.

What to do

• If your period is late and you could be pregnant, take a test on or after your missed period
• Use first-morning urine for early testing
• A faint positive usually still counts - retest in a couple of days

When to see a doctor

• A positive test - to start prenatal care
• Severe symptoms, one-sided pain, or heavy bleeding (to rule out ectopic pregnancy)

See how soon can I take a pregnancy test and can discharge be a sign of pregnancy.

Femora flags a late period early, prompting you to test at the right time.