Early Pregnancy Symptoms

Early pregnancy symptoms are anything but an exact science. They vary by woman and even by pregnancy for some women. A missed period is not a sure sign of pregnancy, as menstrual cycles can also be altered by one's diet, stress and environment. But missing a period is certainly an important early pregnancy symptom. Because some pregnancy tests may take up to seven days before they can detect pregnant hormones, the wait can be the longest week or two for many women.

Although there is no right mixture of symptoms that mean you're pregnant (and many women may even experience these as psychosomatic symptoms after scouring the Internet for hours), MedicineNet.com lists early pregnancy symptoms as: a swelling and tenderness in the breasts, a darkening of the nipple and skin, abdominal cramping and bloating, food cravings and aversions, tiredness, higher basal body temperature, nausea and vomiting, an increased need to urinate, mood swings, stress and headaches.

It's also worth noting that some pregnant women may still bleed lightly or spot during their regular cycle. This will occur after about a week of conception. A woman's body undergoes huge hormonal changes during the first few weeks of pregnancy. Some women may "feel" the change before they detect any early pregnancy symptoms.

Spending time obsessing over the chances of pregnancy is a cruel way to engage in the waiting game, so keep in mind that heightening your expectations does the same to potential disappointment.