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What are the Signs of Pregnancy Before a Missed Period?

Lori Smith
Lori Smith

Signs of pregnancy before a missed period may be subtle or even confusing. In fact, many symptoms go virtually unnoticed, and some are mistaken for other common ailments, such as the beginning of a stomach virus or impending menstruation. Light spotting, mild cramping, swollen or tender breasts, fatigue, nausea and headaches are among the most frequent early indicators of pregnancy. Women may experience all, or most, of these symptoms as early as two weeks after conception. Some, however, do not exhibit any signs before a missed period.

Spotting, or implantation bleeding, occurs when the embryo attaches to the uterine wall. This usually happens between one and two weeks after the egg has been fertilized. In some cases, the bleeding is barely noticeable. Other times, it may resemble the onset of monthly menstruation. Concurrently, women often experience a mild form of cramping, causing them to confuse implantation bleeding for an abnormal period.

Home pregnancy tests are not always accurate.
Home pregnancy tests are not always accurate.

Other frequent early signs of pregnancy include breast swelling, tenderness, increased sensitivity and even pain. The severity of the symptoms varies among women. For some, simply wearing a bra proves to be extremely uncomfortable. Others may notice only mild changes to their breasts, similar to what is experienced just before menstruation begins, making it easy to mistake pregnancy-related breast discomfort for premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Morning sickness is often experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Morning sickness is often experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Among the most noticeable signs of pregnancy before a missed period include a lack of energy and fatigue. Daytime naps may be needed — or desired — in order to rejuvenate. Many women even go to bed hours earlier than they normally do because of excessive sleepiness. Upon awakening, pregnant women may experience morning sickness.

Nausea, with or without vomiting, is mostly due to the hormonal changes taking place within a pregnant woman's body, specifically the increase of estrogen production. Some women experience the symptom early on, whereas others are not affected until much later. There may also be a difference in the frequency and intensity of the nausea. Contrary to the term morning sickness, pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting can wax and wane throughout the day and evening hours. It is usually most prominent upon waking, however.

Breast swelling, tenderness, increased sensitivity and even pain can all be early signs of pregnancy.
Breast swelling, tenderness, increased sensitivity and even pain can all be early signs of pregnancy.

An aversion or sensitivity to certain smells and foods may exacerbate nausea in pregnant women as well. For example, the aroma of a particular restaurant may illicit feelings of queasiness in one pregnant woman. For another, the scent of baked goods might cause her to feel ill. Each woman's experience is usually different from the next. Whereas one woman might detest the odor of meat or fish when she is pregnant, another one might crave it.

Mild cramping may be a sign of pregnancy before a missed period.
Mild cramping may be a sign of pregnancy before a missed period.

Cravings are usually most noticeable when the desired foods are out of the ordinary. The urge to eat certain foods may stem from the body's need for a particular vitamin or nutrient. While these urges usually occur later in the first trimester, some women notice it much sooner, even before their first missed period.

Discussion Comments

bear78

My first signs of pregnancy before I even missed a period, were constipation, flatulence and back pain. I also had weird cramps. I actually thought that I was experiencing a serious bowel problem!

bluedolphin

@ZipLine-- Excess saliva is a sign of pregnancy! I also got this early sign of pregnancy before my missed period! I found out I was pregnant a few weeks later. So you might be pregnant.

Aside from the saliva, I also had nausea and for some reason, food tasted different to me. I don't know how to explain it, but I stopped liking foods I normally love and started liking foods I usually hate!

It actually took me several years to get pregnant. Every month, I was watching out for early pregnancy signs because I desperately wanted a baby. I would almost always have one early pregnancy sign, but I was never pregnant! I think early signs of pregnancy tend to be ones that we can't predict. They can be very odd!

ZipLine

Is excess saliva a symptom of pregnancy?

I have the typical first signs of pregnancy -- breast tenderness, cramps and spotting. But for me, it doesn't mean anything because I have these symptoms every month before my period. The only non-typical symptom I have is excess saliva. I can barely talk from all the saliva, it's very weird!

Has anyone experienced this and it turned out you were pregnant?

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    • Home pregnancy tests are not always accurate.
      By: Ioannis Pantzi
      Home pregnancy tests are not always accurate.
    • Morning sickness is often experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy.
      By: jedi-master
      Morning sickness is often experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy.
    • Breast swelling, tenderness, increased sensitivity and even pain can all be early signs of pregnancy.
      By: 9nong
      Breast swelling, tenderness, increased sensitivity and even pain can all be early signs of pregnancy.
    • Mild cramping may be a sign of pregnancy before a missed period.
      By: inesbazdar
      Mild cramping may be a sign of pregnancy before a missed period.
    • Headaches are sometimes an early sign of pregnancy.
      By: iko
      Headaches are sometimes an early sign of pregnancy.